Welcome to Litsy!

I listened to this on the recommendation of a friend. It was alright. Over the first half of the book, the reader gets caught up to speed on the historical events leading up to Jesus‘s time. He does a fair job of providing his interpretation of mistranslated and poorly understood portions of the Bible as they pertain to Jesus, his teachings, and goals. Spoiler alert: according to the author, Jesus did not achieve his main goals during his lifetime

#Alphabetgame #LetterZ @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I listened to Reza as part my prep to read the New Testament. (So, a non-religious Jew, me, used a book by Muslim-turned-Evangelical-Christian-turned-Muslim-again author to prepare to read a Christian religious book in a non-religious way.) Anyway, I found this one really striking and it helped orient me on the gospel (but not really on Paul).

The last few letters of the #AlphabetGame
#LetterX #LetterY #LetterZ
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Another brilliant book

#3books recommended to me that I really enjoyed.

My ongoing Lenten reading continues with a closer look at the political atmosphere and meaning of the historical Jesus of Nazareth. (and also testing some image stuff for Tim).

Flying to Philly today! I can‘t read on planes so I‘ve got an audio all set. ✈️

Zealot Resa Aslan.
I really enjoyed this book. 👍🏼👍🏼
(I put the final paragraph from the epilogue in my image.)
This completes my 'z' entry for #litsyatoz yay!

Almost finished this interesting book...

Currently reading Zealot & at this stage where Jesus (PBUH) hasn't actually entered the picture I'm just shocked by the degree of bloodshed & violence that characterised the region. It just goes to show how humanity has historically had these problems before. But that just gives you hope that even what we're experiencing now can maybe be turned around. That aside,really excited about getting to know Jesus (PBUH) the man and the historical figure!

BOOK: Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth (As a Jew, I loved reading about the dude from a Muslim author who takes great care to talk about Jesus‘ Jewishness 👍🏻)
AUTHOR: Francesca Zappia
MOVIE: Ziegfeld Follies (Grandparents showed it to me as a little girl and I adored it)
FOOD: Zucchini bread
#manicmonday #letterZ

#WinterWonderland This was my #LetterZ choice 2 years ago and it was quite a fascinating read. For such a smart guy Reza Aslan breaks down all the historical content and numerous sources into really easy reading material, making for a real page turner. I thought this book was a really academic approach to #MarysBoyChild and his early days...this is the story of Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish shepherd, and not necessarily a book about Jesus Christ.

A biography of Jesus of Nazareth. The author, who is a professor of world religions, compares and contrasts the Gospels of the Bible against historical documents that examine Jesus through the time period in which he lived. I thought it was fascinating from a historical viewpoint, even though I‘m not all that religious.

I had heard interviews and comments when this was released and formed the impression that this was a book was a controversial retelling of the life of Christ. It is rather, a well summarised of the known history of the life of Jesus of Nazareth (as opposed to Jesus Christ) the radical Jew who sought to redefine the practice of Judaism and by extension to overthrow the power of the temple and the subsequent history of the early Christian church.

I was going through my phone and I found this passage. I think what struck me was that Jesus is proving that no one is unworthy of coming before God. No one. I wish more churches taught that. #books #rezaaslan #christ #goodbooks

#MarchintoOz I read this controversial book last year for my #LitsyAtoZ #LetterZ and was overwhelmed by the #PowerandthePassion described to Jesus, as a revolutionary attempting to usurp Roman rule over Judea & Samaria. While my knowledge of Christianity and it‘s fundamentals are limited, I found this book very engaging and informative. Billed as biography most scholars reject Allan‘s claims, so I‘m left wondering what was fact/fiction.

Part history of first century Palestine and Jewish radicalism in that time, part literary criticism discussing the contradictions and evolution of the New Testament, this is an entertaining, readable book that recontextualizes mythology and faith in fascinating ways. There simply isn‘t enough information for a true accounting of the historical Jesus, but Aslan has put together a fabulously readable attempt.

This is on the lower end of the pick scale because of its structure. In trying to place Jesus the man in historical context, Aslan chooses a thematic structure. Because he does, events and ideas keep being repeated instead of dealt with separately. This book would have been better with a linear narrative structure, with Aslan placing events in historical context along the way.

