Unraveling the Family History of Jesus

Book excerpt: Unraveling the Family History of Jesus approaches Jesus as an historical figure and sheds light on the details of the settings, the circumstances, and the context in which His family lived. Steven Donald Norris-drawing upon a wide array of sources-brings to this work an historian's sensibility of the broad sweep of events and a genealogist's eye for capturing the fine nuances that make a family's own story unique. Typical theological treatments of Jesus tend to regard Him as the Messiah because the New Testament identifies Him as a "son of David." Unraveling the Family History of Jesus digs into the background and lineage of Jesus and, by uncovering the setting in life-Sitz im Leben-of His family, shows precisely how Jesus was a son of David and how He-by right-ought to be acclaimed "King of the Jews." In addition, this work documents the connections tying Jesus's extended family to several historical figures who played prominent roles in the destruction of Jerusalem. Norris' work provides fresh insights that arise from meticulous reexaminations of existing historical sources. It traces the family ties binding Jesus's forebears and His extended family to one another and to Jesus Himself and tells how this family's influence changed the course of human history.