Volume 48 | Issue 2 Article 2

2005 Resources on the Historical Study of Jesus Dennis Ingolfsland Crown College

The Christian Librarian is the official publication of the Association of Christian Librarians (ACL). To learn more about ACL and its products and services please visit http://www.acl.org/

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/tcl Part of the History of Christianity Commons, and the Library and Information Science Commons

Recommended Citation Ingolfsland, Dennis (2005) "Resources on the Historical Study of Jesus," The Christian Librarian: Vol. 48 : Iss. 2 , Article 2. Available at: http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/tcl/vol48/iss2/2

This Essay is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in The hrC istian Librarian by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Resources on the Historical Study ofJesus A Bibliographical Essay

Deuuis Iugo!ftlaud Jesus of Nazareth has been the center of of Jesus but offered a different solution. In his Crown College signifi cant media attention in recent years. Even Life of Jesus Critically Examined Strauss St. Bonifacim, before Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the proposed that the were myth and Dennis lngolfsland is the Director Christ," Jesus had been the fo cus of feature suggested that it was important to get behind of Library Services and Associate Professor of Bible at Crown articles in Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News and the mythological form of the stories to College (Minnesota). He is World Report. Jesus was also the subject of the truth these stories symbolized. Although the author of numerous articles television documentaries by PBS, A&E, T LC, Strauss' idea continues to influence some scholars on the historical study of Jesus. He may be contacted at the History C hannel, the Discovery Channel even today, most would deny that the Gospels [email protected]. This essay and even a fu ll length prime time special by fit the genre of myth. For example, after an is a revision of an earlier essay published in CHOICE, May 2004. ABC News. extensive study, summarized in What are the Gospels? A Comparison with Graeco-Roman Most presentations focus on Jesus as a man of Biography, Richard Burridge concludes that the history. In fact, the last 20 yea rs have been part Gospels compare favorably with the ancient of what scholars are now calling the "Third genre of bios or biography. Quest for the ," which is generally characterized by serious attempts to understand In contrast to those like Reimarus and Strauss Jesus of Nazareth in the historical context of who believed the Gospels had at least some first century Palestine. This essay will highlight historical value, Bruno Bauer (1 809-1882), some of these historical studies beginning with author of Christ and the Caesars, held that the an introduction to the various "Quests" for Gospels were literary fictions and that Jesus did Jesus, but foc using primarily on the "Third not even exist. Few in Bauer's day were Q uest" which began in the mid-1980's and convinced by his arguments and today Jesus' continues unabated even today. existence is acknowledged even by scholars who Introduction are otherwise highly skeptical. Mter analyzing both the biblical and non-biblical evidence, The Many scholars believe the quest for Jesus as a Historical Jesus by Gary Habermas and Jesus person of history began in 1778 when the Outside the by Robert Van papers of Hermann Samuel Reimarus (1694- Voorst conclude that the evidence for Jesus' 1768) were published posthumously. The existence is overwhelming. Today Jesus' existence European world of Reimarus was one in which One of the most influential works on Jesus has is acknowledged even the reliability of the Gospels were widely been The Messianic Secret by W illiam Wrede accepted. T he tide was turning, however, and (1859-1906). Wrede, who was highly skeptical by scholors who are scholars were becoming increasingly skeptical of of the historical reliability of the Gospels, insisted otherwise highly the supernatural. Reimarus believed that Jesus that Jesus did not consider himself to be a could be understood w ithout appealing to the messiah; rather, it was the early church that skeptical. supernatural. He argued that Jesus was not the developed this idea about him. Following Son of God sent to save people from their sins, Wrede, most critical Jesus scholars began to see but a political revolutionary whose message had their task as separating the core of gospel material to do with deliverance from Roman oppression. that went back to Jesus from the "encrusted Mter Jesus was executed his disciples stole Jesus' tradition" that had been created by the early body and proclaimed that he had risen fro m the church. As seen below, Wrede's thinking proved dead to avoid going back to the hard work to be strongly influential even among scholars of fishing. who did not adopt his degree of skepticism. 