My book presents the four gospels from the perspective of another eyewitness- a man named Eleazar. Eleazar is the Aramaic name for Lazarus who is an historical character in the Gospel of John. I believe, along with a minority of New Testament Scholars, that Lazarus was the principle author of that gospel. As such, he was certainly an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry in Judea and perhaps even Galilee. I tried to write this book by keeping that narrator , Eleazar in the background because I don't want it to read primarily as a first person novel. Actually, I do and I don't. I say that because it is a lot more than an historical novel. At times, it certainly reads like a novel but the scholarly element is always present. I do this be quoting most of the passages from the the four gospels and portions of Acts. All the quotes are in italics so the reader is sure they are from the New Testament. There are also numerous footnotes which are used to explain said passages. Eleazar is basically my sounding board as he reacts to the gospel story. He is actually myself and the reader as we struggle to understand the gospel message and its challenges. My aim in my ministry is to get people to read the Bible, particularly the gospels. This book gives them the opportunity to do that but in a more relaxed and convenient way. My book is not just for Catholics but everyone, regardless of their denomination. I respect all protestant denominations and have learned a great deal from many of them. My approach is that of a scripture scholar where-in I do not espouse a particular doctrine but merely let the words of scripture speak for themselves.

My book presents the four gospels from the perspective of another eyewitness- a man named Eleazar. Eleazar is the Aramaic name for Lazarus who is an historical character in the Gospel of John. I believe, along with a minority of New Testament Scholars, that Lazarus was the principle author of that gospel. As such, he was certainly an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry in Judea and perhaps even Galilee. I tried to write this book by keeping that narrator, Eleazar in the background because I don't want it to read primarily as a first person novel. Actually, I do and I don't. I say that because it is a lot more than an historical novel. At times, it certainly reads like a novel but the scholarly element is always present. I do this be quoting most of the passages from the the four gospels and portions of Acts. All the quotes are in italics so the reader is sure they are from the New Testament. There are also numerous footnotes which are used to explain said passages. Eleazar is basically my sounding board as he reacts to the gospel story. He is actually myself and the reader as we struggle to understand the gospel message and its challenges. My aim in my ministry is to get people to read the Bible, particularly the gospels. This book gives them the opportunity to do that but in a more relaxed and convenient way. My book is not just for Catholics but everyone, regardless of their denomination. I respect all protestant denominations and have learned a great deal from many of them. My approach is that of a scripture scholar where-in I do not espouse a particular doctrine but merely let the words of scripture speak for themselves.

As Passover approaches, the city of Jerusalem is a political tinderbox. When rumors start spreading about the popular prophet Jesus, unexpected alliances emerge between Roman and Jewish leaders. In Killing a Messiah, New Testament scholar Adam Winn weaves together stories of historical and fictional characters in a fresh reimagining of the events leading up to Jesus' execution, shedding new light on our reading of biblical texts.

It is a little known fact that there have been more than fifty prominent Jewish Messiahs. These characters, though unrenowned today, inspired messianic fervour that at times seized the whole Jewish, Christian, Muslim and even secular worlds. The stories of these fifty Messiahs, both male and female, are unknown -- suppressed by Jewish religious authorities or ignored by historians of all religions. Until now. In this book, these Jewish Messiahs are remembered, and now their forgotten stories -- whether humorous, bizarre, tragic or solemn -- are finally told. The Messiah who killed the Pope; The Messiah who was saved from the Inquisition when the Pope hid him in the Vatican; The Messiah who demanded that his head be cut off in order to prove his immortality The Messiah who defied the Holy Roman Emperor; The 17th century Messiah whose followers continued their secret society into the 20th century. And to contemporary times and the story of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, and how he inspired a passionate and devoted following. Above all, Fifty Jewish Messiahs examines humanity, not divinity, and history rather than theology. Taken together, these intriguing stories paint a vivid portrait of the universal and timeless human need for optimism, and hope in a better future.

The Old Testament both tells the story of Israel and points to the coming Messiah. Kaiser distinguishes between Old Testament passages that describe national Israel's glorious future and those that point to Christ and his kingdom. Kaiser's chronological approach traces Israel's developing concept of Messiah through different time periods.