By Skip Johnson 

Virtually nothing is known about Jesus until he was about 30. Then, for the next one to three years, he led an itinerant, mostly rural ministry. Fast-forward 2,000 years, though, and Jesus has become the most influential person who ever lived, and his teaching has become the basis for the world's largest religion. But somewhere along the way, a wide variety of conflicting religious, political, and theological forces has fragmented the teaching into countless schools of thought. Who was Jesus? And what did he actually teach?

In The Gospel of Yeshua, veteran journalist Skip Johnson blends modern Bible research with ancient Bible testimony to produce a simple yet richly detailed narrative of the life and teaching of Jesus the man (Yeshua). This portrait presents Jesus' teaching as his disciples would have heard and understood it, and it focuses on Jesus' central teaching that anyone can attain happiness beyond human imagination, regardless of any circumstances.

TRADE REVIEWS:

"Relying on scholarship to sort out the contradiction between John and the synoptic Gospels, and making some educated guesses to fill gaps, Johnson tells in simple but affecting prose the straightforward story of Jesus the great teacher. Nothing is certain in this sub genre, but Johnson's can comfortably join similar efforts: Fulton Oursler's Greatest Story Ever Told (1949), Frank Slaughter's Crown and the Cross (1959), and more recently Walter Wangerin's Book of God (1996)." -- The American Library Association Booklist

"Steep yourself in the life and character of Jesus. You may find some surprises. It is an inspiring book to be read during Lent." -- Michael J. McManus, New York Times News Service

"Skip Johnson blends ancient testimony with contemporary biblical studies research to provide the reader with a vivid and richly detailed biography of Jesus of Nazareth. The Gospel of Yeshua is an absorbing account of both the teaching and the life of Jesus as was heard and understood by his immediate disciples. One of the clear lessons running throughout the life and teaching of the Nazarene is that anyone can attain happiness beyond all imagination, regardless of their present circumstances. The Gospel of Yeshua is enthusiastically recommended, totally accessible reading." -- Midwest Book Review

"It goes to the heart of the Christian religion, or religion in general, for that matter." -- Dave Munday, Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier

CLERGY REVIEWS:

"After having the Bible spoon-fed to me as a child, studying it the rest of my life, and preaching it for over forty years, The Gospel of Yeshua has opened up the Bible for me in a new way, unfolded the stories with clarity and freshness, and revealed new depths. Read this book and you can discover the reason for your birth, the purpose of all life, and the hope for your future. It has the potential of touching lives to the extent that even the Church might be reoriented and rejuvenated." -- The Rev. Dr. Taft Lyon (Presbyterian Church U.S.A.)

"In this fresh, provocative, and strongly written book, Skip Johnson has brilliantly caught the narrative of the promise and conflict in Jesus' life and has made the story credible." -- The Rev. Dr. A. Robert Nix (United Methodist Church)

"The Gospel of Yeshua provides a comprehensive, readable, and highly informative story of the life of Jesus that enables the reader to understand this fascinating man from Galilee. This book is a MUST for every lay person and serious student of the Bible." -- The Rev. Wilford P. Hendrix (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)

"This is a wonderful book that helps us understand the humanity and teaching of Jesus. It is OUTSTANDING!" -- The Rev. Mary Ann Finch (Unity Church)

READER REVIEWS:

"With great clarity, Johnson has written a stunning account of the life and teaching of Jesus that strips away myth and theological irrelevances and centers on Jesus' mission of love. It is refreshing and exciting to get caught up in a story that's been told so many times." -- Suzanne Meriwether, Philadelphia, PA, courtesy Amazon.com

"Most people have learned the Christian beliefs about Jesus' life in bits and pieces, and shrouded with doctrinal interpretations. Religion journalist Skip Johnson has taken on the challenging task of combining what we know about Jesus into a story that can make him come alive as a person today. Using a style reminiscent of Hemingway in relying on simplicity in story line and dialogue, Mr. Johnson has woven a rewarding fabric about Jesus that will delight Christians of all faiths and doctrines, and non-Christians as well who wish to understand Jesus as a teacher. I found it a special treat to read this book on Easter morning… One of the interesting features of this book was to describe Jesus as Yeshua (a different interpretation of Jesus' name). This literary device allows the reader to see the ancient story with fresher eyes than would otherwise be possible. I also enjoyed the honest discussion of the differences in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I found these books to be completely confusing as a youngster, and have always enjoyed hearing what people more familiar with these texts than I am make of them. If you are like me, Mr. Johnson's ideas will be enlightening. One of the most interesting parts of the book for me was the psychological development of Jesus in his role as teacher. If you are to serve God, how should one conduct his life to do so? The book builds a psychological profile around Jesus' answers to that question. For those who do not know much about Jesus, the book provides a simple development of his teachings from their base in Jewish traditions and beliefs that will add to your understanding of how the two sets of ideas intermingle. I found Mr. Johnson's material added new meaning for me to both sets of these teachings. I especially felt a fresh understanding of the joy inherent in loving God and all others. I also saw Judas differently, from the perspective of his likely motives in cooperating with the temple's priests. Mr. Johnson's exploration of different questions and beliefs about the Resurrection were very interesting to me, as well. Having them all laid out side-by-side provided me with a new understanding of what that event means to us today. Mr. Johnson also helps connect the reader to spiritual experiences by providing indirect instruction into medication sounds for times when Jesus sought quiet for thought and prayer. By pursuing these meditative practices, the reader can enter into a state closer to what Jesus might have been experiencing. Whether your purpose is to learn from Jesus' life as a teacher, to find a faith, to reaffirm your faith, or simply to satisfy your curiosity, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to you." -- Donald Wayne Mitchell, Amazon.com Top Ten reviewer