35 Like Reimarus, David Frederick Strauss (1808- The Christian Librari>n. 48 (2) 2005 1874) also rejected the traditional understanding In 1906 Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) New Q uest for the Historical Jesus published in dropped a bombshell on the world of critical 1959 by J.M. Robinson. Scholars of the New Jesus scholarship with the publication of his Quest generally foc used on Jesus as a teacher of book, The Quest for the Historical Jesus. In this timeless truths. While many of the books that book Schweitzer critiqued the works of characterized the First and Second Quests are Reimarus, Strauss, Bauer, Wrede and others and now out of print, selections from the works concluded that they had ultimately" discovered" of Reimarus, Strauss, Wrede, Schweitzer, a Jesus they had set out to find, often one made Bultmann, Kasemann and others have been in their own image. Contrary to Wrede, conveniently reprinted in The Historical Jesus Schweitzer argued that Jesus did indeed believe Quest, edited by Gregory W Dawes. that God had called him to be the Messiah, but The T hird Quest for the historical Jesus began that Jesus died in despair when he failed to in the nlid-1980's and is generally characterized bring in the kingdom. by serious scholarly attempts to study Jesus of Schweitzer and Wrede became pivotal in Jesus Nazareth against the historical background of studies. According to noted Jesus scholar, N.T. first century Palestine. While the term, "Third In 1906 Albert Wright, most twentieth century sc holars Quest" is often used of virtually all serious generally followed one of two roads, either the historical studies of Jesus written since the Schweitzer dropped "Wredebahn" or the "Schweitzerbahn." In nlid-1980's, some scholars make a distinction a bombshell on the other words, they either followed the radical between the general skepticism ofThird Quest skepticism ofWilliam Wrede, or they followed scholarship as a whole (what N.T. Wright calls, world of critical Jesus Albert Schweitzer's view of Jesus as an the "Schweitzerbahn") and the more radical scholarship with the "eschatological prophet." An eschatological, or skepticism of a relatively smaller group who "end times" prophet was one who proclaimed continue to be more philosophically aligned to publication of his that God was going to act in history in powerful the Second Quest. Wright calls this latter group book, The Quest for and dramatic ways to bring about his kingdom; the "Renewed Quest" or the "Wredebahn." For a common belief in first century Judaism. the purposes of organization, this essay will the Historical Jesus. divide modern Jesus scholars into these two The "quest" for Jesus from Reimarus to Wrede camps, and from this point on, will use the eventually became known as the "Old Quest for phrase "Third Quest" in the more restricted the Historical Jesus" after the title of sense, distinguishing between Third Quest and Schweitzer's book. Schweitzer's arguments were Renewed Quest. so convincing that the "Old Quest" came to an end, leading to the famous statement by Rudolf The Renewed Quest or "Wredebahn" Bultmann (1 884-1976) in Jesus and the Word, Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza is one of the more that "we can now know almost nothing skeptical Jesus scholars. In her books, In concerning the life and personality of Jesus". Memory of Her and Miriam's Child, Sophia's Bultmann's radical skepticism ushered in what Prophet, Schussler Fiorenza adopts a some scholars came to call the period of "hermeneutic of suspicion" in which the gospel "no quest" when many scholars gave up the writers are assumed to have covered up the historical quest for Jesus. contributions of women. She makes it clear that Tllis "no quest" period, however, did not last her work is not one of detached objectivity but long because some of Bultmann's own students rather involves bringing ideas about Jesus more thought he was a bit too skeptical. Ernst in line with a "critical fenlinist of Kasemann is often credited with resuscitating liberation". Schussler Fiorenza argues that in the quest with a paper entitled "The Problem of ancient times, "Wisdom" or "Sophia" was often the Historical Jesus" (1953), but the "New personified as mediator of creation, the divine Quest" actually got its name from the book A savior, and was sometimes identified with the 36 Tho Christian Libr:>ri>n. 48 (2) 2005 actions of God. She argues that Jesus likely critiques of the Cynic sage thesis is Cynic Sage thought of himself as a child of Sophia. or Son of God by Gregory Boyd.

