"One of those rare volumes that . . . makes one wonder how we could possibly have lived without it. . . . [A] must-read for any student of the New Testament." —Publishers WeeklyIn this groundbreaking and controversial book, Burton Mack brilliantly exposes how the Gospels are fictional mythologies created by different communities for various purposes and are only distantly related to the actual historical Jesus.Mack''s innovative scholarship which boldly challenges traditional Christian understanding will change the way you approach the New Testament and think about how Christianity arose."A powerful, compact, yet detailed introduction to the New Testament and the origins of Christianity. Mack has sketched the panorama of early Christian literature and social development in a lucid, convincing, and magisterial performance."— Robert W. Funk, founder of the Jesus Seminar and author of The Five Gospels"Certainly Mack''s book should take a place in the front ranks [of New Testament introductions]." —Booklist "Finally! Someone has penetrated the theological agenda that has informed a century of New Testament scholarship to provide a thoroughgoing historical overview of Christian origins." Luther H. Martin, author of Hellenistic Religions

America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has increased since the events of 9/11. ''Myth and the Christian Nation'' presents a startling analysis of how and why Christianity and national identity have been woven together in recent American political discourse. Drawing on examples of religious myth-making across the ancient world ''Myth and the Christian Nation'' brings the weight of history to bear on America today, a place where myth, monotheism, sovereignty and power can be harnessed together in the service of specific interests. The book invites readers to rethink the role of religion in the construction of social democracy and to see America afresh.

America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has increased since the events of 9/11. ''Myth and the Christian Nation'' presents a startling analysis of how and why Christianity and national identity have been woven together in recent American political discourse. Drawing on examples of religious myth-making across the ancient world ''Myth and the Christian Nation'' brings the weight of history to bear on America today, a place where myth, monotheism, sovereignty and power can be harnessed together in the service of specific interests. The book invites readers to rethink the role of religion in the construction of social democracy and to see America afresh.

The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation''s image of its own manifest destiny. ''Christian Mentality'' analyses the myths that have shaped America''s collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. ''Christian Mentality'' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political thought.

The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation''s image of its own manifest destiny. ''Christian Mentality'' analyses the myths that have shaped America''s collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. ''Christian Mentality'' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political thought.

Human societies live and breathe through their myths. A myth is not a simple story; it is the complex social reasoning of a people, a way of making sense of the world. Burton Mack calls this reasoning "e;social logic,"e; and as a master of ancient Rome and the rise of Christianity, he knows that the Western experience has been embedded in the Christian myth as its "e;big picture"e; narrative. But what happens when the big picture becomes fragmented and when an old myth loses its ability to function in a new world order? Mack is convinced that at the heart of contemporary political crises lies the need to create a new myth beyond the grand narratives and lingering fragments history has given us. Mack invites his reader to think historically about the present, and imaginatively about the future, in this important book about ourselves.

"e;Patterns of Persuasion in the Gospels will open the next stage in Synoptic studies. Mack and Robbins have returned synoptic criticism to the road it missed when Bultmann and Dibelius decided to ingnore Greco-Roman education and rhetoric. Starting from a sophisticated and detailed study of what the rhetorical handbooks say about the elaboratioin of chreiai, they illuminate the most basic techniques and logic which the Gospel writers used in developing the Jesus traditions. It is required reading for everyone with a serious interest in the critical study of the Gospels."e;--Stanley K. Stowers, Brown Univeristy Author of Letter Writing in Greco-Roman Authority"e;An impressive, programmatic argument, which successfully challenges conventional approaches to the Jesus tradition. It demonstrates the relevance of Hellenistic rhetorical theory for composition analysis of the sayings tradition. A groundbreaking study, which all serious students of the gospels must consider."e;--David E. Aune, St. Xavier College Author of The New Testament in Its Literary Environment"e;In this important new book, Mack and Robbins have clarified the patterns of persuasion that form the social, historical, and narrative worlds of the earliest Christians. All those who want a hands-on manual for studying the characters, stories, and argumentation of scripture will welcome this learned discussion of primary texts. Highly recommended for any person who is serious about understanding the Bible."e; - Ron Cameron, Wesleyan University Author of The Other Gospels

America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has increased since the events of 9/11. 'Myth and the Christian Nation' presents a startling analysis of how and why Christianity and national identity have been woven together in recent American political discourse. Drawing on examples of religious myth-making across the ancient world 'Myth and the Christian Nation' brings the weight of history to bear on America today, a place where myth, monotheism, sovereignty and power can be harnessed together in the service of specific interests. The book invites readers to rethink the role of religion in the construction of social democracy and to see America afresh.

The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation's image of its own manifest destiny. 'Christian Mentality' analyses the myths that have shaped America's collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. 'Christian Mentality' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political thought.

