BAS VAN OS, M.Sc., Ph.D., is Research Fellow at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam.

Impressively interacting with advanced biblical scholarship, and cognizant of the dangers in moving too easily from psychobiography to historical studies, Bas van Os presents a major contribution to Jesus Research (which as I have emphasized is not driven by theology). He agrees with Albert Schweitzer who rightly protested any psychiatric study of the historical Jesus; yet, he demonstrates how recent psychology theory helps in Jesus Research. Employing psychobiology, Bas van Os demonstrates how psychological insights can make plausible what seemed impossible. Using modern research in conversion patterns, new religious movements, and social memory he demonstrates that, within the Jesus Movement, there is continuity between Jesus and his followers. This study is well informed and will be welcome to all who realize that all methodologies can help us avoid subjectivity as we advance Jesus Research.

• Preface J. Harold EllensForewordPart One: The Limits and Potential of PsychobiographyPart Two: Followers of Jesus and Their Memories of HimPart Three: Psychological Analyses of Jesus and His ImpactBibliographyIndex