the last temptation of christ kazantzakis

The novel advances the argument that, had Jesus succumbed to any such temptation, especially the opportunity to save himself from the cross, his life would have held no more significance than that of any other philosopher. Kazantzakis argues in the novel's preface that by facing and conquering all of man's weaknesses, Jesus struggled to do God's Will without ever giving in to the temptations of the flesh. The central thesis of the book is that Jesus, while free from sin, was still subject to fear, doubt, depression and reluctance. Instead, he channels it into the service of good.

The Last Temptation is based on the idea that every person, Jesus included, is evil by nature as well as good: violent and hateful as well as loving.Ī psychologically sound individual does not ignore or bury the evil within him. The Last Temptation of Christ or The Last Temptation, is a historical novel written by Nikos Kazantzakis, first published in 1955. (Book 500 from 1001 books) - Ο Τελευταίος Πειρασμός = O Teleftéos Pirasmós = The Last Temptation of Christ, Nikos Kazantzákis

“A searing, soaring, shocking novel.” - Time “Spiritual dynamite.” - San Francisco Chronicle In elegant, thoughtful prose Nikos Kazantzakis, one of the greats of modern literature, follows this Jesus as he struggles to live out God’s will for him, powerfully suggesting that it was Christ’s ultimate triumph over his flawed humanity, when he gave up the temptation to run from the cross and willingly laid down his life for mankind, that truly made him the venerable redeemer of men. He is a figure who is gloriously divine but earthy and human, a man like any other-subject to fear, doubt, and pain. This literary rendering of the life of Jesus Christ has courted controversy since its publication by depicting a Christ far more human than the one seen in the Bible. Hailed as a masterpiece by critics worldwide, The Last Temptation of Christ is a monumental reinterpretation of the Gospels that brilliantly fleshes out Christ’s Passion. The internationally renowned novel about the life and death of Jesus Christ.

The last temptation of christ kazantzakis