A journey into the mystery of Jesus
What was Jesus of Nazareth really like? What effect did he have on those he met and befriended? How did he impart his teachings and perform his miracles?
These are the questions that James Harpur explores through Joseph of Arimathea, one of the most enigmatic characters of the gospels. After the crucifixion, Joseph embarks on a quest to find out who Jesus really was, seeking out those who knew him personally. These witnesses, all mentioned in the gospels, tell their stories, each contributing a unique insight into the Nazarene.
Strikingly original and beautifully crafted, The Gospel of Joseph of Arimathea uses both prose and poetry to create a parallel narrative to the gospels, amplifying the events they describe. It is a book that will take you on a journey into the heart of ancient Palestine, a journey into the mystery of Jesus.
About the author:
James Harpur has won a number of prizes and awards for his poetry, including the Powell Prize at Trinity College, Cambridge, the Poetry Society’s National Poetry Prize and an Eric Gregory Award. He has been poet in residence at the Munster Literature Centre, Cork, and at Exeter Cathedral. His poetry collections, The Dark Age (2007), Oracle Bones (2001), The Monk’’s Dream (1996) and A Vision of Comets (1993), and his translation, Fortune’’s Prisoner: The Poems of Boethius from The Consolation of Philosophy, reflect his interest in Christian and sacred themes. His non-fiction work includes Love Burning in the Soul: The Story of the Christian Mystics, from Saint Paul to Thomas Merton.