Portraits of Jesus: A Reading Guide

by Robert Imperato

Overview

This is an introduction to the New Testament portrayals of Jesus of Nazareth. Analysis of editorial emphases by each author gives access to the ways Jesus is characterized. This is an introductory guide to the ways Jesus is depicted in the New Testament. Both college students and the general reader will find here a variety of New Testament understandings of Jesus that are rooted in critical reading of the four Gospels and Pauline letters. Underlining these particular portrayals is the historical Jesus, a prophet mighty in word and deed who challenged the people running the Temple state. This new addition gives attention to his historical context and adds to a realistic understanding of this most studied book and person. This work presumes neither religious faith nor lack of faith; its aim is to inform and to give the readers portraits as synthetic balance to the vital work of analysis. Ideally, this book should be read with a copy of the New Testament at hand to answer questions and to test the assertions of reader and author.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761873341
Publisher:	Hamilton Books
Publication date:	09/09/2022
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.99(h) x 0.41(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Robert Imperato is professor of religion at Saint Leo University.

Table of Contents

Introduction Chapter 1: Jesus as Prophet Chapter 2: Mark’s Portrait of Jesus: God’s Agent against Evil and Corruption, Hidden and Suffering Son of God Chapter 3: Matthew’s Portrait of Jesus: Fulfillment of Jewish Hope, Teacher of Superior Righteousness, Messiah, Son of God, Founder of the Church, Preacher of the Kingdom of God Chapter 4: Luke: Jesus as martyr prophet, champion of the poor, model of prayer, innocent and merciful savior Chapter 5: Jesus in John’s Gospel: Political activist, pre-existent Word of God, the I Am of Hebrew tradition, replacement of Jewish patriarchs, and the Father’s offer of life Chapter 6: Paul: Christ Crucified, Last Adam, Life-giving Spirit, Freedom and the Law, Source of Unity, Redeemer, and Lord Appendix: Historical Background to the New Testament Bibliography About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Imperato makes Jesus come alive in the pages of his Portraits of Jesus. In a scholarly fashion, he portrays Jesus to the everyday individual, giving a more than adequate overview of the salient features of our Lord's life and ministry.

I teach New Testament to college freshmen and sophomores who have little or no formal background in the New Testament. I find that they relate well to the models provided by Imperato.

Paul McCuistion

I do believe that the kind of New Testament survey material that Robert Imperato has prepared can stimulate the interest of newcomers to the field, especially college undergraduates and others who have a cultural connection to the Bible but very slender acquaintance with it. The observation of parallel versions of the same pericope in the gospels is usually a new and intriguing experience for this constituency, which is often predisposed to consider the sacred texts dryly uniform and threadbare. In respect to Paul, there is next to no undistorted prior exposure to build upon, especially among Catholics, so an introduction to his prominent themes—but only with understanding of his texts as genuine letters, not treatises—can arouse interest in further assisted reading. Imperato's sketches are properly dedicated to such reading assistance, not to furnishing "cliff notes" in place of the Bible. This is why I think his work can be of considerable educational value.

Rev. Dr. Richard J. Dillon

I do believe that the kind of New Testament survey material that Dr. Imperato has prepared can stimulate the interest of newcomers to the field, especially college undergraduates and others who have a cultural connection to the Bible but very slender acquaintance with it. The observation of parallel versions of the same pericope in the gospels is usually a new and intriguing experience for this constituency, which is often predisposed to consider the sacred texts dryly uniform and threadbare. In respect to Paul, there is next to no undistorted prior exposure to build upon, especially among Catholics, so an introduction to his prominent themes — but only with understanding of his texts as genuine letters, not treatises — can arouse interest in further assisted reading. Dr. Imperato's sketches are properly dedicated to such reading assistance, not to furnishing "cliff notes" in place of the Bible. This is why I think his work can be of considerable educational value.

The Rev. Dr. Richard J. Dillon