,,The Shadow of the Galilean" (by Gerd Theissen)

,,The Shadow of the Galilean is a fictional account of Andreas, a Jewish merchant in first century Palestine. After being imprisoned by the Romans for attending a demonstration against Pilate, he is forced to choose between being prosecuted for his suspected ties to rebels (Bannus and Barabbas) or gathering information about the various Jewish movements that might be a threat to Roman dominion in the land. Choosing the latter Andreas decides not to pass on information with any incriminatory content, opting in favor of things that Jews would have an interest in the Romans knowing (p. 24). Through repeated meetings with the Roman officer Metilius, Andreas reports his findings and embarks on his own spiritual pilgrimage.

Fearing the Essenes’ antagonism towards the Temple and the difficulty in ascertaining their political allegiances, the Romans send Andreas to discover more about this secretive community. On the journey through the Dead Sea wilderness Andreas and his companions encounter Baruch, a banished Essene who the travelers encourage to join their band. Through him they are given enough information to formulate a report. Ignoring the Essenes’ hatred for Rome and riches, claims of an end times religious war, and prophecy of imminent political change (43,44), Andreas details the community as one concentrating on religious affairs that practices stern monogamy, follows a different calendar and still pays taxes to the Temple.

The execution of John the Baptist as well as the recent activity of “terrorists” in the area provides the backdrop for Andreas’ next commission: to determine any threat Jesus might pose to Roman rule. His quest for answers takes Andreas to Nazareth where he encounters a couple who have lost their sons, two to economic concerns and the third to the call of Jesus. After this he is kidnapped by zealots and learns of the injustice that has led many to join these rebel communities. Andreas then visits the family of Mattias, whose sick daughter expects Jesus to heal her, and while there engages in theological debate with a rabbi and a scribe. Passing through the toll collector’s booth he speaks with the man who has assumed Levi’s position and the problems associated with it, namely a bunch of beggars who expect handouts because of the hope they have found in Jesus. These events culminate in a conversation Andreas has with his friends Joanna and Chuza. During this interchange it is revealed that Joanna has, unbeknownst to her husband who is a Sadducee, become a follower of Christ.

Amazed by the influence and allure of this elusive character, Andreas sets out to write a report on Jesus that will protect Him from the wrath His controversial ways could incur. Defining the Galilean as poet, prophet and itinerant philosopher, Andreas seeks to hide the Jesus who preaches a reliance on conscience over that of regulation and laws, who elevates the esteem of the masses and views the current powers as transient. Delivering this report to Metilius, Andreas proposes a means by which the tensions of rebellion can be satiated: a full pardoning of criminal acts against the state, the remission of debts and the settling of landless people on the frontier. In suggesting this he hopes to win the freedom of a friend imprisoned, create a more equitable society and portray Jesus as a benefit, not a detriment, to the Romans. This proposal leads to a meeting with Pilate who contorts Andreas’ vision into a tool to gauge the sentiments of the people and orders that Jesus and two of the three rebels who were recently captured face execution. After the crucifixion Andreas has one final conversation with Metilius (now a God-fearer) about what factors caused the death of Christ.

Dejected and depressed Andreas receives word from Barabbas about the debt the young zealot owes to Christ, discovers Baruch has joined the messianic following of Jesus and dreams of the Son of Man defeating the beast of Roman power and influence. Recognizing Christ’s triumph over even the adversity of the grave, Andreas joins Baruch in fellowship and celebration as the story concludes."