{"title":"Gerd Ludemann","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"paul-apostle-to-the-gentiles-book-gerd-ludemann-9780334022466","title":"Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49526313910545,"sku":"GOR005102068","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49653990261009,"sku":"GOR011919702","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0334022460.jpg?v=1751165599"},{"product_id":"great-deception-book-gerd-ludemann-9780334027478","title":"Great Deception","description":"It is widely recognized by New Testament scholars that many of the sayings and actions attributed to Jesus in the Gospels do not go back to him, but have been influenced by the early church. This study calls for rigorous treatment of the Gospels and provides a radical conclusion.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49568858276113,"sku":"GOR003767707","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49648168435985,"sku":"GOR003589007","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52455418724625,"sku":"NLS9780334027478","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0334027470.jpg?v=1750844430"},{"product_id":"what-really-happened-to-jesus-book-gerd-ludemann-9780334026075","title":"What Really Happened to Jesus","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49590324953361,"sku":"GOR004961592","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0334026075.jpg?v=1751165604"},{"product_id":"paul-book-gerd-ludemann-9781591020219","title":"Paul","description":"New Testament scholar Gerd Lüdemann continues his exploration of the life and teachings of Paul in this groundbreaking monograph, which synthesizes the research of his four previous books on Christianity's leading apostle. As the subtitle of the present work makes clear, Lüdemann comes to the conclusion that Paul should be considered not only Christianity's most influential proselytizer but in truth deserves the title of founder of the religion that ostensibly originated with Jesus of Nazareth. Though other scholars have previously made the point that Paul's interpretation of the Christian message actually obscured the original teachings of Jesus, Lüdemann goes further. His painstaking historical research shows that Paul created the major tenets of the Christianity we know today and that his theology - an original synthesis of Hebrew and Greek belief systems - differs significantly from what we now know the historical Jesus to have preached.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":49858977726737,"sku":"CIN1591020212G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52481430946065,"sku":"NLS9781591020219","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52751603171601,"sku":"NIN9781591020219","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1591020212.jpg?v=1755599832"},{"product_id":"what-really-happened-to-jesus-book-gerd-ludemann-9780664256470","title":"What Really Happened to Jesus","description":"Dissatisfied with what he regarded as evasive answers given by theologians and scholars about the nature of the resurrection of Jesus, Gerd Ludemann subjected the New Testament traditions to a thorough investigation. In particular, Ludemann was concerned with the story of the empty tomb and the subsequent appearance stories first related by Peter. Ludemann reaches surprising and somewhat radical conclusions. This book, written for nonspecialists, presents Ludemann's provocative conclusions. Readers will find a positive, albeit revolutionary, new way of viewing the resurrection.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50033176740113,"sku":"CIN0664256473G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51005566812433,"sku":"NIN9780664256470","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52142988820753,"sku":"NLS9780664256470","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0664256473.jpg?v=1750742781"},{"product_id":"acts-of-the-apostles-book-gerd-ludemann-9781591023012","title":"The Acts Of The Apostles","description":"In Jesus After Two Thousand Years, New Testament historian Gerd Lüdemann analyzed the four traditional gospels, plus the more recently discovered Gospel of Thomas and apocryphal literature, to ascertain which of the alleged words and actions of Jesus can be judged authentic. Now in this companion volume, Lüdemann takes the same historical-critical approach to the Acts of the Apostles. Together these two in-depth studies lay the groundwork for a factually accurate history of primitive Christianity.  Although many books have been published on the Acts of the Apostles, Lüdemann's work is unique in its emphasis on establishing reliable historical facts. Other scholars have delved into Acts to discover the author's theology and the purpose of his writing. By contrast, Lüdemann examines each individual section of Acts to detect whatever tradition may lie behind it. Where possible, he offers a reasoned judgment on the historical value of every event and action described in this early Christian text.  For everyone with a desire to know what really happened in the earliest days of the Christian church, this volume is indispensable.