Robert Funk is one of the founders of the The Third Quest or "Schweitzerbahn" "", a group of scholars who met While scholars of the First and Second Quests twice a year to debate what Jesus actually said generally rejected or downplayed the notion and did. The Jesus Seminar used colored beads that Jesus was a healer, both Renewed and Third to vote on the degree to which passages in the Q uest scholars now readily acknowledge the four New Testament Gospels and the Gospel of fact that Jesus was known by his contemporaries Thomas reflected the genuine teachings and as one who performed exorcisms and healings. actions ofJesus.Their findings were published in T here is no surviving evidence that anyone in two books, T he Five Gospels and The Acts of the fi rst century denied that Jesus did signs and Jesus. Funk spelled out his own personal views wonders, but there was significant disagreement in his book, Honest to Jesus, in which he argued WORKS CITED by Jesus' contemporaries on the nature of those that historians are obligated to isolate and verify Alison, Dale C. Jesus of Nazareth. signs. While Jesus' followers believed them to be Minneapolis :Fortress Press, 1998. every scrap of information about Jesus before works of God, his enemies dismissed them as Bauer, Bruno. Christ and the accepting it as factual. According to Funk,Jesus Caesars: the O rigin of Christian.itv magic or works of the devil. was an irreverent, socially promiscuous deviant from Romanized Greek culture translated by Frank E. Schacht. and secular sage who preached about God's In Jesus the Healer, Stevan Davies argues, Charleston, SC :A. Davidon.is, 1998. domain (kingdom) and who was probably eaten instead, that the blindness, deafuess, and demon Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and by dogs or crows. possessions which Jesus "cured" were the Gospels· An introduction and psychological disorders, and that Jesus' heal.ings ~- Nashville: Broadman & In the ancient world there was a group of Holman, 1997. and exorcisms can be largely understood under irreverent, secular sages known as Cynics. One Bock, Darrell L. Blasphemy and the anthropological model of "spirit-possession." of the most widely publicized Jesus scholars to Exaltation in Judaism:The Charge Graham Twelftree provides a more conservative Against Jesus in Mark 14:53-65. argue for the Jewish Cynic thesis is John Grand Rapids : Baker, 1998. perspective in his books, Jesus the Exorcist and Dominic Crossan. In Historical Jesus; The Life -. Studying the Historical Jesus· Jesus the Miracle Worker. Twelftree provides of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant, Crossan A guide to sources and methods. extensive analysis of signs and wonders in the Grand Rapids, Ml : Baker, 2002. presents Jesus as an itinerant Jewish Cynic ancient world and concludes that miracles were Bockmuehl, Marcus, ed. The preacher who had no pretensions about being a Cambridge Companion to Jesus. a significant part of Jesus' ministry. New York: Cambridge University messiah, much less a savior or son of God. Jesus' Press, 2001. vision was for a radically egalitarian social With the emphasis on Jesus as a healer and Borg, Marcus J. Meeting Jesus movement in which he thought of himself as no exorcist it would be easy to conclude, with again for the First Time: The better than anyone else. Marcus Borg, that Jesus was a religious ecstatic historical Jesm & the heart of or "man of the spirit". In Meeting Jesus again contemporary faith. San Francisco Although the Cynic sage thesis and work of the : HarperSanFrancisco, 1994. for the First Time, Borg himself insists, however, Jesus Seminar have been widely popularized in Borg, Marcus J. and N.T. Jesus was not just a religious ecstatic; he was also Wright. The Meaning of Jesus· the media, they have also come under heavy fire a teacher of wisdom and a social prophet. Many Two vi~ions . San Francisco : by other Jesus scholars. HarperSanFrancisco, 1998. Third Q uest scholars would agree. For example, Boyd, Gregory A. Cynic Sage or For example,Jesus under Fire edited by Michael in Jesus the Prophet, R. David Kaylor agrees Son of God: Recovering the real Wilkins and J.P. Moreland, is a collection of that Jesus was a "person of the Spirit", but Jesus in an age of revisionist replies. Wheaton, !L : Victor essays written specifically in response to issues argues that the political and social aspects of Books, 