The Jesus Dynasty

A New Historical Investigation of Jesus, His Royal Family, and the Birth of Christianity

By: James D. Tabor

Narrated by: James D. Tabor

Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on a careful analysis of the earliest Christian documents and recent archaeological discoveries, The Jesus Dynasty offers a bold new interpretation of the life of Jesus and the origins of Christianity. The story is surprising, controversial, and exciting as only a long-lost history can be when it is at last recovered.

In The Jesus Dynasty, biblical scholar James Tabor brings us closer than ever to the historical Jesus. He sheds new light on Jesus' relationship with John the Baptizer, the role played by his brother James, and how Paul's ministry transformed Jesus' message into what would become Christianity.

James Tabor has studied the earliest surviving documents of Christianity for more than 30 years. He reconstructs for us the movement that sought the spiritual, social, and political redemption of the Jews, a movement led by one family. The Jesus Dynasty offers an alternative version of Christian origins, one that takes us closer than ever to Jesus and his family and followers.

©2006 James D. Tabor (P)2006 Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"This book is accessible and sure to be highly controversial, attracting the attention of reporters, spiritual seekers, historians, and fans of The Da Vinci Code." (Publishers Weekly)

A very convincing Jesus

Dr. Tabor has done an amazing job with this book. He has very clearly and thoughtfully put forward convincing evidence which brings to life the 1st century Jewish prophet Jesus of Nazareth in the context of his own time and place.

I've read many book about the historical Jesus and for the most part they summarize the scholarly history and views on the topic. What Tabor has done with this book goes much beyond that though. He has taken that data along with decades of his own research to paint a a very real picture of what Jesus was actually all about. In the end it is a rather depressing tale, one of imperial brutality, failed expectations, and the suppression of Jesus' family and teachings by the growing Pauline orthodoxy. However it is important to know for Jews, Christians, and Muslims for it unravels so much of the mystery and confusion surrounding who and what Jesus was.

Superb contribution to search for the historical Jesus

If you are intrigued by the search for the historical Jesus, you will find this an intense compact book written in the style of stories that can be documented by archaeological methods. I greatly appreciate Dr. Tabor’s methodical and respectful treatment of this subject.

Very good... but abridged!

James Tabor has written this book to be accessible to a general audience, and it is. I was bitterly disappointed, though, when I got to the end and a different speaker came on and said it had been abridged for audio. It turns out that I have only myself to blame, though. Amazon does state above that it is abridged. I just had not noticed. I probably would not have bought it if I had noticed that detail.

love this book!!

Tabor went straight to the point and the most important part is that whatever he said is base on facts, but without being disrespecful to the belivers. After listening to the book, I felt in love with the historical Jesus, the man of a woman and a earthly father, I can really identify a lot of Jesus in every revolutionary around my and those that fight snd dies for what they believe in

Objective, informative, and respectful

An objective and thorough account of the historical evidence of the life of Yeshua. I am very grateful to Tabor for his respect and professionalism without a hint of bias or veiled cheap shots. Yes there are some assumptions but they are carefully guided by the best evidence available (kinda like a history book). I would recommend this to any student of the life of Yeshua.

Excelllent

Great reas superb scholarship, well written and always stimulating. Every seminarian should read and share

This is a must read for every Christian!

The author is really trying to get the message Jesus taught. Much has been taught about Jesus that takes away from the original message Jesus taught. This book is a step in the right direction.

Great job! A must read book!

I enjoyed learning the historical background of Jesus and his dynasty!
I was raised Catholic. By listening to James Tabor and all the information that he has provided is fascinating and eye-opening. To be open minded and just take a person being God out of the equation. It makes total sense. It’s very sad that his family information has not been shared properly until now.
A must read

Poor narration.

Echoing another comment I saw recently, why do authors narrate their own books? I really got tired of hearing Israel pronounced Iz’ rull.

Brilliant Author

Brilliant Author. I immediately wished I had the physical text to read along with his audio. This is a professor I would throughly enjoy learning from in person.

Buying physical copy of this book is probably my next step. I want to highlight the deepest concepts that freed my linear thinking of the origins of this story.

My only criticism is the cross over or repetition of the lost tomb materials as an intro to this book. It stands alone without that introduction.

I watched the documentaries and read the author's other books. This book has more.

I've been a lifelong Christian believer with serious connections to old testament and Judaism. I love this author's questions.

A perfect match to this book is Jesus and Paul and author commentary on both.

Relief, understanding, wide-lens thinking rushed over me listening to and reading viewpoints that uncorked my stuck points with scriptures.