That nativity creche you put out every Christmas has its origins not in the New Testament found in most of our Bibles, but in minor accounts that the Catholic church has suppressed, vilified, and even destroyed, according to Nixey. She writes about these competing accounts and how one branch of Christianity (out of what she describes as a multitude of wildly different versions of the new faith) quickly gained prominence and smothered its competitors. Nixey has done her homework on this; note that this is not a theological analysis of these ancient stories, but a historical examination of the stories themselves.
This was originally published earlier this year in Britain under the title Heresy, and I think the publisher should have maintained that here in the US, as it better suits the content.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!

Catherine Nixey dives right into the history of Jesus along side those whose history is similiar to his. As a Jesus follower, it did give me insight into other figures in history that mirrored different life aspects as Jesus. Beginning with his virgin birth to his resurrection that at times made me wonder how can these stories be so similiar when they lived years apart and even countries away. These didn't sway my believe that Jesus' live could have been copied from these other individuals, but may be the other way around. This is an interesting book if you are wondering whose Jesus the only person who was born a virgin birth, died and was resurrected.

Today, Christians of all denominations believe that Jesus Christ is a unique figure in history whose life, death, and resurrection are accurately depicted in the four canonical gospels. In this riveting historical survey, author, classicist, and self-described ex-Catholic Catherine Nixey tells another story. Early Christians were aware of many alternative gospels, she writes, and held to many differing views of Jesus. Some of these ideas sound strange to modern readers. For example, there was a sect that believed in a version of Jesus who sold his brother into slavery, and another one that taught that Jesus murdered his earthly parents. Moreover, there were also other figures, such as the Roman sage Apollonius of Tyana, who were depicted as sharing some characteristics with the Son of God.

Unfortunately, what can be known about these competing versions of Jesus is limited. In its comprehensive efforts to stamp out heresy, the Church burned many documents and murdered adherents of non-orthodox sects.

The narrative is at its best when focused on early views of Jesus and the actions of the Church. I particularly wanted more detail on the Jesus who "cavorts with dragons," as mentioned in the NetGalley description of this book The author knows a lot about ancient Rome and adds a several digressions that I did not think benefited the text.

This book is well worth reading.

I received an electronic copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

An academic look at a variety of Jesus tales, I enjoyed reading this and found it fascinating. I can see how this may upset some Christians but for me I liked the sociological study type aspects of this book. Good read.

I actually prior to reading this already had Heretic by Catherine Nixey pre-ordered. Years ago, in an Intro to Bible class our professor, a devout Catholic, began the semester by opening the Bible, having us read the Genesis story and asked who God was talking to. He then went into discussing that God was talking to other gods. Following that discussion, he moved into telling us that the Genesis story and the Adam and Eve story are actually two separate creation myths, that they weren't chronological stories but two separate ways of interpreting how the Christian world viewed creation. Ever since then, the deconstruction of books in the Bible, how they were chosen, and what was left out and why has been a side interest for me. I was really excited to get the opportunity to read this book.

Nixey's survey takes a large period of time, and while conducting an overview of the "how" of how Christianity formed, also adds in little tidbits that linked dots for me. The early history of the Church and Christianity is brutal, and I have a feeling there's going to be mixed reception to the book, as many Christians (not all), do not want to confront the reality that part of how Christianity became so mainstream was by brutal force. Kind of like how they do not want to acknowledge that the Crusades were also an event that terrorized and brutalized individuals around the world for their different faiths (and their land).

There were discussions of the different stories of Jesus, and it was interesting to me how they juxtaposed one another. So much of the study of early Christian sects and Jesus are studied in a way where it's the victors who got to write the story, and having firsthand texts that contradict popular beliefs (which even now most Christians have never read the full Bible or read it critically, so they rely on others' interpretations for their beliefs), is amazing. It really makes one wonder what life would have been like the world over if multiple sects had made it through early Christianity or if a different sect had come to predominance how the world would have been shaped. As an overall whole however, much of that thought has to be theoretical, as the intentional destruction of people's writing and beliefs was an ongoing process until almost all alternating views were stamped out and lost as the followers of those sects were either forced to convert, faced other repercussions, or were lost in the natural course of time with nobody left to tell their stories.