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50162227085585,"sku":"GOR013876731","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52664741789969,"sku":"NLS9781591023012","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52752555540753,"sku":"NIN9781591023012","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1591023017.jpg?v=1751408308"},{"product_id":"early-christianity-according-to-the-traditions-in-acts-book-gerd-ludemann-9780800623142","title":"Early Christianity According to the Traditions in Acts","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50185722036497,"sku":"CIN0800623142G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0800623142.jpg?v=1751169938"},{"product_id":"great-deception-book-gerd-ludemann-9781573926881","title":"The Great Deception","description":"It is widely recognized by New Testament scholars that many of the sayings and actions attributed to Jesus in the gospels cannot be factually traced to him. To a considerable degree, these stories have been influenced, or even created, by the early church. Despite this gap between the \"Jesus of history\" and the \"Christ of faith,\" the contemporary church continues to represent the traditional New Testament canon as a generally accurate record of the life of Jesus.  The Great Deception exposes the dangers that accompany this disingenuous, unscientific approach and calls for a more rigorous treatment of the gospels. In a clear, straightforward narrative, Gerd Lüdemann establishes the criteria by which he believes it possible to distinguish inauthentic from authentic sayings and actions of Jesus, and then shows which quotes and deeds can be regarded as factual. His radical conclusion is that the Jesus of history, who emerges after the falsehoods attributed to him are pared away, cannot support the traditional Christian faith.  Lüdemann's historical analysis reveals, nonetheless, a Jesus who remains a deeply sympathetic personality and one of the great religious figures of the world. But it also shows that Christian leaders who ignore the results of sound scholarship are selling the faithful a \"great deception.\"","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50293364359441,"sku":"CIN1573926884VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52615281377553,"sku":"NLS9781573926881","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":52816319774993,"sku":"CIN1573926884A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52995493003537,"sku":"NIN9781573926881","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53340201845009,"sku":"GOR014860488","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53342111924497,"sku":"GOR011684638","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":53449016869137,"sku":"CIN1573926884G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1573926884.jpg?v=1750894753"},{"product_id":"heretics-book-gerd-ludemann-9780664220853","title":"Heretics","description":"According to the official view, held for almost two thousand years, early Christianity was marked by great harmony, and heresy only emerged at a later stage. This book, written in nontechnical language for interested non-theologians, argues that such a picture is wishful thinking.\u003cbr\u003eUsing all available sources, including newly-discovered Gnostic texts, Professor Luedemann argues that in many areas, 'heresy' in fact preceded 'orthodoxy' and was later forcibly replaced by it. The controversies shed an interesting light on the human character and concerns of the first Christians, who were occupied not only with right belief but also with power. The first chapter investigates the positions of Christians in Jerusalem in the first two centuries, since they were the ones who in fact introduced the concept of heresy into the church, and pays particular attention to the revision of the portrait of Paul and his theology. Then it goes on to the dramatic events around Marcion and his approach to a scriptural canon. Thirdly, it examines the conflicts underlying the Johannine writings, the formation of the Apostles' Creed and the formation of the New Testament canon.\u003cbr\u003eProfessor Luedemann argues that his findings have important and liberating consequences for the understanding of both Christianity and the Bible.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50357670707473,"sku":"CIN0664220851G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0664220851.jpg?v=1750944472"},{"product_id":"virgin-birth-book-gerd-ludemann-9781563382437","title":"Virgin Birth?","description":"In this book controversial New Testament sch olar Gerd Ludemann investigates all the references in the wr itings of the earliest church and the rival Jewish sources o n the subject of Jesus'' birth and the idyll of the Holy Fami ly '","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50381046219025,"sku":"CIN1563382431G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51327958057233,"sku":"CIN1563382431VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52481326186769,"sku":"NLS9781563382437","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1563382431.jpg?v=1750829671"},{"product_id":"unholy-in-holy-scripture-book-gerd-ludemann-9780664257392","title":"The Unholy in Holy Scripture","description":"The Bible is the most widely read and translated book in the world, and its influence is immeasurable. Nonetheless, according to Gerd Ludemann, its use by Christians is highly selective. Ludemann asks, what about those parts of the Bible that contain God's command to exterminate entire peoples or those texts which demonize other faiths? He focuses first on the practice of Holy War and then on the anti-Judaism of New Testament writings. He also tackles the question of how, given this destructive side of Scripture, we can continue to be Christians. In response, he points to the person of Jesus and his example.