A Reader's Guide To Reza Aslan's Zealot

Reza Aslan's Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth (Random House 2013), initially caused a furor among the religious right. Now a month after its publication, it is beginning to get serious critical attention, not all of it laudatory.

What is so controversial about Zealot? Does its scholarship merit the controversy? Where does Zealot stand among other studies of the historical Jesus? This reader's guide takes a close look at Zealot, and answers these questions and more.

A Reader’s Guide To Reza Aslan’s Zealot should be considered a study aid, not a substitute for actually reading the book. Zealot is organized by topic, this guide is organized chronologically, to assist in understanding the scholarly concepts that Aslan discusses.

SPOILER ALERT! This guide discusses many of Aslan’s observations and conclusions. If you are reading or intend to read Zealot (which I highly recommend), do yourself a favor, close this window, and purchase the book before consulting this readers' guide.