Jesus: The Human Face of God

“Remythologizing” Jesus is the aim of this slim biography. Parini (The Last Station), a much published professor of English and creative writing at Middlebury College, wishes to present neither a scholarly investigation of the historical Jesus nor another literalist retelling of biblical accounts. Rather, he sets out to explore Jesus’ story in the context of “the gradually realizing kingdom of God.” Consequently, the book is at its best when Parini shares his ideas of timeless, spiritual implications of the ancient Jesus stories and when he draws from non-biblical art and especially literature to reframe what he understands as the mystery and ongoing-ness of revelation. It is weakest when Parini (occasionally and against his own intentions) lapses into common assumptions based on the gospel stories as objective history. Scholars will find little new here, but seekers may be inspired to think differently about how the man from Nazareth might bear on lives today. Parini’s non-literalist theology proves a gentle goad to reconsider the power of myth to tell truths. Agent: Geri Thoma, Writers House. (Dec. 3)