Bandits, Prophets, and Messiahs

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This is a moderately difficult read that I found very, very informative (I have highlighted quite a few passages for further study). Succinct but thorough. -- Moza

Unfortunately, the bulk of humanity does not consist of articulate, highly motivated, and independent elites. Thus, most histories end up biased in favor of society's masters, and against the proletariat.

One quick survey of the average New Testament history will demonstrate our fascination with kings (e.g.: Caesar), priests (e.g.: Ananus and Caiaphus), ethnarchs (e.g.: Herod Archelaus), tetrarchs (e.g.: Herod Philip and Herod Antipas), governors (e.g.: Pontius Pilate), prophets (e.g.: John the Baptist), pharisees (e.g.: Paul), sadducees (e.g.: Jonathan, son of Ananus), philosophers (e.g.: Philo of Alexandria), historians (e.g.: Josephus), rabbis (e.g.: Jesus), and other people of note. Very seldom do we examine the lives of the ordinary people who left little, or no, written records of their experience. Too quickly our image of first century, Palestinian life becomes colored by the proclaimed experiences of the elites. Too quickly we forget or dismiss the experiences of the illiterate majority, barely eaking out an existence in a subsistence economy.

By focusing his attentions on the miserable lives lived by the majority of the peasants, Professor Horsley gives us a more balanced view of Palestine in the time of Jesus and the earliest Church. He shows us a peasantry, not only resentful about Roman occupation and taxation, but also deeply distrustful of their own political and sacerdotal institutions. He shows us subsistence farmers pushed off their land, or ever more deeply into debt, by Roman and Jewish over-taxation. He places before our eyes people whose lives could end instantly and violently on the whim of a king, governor, or ordinary Roman soldier. He shows us a people yearning for their ancient and legitimate kings. He brilliantly paints the picture of a people pushed to the edge of life, and made ready for revolution, whether that be the political revolution of 66 a.d., or the revolutionary preaching of Good News by an itinerant Galilean rabbi.

Professor Horsley helps all of us to see first century Palestine more clearly: more honestly. For that alone, this book is worth reading.