Although published some years ago, this book is timeless in what it offers to those keen to expand their knowledge of the world of Jesus and how he operated within it.

Credentials

The author is both a Baptist minister and an academic who at the time of writing this book, worked at Tyndale House, a research institute in Cambridge. Instone-Brewer brings a wealth of background information and insight, not just from his scriptural understanding of the Gospels, but also from his specialist area of research – early rabbinic Judaism. He also adds relevant extra details from other sources, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and Roman and Greek culture.

The author describes each chapter as being of ‘coffee-break length’, and indeed these 30 sections of roughly six pages each can be read over ‘elevenses’ or an afternoon cuppa. However you might find each chapter so absorbing, and the desire to re-read certain parts again so strong, that the chosen beverage may go cold in its cup!

Jesus' Life, Friends and Teaching

The book is made up of three distinct sections. The first looks at ‘Scandals in Jesus’ Life’, from his illegitimate birth to his shameful execution and embarrassing resurrection. The second considers ‘Scandals among Jesus’ Friends’, which looks at his choice of Judas Iscariot as a disciple, and the company Jesus kept, including Mary Magdalene and several prostitutes.

The final section focuses on the ‘Scandals in Jesus’ Teaching’. Here the author takes us through what Jesus said about such awkward matters as divorce, hell, disasters and hypocrisy, among other things.
Each chapter in the book is enlightening in its own way, being full of real gems and references to Jewish sources. But in particular it is interesting to read what the author has to say on matters that are often overlooked by believers, such as polygamy and suicide.

If there had been no scandals, the Gospel writers would surely not have invented them

Scandals a confirmation of truth

Before he begins the topic-based chapters, the author asks the pertinent question, ‘Why Look for Scandals?’ Here he makes the fascinating assertion that scandals are in reality a guarantee of historical truth in the Gospels. “When disgraceful, embarrassing and shocking details about Jesus are recorded by his friends and supporters, it is much harder to disbelieve them” (p11). In other words, if there had been no scandals, the Gospel writers would surely not have invented them, so these events and teachings supply confirmation for Christians’ claims.

It is also significant to note the near impossibility of avoiding the scandals in Jesus life when reading the Gospels. Jesus was accused of so much that was scandalous, and a large part of his teaching and ministry “tackled head-on the scandals that pervaded society and would therefore have been regarded as scandalous by his audience” (p11). In short, scandal followed Jesus wherever he went.

Read it, Talk about it

‘The Jesus Scandals’ started life as a series of articles published in Christianity magazine; others were written later. As such the chapters can be read in any order and are self-contained. The author has also, by his own admission, designed them to be turned into talks. “Just add your own opening illustration and use your own words”, he offers (p14). What a delightful invitation to any teacher! And should you use a chapter in this way, Instone-Brewer also includes enough material and examples to provoke a lively group discussion afterwards.

The author makes one further intriguing suggestion. “When something you read particularly surprises you, why not store it up in your head to produce in a quiet conversational moment with friends?” (p14). This, indeed, is a book to be talked about, not just read.

‘The Jesus Scandals’ (191 pages) is published by Monarch Books, and is available from Amazon.