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rickwren's review against another edition
4.0
It's a pleasure to read Cahill's books. Firstly he writes on transitional histories, subjects about which he's both passionate and knowledgeable. Secondly he brings those eras to life with new (to me) information and brilliant texture for the settings and the subjects.
In Desire of the Everlasting Hills he brings the transitional event of Jesus of Nazareth to new light. In exploring the essential Jewishness of the place and of the people he shows that this man's teachings were a new doctrine and that he was quite the popular figure among the poor and outcast while being a threat to the establishment Jews of the day. He weaves together all the elements of life in the region and shows how those elements combined with Roman rule could have contributed to the life and death of an inspirational rabbi. Then he shows how the gospels and the new testament came to be written - all the while a new church was growing, changing, and solidifying as a world power.
I learned quite a bit from this book and while I won't begin to tell you all of it, I will recommend it.
In Desire of the Everlasting Hills he brings the transitional event of Jesus of Nazareth to new light. In exploring the essential Jewishness of the place and of the people he shows that this man's teachings were a new doctrine and that he was quite the popular figure among the poor and outcast while being a threat to the establishment Jews of the day. He weaves together all the elements of life in the region and shows how those elements combined with Roman rule could have contributed to the life and death of an inspirational rabbi. Then he shows how the gospels and the new testament came to be written - all the while a new church was growing, changing, and solidifying as a world power.
I learned quite a bit from this book and while I won't begin to tell you all of it, I will recommend it.
sarahbringhurstfamilia's review against another edition
5.0
This is Book 3 of Cahill's Hinges of Civilization series, and I loved it as much as I loved the original two (How the Irish Saved Civilization, and The Gifts of the Jews). It paints an intimate picture of the historical Christ and his close friends, followers, and contemporaries. Cahill has a real gift for bringing ancient history to life. I was especially intrigued by his portrait of Paul. In case you didn't know, the Biblical writer to whom is attributed the injunction that women keep their mouths shut in church, was actually a fairly radical feminist for his time. Also included was some interesting commentary on how artifacts and portraits from the Shroud of Turin to Renaissance paintings probably do in fact resemble Jesus Christ.
sarahcoller's review against another edition
1.0
I found very little redeeming about this book and finally abandoned it about 2/3 through.
The author has a very secular understanding of the Bible and Jewish history. He misses half the point, the whole point, and all of the beauty most of the time. His chapters on the life of Jesus were full of mocking untruths and misunderstandings. I get the overall impression that this author calls himself a "Christian" but I'd love to read something like this from an actual whole Bible believer.
Even taking into consideration his odd sense of humor (at one point I wrote in my notes: "it takes a bit to get his humor. I think I’m probably more sensitive than I should be with some of his points.") his very skewed interpretation of the impact of Jesus and the Bible makes this book extremely disappointing. In fact, looking over his biography, this is the perfect example of someone who hears the word, studies the word, (paid good, good money to learn the Hebrew Bible even), but completely misses the message.
I often wondered, "is he actually a respected historian?" (He describes martyrdom as a genre of mythology.) I couldn't get past the screwy interpretations that Paul and the first century church were not encouraging their followers to follow Torah. The author misunderstands, misinterprets, and misrepresents Torah throughout. It takes more than big words and reputation to make a scholar. This one can’t get his own theology straight, saying on one page that 2 Timothy couldn’t possibly have been written by Paul but on the next page encouraging us to imagine Paul “thinking, as he wrote in Second Timothy…”. Ok then.
He relegates Revelation to a silly fun mystery story written by a bored John in exile. He cracks the 666 code for us (oh thank you, wise scholar!) and explains (with a "big duh!!! mentality) that it merely refers to Nero. News flash: 666 using gematria also works for several phrases including the name Barak Obama, Prince Arthur, Thomas Cruise, and "This is a Hoax". When whoever this person is is actually revealed, this passage will be made clear, just as the ones about the delivery of the mark of the beast or the fact that the whole world will look on the dead witnesses were made more understandable once technology caught up and revealed possible scenarios.
The nonsense probably didn't stop there, but that's where I stopped. I can't stomach this "scholarly" misrepresented garbage. I'd encourage potential readers to save time and do their own research. Much of what he talks about is common knowledge of history---this book was more about furthering the enemy's secular agenda disguised as modern day Christianity.
The author has a very secular understanding of the Bible and Jewish history. He misses half the point, the whole point, and all of the beauty most of the time. His chapters on the life of Jesus were full of mocking untruths and misunderstandings. I get the overall impression that this author calls himself a "Christian" but I'd love to read something like this from an actual whole Bible believer.
Even taking into consideration his odd sense of humor (at one point I wrote in my notes: "it takes a bit to get his humor. I think I’m probably more sensitive than I should be with some of his points.") his very skewed interpretation of the impact of Jesus and the Bible makes this book extremely disappointing. In fact, looking over his biography, this is the perfect example of someone who hears the word, studies the word, (paid good, good money to learn the Hebrew Bible even), but completely misses the message.
I often wondered, "is he actually a respected historian?" (He describes martyrdom as a genre of mythology.) I couldn't get past the screwy interpretations that Paul and the first century church were not encouraging their followers to follow Torah. The author misunderstands, misinterprets, and misrepresents Torah throughout. It takes more than big words and reputation to make a scholar. This one can’t get his own theology straight, saying on one page that 2 Timothy couldn’t possibly have been written by Paul but on the next page encouraging us to imagine Paul “thinking, as he wrote in Second Timothy…”. Ok then.
