An exploration of the historicity of Jesus and whether he is relevant today
Part of the Questioning Faith series.
What can we really know for sure about the past? Can anything from ancient history be regarded as âfactâ? In particular, how seriously can we take the historical sources for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth? Did he really even live in first-century Galilee and Judaea, or is he a figure of legend?
In this timely book, historian Dr John Dickson unpacks how the field of history works, giving readers the tools to evaluate for themselves what we can confidently say about figures like the Emperor Tiberius, Alexander the Great, Pontius Pilate, and, of course, Jesus of Nazareth.
He presents the evidence, methods, and conclusions of mainstream scholarsâboth Christian and notâand asks some pertinent contemporary questions, without offering any pushy answers: If Jesus really did exist, what are we to make of his own claims and those of his followers, and what would any of it mean for us today?
Introduction: Christianityâs Problem
1. History And Reality
2. âFaithâ in History
3. How To Make Me Eat My Bible
4. Historical Quests For Jesus
5. Liberal Prophet, Sacrificial Martyr
6. What Alexander The Great Can Teach Us About History
7. Scraps About Jesus
8. Paul: Skeleton Key To Jesus
9. Digging Stuff Up
10. Raised Expectations
Epilogue: Is Jesus History?
| Contributors | John Dickson |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784984571 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | October 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
John Dickson combines top-notch scholarship with an accessible, conversational style as he explains the ancient evidence surrounding the historical Jesus. Is Jesus History? compares how we trust statements from our family, friends, and news outlets with how we trust ancient testimonies of all sorts, including Aristotleâs The Art of Rhetoric, Lukeâs Gospel, and Pliny the Youngerâs Letter 6 about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Dicksonâs even-handed approach towards the evidence invites readers to draw their own conclusions about the Jesus of history.
With characteristic clarity and excellence of scholarship John Dickson examines the historical evidences for Jesus. His accessible style and bang up to date sources make this a must read for anyone who is serious about investigating Jesus.
Is Jesus History? is a provocative little book. John Dickson writes engagingly and personablyâas you read, you can imagine having a coffee (or a pint) with him and laughing over the idiosyncrasies of the field of biblical studies, even while appreciating the hard work scholars do. Indeed, this book reads with deep appreciation for scholars, and thus serves as a translation of the current state of conversations in the field that can complicate the average personâs understanding of who Jesus of Nazareth might have been. His summaries of the various perplexing questions people have about Jesus are erudite and disarming, inviting people to reevaluate their assumptions and reencounter the Jesus of history in the Jesus of the Bible.
This question is a very important one for the entire world to ask. The person, identity and work of Jesus is a must for every person to wrestle with. There seems to be a growing misunderstanding of history and the facts that surround the life of Jesus.... continue reading
In his book, Is Jesus History? Dickson doesnât just aim to share information. Setting the gospels alongside other snippets from that period, he welcomes us into Jesusâ world.... continue reading
This book is a joke. Just written by an evangelical Christian who needs the Bible BS to be true. No counter opinions, just that the Bible is a reliable historical document. Something all Christians believe without evidence: Not a shred of evidence presented, just that he needs this fairy tale story to be true
IS JESUS HISTORY? by John Dickson has been shortlisted for the 2020 Australian Christian Book of the Year Award.
http://sparklit.org/awards/
