I have had many problems with Professor Israel Knohl interpretations and a number of his hypothesis.
ASCLEPIADES,
I haven't read your book, but there were a number of persons around 50BC-70AD claiming to be the messiah in those troubled times. Most Jews were looking for a conquering messiah (this is why you see all the revolts) at the time not one that would come and died and raise from the dead three days later. Just like all the signs that appeared before the the 66AD revolt, all were looking for a messiah (why revolt when the coming messiah would dead and be the redeeming messiah) who was going to be the one to reign over the Jewish state and conquer all.
I will get your book and read it, and try to keep an open mind.
Of Knohl's works I have found none worthy to the level of the knowledge the of the man, his works are like many of these times; that being controversy sells better.
Being a Christian it is my believe the Christ died and raised from the dead in 30 AD, durning the reign of Tiberus; this is confirm by the dates of the Jewish calendar and the fact that Sejanus is the one that leads the effort to not place Christ in the Pantheon of gods (as Sejanus was killed in 31AD).
I hope you do know the story of the Temple doors, if not take the time to research about the Temple doors, for in 66AD there is a great debate about the last time the doors opened by themselves:
The debate formed on the lines of it was God entering the Temple (which near all sided with this at the time) vs the other side that said it was God leaving the Temple.
This along with Halley's comet ( see 1P/66 B1, 66 (25 January 66 AD) ) all pointed to the sign of a great nation about to fall, all thought it was Rome. That is why the Jews refused to give up in the revolt at that time, they placed thier faith and lives on the hopes of the conquering messiah.
