What Did Jesus Do? - by F Scott Spencer (Paperback)

About the Book

Groundbreaking study of Jesus' behavior in the gospels.

Book Synopsis

What Would Jesus Do? is a popular phrase in Christian circles, but answers to that question might be more on-target if we spent more time exploring, as Scott Spencer has, What Did Jesus Do? Spencer examines both the Synoptics and the Gospel of John as he tries to catch a wide-angled vision of Jesus' behavior in the gospels. Rather than focus on sayings or pronouncements as an authoritative code of conduct, he studies Jesus' deeds or actions as keys to his identity and vocation. While not ignoring Jesus' teaching, this study is more interested in discovering how Jesus personally lived up to his own moral instruction -- his personal conduct. Chapters are devoted to Jesus' actions with respect to his family, his friends, his body, his possessions, his work, his reputation, and the environment. Spencer suggests paths -- and pitfalls -- for relating Jesus' personal conduct to individual behavior, how we might move from what Jesus did in the New Testament to what we should do today. F. Scott Spencer is Professor of New Testament at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Virginia and is the author of The Portrait of Philip in Acts: A Study of Roles and Relations and Acts. He is the Chair of the New Testament section for the Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion.

Review Quotes

"As a New Testament scholar and a Christian, F. Scott Spencer meets halfway those Christians who, though largely unfamiliar with biblical scholarship, are eager to ask "What would Jesus do?" as a guide for their own ethical actions. Spencer's cleverly titled book, What Did Jesus Do?, is not a scholarly reconstruction of the historical Jesus but a portrayal of the narrated actions of the composite (not harmonized) canonical Jesus, especially actions that might be labeled "personal ethics," in the context of the first-century Mediterranean world. Thus while Spencer shares an interest in ethical guidance with his audience, he aims to challenge his audience to be guided by a Jesus understood within his own (ancient) context rather than a fabricated twenty-first-century North American Jesus who too easily confirms without challenging accepted values." Elizabeth Struthers Malbon Professor of Religious Studies Center for Interdisciplinary Studies Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University--Sanford Lakoff

"In posing the question, "What would Jesus do? This very readable book provides a fresh perspective on Jesus as a norm for contemporary behavior. Spencer attempts to create a bridge between 1st and 21st century ethics by focusing on gospel portraits of Jesus' own personal conduct." Gail R. O'Day, A.H. Professor of New Testament and Preaching, Chandler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA--Sanford Lakoff

"In Trying to Grapple with ethical dilemmas, this lively and helpful book takes as its starting point the slogan often heard today: " What would Jesus do?" Spencer, who is a professor of New Testament at Baptist Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, respects the earnest spirit of the question but is aware that the answer has to be comples. He focuses on the four Gospels and gives attention to how they portray the conduct and teaching of jesus, especially in regard to personal ethical issues. The author selects six key topics: family, friends, body, money, work, and issues of honor. In each case he offers a thoughtful grappling with the gospel materials and draws out the inherent values and perspectives in a way that respects the complexities of the text but also communicates with a modern lay reader." Father Donald Senior C.P., The Bible Today, Nov. Dec. 2003--Sanford Lakoff "The Bible Today "

"Spencer provides an informative, lucid, and often witty discussion of how Jesus conducted himself and interacted with others in his first-century world. He treats matters of relevant interest to Christians today and engages the challenges they inevitably face in taking the life of Jesus as a model of discipleship. The book is both academically responsible and fun to read this popular focus and chatty style should make it a real treat for readers in churches and classrooms alike." -Mark Allan Powell, Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary--Sanford Lakoff

What is unique here is the author s attention to Jesus actions and deeds in and around other persons as authoritative for ethical conduct rather than his sayings or pronouncements. Spencer offers balanced and incisive and balanced conclusions at the end of each chapter that serve both to render a viable portrait of the ethical Jesus and to effectively navigate the reader through and, at times, provocative ethical deliberation. Spencer s handling of Jesus work ethic is particularly well done, as it sheds some necessary and accurate light on the character of first century Judaism vis-a-vis Sabbath observance. In the end, this volume represents an incisive approach to a complex subject that is adroitly handled by the author, who, as he might say, drops the gauntlet on the evasive yet intensely popular question: What would Jesus do? John W, Daniels Jr.--John W. Daniels "Review of Biblical Literature "

"What Did Jesus Do? is a balanced and perceptive book that provides a detailed examination of Jesus' behavior as recorded in the four Gospels. Spencer offers numerous insights into the mind of the most fully human being that has ever lived The highest compliment one can pay to any writer of a book about Jesus is that it brings us closer to its subject. What Did Jesus Do? is scholarly yet surprisingly pastoral. No reader can fail to be enriched and enlightened by Spencer's easy prose and fearless probing into the perfect life that Christ lived." -Prism, March/April 2004

happily offers both rigorous scholarship and a good read. This volume is highly recommended not only for biblical scholars narrowly defined, but also for ethics classes, adult study groups, college students, seminarians, and pastors. -The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 67, 2005

About the Author

F. Scott Spencer is Professor of New Testament at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Virginia and is the author of The Portrait of Philip in Acts: A Study of Roles and Relations and Acts. He is the Chair of the New Testament section for the Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion.ission for the Study of Religion.