Very God, very human.

Prologue and Chapter 1 Checking the Evidence
The four Gospels were written before AD 70, circulated and accepted as authentic by AD 100 - a generation before the alternative mystic documents claiming to be Gospels. They were not selected by ecclesiastical authorities but by supply and demand - ordinary Christians who wanted to read them and copyists who wrote them out by hand. Thousands of copies exist, compared with under 100 of any of the other historical documents of that time. Jesus Christ is the best documented character in ancient history. There is evidence we can check for ourselves by reading and comparing the four Gospels.

Chapter 2 Manger to Carpenter
Mary’s story in Luke and Joseph’s in Matthew are clearly independent, yet fit together and are confirmed by history and astronomy. Jesus had a normal childhood and upbringing in a large family.

Chapter 3 Into the Limelight and out again
First John the Baptist, then Jesus, burst on an astonished world. Jesus and His first six disciples conduct a campaign in Judea, experiencing both popularity and opposition. But He cuts it short rather than overshadow the Baptist.

Chapter 4 Early days in Galilee
Only after the Baptist is imprisoned does Jesus return as a public figure, this time based in Capernaum. After a rapid rise to immense popularity, opposition begins to harden.

Chapter 5 Galilee continued
In response to opposition, Jesus appoints twelve apostles and concentrates on their training.

Chapter 6 Crisis to Crisis to Crisis
John the Baptist’s execution - just one year before Christ’s - triggers a major upheaval. Jesus leaves Galilee and heads south.

Chapter 7 Deliberately into Danger
Jesus defies Herod - in his own territory.
Caiaphas issues a warrant for His arrest.

Chapter 8 Approaching Climax
The last week in Jerusalem, leading up to His arrest.

Chapter 9 Trial
Hearings before Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate and Herod - but the decision is taken by a mob (not the common people; a specially recruited mob).

Chapter 10 Crucifixion
A small group stands by as Jesus dies and is buried.

Chapter 11 Resurrection
Easter and afterwards. The final test.

Appendices
Date of Christ’s birth. Roman soldiers or Temple guards. Two uncertain verses. Early manuscripts and fragments. Acknowledgements