Daniel J. Harrington, SJ (1940–2014), was professor of New Testament at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and editor of New Testament Abstracts. A past president of the Catholic Biblical Association, he was the author of more than 40 books on various topics in biblical studies.
Jesus of Nazareth has had an enormous impact on human history. Yet
just about all the information we have about him is contained in
documents that were written some time after his death by authors
who regarded him as more than a Jewish peasant turned religious
teacher. Harrington, a noted biblical scholar, takes on the
daunting task of reconstructing the life and teachings of Jesus in
some 400 brief entries. The people, places, and events in Jesus’
life are covered in entries such as Galilee, Mary Magdalene, and
Trial of Jesus. Some scholars view the parables of Jesus as
presenting his actual teachings and possibly his very own words, so
many (e.g., Good Samaritan, parable of the) are included. Such
topics as Humor, Money, and Table fellowship further describe
Jesus’ teachings and the manner in which he taught. Although the
dictionary is not intended as an apologetic work, theological
topics such as Incarnation, Logos, and Son of Man are mentioned in
the source documents so therefore merit inclusion. One of the most
interesting entries and also one of the longest is Jewish
interpretations of Jesus, wherein Jewish perspectives over the
centuries are introduced. A concise introductory essay gives an
overview of 'the major topics pertaining to Jesus as a historical
figure,' and the dictionary concludes with a bibliography of
recommended works.... Historical Dictionary of Jesus is a fine
place to start for accessible and authoritative information.
Recommended for theological, research, and large public
libraries.
*Booklist*
This dictionary will be a helpful source for those who want a
handy, quick reference guide to the study of Jesus and the Gospels.
Summing Up: Recommended.
*CHOICE*
A readable textbook on Jesus….It offers a tremendous introduction
to critical topics about Jesus, 400 cross-referenced entries and a
thorough bibliography.
*St. Anthony Messenger*
The Historical Dictionary of Jesus by Daniel J. Harrington is a
small but valuable resource for all who are beginning their studies
in the field of bible and theology as well as those simply
interested in pursuing a greater understanding of the historical
person of Jesus…. With an insightful introduction and strategic
entries, this dictionary provides an exemplary guide concerning the
historical figure of Jesus and the methods and disciplines used to
study him…. The dictionary is a handy volume, well laid-out, and
easy to use…. It is easily one of the best sources for
understanding the historical person of Jesus, giving the student
and scholar ample material to answer one's questions and point
him/her in all the right directions for further study.
*Journal Of Religious & Theological Information*
Part of a series covering a range of philosophical and theological
figures and movements, this volume sets Jesus’s life on earth in
the context of ancient literary sources including the New
Testament....The work is well-researched and the style objective,
though the content is most likely to appeal to those who study the
life of Jesus as part of their personal journey of faith. However,
it would be a useful resource for those studying other faiths or
comparative religions, in offering succinct and well-distilled
mini-essays on the huge range of subjects that relate to the life
of Jesus. The book is a surprisingly slim volume for the amount of
information that it appears to encapsulate, and this makes it a
good reference source for the individual.
*s*
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