CONTENTS: Foreword, Preface, Introduction, Part I: Reading Synoptic Gospels with Critical Tools and Perspectives: 1. Genre of the Gospels, 2. The Formation of the Synoptic Gospels, 3. Reading the Synoptic Gospels with New Literary Tools, Part II: Socio-Political and Religio-Cultural Locations of the Jesus Movement: 1. Political Conditions of First Century Palestine, 2. Socio-Religious and Cultural Conditions of First Century Palestine, 3. Economic Condition for First Century Palestine, 4. Importance of Social History, Sociological and Cultural Studies in Understanding the Jesus Movement, Part III: Formative Factors of the Jesus Movement: 1. Infancy Narratives, 2. The Movement of John the Baptist, 3. Baptism and Temptation of Jesus, Part IV: A. Teachings of Jesus and His Movement: 1. Basileia Teachings of Jesus, 2. Parabolic Teachings of Jesus, 3. Discourses of Jesus, 4. Disciples and Discipleship, 5. Ekklesia Sayings of Jesus, 6. The Prayers of Jesus, Part IV: B. Praxes of Jesus – Fore-Taste of the Basileia of God: 1. Life Style of Jesus, 2. Miracles of Jesus, 3. Confrontations of Jesus, 4. Formation of an Inclusive Community, 5. Jesus and the New Temple Motif in the Synoptic Gospels, Part V: The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus: 1. Formation of the Passion Narratives, 2. Self-Giving Life of Jesus, 3. Meaning of Suffering and Cross in the Synoptic Gospels, 4. Formation of Resurrection Narratives, 5. Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, Part VI: Jesus of the Jesus Movement: 1. Self-Understanding of Jesus, 2. Gospel Writers’ Christological Interpretations of the Life and Death of Jesus, 3. The Historical Jesus in Modern Scholarship, Part VII: Exegesis: Modular Exegesis from the Gospels, Selected Bibliography.