In A Three-Dimensional Jesus, Clifton Black offers a fresh, critically
sympathetic reading of the New Testament's first three Gospels: Matthew,
Mark, and Luke. Intelligent and accessible, conversational and
whimsical, this volume helps readers consider the questions that are
basic to the Synoptic Gospels' interpretation. Black addresses their
literary genre and origins; portrayals of the figure of Jesus and other
central characters; the relationships among these three books; and the
social, political, and religious worlds from which they emerged and to
which they were addressed. Individual chapters on each Gospel highlight
their likely audiences, literary structures, and primary theological
themes. Throughout, Black's presentation is clear and engaging, making
use of topical sidebars, charts, and illustrations as well as wit and
good humor to draw readers into these Gospels' interpretations. The
volume also includes such original features as conversations with other
well-established scholars, which help the reader appreciate a range of
perspectives on topics like the historical Jesus and the Gospels'
depiction of women, and interviews of experts on these Gospels'
afterlife in the history of Christian thought, sacred music, fine art,
and preaching.
A Three-Dimensional Jesus is a concise, approachable study of the New
Testament's first three Gospels viewed from multiple angles--historical,
sociological, literary, theological--with attention paid to their
history of interpretation. In as much, Black invites readers to better
understand and appreciate the Synoptics, while guiding them to learn
even more.
