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Title: Jesus Under Fire by Michael J. Wilkins, James Porter Moreland ISBN: 0-310-21139-5 Publisher: Zondervan Pub. Date: 17 July, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.47 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Under fire, but still standing
Comment: JUF is a book that simply needs to be read by all, Christian and skeptic alike. Ten evangelical scholars come togher to refute the naturalistic assumptions of the Jesus Seminar, as well as provide positive evidence for the traditional, orthodox belief in Jesus.
In the introduction, Moreland and Wilkins ask: Can we know anything about Jesus?; Are the biblical records of Jesus' activities accurate?; Is the supernatural possible in ancient and modern times? If the answer to these questions is 'yes', then believing that Jesus is Messiah becomes reasonable. Determining the answers to these questions requires the proper use of historiography and logical reasoning, not a vague 'faith' that has no basis in reality (after all, if Jesus never existed, believing that he did is simply idiotic). Throughout the book, the contributors emphasize the importance of truth and reason for religious belief.
In ch.1, Craig Blomberg begins by examining the methodology of the Jesus Seminar and finds it lacking. He then provides evidence to support the historical reliability of the gospel accounts. In Ch.2, Scot McKnight takes a look at the history of Jesus scholarship and the varying descriptions that have been offered (Jesus as Sage or Social Revolutionary). He goes on to sketch a view of Jesus based on broad scholarly consensus.
In ch.3, Darrell Bock looks at the words of Jesus. Are the words ascribed to Jesus exact quotes(ipissima verba)? Or are they 'his very voice'(ipissima vox)? He draws a distinction between having the precise words of Jesus and having his voice (the intent and meaning) in an accurate summary. In Ch. 4, Craig Evans presents a case for the authenticity of the deeds of Jesus as recorded in the gospels. In Ch.5, Gary Habermas' focus is on whether Jesus performed miracles. In his defense of those miracles, he considers the influence of one's worldview. The Jesus Seminar holds a naturalistic worldview where miracles are anathema. He then shows that the historical evidence itself vouches for the authenticity of Jesus' miracles.
In Ch.6, William L. Craig tackles the big question: Did Jesus rise from the dead? He provides three lines of evidence - 1) the empty tomb, 2) the postmortem appearances of Jesus, and 3) the origin of the disciples' belief in Jesus' resurrection. He then gives a slew of evidence supporting each of the three. He concludes that the combined evidence meets the criteria that historians consider in testing a historical hypothesis. In Ch.7, Douglas Geivett addresses the question of Jesus in light of our pluralistic society. He appeals to the importance of careful, rational assessment of a religious truth claim regardless of how that religious truth claim makes you feel. In Ch.8, Edwin Yamauchi looks at the evidence of Jesus in extra-biblical sources, highlighting their usefulness as well as their limitations.
The text is easy to understand. It contains plenty of scholarly content but doesn't assume that erudition is the sole criteria for understanding the arguments in the book. If you're the type of reader who enjoys flipping to the back to read the chapter's endnotes, you'll love this book (I'd estimate that almost a fifth of Craig's chapter is written in his endnotes). If a skeptic/agnostic friend were to ask me why I believe in Jesus, I'd give her this book. If a Christian friend were to ask me if there were any good books to help bolster her faith, I'd give her this book.
(In case you missed the point, buy this book! )
Rating: 4
Summary: Jesus Is Alive and Well in the Halls of Academia
Comment: Most collaborations are difficult to read and painstakingly ackward. This is probably one of the few exceptions. 10 conservative, yet, highly recognized scholars attempt to debunk much of the information coming out of the Jesus Seminar and other liberal critics of the gospels and the life of Christ.
The introduction by J.P. Moreland and Michael F. Wilkins introduces the reader to the topic at hand: Who was Jesus Christ? Can we trust the accounts of HIs life? and finally, why it all matters?
The two best and most interesting chapters are written by Craig L. Blomberg (Where Do We Start Studying Jesus?) and William Lane Craig (Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?) Other chapters are very interesting indeed, such as Edwin M. Yamauchi's "Jesus Outside The New Testament: What Is The Evidence?" All in all, this book is a must and is well edited. There are the usual problems in collaborations such as writing style changes, which often disturbs the flow from chapter to chapter. The rules of historical evidence is followed and the theologians and philosophers keep the story staright and follow all the rules oflogic. To the Christian or open-minded skeptic - buy now!
Rating: 5
Summary: A Masterpeice; Must Reading For Anyone Interested In Jesus
Comment: Jesus Under Fire is a masterpiece, a first rate work of philosophical and historical scholarship. If you are a skeptic who doubts the nature of Jesus and who he claimed to be, this book will fascinate you. If you are already a Christian, this book will help ground your belief in solid historical and logical arguments.
There are many people who believe in Jesus without the slightest degree of intellectual or philosophical justification. There are also many who reject him simply because it seems improbable that he was anything more than a man; a great spiritual leader, perhaps; a lunatic maybe, but certainly not God incarnate. This books looks at all the options and finds Jesus to be the divine being that Christians claim him to be.
Many people are familiar with the popular Jesus Seminar, a group of self-acclaimed scholars who study the New Testament and purport to analyze its claims with intellectual rigor and complete impartiality. Jesus Under Fire examines the claims of the Jesus Seminar in a fair and intellectually honest way and finds them to be biased and partial - and often without historical justification.
Jesus Under Fire provides its readers with logical and easily defensible reasons to think Jesus was actually more than human. It does so in a way that appeals to the objective truth-seeker within, regardless of whether one is religious or not. This book will appeal to anyone who wants to form his religious beliefs based on the evidence and not solely on the recommendation of a Christian friend or minister.
It may be possible to read this book and still conclude that Jesus was other than divine. However, it is impossible to read this book and conclude that there are no good reasons to belief that Jesus was indeed the son of God. Reading this book will force all intellectually honest skeptics to acknowledge that there is credible historical evidence, as well as multiple valid analytical arguments for the Christian faith.
Jesus Under Fire is divided into chapters written by distinct scholars. The most interesting chapter may be the last one, written by William Lane Craig, a research professor of philosophy at the Talbot School of Theology. Craig's chapter deals with the resurrection. It provides fascinating reasons to believe that this admittedly incredible event actually occurred as Christians claim it did. This chapter, like the entire book, appeals not to your emotions but to your intellect.
Like many books that appeal to your intellect, this one requires time and thought. It does not always read like a Stephen King novel. But the drama is just as intense and reading this book will prove to be an extremely rewarding experience for anyone who is interested in knowing the truth about Christian claims.
If you have read any of John Dominic Crossan's books on Jesus, you absolutely must read Jesus Under Fire so that you may understand the contrarian's point of view. It is a view that will impress and surprise many by the strength of its arguments.
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Title: The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ by Gary R. Habermas ISBN: 0899007325 Publisher: College Press Publishing Company, Inc. Pub. Date: June, 1996 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
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Title: The Historical Reliability of the Gospels by Craig L. Blomberg ISBN: 0877849927 Publisher: Intervarsity Press Pub. Date: July, 1987 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: Scaling the Secular City: A Defense of Christianity by J. P. Moreland ISBN: 0801062225 Publisher: Baker Book House Pub. Date: July, 1987 List Price(USD): $18.99 |
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Title: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?: A Debate Between William Lane Craig and John Dominic Crossan by Paul Copan, John Dominic Crossan, William F. Buckley, William Lane Craig ISBN: 0801021758 Publisher: Baker Book House Pub. Date: January, 1999 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics by William Lane Craig ISBN: 0891077642 Publisher: Crossway Books Pub. Date: July, 1994 List Price(USD): $24.00 |
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