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50758776193297,"sku":"CIN0664257399VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51416043913489,"sku":"CIN0664257399G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52143380726033,"sku":"NLS9780664257392","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52736543686929,"sku":"NIN9780664257392","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0664257399.jpg?v=1751199030"},{"product_id":"intolerance-and-the-gospel-book-gerd-ludemann-9781591024682","title":"Intolerance And the Gospel","description":"Contemporary Christians usually suppose that Christianity is quite congenial to the democratic ideals that are the basis of free, open Western societies. Among these ideals is freedom of religion, which encourages a broad tolerance for different belief systems. Nonetheless, a careful examination of core Christian beliefs and the history of Christianity reveal little tolerance for thinking or acting outside the orthodox Christian tradition.   In this enlightening analysis of key New Testament texts, historian of early Christianity Gerd Lüdemann discusses the inherently intolerant attitude that has characterized monotheistic belief systems generally and Christianity in particular. As Lüdemann points out, Christianity evolved within the context of the pluralistic Roman Empire, which generally allowed separate belief systems as long as political allegiance to the Roman state was never questioned. Ironically, Christians inherited their essential intolerance from Judaism, whose first commandment is the expression of a jealous God: \"I am the Lord your God.... Thou shalt have no other gods before me.\" After Christianity became the state religion of Rome, tolerance disappeared and did not reappear on the world stage until the European Enlightenment of the 18th century.  Besides the discussion of these issues, Lüdemann presents a textual analysis in five chapters of some of the letters in the New Testament. In each case he translates the letter, presents textual commentary, and demonstrates how the text reflects Christian intolerance of heretics and nonbelievers.   In conclusion, Lüdemann suggests that attempts to harmonize Christianity with the democratic ideal of tolerance cannot really work because there is a logical contradiction.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51037962502417,"sku":"NIN9781591024682","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52486536888593,"sku":"NLS9781591024682","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1591024684.jpg?v=1750927030"},{"product_id":"resurrection-of-christ-book-gerd-ludemann-9781591022459","title":"The Resurrection Of Christ","description":"In this thorough exegesis of the primary texts dealing with the resurrection of Jesus, New Testament expert Gerd Lüdemann (University of Göttingen) presents compelling evidence that shows the resurrection was not a historical event and further argues that this development leaves little, if any, basis for Christian faith as presently defined.  Beginning with Paul's testimony in 1 Cor. 15: 3-8, in which the apostle declares that Jesus \"has been raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures,\" Lüdemann systematically evaluates every reference to Jesus' resurrection in the New Testament, as well as apocryphal literature. He examines the purpose of the text writers, the ways in which they reworked tradition, and the historical value of each account. Through this approach, he offers a reconstruction of the probable course of events as well as the circumstances surrounding Jesus' death on the cross, the burial of his body, his reported resurrection on the third day, and subsequent appearances to various disciples.  Since the historical evidence leads to the firm conclusion that Jesus' body was not raised from the dead, Lüdemann argues that the origin of the Easter faith must be sought in the visionary experiences of Christianity's two leading apostles. From a modern perspective this leads to the inescapable conclusion that both primary witnesses to Jesus' resurrection, Peter and Paul, were victims of self-deception.  In conclusion, he asks whether in light of the nonhistoricity of Jesus' resurrection, thinking people today can legitimately and in good conscience still call themselves Christians.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51038411555089,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51038414340369,"sku":"NIN9781591022459","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52615269744913,"sku":"NLS9781591022459","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1591022452.jpg?v=1762508924"},{"product_id":"what-jesus-didn-t-say-book-gerd-ludemann-9781598150308","title":"What Jesus Didn't Say","description":"Biblical historians have long held that the New Testament abounds in sayings incorrectly attributed to Jesus. In order to assemble as complete a collection of authentic sayings as possible, they have, for the most part, been intent on seeing how the sayings deemed authentic are connected to one another, and attempting to picture their specific contexts.  