The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation's image of its own manifest destiny. 'Christian Mentality' analyses the myths that have shaped America's collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. 'Christian Mentality' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political thought

"One of those rare volumes that . . . makes one wonder how we could possibly have lived without it. . . . [A] must-read for any student of the New Testament." —Publishers WeeklyIn this groundbreaking and controversial book, Burton Mack brilliantly exposes how the Gospels are fictional mythologies created by different communities for various purposes and are only distantly related to the actual historical Jesus.Mack''s innovative scholarship which boldly challenges traditional Christian understanding will change the way you approach the New Testament and think about how Christianity arose."A powerful, compact, yet detailed introduction to the New Testament and the origins of Christianity. Mack has sketched the panorama of early Christian literature and social development in a lucid, convincing, and magisterial performance."— Robert W. Funk, founder of the Jesus Seminar and author of The Five Gospels"Certainly Mack''s book should take a place in the front ranks [of New Testament introductions]." —Booklist "Finally! Someone has penetrated the theological agenda that has informed a century of New Testament scholarship to provide a thoroughgoing historical overview of Christian origins." Luther H. Martin, author of Hellenistic Religions

America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has increased since the events of 9/11. ''Myth and the Christian Nation'' presents a startling analysis of how and why Christianity and national identity have been woven together in recent American political discourse. Drawing on examples of religious myth-making across the ancient world ''Myth and the Christian Nation'' brings the weight of history to bear on America today, a place where myth, monotheism, sovereignty and power can be harnessed together in the service of specific interests. The book invites readers to rethink the role of religion in the construction of social democracy and to see America afresh.

America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has increased since the events of 9/11. ''Myth and the Christian Nation'' presents a startling analysis of how and why Christianity and national identity have been woven together in recent American political discourse. Drawing on examples of religious myth-making across the ancient world ''Myth and the Christian Nation'' brings the weight of history to bear on America today, a place where myth, monotheism, sovereignty and power can be harnessed together in the service of specific interests. The book invites readers to rethink the role of religion in the construction of social democracy and to see America afresh.

The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation''s image of its own manifest destiny. ''Christian Mentality'' analyses the myths that have shaped America''s collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. ''Christian Mentality'' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political thought.

The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation''s image of its own manifest destiny. ''Christian Mentality'' analyses the myths that have shaped America''s collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. ''Christian Mentality'' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political thought.

Human societies live and breathe through their myths. A myth is not a simple story; it is the complex social reasoning of a people, a way of making sense of the world. Burton Mack calls this reasoning "e;social logic,"e; and as a master of ancient Rome and the rise of Christianity, he knows that the Western experience has been embedded in the Christian myth as its "e;big picture"e; narrative. But what happens when the big picture becomes fragmented and when an old myth loses its ability to function in a new world order? Mack is convinced that at the heart of contemporary political crises lies the need to create a new myth beyond the grand narratives and lingering fragments history has given us. Mack invites his reader to think historically about the present, and imaginatively about the future, in this important book about ourselves.

"e;Patterns of Persuasion in the Gospels will open the next stage in Synoptic studies. Mack and Robbins have returned synoptic criticism to the road it missed when Bultmann and Dibelius decided to ingnore Greco-Roman education and rhetoric. Starting from a sophisticated and detailed study of what the rhetorical handbooks say about the elaboratioin of chreiai, they illuminate the most basic techniques and logic which the Gospel writers used in developing the Jesus traditions. It is required reading for everyone with a serious interest in the critical study of the Gospels."e;--Stanley K. Stowers, Brown Univeristy Author of Letter Writing in Greco-Roman Authority"e;An impressive, programmatic argument, which successfully challenges conventional approaches to the Jesus tradition. It demonstrates the relevance of Hellenistic rhetorical theory for composition analysis of the sayings tradition. A groundbreaking study, which all serious students of the gospels must consider."e;--David E. Aune, St. Xavier College Author of The New Testament in Its Literary Environment"e;In this important new book, Mack and Robbins have clarified the patterns of persuasion that form the social, historical, and narrative worlds of the earliest Christians. All those who want a hands-on manual for studying the characters, stories, and argumentation of scripture will welcome this learned discussion of primary texts. Highly recommended for any person who is serious about understanding the Bible."e; - Ron Cameron, Wesleyan University Author of The Other Gospels

America is widely regarded as the ultimate "Christian Nation." Religious language has always been at the forefront of American politics but this has increased since the events of 9/11. 'Myth and the Christian Nation' presents a startling analysis of how and why Christianity and national identity have been woven together in recent American political discourse. Drawing on examples of religious myth-making across the ancient world 'Myth and the Christian Nation' brings the weight of history to bear on America today, a place where myth, monotheism, sovereignty and power can be harnessed together in the service of specific interests. The book invites readers to rethink the role of religion in the construction of social democracy and to see America afresh.

The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation's image of its own manifest destiny. 'Christian Mentality' analyses the myths that have shaped America's collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. 'Christian Mentality' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political thought.

The Christian myth is entangled with American politics, with the nation's image of its own manifest destiny. 'Christian Mentality' analyses the myths that have shaped America's collective mentality. Concepts that are taken for granted in the formation of American policy - namely power, violence and fear - are examined. The book argues that America must find an image for itself which more truly reflects its reality as a polycultural nation still struggling for social democracy. 'Christian Mentality' will be invaluable to students and scholars interested in the impact of religion on political thought