1995. raised by the Jesus Seminar. T he Real Jesus by Jesus' message were most important. Richard Bultmann, Rudolf. Jesus and Timothy Luke Johnson critiques the work of Horsley also emphasizes the political and social the Word. New York : Charles Scribner's : 1958. Crossan, Spong and others, and concludes that aspects ofJ esus' ministry. In Jesus and the Spiral their scholarship is in many cases, misguided and ofViolence, Horsley provides extensive historical misleading. In Hidden Gospels: How the Search analysis of the oppression and resistance in the for Jesus Lost its Way, Philip Jenkins attacks the world of first century Palestine and attempts to uncritical use of unreliable sources by revisionist place Jesus in this setting. scholars. Finally, one of the most devastating 37 The Christian Libr.uian, 48 (2) 2005 Not all T hird Quest scholars would agree with hastens to add that in what sense is not certain. the degree of emphasis Kaylor and Horsley According to Sanders Jesus was an eschatological place on the overt political nature of Jesus' prophet who thought of himself as the agent of message. Many scholars emphasize, instead, the the Spirit of God and presented his miracles as idea of Jesus as an eschatological prophet. In evidence that the new age was at hand. Burridge, Richard A. What are the Gospels?: A comparison with other words, rather than seeing Jesus as a social One of the most comprehensive works on the Gracco-Roman biogmphy. Cambridge, prophet who actively works to bring about the England : Cambridge University historical Jesus yet published is John Meier's Press, 1992. kingdom of God, others emphasize Jesus as one three-volume set entitled A Marginal Jew. Meier Copan, Paul and Craig Evans. who tries to prepare people for the inevitable provides thorough discussions of sources, Who was Jesus? A Jewish Christian corning of that kingdom. These are often dialog. New York :Oxford University methodology and criteria; and meticulously degrees of emphasis rather than mutually Press, 1996 applies his criteria throughout his study. He Copan, Paul and Ronald K. exclusive categories. T his is why many scholars concludes that Jesus was an eschatological Tacelli, eds. Jesus' Resurrection. who believe Jesus was an eschatological prophet Fact or Figment?: A debate prophet and healer who called the nation to also write about the social or political mission between & repentance in light of the corning kingdom. At Gerd Ludemann. Downer's Grove, ofJesus. the same time, Jesus believed that the kingdom IL : lntervarsity Press, 2000. For example, in A New Vision for Israel Scott was already present in some sense in the Craig, William Lane and . Will the Real McKnight presents Jesus as an eschatological exorcisms and healings he performed. Jesus Please Stand Up. Grand and messianic prophet who had a political R apids :Baker, 1998. While agreeing that Jesus was a social and/ or vision for the restoration of IsraeL According to Crossan,Jolm Dominic. The Historical eschatological prophet, some scholars believe lesus·The Life of a Mediterranean McKnight, Jesus, like other ancient Jewish that Jesus thought of himself as more than a Jewish Peasant. San Francisco : prophets, was about calling the Jewish nation HarperSanFrancisco, 1991. prophet. For example, N.T. Wright argues that back to a right relationship with God, thereby Davies, Steven. Jesus the Healer. when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey he New York : Continuum, 1995. restoring the nation and avoiding its was undertaking a highly symbolic and Dawes, Gregory W., ed. The destruction which Jesus predicted would come prophetic action in which Jesus was embodying Historical Jesus Quest· Landmarks if repentance was not forthcoming. in the search for the Jesus of the return of God to his people as judge and History. Louisville : Wesuninster/ While not denying the social aspect of Jesus' redeemer. W right's books, The New Testament John Knox Press, 2000. message, other scholars tend to place more and the People of God; Jesus and the Victory of Dunn,James D. G. Jesus Remembered. Gr.