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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Were you in Palestine in AD 33? Obviously not, but through the historical eye of Colin Duriez’s AD 33: The Year That Changed The World, you can see Capreae and the villa of Tiberius; the shores of Galilee and the architecturally of Sepphoris and Tiberius; and the world of political intrigue pervading the Roman world of the first century, which contributed to the death of Jesus by crucifixion in the year AD 33.
Duriez asks the question, “Is it only Jesus as a human being who is of interest . . . only an outstanding charismatic teacher, a holy man . . . or should we also take seriously his evident claims to be divine?” While he doesn’t specifically answer his question, he provides both historical and philosophical evidence to support the view that Jesus was divine, inviting the reader to consider the evidence and to draw a conclusion.
Not only is Duriez’s book well researched and footnoted, it’s written in language that’s very readable. However it’s written is somewhat eclectic style. It changes throughout the book, depending on whether he is trying to draw the reader into a narrative, or to be a third party to the events described, or to consider the information from a historical position. This approach creates a sense of dissonance to the point of annoyance at times. A historical novel approach might have created more continuity.
The chronology for the period 44 BC to AD 70 is also useful, not only as part of the evidence for the historicity of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but as a handy reference for any lacking a mind for dates and events.
I recommend this book, especially to people who like to read the facts and then draw their own conclusions—both Christian and interested non-Christian alike. Others would benefit from reading the contextual backgrounds of people such as Jesus, Peter, Pilate and Mary. The book elicits feelings of anger, sadness, pity and love for the characters it describes so well.
The events described in AD 33 changed the world. Considering AD 33 today may change the world again—at least for you.
Extract from Signs of the Times, April 2007 .
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