"I read this book a couple of months ago and am still pondering many things in my heart. It's a story that warmed me, but set me thinking at the same time. I was so glad that I had read it before Easter and I plan to re-read it during Lent next year - if not before." -- Rose Tomlin, Charleston, S.C.

"I was given this book by a very good friend, and was just so pleasantly surprised. It is extremely well written - simple, but thought provoking on so many levels. I am not a religious person, and was not particularly interested in the subject matter. Once I got started, however, it was impossible to put down. I like to think of myself as a spiritual person, and this book is most certainly a spiritual one. I recommend it wholeheartedly." -- Kathy Nash, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

"Skip Johnson's book introduces us to a Jesus we can all sit down and talk with. It's refreshing and has the potential to reach across religions (and to those who practice no particular religion) with its open message that is so accessible and pertinent to today's world." -- Glenda N. Pender, Dahlonega, Ga.

"I am a devout atheist. I do not believe in God, but have always been interested in persuasive men like Moses, Mohammed, Jesus, Martin Luther, etc. A brief conversation with Mr. Johnson at a book signing in Charleston, SC, convinced me that this man might have actually written a book about Jesus 'the man' that isn't preachy or religious. To my sorrow, he has not written that book. He has, however, written an incredibly beautiful, if slightly religious, book about one of the most influential men in the history of mankind. His writing is crafty, evocative, completely immersive, and obviously incredibly loving. I recommend this book to anyone who likes well crafted, journalistic story telling." -- A reader, Ann Arbor, Mich.

"This well-written narrative of the life of Jesus helps one to understand what might have been going on in the mind of Jesus and the disciples and to feel the emotions that they felt. It is a thought-provoking book that leads the reader to imagine what it really was like in that period of history. It helps to answer the question of God's plan and purpose for Jesus' life while he lived among us." -- A reader, Birmingham, Ala.

"Because I've been active in the church all my life, I anticipated a good re-telling of the Gospels in this book, but I had no idea of the effect of the author's writing on some basic understandings and even on my worship. The explanations of such concepts as Jesus' various relationships with his disciples, the miracles, the Sanhedrin, and the 22nd Psalm were very enlightening. Most astonishing though is that now in worship I find my mind returning to The Gospel of Yeshua in order to hold the light and spirit of this book to shine on the words and actions of the worship service. I'm planning to give this title as a gift to many friends and relatives, sure that they'll really appreciate it, too." -- A reader, Charleston, S.C.

"Skip Johnson has written a simple, yet masterful account of Jesus' life. We learn about Jesus the man - a man who laughs and cries, but more importantly a man who loves unconditionally." --A reader, South Carolina

"Being an unreligious person, I was skeptical of reading a book about Jesus. However, I was delighted that the book was not preachy or overbearing. It is an interesting account of Jesus the man, someone who, throughout my Sunday school years, was exposed to me as a mythical, magical non-human. It is refreshing to read a 'religious' book that does not make you feel uncomfortable. I thoroughly enjoyed this book." --A reader, Charlotte, N.C.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Skip Johnson was born May 5, 1939, in Winnsboro, South Carolina. During his 30-year newspaper career, Johnson was a multiple award-winning reporter, columnist and editor. Highlights of his career include helping cover the desegregation of Alabama and Mississippi for The Associated Press. He also has been chief political writer for The Orlando Sentinel, state capital bureau chief for The Tampa Tribune, and religion editor/religion columnist for the Charleston (S.C.) News and Courier. In addition, he has served several East Coast newspapers in several capacities, including managing editor, city editor and state editor. He took early retirement from newspapers in 1991 to become an independent writer. Since then he has written numerous magazine articles. The Gospel of Yeshua, which he researched for more than 20 years, was published in 2001. Johnson is married to the former Sue Jones of Mobile, Alabama. They live in Charleston.

BOOK SIGNINGS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

Skip Johnson travels nationwide to lead discussions on the life and teaching of Jesus, especially for churches, book clubs, and book reading groups. You may contact him at skip_johnson@msn.com or (843) 723-0382)

AN INTERVIEW WITH SKIP JOHNSON

Q: Why did you write The Gospel of Yeshua?

