The Historical Jesus

In his book The Historical Jesus (first published in 1924), Dr. Piepenbring devotes seven chapters to presenting the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth, elaborating more particularly the points which he considers to have been inadequately treated in Professor Loisy’s Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels. He concludes with a careful examination of the parallels drawn between the tenets of the Galilean teacher and the doctrines inculcated by Lao-tse and Epictetus respectively and shows wherein the Christian standards excel both the other ideals. The author’s earlier Biblical studies are well known, and this volume forms a valuable addition to the Christology of that time.

Charles Piepenbring was a Protestant pastor and theologian who was president of the Reformed Church of Alsace and Lorraine (ERAL) from 1898 to 1913 and designated member of the first assembly of the Landtag of Alsace-Lorraine. He contributed to the founding of the Bruckhof institution for hearing impaired children.