Christmaker: A life of John the Baptist | Dr. James F. McGrath

➡📚amzn.to/3wrevq3
Meet the real John the Baptist.

For many, John the Baptist is a footnote in the gospels-Jesus’s unkempt forerunner. But if we look closer, John emerges as a fascinating and influential religious leader in his own right.

Esteemed New Testament scholar James F. McGrath turns his critical eye to overlooked details in Scripture and long-neglected sources to discover who John the Baptist really was. McGrath covers the well-known events of John’s life, from his miraculous conception to his execution at the hands of Herod Antipas. Along the way, he introduces key context about John’s social and religious world that fleshes out John’s character. John becomes a rebel son of a priest. An innovator of ritual. A mentor of Jesus.

McGrath also explores John’s far-reaching impact on the history of religion. Aside from his influence on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, John is also revered by the Mandaeans, the last extant gnostic sect, who consider themselves John’s faithful disciples. This fresh look at the life of John the Baptist will fascinate any reader interested in John, Jesus, and their dynamic world.
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[@History-Valley]

Pre-order the book! ➡📚amzn.to/3wrevq3

[@josephwurzer4366]

I enjoy that you just let the Author answer your question. You allowing a bit of silence as a signal of are you done & then either needing clarification or move on.
Letting the guest talk is great.

[@roderickshaka3626]

Dr James F McGrath is definitely one of the most interesting scholars to listen to in this field.

[@sciptick]

There is not a breath of a hint of a scrap of evidence that JtB ever heard of Jesus. But claiming, five decades on, your guy got his blessing would certainly help fill pews; who could contradict you? This is an excellent example of the intellectual bankruptcy of "NT scholarship".

[@roderickshaka3626]

@@sciptick you are right, we can’t know for sure if JTB ever interacted with Jesus; we can see similarities in their movements bc they are both apocalyptic preachers and so it’s very likely JTB inspired Jesus and that even Jesus was one of the followers of JTB.

[@sciptick]

@@roderickshaka3626 It is, anyway, likely JtB stories inspired Jesus stories. It is even possible a Jesus heard of, and even met JtB. But "possible" doesn't get you to "likely" in the vacuum of any evidence whatsoever. We are left with only idle conjecture.

[@riley02192012]

I've always thought that there is too much of a focus on Paul and not enough focus on the people in Jesus' life that he trusted and admired like John the Baptist, Mary his mother, Mary Magdalene, James, Peter, and Lazarus. I definitely need to get this book.

[@davidfrisken1617]

Fan fiction pretty much has no limits. Who and what is written about comes down to the imagination of the authors. It would be balanced to see this "would be" applied to all of histories mythical characters. Applying the same methods would allow books to be written claiming the reality of Romulus being raised by animals etc
These imaginary recreations should really be in a fiction category.

[@Mercury-Wells]

@@davidfrisken1617*history's

[@roderickshaka3626]

​@@davidfrisken1617people like "Lazarus" or "Joseph of Arimathea" are most likely (definitely) fiction but John the Baptist, Mary, Peter and James are most likely (definitely) historical people; and I think it's fun to dig deeper into how they could have affected the belief system.

[@harrydecker8731]

You're right. Paul never met Jesus but for some weird mystical vision on a trip to roung up and arrest Christians. He hardly ever quotes any of Jesus' parables. Paul referred to 'my gospel' a few times. He caused dissension wherever he went. Had Paul never existed, we would probably have a version of Christianity that still had roots in Judaism, with James heading up the church in Jerusalem.

[@davidfrisken1617]

@@roderickshaka3626 When I mention mythical I am not referring to if they existed or not. It does not matter and the made up stories are mythical. Regardless of if they existed or not, any speculation is just that, speculation. Fanfiction is fine, but indicating any speculation is more likely than any other imagined life is absurd and somewhat dishonest.

[@seanhogan6893]

Thanks Jacob and James. Another fascinating interview.

[@ReligionWatch]

Fascinating insight, I have often wondered how John thought of himself in relation to Jesus ?

[@larrybikedummy]

Thanks for another interesting guest and interview, Jacob 👍
Greetings from Ukraine 🇺🇦 🙂

[@ShiZo1337]

Really like this guy

[@geraldmeehan8942]

Thank you Dr McGrath thank you Jacob.

[@user-dn3qf3nf3y]

The writer of the book of Matthew also wrote that Jesus said that John the Baptist was the Elijah but the writer didn't write Jesus mentioning John the Baptist being the voice of one calling in the desert

[@user-dn3qf3nf3y]

Isaiah 40:3 verse wasn't about John the Baptist preparing the way for the messiah

[@user-dn3qf3nf3y]

Malachi 3:1 verse was written about the messenger sent ahead of the Lord God before he came to his temple

[@user-dn3qf3nf3y]

The Lord wasn't referring to the messiah on in Malachi 3:1 verse because the temple wasn't the temple of the messiah but the Second Temple was the temple of God

[@user-dn3qf3nf3y]

And John 1:23 verse was based on what was written on in Isaiah 40:3 verse but it wasn't about the messiah

[@user-dn3qf3nf3y]

Malachi 3:1 verse Jesus told people that that verse was written about John the Baptist

[@user-dn3qf3nf3y]

Isiahhah 40:3: 'A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way make way the straight paths of our God.' That wasn't about the messiah

[@ggauche3465]

Lots of interesting ideas, but without any refs except "buy and read my book", it's just speculation.

[@PDMolicki]

was Eleazar to Izates = John the baptist to Jesus?

[@Magic-lg9lw]

What is the earliest manuscript for any piece or part of the New Testament? Are there any from 3rd century?

[@user-uo7fw5bo1o]

There are fragments from the 2nd and 3rd Centuries and the earliest is P-52 dated to 150ce, give or take 25 years.

[@StorytimeJesus]

Luke is more priestly. It is, to Mark, what Chronicles is to Kings. Brodie shows parts of the infancy of John is based on the prelude to the Elijah-Elisha narrative. Of course John is made out to be Elijah.

[@user-dn3qf3nf3y]

John the Baptist denied being Elijah therefore he was also denying being the messenger sent ahead of the Lord (God) that was written on in Malachi 3:1 verse

[@davidfrisken1617]

So a 2 page book?

[@user-zm6np2sp1o]

Jesus was working with herod
Two over throw john the baptist. A power struggle.
But Jesus lost out at the end because Herod knows how to play The Game.
Just my speculations tell me what you think

[@SKILLIUSCAESAR]

Scandalous

[@rogersacco4624]

🥱

[@tyronecox5976]

Read Matthew 26 53 and you'll see who's author and Messiah can't be denied,then perhaps you'll stop all yhis nonsense.

[@Mercury-Wells]

Thanks professor ignoramus

[@jasonnelson316]

Hilarious. We could make a Messiah if we wanted. lol