The Life of Jesus, Critically Examined [Paperback]

Strauss' highly controversial challenge to the historicity of the gospels pioneered the application of modern historical methods to religious texts.Strauss highly controversial The Life of Jesus applied strict historical methods to the gospel narratives and caused scandal by concluding that all miraculous elements were mythical and ahistorical. Volume 1 introduces the idea of de-mythology and applies modern historical methods to the narratives of Jesus birth and early life.Strauss highly controversial The Life of Jesus applied strict historical methods to the gospel narratives and caused scandal by concluding that all miraculous elements were mythical and ahistorical. Volume 1 introduces the idea of de-mythology and applies modern historical methods to the narratives of Jesus birth and early life.The German theologian David Friedrich Strauss (18081874) published his highly controversial The Life of Jesus in three volumes between 1835 and 1836. This translation by George Eliot is based on the fourth German edition (1840). Strauss applied strict historical method to the gospel narratives and caused scandal across the Protestant world by concluding that all miraculous elements were mythical and ahistorical. Strauss introduces Volume 1 with a survey of 'de-mythology' in Western thought. He applies modern historical and scientific criticism to the annunciation and birth narratives; the Davidic descent and genealogies of Jesus; Jesus' visit to the temple; Jesus' baptism and temptation and his relationship with John the Baptist. The volume ends with a chapter on chronology and locality in the life of Jesus. This is a key text of nineteenth-century theology that pioneered the application of historical and scientific methods to the study of religious texts.Preface to the first edition; Preface to the fourth edition; Introduction. Development of the mythical point of view in relation to the Gospel histories; Part I. History of the Birth and Childhood of Jesus: 1. Annl#