He relegates Revelation to a silly fun mystery story written by a bored John in exile. He cracks the 666 code for us (oh thank you, wise scholar!) and explains (with a "big duh!!! mentality) that it merely refers to Nero. News flash: 666 using gematria also works for several phrases including the name Barak Obama, Prince Arthur, Thomas Cruise, and "This is a Hoax". When whoever this person is is actually revealed, this passage will be made clear, just as the ones about the delivery of the mark of the beast or the fact that the whole world will look on the dead witnesses were made more understandable once technology caught up and revealed possible scenarios.
The nonsense probably didn't stop there, but that's where I stopped. I can't stomach this "scholarly" misrepresented garbage. I'd encourage potential readers to save time and do their own research. Much of what he talks about is common knowledge of history---this book was more about furthering the enemy's secular agenda disguised as modern day Christianity.
elsiebrady's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the perspective Cahill gave to the time before Jesus as well as Jesus' time. I'm curious about his ideas that the people of Jesus' time didn't really believe him to be a literal Son of God but that was a concept that developed over time. I really enjoyed what he added to my understanding of Paul and the complimentary personalities that Paul and Peter added to the work of spreading the gospel after Jesus' death.
manalive's review against another edition
2.0
If you really hate someone, and I mean really hate them, just get Cahill to write a 'sympathetic' book about their religion or culture.
The first parts of the book were solid and provide a lively historical background to the rise of Christianity but his faddish pseudo-scholarly takes on the Gospels are just awful.
The first parts of the book were solid and provide a lively historical background to the rise of Christianity but his faddish pseudo-scholarly takes on the Gospels are just awful.
bibliothecarivs's review against another edition
4.0
This book is an interesting look at the cultures, people, languages, and events that shaped the world around Jesus. From the influence of Alexander the Great and the Greeks on the Jews to the personalities and writing styles of Jesus's early followers, many intriguing influences are discussed. While not comprehensive, Cahill's mostly-secular work is both engaging and accessible.
earlapvaldez's review against another edition
4.0
A good overview of the influence of Christianity in Western civilization, I believe.
ubalstecha's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting look at what it was about Jesus' words that was so revolutionary and how it changed the world.
boureemusique's review against another edition
3.0
Apparently, I did read this book a long time ago. Well, I listened to it on audiobook again this week and I have new thoughts. I also liked the book more for being on CD.
This book was recommended to me over a decade ago by an ex-boyfriend. I wouldn’t have picked it up except that I saw it in the stacks while browsing the audiobooks in the library. It is perfectly delightful to come across books this way. Most of what I read is from my long to-read list or from close friends and family’s recommendations, but sometimes a browse will unearth wonders. On to the book itself!
I did not agree with all of Cahill’s arguments, but most of them were plausible and all of them reflected the author’s sincere and studied thoughts about Jesus as a person, as a historical figure and as an influence in our world today. Cahill is a bit too sympathetic to Paul for my tastes, but he did convince me to love him more. Most importantly, I think, Cahill encourages the reader to recognize that Christianity could not exist without Judaism and that Jesus’ message of radical love to all people is what matters most. I don’t often “get” the necessity of Jesus’ sacrifice, but Cahill brought me as close as I’ve been in years by reminding me that Jesus as a man experienced true sympathy – suffering with us – to express his love. It makes the idea of “Emanuel” – God with us – that much deeper. Perhaps the most lasting part of the book for me will be a bit from the end, which I’ll paraphrase. A Jewish woman told the author that she had no interest whatsoever in becoming a Christian but that she loves Jesus and considers him one of her own. That’s kind of how I feel. I dropped the trappings of formal Christianity years ago, but I still love Jesus.
I may have gotten more out of the book by reading a hardcopy or Kindle version because I probably would have slowed down, reread passages and perhaps written things down, but Brian O’Bryne’s Irish brogue was perfectly lilting, lyrical and sympathetic.
This book was recommended to me over a decade ago by an ex-boyfriend. I wouldn’t have picked it up except that I saw it in the stacks while browsing the audiobooks in the library. It is perfectly delightful to come across books this way. Most of what I read is from my long to-read list or from close friends and family’s recommendations, but sometimes a browse will unearth wonders. On to the book itself!
I did not agree with all of Cahill’s arguments, but most of them were plausible and all of them reflected the author’s sincere and studied thoughts about Jesus as a person, as a historical figure and as an influence in our world today. Cahill is a bit too sympathetic to Paul for my tastes, but he did convince me to love him more. Most importantly, I think, Cahill encourages the reader to recognize that Christianity could not exist without Judaism and that Jesus’ message of radical love to all people is what matters most. I don’t often “get” the necessity of Jesus’ sacrifice, but Cahill brought me as close as I’ve been in years by reminding me that Jesus as a man experienced true sympathy – suffering with us – to express his love. It makes the idea of “Emanuel” – God with us – that much deeper. Perhaps the most lasting part of the book for me will be a bit from the end, which I’ll paraphrase. A Jewish woman told the author that she had no interest whatsoever in becoming a Christian but that she loves Jesus and considers him one of her own. That’s kind of how I feel. I dropped the trappings of formal Christianity years ago, but I still love Jesus.
I may have gotten more out of the book by reading a hardcopy or Kindle version because I probably would have slowed down, reread passages and perhaps written things down, but Brian O’Bryne’s Irish brogue was perfectly lilting, lyrical and sympathetic.