The Atlantic noted that the book debuted at the second spot on The New York Times Best Seller List after the interview, a significant increase in sales. Aslan noted that he was 'a scholar of religions with four degrees, including one in the New Testament, and in biblical Greek, has been studying the origins of Christianity for two decades, also just happens to be a Muslim.' The interview was criticized immediately after gaining notoriety on the Internet after a post on BuzzFeed headlined 'Is This The Most Embarrassing Interview Fox News Has Ever Done?' While it was positively received by the general public, scholars with relevant subject matter expertise have been critical of its content, methodology and Aslan’s claims about his academic credentials.ĭuring an interview on Fox News by Lauren Green, Green frequently interjected, quoting critics who questioned Aslan's credibility as an author of such a work, since Aslan is a prominent Muslim. The book has been optioned by Lionsgate and producer David Heyman with a script co-written by Aslan and Oscar- screenwriter, James Schamus.

Aslan argues that Jesus was a political, rebellious and eschatological (end times) Jew whose proclamation of the coming kingdom of God was a call for regime change, for ending Roman hegemony over Judea and the corrupt and oppressive aristocratic priesthood. It is a historical account of the life of Jesus that analyzes religious perspectives on Jesus as well as the creation of Christianity.

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth is a book by Iranian-American writer and scholar Reza Aslan.

Zealot life and times of jesus