

#3823
Mentioned in 7 episodes
Zealot
The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth
Book • 2013
In this book, Reza Aslan presents a historical analysis of Jesus, arguing that he was a zealous revolutionary who challenged the Roman occupation and the Jewish priestly elite.
Aslan balances the Jesus of the Gospels against historical sources, describing a man of conviction and passion, yet full of contradictions.
He explores why the early Christian church preferred to depict Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary and grapples with the mystery of Jesus' self-understanding and subsequent claims about his divinity.
Aslan balances the Jesus of the Gospels against historical sources, describing a man of conviction and passion, yet full of contradictions.
He explores why the early Christian church preferred to depict Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary and grapples with the mystery of Jesus' self-understanding and subsequent claims about his divinity.
Mentioned by

















Mentioned in 7 episodes
Mentioned by 

as a book that contrasts the approaches of John Brown and Abraham Lincoln to the anti-slavery movement.


Cal Newport

246 snips
Ep. 224: A World Without Twitter?
Mentioned by 

as one of 

's books on the life of Jesus.


Tyler Cowen


Reza Aslan

47 snips
Reza Aslan on Martyrdom, Islam, and Revolution
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when discussing new work that looks at Jesus' upbringing, childhood, and community.

Pastor Ron Buford

33 snips
Jesus Was An Activist with Pastor Ron Buford
Mentioned by Bart Ehrman as the author of the book 'Zealot', which argues that Jesus was a zealot.

11 snips
Was Jesus a Violent Rebel?
Mentioned by 

as a bestseller, discussing Middle East politics.


Jon Stewart

TDS Time Machine | Arab American Heritage Month
Mentioned by 

as Aslan's best-selling book, discussed in a 2014 conversation.


Terrence McNally

Who was Jesus? REZA ASLAN, Zealot: The Life & Times of Jesus of Nazareth
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book he wanted to provide an alternative to.

Mustafa Akyol

Classic: Who is Jesus in Islam vs Jesus in Christianity Mustafa Akyol vs Richard Shumack
Mentioned by the podcast host as 

's best-selling book.


Reza Aslan

Rainn Wilson & Reza Aslan on Spiritual Journeys
Mentioned by 

as a New York Times bestseller.


Patrick Bet-David

Reza Aslan | PBD Podcast | Ep. 222
Mentioned by 

, discussing the author's views on religion and spirituality.


Sean M. Carroll

154 | Reza Aslan on Religion, Metaphor, and Meaning
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

while discussing a book about Jesus Christ and its relevance to current conflicts.

Georgina Godwin

The Vatican conclave begins and the papal role in conflict