~nd Rapids : Eerdmans, 2003. emphasis on the eschatological aspects. In Jesus God; and Resurrection of the Son of God are Funk, Robert W ed. The Acts of of Nazareth; Millenarian Prophet, for example, three volumes in the series Christian Origins Jesus: What did Jesus really do? Dale Alison provides a devastating critique of and the Q uestion of God. In these ground­ San Francisco : HarperSanFrancisco, the non-eschatological views characteristic of breaking works, Wright lays a foundation for the 1998. the Renewed Quest, as well as a scholarly historical study of Jesus by discussing issues of - . The Five Gospels· The Search for the Authentic Words of Jesus. defense of Jesus as an eschatological prophet. epistemology, worldview, historiography and San Fr.~ncisco : HarperSanFrancisco, Allison 's Jesus was a "Millenarian ascetic" who literary theory.Wright's third volume is possibly 1997. provided consolation to the oppressed, but one of the most thorough historical treatments -. Honest to Jesus: Jesus for a New Millennium. San Fr.~ncisco : preached judgment against the arrogant who of Jesus' resurrection ever published. Several HarperSanFrancisco, 1996. feast while others starve. scholars responded to Wright's work by publishing Green, Joel, Scot McKnight, Jesus and the Restoration of Israel edited by and I. Howard Marshal, eds. E.P. Sanders is a prominent Third Q uest scholar Dictionary of Jesus and the Carey Newman, which is a collection of who is widely regarded as one of the world's Gospels. Downer's Grove, JL : essays by scholars expressing both appreciation lntervarsity Press, 1992. leading experts on Jesus as well as ancient for Wright's work and dissent over some of Habermas, Gary. The Historical Judaism. In The Historical Figure of Jesus, his views. Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Sanders provides a list of what he regards as Life of Christ. Joplin, MO : virtually certain historical facts about Jesus' life, Recently,James Dunn contributed a thousand­ College Press, 1996. Habermas, Gary and Anthony including his baptism by John, gathering page volume to the discussion. His book, Jesus Flew. Did Jesus Rise from the disciples, preaching the kingdom of God, arrest, Remembered provides an extensive overview of Dead? The Resurrection Debate. trial, execution and the fact that his disciples historical Jesus studies as well as a new San Francisco : Harper & Row, 1987. "saw" him after his death--though Sanders methodology for research based on recent 38 The Christian Librarian, 48 (2) 2005 studies in oral tradition. Dunn concludes that extension of God. Both see Jesus as one who although Jesus was not comfortable with the believed that he was the very embodiment of tide Messiah, since he disagreed with all the divine Wisdom, or as the writer of the Gospel of baggage that term entailed, Jesus nevertheless John puts it, "The Word became human and Harris, Murray J. !csus as God: felt an intimate relationship with God and lived among us". Most Renewed and Third The New Testament Use ofTheos in Reference to !esus. Grand probably saw himself as one who transcended Quest scholars, however, would say that this Rapids, Ml :Baker, 1992. the traditional category of prophet. goes too far. For example, in The Meaning of Horsley, Richard. !esus and the Jesus; Two Visions, Marcus Borg objects to the Spiral oNiolence· Popular !ewish Brown, Wright and Dunn are just a few of the similar views of N.T. Wright by saying, Resistance in Roman Palestine. scholars who believe that Jesus was known by Minneapolis : Fortress Press, 1987, "thinking that Jesus thought of himself in such some of his contemporaries as more than j ust a 1993. grand terms raises serious questions about the prophet. In The Gospels and Jesus Graham Jenkins, Philip. Hidden Gospels: mental health of Jesus". Borg's point is well How the Search for !esus Lost it~ Stanton points out that not long after his Way_. New York : Oxford University taken and will be considered in the conclusion crucifixio n the followers ofJesus began worshiping Press, 2001. to this essay, but first, it may be helpful to review him using language that had previously been Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Real some important reference sources for the lesus· T he Misguided Quest for reserved for God alone. Indeed, in Jesus as God historical study ofJesus. the Historical !esus and the Truth Murray Harris provides a thorough scholarly of the Traditional Gospels. San Francisco : HarperSanFrancisco, 1996. study concluding that Jesus was in fact called Reference and Resources "God" and described with attributes of deity in Kaylor. R. David. !esus the Propher Introductions and Dictionaries His Vision of the Kingdom on the earliest