Zealot - Fascinating Reading

Zealot is an attempt to find the non-Christian Jesus. The author admits that the historical man is impossible to pin down with any degree of accuracy, but makes the attempt through careful analysis of the context in which Jesus of Nazareth lived and an equally careful interpretation of the writings about him and the early Christians.

I was brought up as a Catholic, so my picture of Jesus is primarily the religious, mythological one. This changed a little when I played trumpet in a production of Webber's rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar when I was 18. I can remember attending bible study classes at the university and discussing the merits of this modern take on Jesus with a Lutheran pastor, who felt that the opera was a good way of bringing Jesus to life. Aslan, too, believes that the two versions of Jesus can co-exist - one based on faith and the other on historical research and a large dose of guesswork.

A brief summary from this review: 

Zealot, as the title hints, attempts to portray an angry, somewhat self-righteous young nationalist revolutionary, descended from a lineage of ornery Galilean hillbillies, who was not above a degree of ass-kicking and name-taking when he thought it necessary. Aslan chooses as his epigraph Matthew 10:34 (“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on Earth. I have not come to bring peace, but the sword.”)

Another tidbit I found interesting was a discussion of the influence of St. Paul on Christian doctrine. Paul who never actually met Jesus, claimed the place of first apostle through divine revelation. His views were frequently at odds with the other Apostles and with the teachings of Jesus's brother James, who continued Jesus's teaching after the crucifixion. Aslan also points out that much or what is written undergoes a clear metamorphosis during the early years of the church as the movement evolves from a Jewish sect expecting the immediate return of an earthly leader to the more mystical Christian beliefs with which we are more familiar.

The book has received much attention in the US due to an interview of the author on Fox television as described in this review. Some Christian commentators are understandably unhappy with the book and there are a few legitimate criticisms including the fact that Aslan appears to cherry pick the selections from the Gospels that support his thesis. He has also been accused of getting dates and facts wrong.

The Swerve : How the World Became Modern

 "The Swerve : How the World Became Modern", by Stephen Greenblatt, investigates the rediscovery and impact on our world of a Latin poem that was written 100 years before Christ. The ancient work, De rerum natura or "On the Nature of Things" by Lucretius was found in a monastery by a 15th century book hunter and secretary to various popes, Poggio the Florentine. This article from the New Yorker does a much better job than I can do of reviewing this book. Highly recommended reading. For further reading, here is a link to an epub of a translation of "On the Nature of Things".

How Much is Enough - Review

I just finished an excellent book that blends economics with philosophy in an attempt to make a case for the 'Good Life' over the pursuit of money for its own sake. The authors (Robert and Edward Skidelsky) argue that economics and social policy should be geared not towards pursuit of growth (increasing GDP) for its own sake, but toward enabling all people in a given society to achieve their needs (or basic goods). They make an assumption that in many countries, the conditions of scarcity that underlie classical economics are no longer true at least in the long term, pointing out that we have incredible wealth that, since the early 1970's in particular, is becoming increasingly skewed in its distribution between the very wealthy and the rest of society.

The book is scathing in its condemnation of modern liberal social and political thought that claims a sort of neutral justice for all, but takes no moral stand. The authors believe that as a species we are innately competitive and acquisitive and that current policies that encourage an unrestrained free market economy are harmful in the long run, leading only to endless growth. They spend the first few chapters laying out a convincing argument that we have lost sight of the basis for a good life, exploring the ideas of great thinkers from Aristotle to Keynes and beyond and showing how recent attempts to define a framework for living based on sustainability and theories of happiness fall short of the mark.

Later in the book, the authors describe what they see as the requirements for a good life. The 7 basic goods are: health, friendship (this includes family ties), respect, security, personality (or autonomy),  harmony with nature, and leisure. Leisure is defined not just as time to relax, but as time to pursue things that interest and engage us without the pressure to make them pay. They give the example of an artist creating a sculpture or a gardener in their garden.

In the last chapter, the authors discuss the disappearance of moral and ethical traditions and look at possible ways to regain these. They go on to look at social policies that can help redistribute wealth to allow all people to have access to the basic goods. They propose a consumption tax (in place of an income tax), a basic income, and limits on advertising (intended to curb our innate competitive and acquisitive desires).

I hope that this book comes to the notice of a few of our politicians and policy makers.

How Much is Enough and The Autobiography of a Supertramp

In the Library of Birmingham, I came across what looks to be a very good book on economics and philosophy titled, "How Much is Enough - The Love of Money, and the Case for the Good Life." The book examines our drive for money as a means in itself, suggesting an alternative definition that instead puts increased leisure as the central goal. The authors stress that this is not a pursuit of idleness but leisure as the Romans and Greeks would have known it - time to pursue what is really worthwhile. I will report back here after I finish the book.

The other book I read a week ago is called "The Autobiography of a Supertamp" by Welsh poet, tramp, and writer W.H. Davies. Written in an unadorned style, this tells Davies' story of his unorthodox life as a beggar and paints portraits of the people he comes across in his journeys in North America, Britain, and criss-crossing the Atlantic. The group Supertramp apparently got the name of their rock band from this book.

The two books are related as this poem reveals:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare. 

William Henry Davies