Summary Of Shadow Of The Galilean By Gerd Theissen

In the novel, The Shadow of the Galilean, the author Gerd Theissen writes an outstanding story of historical fiction about the Son of John, Andreas. He is an average grain merchant from Sepphoris Galilee, however, his life changes when he goes on an excursion during the time of Jesus Christ. Throughout Andreas’ journey he discovers and meets various people, including recognizable faces as well as unexpected groups of people. Remaining in his excursion he voyages to both distant and nearby residences, constructs an alliance with a Roman officer, retains and generates secrets, and matures as in individual in his faith. He achieves this all while living a double life filled with lying and deceiving by commands of the Roman Emperor Pontius Pilate,

This included Jesus, a prophet whose preaching was similar to John the Baptist. Andreas came across quite a few people he met a couple grieving the disappearance of their sons, Zealots, a sick girl, a toll collector, and a husband with an rebellious wife. Through these people he discovered a little about whom Jesus was. He learned that Jesus claimed, “Blesses are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh” (69). From these people Andreas as well learned that Jesus believed that the kingdom of God comes by itself (84) and that you should love your enemy (85). The people informed Andreas how they saw Jesus heal the blind and cast out demons (94). Near the end of his expedition, Andreas learned and observed how relationships were being transformed, challenged, and divided because some identified with his teachings and ideas when others had believed that Jesus was crazy. As Jesus started to gain supporters, his teachings were being shared throughout the land. With more people believing and following Jesus, he became a threat to Pilate. Andreas had to report to Pilate about Jesus, and he protected Jesus by saying that he was a

This book expanded my knowledge of the time during Jesus and grew me spiritually by confirmation on how Jesus is the truth. The book was based on real events but I had to remember that the characters were not real. In the beginning of the book I could feel the fear for Andreas when he was in front of Pontius Pilate. I would be so nervous having to stand in front of such a powerful ruler and be given such a big order. Andreas must have been so confused in trying to figure out the right thing to do. Especially during his adventures he went through living a double life and exploring on who Jesus was. I had the feeling of fear for Andreas when he had to carefully chose what to say when he reported to Pilate. He had to be careful in what he said because he fixed the information and worded it so Pilate would not be threated. I enjoyed how Andreas was a fictional character but I felt like he was actually there during the time of Jesus and Pontius