The Shadow of the Galilean: The Story of Jesus

The Shadow of the Galilean (SOTG) is a historical religious narrative written by Gerd Theissen. Born in 1943, Theissen is currently a German protestant theologian, writer, and also a New Testament scholar. He is also a professor of New Testament Theology at the University of Heidelberg. Theissen has written nine books on religion, and in 2002 he received the Burkitt Medal for Biblical Studies. 

Theissen uses a unique new approach while writing SOTG. The story revolves around a Jewish fruit and grain dealer named Andreas. Andreas is a totally fictional character who lives in a world inhabited by historical figures. Throughout his journey to fulfill the desires of Pilate, Andreas meets many people who actually lived and breathed many years ago. 

The novel opens with Andreas being interrogated after being arrested in a crowd which was demonstrating against Pilate’s tax laws. Andreas is initially interrogated, and is forced to spend a long night in jail. The following morning, Andreas is brought before Pilate and is blackmailed to find out more about a religious group known as the Essenes. Andreas and his two servants run across an Essene by the name of Baruch. Through talking to Baruch, Andreas is able to learn everything he needs to be able to report back to Metilius, Pilate’s official. 

After reporting on the Essenes, Andreas is given the task of investigating a man named Jesus Christ who is suspected to be a terrorist. Andreas is sent to find out whether or not Jesus poses a real threat to the Roman Government. Andreas travels to Nazareth to find out more about this Jesus. Andreas arrives and meets a couple named Susanna and Tholomaeus. The couple explains to Andreas how their sons have uprooted and left to follow the one called Jesus. After speaking with the couple, Andreas is amazed that Jesus seems to have such negative qualities but people still follow him. Andreas is determined to meet Jesus.