"Periodically a book comes along to roil the waters of complacency. Such is the case with Thomas Sheehan's The First Coming, a brilliant and provocative examination of the ways in which Christianity de- veloped by transforming Jesus' radical message about God into a doctrine about Jesus himself.... Sheehan's argument is compelling and convincing. -Berkshire Eag

"Sheehan gives us a splendidly written summary of what most scholars and many informed lay people already know.... But he goes consider- ably beyond mere historical reconstruction-as he must-and becomes himself an interpreter-as he should. His interpretation is provocative and original.... This book is sure to be roundly attacked, not just by the gendarmes of orthodoxy, despite its eminent readability." -Harvey Cox, Boston Globe

"A fascinating and disturbing book... Sheehan works along the fine dividing line between faith questions and empirical reason. He suc- ceeds in his endeavor remarkably well." -Grand Rapids Press

"This controversial and important book rethinks the origins and mean- ing of Christianity." -Publishers Weekly

"Those interested in the ongoing efforts to reinterpret Jesus for the 20th century will want to read this scholarly book." -Library Journal