Publisher Description

We're familiar with the Jesus portrayed in the New Testament, but many people are surprised to learn that a wealth of stories and traditions about Jesus have always existed alongside the usual Biblical sources. Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism—among other religions—have created their own tales about Jesus, sometimes out of necessary self-preservation and reaction to the claims of the church, but more often through thoughtful and artistic adaptation. The Other Jesus explores these varied traditions and offers a fresh exploration of Jesus—new perspectives that challenge long-accepted beliefs about his place in history and his impact on other religions.

Author Biography

Todd Outcalt is the author of twenty-five books in six languages, including Candles in the Dark: A Collection of the World's Most Inspiring Parables and Before You Say "I Do"—a best-selling premarital guide. He has also written for magazines including The Christian Century and The Christian Science Monitor. He has been a United Methodist pastor for more than thirty years.

Table of Contents

Author's Notes & AcknowledgmentsIntroduction1: The Word Made Flesh—The Jesus of the Early Church2: The Jewish Jesus—Yeshuah and the Rabbis3: The Church Speaks—Jesus and Alternative Communities4: Isa and Muhammad—The Jesus of Islam5: The Jesus of the Soul—Understanding the Sufi Jesus6: From the Far East—Jesus in Taoism and Buddhism7: Jesus as They Saw Him—Ideas and Images of Christ throughout HistoryAppendix: Chronologial List of Jesus Traditions and WritingsGlossary & BibliographyAbout the Author

Review

Outcalt has done an amazing amount of research among the writings of six religions. The book is rich with direct quotes from a diverse variety of religious writings. The chapters on Islam and Sufi are especially well researched and relevant. I learned a great deal about how Muslims see Jesus. The six perspectives of Jesus in the book include the early church, Jewish, the desert fathers, Islam, Sufi and Taoism-Buddhism. Outcalt is a historian and confined most of his research to the original writings as they explained Jesus. . . .I encourage the reader to...use it as a resource to help communicate with those who see Jesus differently. * Preaching.com *
The Other Jesus is a highly recommended read for not only pastors and other leaders of the faith, but also for laity who are interested in expanding their scope of Jesus beyond the Gospel they are accustomed to reading. It's not a light bedtime read, but well worth a deep and repeated reading. * Indiana United Methodists *
Todd Outcalt..undertakes a daunting task in his most recent publication, The Other Jesus. In this work, Outcalt sets out to discover and communicate the presence of Jesus in the sacred texts of several major world religions. Although many scholarly works have examined the presence of Judeo-Christian deities in the other religious traditions, Outcalt writes to laymen, which allows his book to reach a wider audience. . . .Outcalt's text is readable, informative, thoroughly researched and documented. . . .Outcalt's text would be an excellent addition to both academic libraries and adult sections of church libraries. It assumes a developed faith, that is able ask questions and consider new perspectives. * The Christian Librarian *
Readers will enjoy this thoughtful and inviting work.  Todd Outcalt offers a number of entry points for dialogue between Christians and other faith groups.  This would be a good book for small groups. -- Perry Kea, University of Indianapolis
The Other Jesus is a Jesus we do not know, but that Oucault effectively discloses to readers through wide of texts from diverse traditions, including both Abrahamic and Asian thought.  While serving partly as an introduction to several religions, The Other Jesus brings together a wealth of non-canonical materials in this highly accessible book. -- Courtney S. Campbell, Oregon State University

Long Description

We're familiar with the Jesus portrayed in the New Testament, but many people are surprised to learn that a wealth of stories and traditions about Jesus have always existed alongside the usual Biblical sources. Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism-among other religions-have created their own tales about Jesus, sometimes out of necessary self-preservation and reaction to the claims of the church, but more often through thoughtful and artistic adaptation. The Other Jesus explores these varied traditions and offers a fresh exploration of Jesus-new perspectives that challenge long-accepted beliefs about his place in history and his impact on other religions.

Review Quote

Readers will enjoy this thoughtful and inviting work.

Feature

Collects stories about Jesus from a range of sources--from the gospel writers and the early Christian church to Islam and Taoism

Details