J. R. C. Cousland Libros

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas presents a provocative portrayal of Jesus as a child exhibiting troubling behaviors, often acting with violence over minor grievances. Cousland explores three interconnected representations of Jesus: as a holy terror, a child, and a miracle worker. He argues that these roles, while seemingly contradictory, create a cohesive understanding of Jesus' character, reflecting his dual nature as both human and divine. This work offers a thorough analysis of the unique Christology in this lesser-known gospel, shedding light on an often-overlooked aspect of Jesus' life.

This volume identifies the crowds (ochloi) in the Gospel of Matthew and explains their character and function. It argues that a proper appreciation of the crowds is essential to an understanding of salvation history in the gospel. The book identifies the crowds as Jewish, and establishes that both the positive and negative characterizations of the crowds correspond to portrayals of Israel drawn from the Hebrew Scriptures. It concludes that the crowds are also meant to be figurative for the Jewish people of Matthew's own day. New Testament scholars, particularly specialists in Matthew and the Synoptic Gospels will find the volume useful, and it will also appeal to those interested in early Jewish-Christian relations and the "parting of the ways" between the two faiths.