I also enjoyed the brief discussions of early Popes. The discussion of their debauchery, cruelty, and wanton profligate spending is very rarely discussed in mainstream churches. Their actions are also not things easily dismissed, as they are written down historical fact. It's not an interpretation of a text that may have a bias and the true source material has been destroyed, it's a written historical account being examined. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. If you are someone who is determined to keep a limited view of Christianity and immediately dismiss any discussion that contradicts your existing knowledge, this really probably is not the book for you. However, I found it to be much in the vein of my first college professor, a brief introduction and survey of historical and philosophical thought over several centuries. It's hard to cram in from the circumstances of Jesus' birth through the history of the rise of Christianity, and so the book is detailed but there is obviously a need to be very targeted in scope. I do recommend it if you're someone interested in the history of the times, as well as knowing what other stories are out there.

Please be advised that I received an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting, incisive, and important scholarly work. I can see how some would disagree with points made, but it essentially claims the current view of Jesus based on what is written in the New Testament is an edited version which has been changed/interpreted (generous wording) by the church over many centuries by different scholars or writers who were approved by the church.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

A fascinating look at the beginnings of Christianity and the traditions that were eradicated by the "winners" of the debate over who Christ was and what his message meant. I was struck by a sense of loss over what the world could have looked like had early Christianity not devolved into a particularly nasty gang war. Exceptionally timely in relation to our current climate, where groups are struggling to control the narrative over history, science, race, gender and sexuality, etc.

Heretic: The Many Lives and Deaths of Jesus Christ is a provocative exploration of Jesus Christ not only as how he is known in the Christian world but as an historical figure. You will find this book challenges the status quo of what is known and believed about Christ the son of God. Catherine Nixey presents numerous concepts that will have you thinking and maybe second guessing what you have been taught in religious studies and in church. Nixey delves into the various interpretations and transformations of Jesus’s identity over centuries. This text was meticulously researched and written in engaging prose. It challenges the traditional narratives, offering readers and believers alike a fresh perspective on the central figure of the Christian religion/faith. Heretic is a fantastic, enlightening read that would be an ideal text for book clubs and anyone interested in history, theology, and cultural studies. I cannot wait for it to be published at the end of the year. I want both a physical and audio copy.

This is my first time knowing that outthere, so many false Jesus ever told by humanity. I am so thankful that I got inheritance of true Jesus from my bible, so I can hinder from the heretic.

I can see why this book could anger some Christians. I myself, found it very interesting. I appreciated how the author wrote about the different views and practices of Christianity in early times and did it with some polite humor tossed in. A lot of the information is not new to me but learning about Mary's powerful lady parts sure was! I believe it's a book that should be read so Christians realize what the church feeds us is not the whole story. For me, Jesus was a Jewish rabbi, not a Christian and when he returns, he will be a Jewish rabbi. Good reading for anyone open to different views of the Christian religion.

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to honestly review this book.

Controversial and meticulous, "Heretic" by Catherine Nixey is a highly interesting argument concerning the paganism-Christianity clash in the ancient world. Her mastery of subject matter and her vivid narrative voice support each other in this study of a time critical to religious upheaval and the creation of Western history.

Nixey provides an engaging and accessible prose that gives complex historical concepts to all readers. With vivid storytelling and brilliant description, she brings to life the world of Late Antiquity, immersing the reader in a world of court intriguing, religious passion, and seismic cultural change.

One of the actual strengths of "Heretic" is that Nixey has done an excellent job of opposing most conventional narratives and focusing attention on some rather obscure corners of history. In doing so, through her focus on the often violently coercive means by which early Christians contrived to quash pagan practices, she challenges readers to revise assumptions about how Christianity spread across the ancient world.

