Jesus. At the start of the work, Strauss presents the foundational argument that the discrepancies and inconsistencies within the New Testament narratives cast doubt on their historical authenticity. He explains various interpretive methods that have emerged throughout history, from literal interpretations to allegorical readings, as scholars and theologians attempt to reconcile these discrepancies with modern understandings of history and culture. The introduction sets the stage for Strauss's more thorough analysis of Jesus's life, inviting readers to reconsider long-held beliefs about the biblical accounts while emphasizing the need for critical engagement with religious texts. (This is an automatically generated summary.)