Not only is this book 500 pages long, the text is highly compressed, conveying a great deal of information. This makes reading tough going for the student (the primary audience), even more so for the interested layman. Yet perseverance is rewarded. Basic issues are clearly analysed, there is an overview of the history of research to begin each chapter, and the chapters end with a summary and hermeneutical reflection, supplemented by assignments, which the student can profitably fulfil.
The authors have a clear guiding model for the reconstruction of what can be known about the historical Jesus, namely, that of a wandering charismatic; Theissen has set this out in many earlier publications. Yet alternate views are fairly presented. The book is firmly situated in the so-called Third Quest for the historical Jesus, one that seeks to factor in in a positive way the native culture of Jesus, the faith and practice of Israel. Exegetical approaches are supplemented by a social-historical approach, and the concerns of feminist criticism inform the treatment. The Jesus who emerges is identifiably a part of the history of Jewish religion. Highly recommended, especially for those confronted with currently popular mythicist treatment who might feel that the only alternative is a return to an ahistorical literalism. ( )