Fascinating read which shines a light on non-canonical scriptures, differing or alternative beliefs within the early Christian faith.
I particularly found the discussion regarding the Mandaeans, who I had only recently been made aware through James Mcgrath's Christmaker enlightening. Both books left me wondering why had I not heard of this group.
Many do not know or care to know the vast array of differing beliefs and practices of the early Christians. We have been indoctrinated to believe that all Christians held one universal belief system and were one in spirit(as they say).
I also see this book as a cautionary tale for our times. When Christianity weds itself with power more often than not persecution of those who have differing beliefs follows. I once stated in a study group i was leading, that it was terrifying to learn how once the early Christians came to power, they went from the persecuted to the persecutors. The looks I got after stating this was one of shock, and maybe a little anger. And as Nixey states in her book, she does not even discuss the persecution of the Jews by the Christian church.
If you like your long held beliefs challenged, this is the book for.
I highly recommend it and will be searching out other books by Nixey.

This is a refreshing take on the quest for the historical Jesus. It looks at what other Annointed/Savior/demigod stories were contemporary with Jesus and has the literary background to provide useful context.

Super interesting! I enjoyed looking at Jesus Christ through a secular and historical lens. It made me think and I enjoyed that!

This was an interesting historical look at the various "versions" of Jesus during the early years of the rise of Christianity. Bart Ehrman and Elaine Pagels have tackled this subject (and they are excellent writers), but Catherine Nixey's book adds to the discourse that historians and scholars have struggled with over many years. Anyone interested in the history of Christianity will appreciate the extensive research Ms. Nixey did, and her findings are very illuminating. I am not going to make any judgments on what is fact or fiction, but I do find the subject engrossing.

3.5 stars

I was excited to read this book and dove right in once I received it. Within, we read about how throughout history, there has been more than one Messiah - and that we have written history of these multiple Saviors performing the same sort of miracles OR have behaved in extremely divergent manners (one Jesus is benevolent and kind, the other killed other children). There are also many tales about Mary and the virgin birth. It's all fascinating.

It's very high on the academic content scale so it was a slow read for me. However, there is enough in here to interest the casual reader.

Wow! This book was extremely fascinating! I was never bored and could not put the book down. I'd recommend this book to Christians and non-Christians alike.

Most of us, I think, wander through life taking it for granted that the status quo was more or less inevitable. We spend little time wondering what would have happened had our parents not met, had we not gone on that blind date where we met our spouse or whether we literally had taken a road less traveled. So too with Christianity. It was not inevitable, at least from a historian's point of view, that mainstream Christians would believe in a triune God or that the image we have of Jesus is one of peacemaker. Nixey peels back the layers of history that have accumulated over time and shows us, thorough and scholarly narrative, the multiple faces of Jesus and the multiple gospels which did not make it into the accepted canon. We see, for instance, stories about Jesus as a somewhat homicidal kindergartener with super powers and others about Jesus' birth. She also shows us other sons of gods who were also miracle workers, creating stories parallel to those in the New Testament.

Nixey writes well and presents her material in an interesting but non-sensational fashion. She is a writer but also a scholar, familiar with her topic and the languages of her source material. The bibliography absolutely bulges so there is plenty of backing for her assertions. It should be noted that this is not intended to be a religious tract. It is, rather, a well written history that opens us to the possibilities of what might have been.

This was a tough one for me. The premise is fascinating. The cover is great. I was really excited to read this title and interested in what Nixey was going to bring to the table. Unfortunately, this book isn't for everyone. It's highly academic and dry, so I can't imagine it'll grab the attention of casual readers. While there are moments that are funny or interesting, they are interspersed between walls of quotes with little additional interpretation. This was especially true in the very beginning where I felt like I was reading back-to-back quotes with not much else to add body.

So why 3 stars? I think this book still has a place. It's just not with me. I think that this book will find a home with academics and scholars who are looking for strings of information and aren't concerned with the flow of the text. I really had to force myself to pick this book up, but I did find small moments that were fascinating to me. I just wish they were more fleshed out and more friendly to someone who is reading for pleasure and not for research. It felt a little clunky. And I felt like Nixey was more focused on throwing as many cited sources and quotes at the reader as possible than on teasing it apart, analyzing it, and drawing the reader along on a journey. I get that this could be a controversial topic and that it behooves Nixey to back up the claims made as thoroughly as possible, but I just wish there was.... more.