James McGrath has a nice review of Dale Allison’s Constructing Jesus, which I mentioned recently. Topics I especially look forward to, based on McGrath’s comments: (1) “gist” vs. “details” — the overall impression given by the sources vs. individual sayings/deeds determined to be authentic by the classic criteria; (2) consistency being the “hobgoblin of nonapocalyptic minds”; (3) willing and reluctant messiahs; (4) Paul having known a passion narrative.
This will be Dale’s fourth and last book on the historical Jesus, and it looks like he’s going out with a bang.
The Busybody 