The Christian Way-Reality or Illusion?

Is Christianity but a selection of stories, as some suppose, or is there more to it than that? Are its adherents guided by something real or simply following their own fancies? That there are communities of Christians is itself real enough, but is their mere existence its own justification? Events like the birth and death of Jesus are for the most part real enough, though they have been overlaid with stories that may at times be helpful symbolism but may also distract or distort. The very human way Jesus and his disciples followed during his ministry was also real enough, though again overlaid with interpretative material; however, the circumstances of his followers then varied, and those of Christian communities in succeeding generations differ still more. On the eve of his death Jesus sought to bind his followers together with one another and himself rather than offering them a way of otherworldly salvation. He may yet have expected such a salvation, as did the Apostle Paul, but it is more fruitful to follow the latter in seeing "life" to be gained in "death," in a "dying to sin," in this life.

"In this remarkable and important little book, the author, an eminent biblical scholar, honestly and clearly touches on some of the problems which many modern readers have with the Bible but finds clues there for understanding the message of Christianity and 'the Christian Way' as not requiring belief in the supernatural yet as offering salvation, not in some future life but now."
--D. W. D. Shaw, Professor of Divinity emeritus, University of St. Andrews, UK

"Can a Christian way of life still make sense, when its otherworldly dimension becomes problematic? Sandy Wedderburn argues that it can. In an intense dialogue with the New Testament, he offers insightful guidance to those of us whose lives are firmly rooted in this world but who still search for meaning in the religious tradition."
--Heikki Risnen, Professor of New Testament Studies emeritus, University of Helsinki, Finland

"In this quest for what is 'real' in the Christian way, Sandy Wedderburn confronts the New Testament texts--gospels and letters--in a ruthlessly honest and rigorous way to identify what can, or should, be maintained by Christians in today's world. Critical in the best sense, this small book will provide powerful reading for those prepared to face the challenges encountered by all who take the NT and contemporary faith seriously."
--Christopher Tuckett, Pembroke College, Oxford, UK

Alexander Wedderburn is retired Professor of New Testament at the University of Munich and the author of Baptism and Resurrection (1987), The Reasons for Romans (1988), Beyond Resurrection (1999), A History of the First Christians (2004), Jesus and the Historians (2010), The Death of Jesus (2013), and The God of Jesus--Our God? (2014).