Gerd Theißen ist Professor Emeritus für Neutestamentliche Theologie an der Universität Heidelberg.

This textbook strives to present the results of scientific research into the life of the historical Jesus in a very objective and clear manner. Jesus is depicted as a distinctive character recognizable to the modern mind, though heavily rooted in Judaic tradition. The reader learns to understand how his disciples and supporters came to see in him the Messiah and the Son of God.