A: I didn't intend to write a book. I only intended to follow a personal quest. It began in 1977 when I first realized how little I really knew about the man who had affected life on earth more than any other person or event in history. I knew most of the stories about Jesus from a lifetime of attending Sunday school and church, but I could not weave those stories into a meaningful narrative. I did not know what Jesus had done that made him the most powerful human force in history. Seen in that light, it was embarrassing, even humiliating. So I started searching for the historical Jesus, and the more I learned the more fascinated I became, and the more I wanted to learn. I found myself constantly asking myself, "Why didn't I know this? Why doesn't everyone know this?" Eventually, I ended up with voluminous files about Jesus the man, and why he did what he did. It's an incredible story, and I wanted to share it. This book is one way I'm doing that.

Q: But of all the writers in the world, what qualifies you to write it?

A: I am a journalist, this is a journalist's story, and I took a journalist's approach. I searched out the best sources of information I could find, compiled a huge file of detailed notes, personally traced Jesus' steps through the Holy Land, tested his precepts in my own life, organized the material into chronological order, edited it to its essence, and wove it into a simple yet richly detailed narrative. My purpose was to tell a simple story simply, and as completely as possible.

Q: Didn't the four Gospels do an adequate job of that?

A: No. The Gospel writers were writing for their peers, people who understood the economic, social, political, military and religious climates that existed in Jesus' day because they lived them daily. There was no need for the Gospel writers to re-invent the wheel. But that was a very different culture that existed 2,000 years ago and a half a world away from us, and today all that history has been largely forgotten. However, unless one understands the environment Jesus lived in, it is impossible to understand Jesus. The Gospel of Yeshua puts the story of Jesus into its proper setting.

Q: What makes your book different from the countless other books that have been written about Jesus?

A: Most books about Jesus are written by theologians to do such things as inspire imaginations, support religious theories, propound theological ideas, teach spiritual lessons, persuade readers to adopt a particular point of view. As a journalist, a layman, I focus specifically on the facts of Jesus' life - the who, what, when, where, why and how. I concentrate on what was important to Jesus at the time, not on what later writers who did not know him thought, or what the church has added to the story.

Q: What was important to Jesus?

A: Only two things: that we love God and love our neighbors, which means trust God absolutely to do what he said he would do, and do whatever we can to help each other have good lives. Do just those two things, Jesus said, and you'll be joyous beyond your imagination's ability to conceive. Again, Jesus did not want to be worshiped. He wanted to be followed.

(The following excerpt takes place on the northern bank of the Sea of Galilee. Yeshua has gathered his disciples together for the first time to teach them the essence of what they must understand if they want to become his apostles.)

Yeshua knows he could say everything he has to say in one word - love. But there is too much power packed into that word for them or anyone else to comprehend, not because it is too complicated but because it is too simple. Hence, Yeshua will begin his teaching by decompressing the word. He will fully articulate its essence now, one time. He knows that even in its decompressed version, the essence of love will still be too much for his disciples to comprehend. But he will spend the rest of his life teaching it, preaching it, and, especially, living it. In time, they will understand.

Yeshua begins by describing the joy that results from living a life lavishly and wastefully for love.

"It is a happiness so great that no language can describe it, and no heart can understand it. You cannot even imagine it. But you can experience it! And those who do experience it realize a permanent, unimaginable joy that is utterly independent of anything that happens in life. It is a joy so completely self-contained that it needs nothing but itself. And nothing - not sorrow, not loss, not pain, not illness, not financial setback, not disappointment, not failure, not anything - can ever separate you from that joy."

Yeshua pauses to let his words sink in, then continues. "I am not promising you rewards in some vague future. I am telling you - and in the coming days I will show you - the joyful here-and-now consequences of a life lived fully and lavishly for love. There are no laws you must obey. There are no rules you must follow. There is only love for you to live, and a gift of priceless joy for you to accept."

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1. Why did you write The Gospel of Yeshua?
2. Tens of thousands of books have been written about Jesus. What makes yours unique?
3. After all your research about the life of Jesus, what did you conclude was his primary purpose in life?
4. What did you find that Jesus most lamented about human behavior?
5. Conservative Christians have found your book very controversial. Why is this?
6. The Bible says almost nothing about Jesus' early life, yet you paint a comprehensive picture of his youth. Where did you get your information?
7. The Bible is full of stories of Jesus' miracles, yet you downplay them. Why?
8. You portray Judas as a well-intentioned person. Why?
9. What qualifies you to be the writer of this book?
10. You have called The Gospel of Yeshua a fictionalization, but not a novel. Why is that?

PUBLISHING FACTS:

• Genre: Biography - Jesus Christ / Teachings - Jesus Christ
• Publication date: January 5, 2001
• Trade hardcover edition: ISBN 1-929175-03-5. 6" x 9", 212 pp., $24.95
• Trade softcover edition: ISBN 1-929175-24-8. 6" x 9", 212 pp., $19.95
• LC PCN: 00-107982
• Publisher: Corinthian Books, an imprint of The Côté Literary Group, P.O. Box 1898, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465-1898 USA
• First printing: 6,000 copies
• Trade distributors: Ingram Book Company, Baker & Taylor
• Bookstore availability: may be ordered through any independent or chain bookstore in the U.S. and Canada or direct from the publisher.
• Internet booksellers: Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.
• Contact: Richard N. Côté, Editor-in-Chief / editor@corinthianbooks.com / (843) 881-6080 / Fax: (843) 278-8456