James A. Kelhoffer

Assistant Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature, Saint Louis University

The Diet of John the Baptist (Mohr Siebeck, 2005)

Much scholarly attention has been devoted to four of John the Baptist's actions-most famously, his baptizing in the Jordan River, but also his preaching a message of repentance, having disciples and wearing clothing made of camel's hair. Considerably less attention has been given to the peculiarities of another deed attributed to John, namely his eating locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:6c||Matt 3:4c). Kelhoffer provides without a doubt the first thorough study of the diet of John the Baptist. His detailed study of John the Baptist’s diet of eating grasshoppers brings to light the historical perspective of biblical and Jewish traditions, and concludes that eating grasshoppers was no unusual in the classical and Hellinistic periods. The simple, yet unusual diet and asceticism of John the Baptist also provides an explanation and model of Christian simplicity which is explained by Kelhoffer.

The Diet of John the Baptist is organized into five chapters, an epilogue, bibliography, and indices. The rather technical presentation and theme of the book probably limits its audience to professors and doctoral students working in these areas.

James Kelhoffer is a professor of New Testament and Early Christian Literature at Saint Louis University. He teaches New Testament Introduction, The Life and Teachings of St. Paul the Apostle, The Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Early Christian Apocalypses, and Early Church Doctoral Seminar: 'Gospel' and 'Gospels' in the Second Century.