Jesus

About this book

Jesus: The Complete Works retells the life of Jesus by bringing together texts written about him in the centuries following his death. Drawing on both canonical and noncanonical writings, including ancient texts rediscovered over the past century, W. W. Cope reconstructs a fuller account of Jesus's biography and philosophy.The book explores how reading these sources together can change familiar understandings of Jesus. In Cope's interpretation, women play a more prominent role, and Jesus emerges as a philosopher prepared to challenge material wealth and power. The reconstruction also invites readers to reconsider the relationship between these early writings and later institutional teachings about miracles and life after death.Sourcing every sentence to the original texts, Jesus: The Complete Works offers an accessible account of Jesus's life, philosophy, and social mission. It brings a distinctive perspective to one of history's most influential figures and invites reflection from believers and nonbelievers alike.