In What Jesus Didn’t Say, Gerd Lüdemann flips the coin and focuses on the inauthentic words of Jesus—not only those thought to be clear inventions, but also sayings that exhibit noteworthy alterations to their original form and intent. For his selection, he uses sayings that:    are attributed to Jesus after his crucifixion  presuppose a pagan rather than a Jewish audience  involve situations in a post-Easter community reflect the editorial influence of the author   According to Lüdemann, the sheer abundance of inauthentic Jesus-sayings demonstrates that, soon after his sudden and dramatic death, he became the centre of a new faith. From the very beginning, Christians imagined what answers Jesus would offer to the questions that arose among them. When the words they recalled no longer seemed adequate, they revised or invented new sayings to suit the existing situation.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51038791598353,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51038795170065,"sku":"NIN9781598150308","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52123789263121,"sku":"NLS9781598150308","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1598150308.jpg?v=1750959623"},{"product_id":"paul-apostle-to-the-gentiles-studies-in-chronology-book-gerd-ludemann-9780800607142","title":"Paul, apostle to the Gentiles: Studies in chronology","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51601250812177,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51601251205393,"sku":"CIN0800607147G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0800607147.jpg?v=1750746296"},{"product_id":"jesus-after-2000-years-book-gerd-ludemann-9781573928908","title":"Jesus After 2000 Years","description":"It is widely recognized by New Testament scholars that many of the sayings and actions attributed to Jesus in the gospels cannot be factually traced to him. The gospels, written many decades after the death of Jesus, are composites of hearsay, legends, and theological interpolations, reflecting the hopes and beliefs of the early Christian community more than the actual teachings of the Galilean prophet. Despite these difficulties, Gerd L demann shows in this fascinating analysis of early Christian documents that the tools of historical research can succeed in reaching at least a close approximation of some of the original words and deeds of Jesus. Unique in its comprehensiveness, Jesus After 2000 Years covers the canonical gospels, as well as the more recently discovered Gospel of Thomas and apocryphal Jesus traditions. L demann concludes with a short life of Jesus in which he pieces together in narrative form what can be known about Jesus based on the historical evidence. Also included is an index of all authentic sayings and actions of Jesus. For all those with an interest in Christian origins, this volume is an invaluable resource.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51757898727697,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51757899809041,"sku":"CIN1573928909VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52806621266193,"sku":"NIN9781573928908","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52821135982865,"sku":"NLS9781573928908","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53613347569937,"sku":"GOR014981117","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781573928908.jpg?v=1751325532"},{"product_id":"opposition-to-paul-in-jewish-christianity-book-gerd-ludemann-9780800609085","title":"Opposition to Paul in Jewish Christianity","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51782730154257,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51782730711313,"sku":"CIN0800609085VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9780800609085.jpg?v=1751890805"},{"product_id":"heretics-book-gerd-ludemann-9780664226428","title":"Heretics","description":"According to the commonly held view, early Christianity was a time of great harmony, and heresy emerged only at a later stage. To the contrary, Gerd Ludemann argues that the time from the first Christian communities to the end of the second century was defined by struggle by various groups for doctrinal authority. Drawing on a wealth of data, he asserts that the losers in this struggle actually represented Christianity in its more authentic, original form. Orthodoxy has been defined by the victors in this struggle and it is they who subsequently silenced alternative views and labeled them heretical. Ludemann's findings are important as well as liberating for the understanding of both Christianity and the Bible. Readers will gain a new understanding of Jesus and the early church from this compelling and controversial book.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52403143377169,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52403144098065,"sku":"NLS9780664226428","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9780664226428.jpg?v=1758759947"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/collections\/author-books-by-gerd-ludemann.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}