Jesus the Pharisee Book

The New Testament appears to describe Jesus as a strong opponent of the Pharisees. This book however argues that the appearance is deceptive, being due to late additions to the New Testament, which, however, contains strong traces of an earlier pro-Pharisee attitude, for example, the portrayal of Gamaliel.

Jesus, the book argues, was not only friendly to the Pharisees, but was actually a member of their movement. Evidence is brought from the rabbinic writings to show a strong affinity between Jesus and the Pharisees. The Talmud even retains a reminiscence of Jesus as a rabbinic figure. The argument that the rabbinic writings are too late to be valid is combated. The book puts forward many new insights into New Testament problems: for example, why did Jesus' brother, not Peter become the leader of the Jerusalem Church? What was the motive for the denigration of the Pharisees? What was Jesus' attitude towards the temple? Did Jesus flout the Jewish ritual purity laws? Do the Gospels contain a polemic against the Jerusalem Church? Did Jesus' claim to be the Messiah (a political title) constitute a threat to the Roman Occupation, rather than to the Jewish religion? Was the High Priest a henchman and appointee of Rome, despised by the Pharisees and the Jewish people?