Tells of the historical Jesus and what would have been happening at the time he was alive. Gives reasons as to why he became the savior and how the Jews got a raw deal historically. I will probably read this again because it was a lot to digest. Finished this in December for @BookishMarginalia #LitsyAtoZ #LetterZ

Not Friday but I‘m doing it anyway...lol.
1) Samoa Girl Scout Cookies
2) White Christmas (makes me cringe)
3) Not anymore; we don‘t do gift exchange
4) 39 out of 50....but no pressure 😭
#books #friyay

Starting my read for #letterZ for #litsyAtoZ.

Fascinating attempt to reveal the historical Jesus behind the myth-making. Aslan thankfully avoids the sneery tones adopted by some prominent "New Atheists" and although this is unlikely to shake a believer's faith that isn't its intention. The final chapters, describing how Paul's conception of Jesus as the "Son of God" won out over the accounts of those who actually knew Jesus such as Peter and Jesus's brother James are particularly revealing.

🙌 worth the read

Look at this list...isn‘t it grand lol! #books #november #readtilmyeyeshurt #noteworthynovember

Though not really contributing anything new to scholarship, Zealot nevertheless acts as an effective crash course in studies of the New Testament, a refresher for the initiated and a valuable challenge for those who are not.

This book had a lot of interesting information on Jesus as an historical figure. It mirrored some information I studied in various classes I had in my undergrad. It was dry at times, and it required basic understanding of the underlying topic. The reader was really expected to know the names and stories of the figures discussed. Overall, it provided an interesting look at Jesus, the man.

I find this passage SO beautiful. As a Catholic, I believe in Jesus as Christ, but I also know that He was as human as He was divine. He was a man who wanted His home and His people free of the tyranny of outside forces, and who was not always peaceful, who did not always operate within the Law. And it's this dichotomy, this concept of human and divine, that I will always find fascinating. #rezaaslan #zealot

I'm Catholic. I have 20 years of education in Catholic schools behind me, and a minor in Theology. I love my church. But this is fascinating, and I'm thoroughly engaged. Aslan's writing is crisp and quick, and reveals the historical Jesus without ever feeling like it's an attack on the beliefs of the Christian community. #zealot #rezaaslan

On Easter Sunday, it's fitting to begin reading this book by one of my favorite "brains." If I could do a Vulcan mind meld with anyone, it would be Reza Azlan.

@BookishMarginalia #LitsyAtoZ

Thought that this time of year is a fitting time to read this book which I have had for a while.

Whoa! This was an extensive study regarding 1st century Palestine, the history of the Jewish people , the Roman Empire's rule over Judea & the historical context of the life/times of Jesus. The author challenges some of Christianity's basic beliefs but my background is minimal so I can't comment. I appreciated the amount of research that was done & the way Aslan laid out the information in a clear and fascinating manner. #LRC4 #LetterZ #Google

Completely forgot that I was reading this nonfiction account of Jesus of Nazareth 😳I have 2 days and 2 hours to finish up...I think I can, I think I can 🚂 🚂 🚂

Two #OverDrive requests came in today...just in time for #24in48 😍

My Overdrive is so lit...full on #blackgirlmagic ; mysteries, dystopian worlds and fanasty lol! I am all over the place with my reading selections ❤️ #books #booklover #reading #hoodandbookish #mylife

After finding a couple #titlesstartingwithZ, I have that song "Liza with a Z" going through my head-- just one of the many ways gay men have to suffer that other men don't!?And yes, I know I'm cheating with Dr. Z, but who wouldn't cheat with him, if you know what I'm saying??#seasonsreadings2016

I enjoy reading about the history of religion. I would highly recommend this book to those who are very religious and those who do not follow Christianity and everyone in between. Reza Aslan offers evidence that not too many people know about, even in the most academic Bible study group.

Sunday morning reading #readingwithoutwalls

Breakfast!

My November TBR #photoadaynov16 @RealLifeReading #poc #nanowrimo #writingandreadingallnovember #november #ambitious #backatlitsy #littens

This audio book is narrated by the author and he is just a great narrator. I was impressed by what an pleasurable and easy listening experience it was, which I do not usually find in non fiction. The author successfully (in my opinion) makes the case that Jesus was a pretty typical Jewish rabbi of his time and shows how his original teachings were well within the Jewish tradition. Great audiobook!

Very interesting!!

Lovely walk over lunch listening to my audio book.

Fascinating, gripping, and a surprising page-turner. Listened to this on audiobook, and Reza Aslan is a very dynamic, engaging reader.

I am in no way religious, but I have heard good things about this book.

Grabbed this one at random from my library OverDrive app for the commute home, and holy wow y'all it is enthralling, even for this godless heathen.