This is the fourth of five volumes—an undertaking of massive proportions and impeccable scholarship. The first volume in the series, The Roots of the Problem and the Person, set Jesus within his times and cultural context, reconstructed what can be surmised about his “hidden life” and concluded with Jesus approaching adulthood. The second volume, Mentor, Message and Miracle, focused on John the Baptist, the meaning of Jesus’ message of the coming kingdom of God, and God’s kingly power already manifest in Jesus’ exorcisms, healings and miracles. The third volume, Companions and Competitors, explored the relations of Jesus with those around him and provides inspiration for those involved in the ministry of the word.
The Rev. John P. Meier—who is William K. Warren Chair Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, and past president of the Catholic Biblical Association—continues his quest for the historical Jesus in this new volume, which deals with the Mosaic Law, parables, Jesus’ self-designation and his crucifixion. Written with the same rigor, attention to detail, thoroughness and grounded argumentation, Law and Love is written for a broad readership. Meier speaks of the enigma in Jesus’ teaching as follows:
