This episode explores the early life of Jesus, challenging the scholarly consensus that little can be known about his pre-ministry years. Dr. Joan Taylor discusses her book, "Boy Jesus, Growing Up Judean in Turbulent Times," and her motivations for writing it, stemming from her increasing knowledge of Judean history and a desire to push back against the idea of Jesus being divorced from his family and environment. Against the backdrop of Western historical tradition's suspicion of orality, Dr. Taylor emphasizes the importance of understanding Jesus' identity as a Judean Galilean Jew, connecting him to the land, culture, and ancestral heritage. More significantly, the conversation delves into Jesus' potential descent from King David, a plausible identity that would have impacted his life during Herod the Great's reign, marked by paranoia and violence. The discussion pivots to how historical events can be uncovered from semi-legendary accounts, using the massacre of the innocents as an example, and the use of non-biblical sources to understand life in Galilee at the time. The episode concludes by addressing skepticism about knowing Jesus' early life, emphasizing that while nativity accounts are shaped, they may contain memories rooted in historical context.
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