Publisher's Synopsis
This book presents all of the surviving shorter works of John the Presbyter, the only professional writer among Jesus's followers. They were written over a turbulent thirty-year period in which Jerusalem was destroyed and the author was found guilty of treason against Rome and exiled. During these decades John also strove to explain the true teachings of Jesus and oppose the dogma invented by Paul of Tarsus, who had never even met Jesus. Besides writings found in the New Testament, several very little-known works of John are included: rare teachings of Jesus, an account of Jesus dancing, an instruction manual for congregations, and critical comments about the Gospel of Mark. Freshly translated from Greek and sometimes Aramaic, these texts provide a sharp picture of one man's efforts to keep alive the truth about Jesus. Anyone interested in the real historical Jesus behind the distortions of religious doctrine should come to know them.
