Joseph R. Dodson
Joseph R. Dodson (Ph.D., The University of Aberdeen) is the Dr. Craig L. Blomberg Endowed Chair of New Testament at Denver Seminary.
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In Jesus, Hercules, and the Gospel Truth: Encountering Christ Among the Myths, Joseph R. Dodson brings readers face-to-face with an ancient ‘superhero,’ Hercules, exploring parallels between the myths about Hercules and the truth about Jesus Christ and showing how New Testament authors presented Jesus as a truer and better hero and savior. Armed with years of research in the New Testament and its Greco-Roman context, Dodson argues that these parallels are evidence not that Christ is a cut-rate copy of cultural content, but rather the completion and fulfillment of the longing for a savior expressed in ancient myth.
Foreword
Preface
Abbreviations
Ancient Authors
Mythological Characters and Places
Introduction: “Wait—What?”
Chapter 1: Definitions, Methodology, Thesis, Plan, and Final Qualifications
Chapter 2: Divine Sons: Infancy Narratives of Jesus and Hercules
Chapter 3: The Death and Ascensions of Hercules and Christ
Chapter 4: Jesus, Hercules, Caesar, and Paul
Chapter 5: Jesus and Hercules in Hebrews
Conclusion: Jesus, Hercules, and the Gospel Truth
Appendix: Paul and Hercules—Beast Masters
General Index
Scripture and Other Ancient Literature Index
In Jesus, Hercules, and the Gospel Truth: Encountering Christ Among the Myths, Joseph R. Dodson brings readers face-to-face with an ancient ‘superhero,’ Hercules, exploring parallels between the myths about Hercules and the truth about Jesus Christ and showing how New Testament authors presented Jesus as a truer and better hero and savior. Armed with years of research in the New Testament and its Greco-Roman context, Dodson argues that these parallels are evidence not that Christ is a cut-rate copy of cultural content, but rather the completion and fulfillment of the longing for a savior expressed in ancient myth.
Foreword
Preface
Abbreviations
Ancient Authors
Mythological Characters and Places
Introduction: “Wait—What?”
Chapter 1: Definitions, Methodology, Thesis, Plan, and Final Qualifications
Chapter 2: Divine Sons: Infancy Narratives of Jesus and Hercules
Chapter 3: The Death and Ascensions of Hercules and Christ
Chapter 4: Jesus, Hercules, Caesar, and Paul
Chapter 5: Jesus and Hercules in Hebrews
Conclusion: Jesus, Hercules, and the Gospel Truth
Appendix: Paul and Hercules—Beast Masters
General Index
Scripture and Other Ancient Literature Index