James, the Brother of Jesus, Robert Eisenman
James, the Brother of Jesus, Robert Eisenman
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James, the Brother of Jesus
The Key to Unlocking the Secrets of Early Christianity and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Author: Robert Eisenman

Narrator: Bob Souer

Unabridged: 43 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/29/2016

Synopsis

James was a vegetarian, wore only linen clothing, bathed daily at dawn in cold water, and was a life-long Nazirite. In this profound and provocative work of scholarly detection, eminent biblical scholar Robert Eisenman introduces a startling theory about the identity of James—the brother of Jesus—who was almost entirely marginalized in the New Testament. Drawing on long-overlooked early church texts and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Eisenman reveals in this groundbreaking exploration that James, not Peter, was the real successor to the movement we now call “Christianity.” In an argument with enormous implications, Eisenman identifies Paul as deeply compromised by Roman contacts. James is presented as not simply the leader of Christianity of his day, but the popular Jewish leader of his time, whose death triggered the uprising against Rome—a fact that creative rewriting of early church documents has obscured.Eisenman reveals that characters such as “Judas Iscariot” and “the Apostle James” did not exist as such. In delineating the deliberate falsifications in New Testament documents, Eisenman shows how—as James was written out—anti-Semitism was written in. By rescuing James from the oblivion into which he was cast, the final conclusion of James, the Brother of Jesus is, in the words of the Jerusalem Post, “apocalyptic”—who and whatever James was, so was Jesus.

About Robert Eisenman

Robert Eisenman is a biblical scholar, theoretical writer, historian, archaeologist, and “road” poet. He is currently professor of Middle East religions, archaeology, and Islamic law and director of the Institute for the Study of Judaeo-Christian Origins at California State University, Long Beach.

About Bob Souer

Bob Souer is a full-time professional storyteller, voice actor, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. He has narrated broadcast and nonbroadcast projects for corporations and ministries across North America. His voice has been heard on PBS, the History Channel, the Military Channel, and many other networks. He has also narrated radio and television programs for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, D. James Kennedy Ministries, SIM, and Compassion International.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Alexander on December 26, 2014

Every once in a while a book comes along that offers a complete paradigm shift and really makes you stop and think. This is such a book. As a piece of literature it is probably 4 stars because it does get tediously repetitive and dwells on a subject for a very long time, but this is somewhat necessa......more

Goodreads review by Beauregard on November 17, 2024

This is one of my favorite books and is well worth the trouble to understand. Bible scholars, even the ones who see Christianity as bogus often spend too much time within the confines of the harmonized and syncretic Bible itself. Sometimes more can be learned by understanding the milieu and connecti......more

Goodreads review by Trevor on July 21, 2008

A tortuous ride through mounds of evidence and strained connections that ends in one of the most mean-spirited theses of Christianity's origins that I have ever encountered.......more

Goodreads review by Erik on February 06, 2014

This rather lengthy first volume of a two-volume study of the early church was a very difficult read, not because the material was particularly difficult--one needn't know any Aramaic, Hebrew, Syriac, Greek or even Latin--but because of its organization and the author's writing style. The arguments......more

Goodreads review by Keith on August 04, 2008

Eisenman is a really smart guy with a lot of information at his disposal. However, he can't write worth beans. This is really hard to get through. This book is interesting for early-Christianity geeks like me, but if you're looking for a light summer read, this isn't the place to start. Try Jeffrey......more

Quotes

“Robert Eisenman’s James the Brother of Jesus is less a book than an irresistible force. Once opened…[it] bulldozes your prejudices, flattens your objections, elbows aside your counter-arguments, convinces you.” Globe and Mail (Toronto)

“A passionate quest for the historical James refigures Christian origins…A thrilling essay in historical detection.” Guardian (London)

“Eisenman’s research is meticulous, his arguments cogent, and his conclusions persuasive. This should prove to be a popular and influential book.” Amazon.com, editorial review

“‘A tremendous work of historical scholarship…Expert…Fascinating…Unparalleled…Apocalyptic…A great book.” Jerusalem Post

“Eisenman’s historical reconstruction makes for fascinating reading.” Kirkus Reviews

“What a book! Impressive in elegance and painstaking scholarship.” Neil Silberman, author of The Hidden Scrolls

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