Award-winningreligiousscholarRichardBauckhamhereexploresthehistoricalfigureofJesus,evaluatingthesourcesandshowingthattheyprovideuswithgoodhistoricalevidenceforhislifeandteaching.ToplaceJesusinhisproperhistoricalcontext,asaJewfromGalileeintheearlyfirstcenturyofourera,BauckhamlooksatJewishreligionandsocietyinthelandofIsraelunderRomanrule.HeexploresJesus’symbolicpracticesaswellashisteachings,looksathispubliccareerandemphasizeshowhisactions,suchashealingandhisassociationwithnotorioussinners,werejustasimportantashiswords.BauckhamwritesthatJesuswasdevotedtotheGodofIsrael,withaspecialfocusonGod’sfatherlyloveandcompassion,andlikeeveryJewishteacherheexpoundedtheTorah,butdidsoinhisowndistinctiveway.AfteradiscussionaboutthewayJesusunderstoodhimselfandwhatfinallyledtohisdeathonaRomancross,BauckhamconcludesbyconsideringthesignificanceJesushascometohaveforChristianfaithworldwide.
