Book Reviewed: Jesus Is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the 3 He Answered by Martin B Copenhaver

Book Reviewed: Jesus Is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the 3 He Answered by Martin B Copenhaver

Is Jesus the Answer Man? (four stars)

Contrary to the common beliefs in Cristian faith, Jesus is not the ultimate Answer Man, but he was more like questioner. We are familiar with Jesus’s parables and aphorisms stated in the canonical gospels of the New Testament. Through this, it becomes clear that Jesus answers questions indirectly through parables rather than provide a direct answer. It is up to the questioner/inquisitive to find answers in his aphorisms. The fact that Jesus did not write anything complicated the matter even further, and in this book, author Martin Copenhaver of Andover Newton Theological School, and former pastor of Wellesley Congregational church in Massachusetts describes Jesus from a different perspective, that is, through his questions. In the Gospels, Jesus asks 307 questions; but his followers ask him 183 questions and only three of those questions get a response. Jesus modeled the struggle; finding personal connection with god is by understanding ourselves and our role in god’s creation. An answer to a question may be short lived or it may be followed up with a series of question which could become endless.

There are more than 50 gospels in Christian Apocrypha that narrate the life and works of Jesus, and only four of them were canonized and made their way into New Testament. Gnostic gospels like the gospel of Mary Magdalene, gospel of Judas, gospel of Thomas, gospel of Philip, gospel of Truth, and gospel of James are not incorporated into the Bible, but they are relevant. In fact, gospel of Mary Magdalene is one of the most important gospels since she was the closest disciple of Jesus and knew him better than the other apostles. Gospel of Thomas is also one of the most important apostolic works.

The book is written well and the chapters are divided into the nature of questions as it pertains to compassion, about identity, faith, love, healing, etc. Chapter 13, the last chapter gives a summary of Jesus’s questions and reflects upon his life. I recommend this book to readers interested in the historical aspects of Jesus and Biblical Apocrypha.