sources. Earth. Louisville : Wcsoninster/ Any serious historical study of Jesus reqmres John Knox Press, 1994. One of the most thorough defenses of the view some understanding of the issues involved in the Lapide, Pinchas & Luz, Ulrich. that Jesus thought of himself as more than a !esm in Two Perspectives: a !ewish­ origin and interpretation of the Synoptic prophet comes from Ben Witherington. In Jesus Christian Dialog. Minneapolis : Gospels. One of the best guides for navigating Augsburg, 1985. the Sage, W itherington traces the concept of these complex issues is Studying the Synoptic McKnight, Scot. A New Vision wisdom through numerous ancient sources and for Israel: T he Teachings of !esus Gospels by Robert Stein. Other books provide concludes that Jesus was not only a Jewish sage in National Context. Grand an introduction to all aspects of historical Jesus Rapids : Eerdmans, 1999. or teacher of wisdom, but thought of himself as studies including historical background, sources, Meier, John P. A Marginal lew: the very personification of the Wisdom of God. literary theory, criteria of authenticity, and other Rethinking the Historical !esus. In his Christology of Jesus Witherington uses 3 vols. NewYork: Doubleday, 1991, issues. Among the best for this broad overview the same criteria and methodology recognized 1994,2001. are Jesus and the Gospels by , Newman, Carey C. cd. !esus & by virtually all Renewed and Third Quest and Studying the Historical Jesus by Darrell The Restoration of Israel: A scholars to demonstrate that Jesus thought of Critical Assessment of N.T. Bock. Handy reference works include The himself as an apocalyptic prophet, messiah and Wright's Jesus and the Victory_ of Cambridge Companion to Jesus, edited by ~.1999. embodiment of divine Wisdom. Jesus believed Marcus Bockmuehl and the Dictionary ofJ esus Robinson,J.M. A New Quest for that it was God's will that he die as a ransom fo r the Historical !esus. London : and the Gospels edited by Joel Green, a single the sins of his people and called his hearers SCM Press, 1959. volume dictionary of over 900 pages containing to repentance in preparation for the corning Sanders, E.P. The Historical hundreds of signed articles. Figure of Jesus. New York : kingdom. Penguin, 1993. Dialogues and Debates Schussler Fiorenza, Elisabeth. In With Witherington this essay comes full cycle. Memory of Her· A Feminist The Renewed/Third Quest tour began with Some of the most helpful literature on Jesus is Theological Reconstruction of published in the form of dialogues or debates Christian Origins. New York : Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza, one of the most Crossroad, 1986. skeptical Jesus scholars, and ends with Ben which allow the reader to see both sides of - . Jesus, Miriam's Child. Sophia's Witherington, one of the most conservative. various issues. The Meaning of Jesus; Two Prophet; Critical Issues in W hile the disagreements between them Visions is a cordial dialog between Renewed Feminist Christo! oilY. New York : Continuum, 1994. are enormous, they both grounded their Quest scholar, Marcus Borg and T hird Quest understanding of Jesus in the historical and scholar N.T. Wright. For dialogues between religious background of first century Judaism in Jewish and Christian writers see Jesus in two which Wisdom was sometimes personified as an Perspectives by Jewish scholar Pinchas Lapide 39 The Chrisrian Librarian. 48 (2) 2005 and Christian writer Ulrich Luz. Who was of what is known about Alexander the Great Jesus? A Jewish Christian dialog, edited by Paul was written nearly 400 years after he lived and Copan and Craig Evans is discussion between a most of that is attested in only one source. By Christian and Jewish scholar with responses contrast, most of what is known about Jesus of from other Christian and Jewish scholars. In Nazareth was written between twenty and Schweitzer, Albert. Quest for the historical jesus: A Critical Study debates the interaction is, of course, usually seventy years after he lived and is often attested of its Progress from Reimarus to more confrontational and the resurrection of in multiple sources. W rede. London :A. & C. Black, 1910. New York : Macmillan, 1948. Jesus is often a hot topic. Did Jesus Rise from Second, although Jesus scholars present differing Stanton, Graham. The Gospels the Dead contains the transcript of a debate views ofJesus, not all of these views are mutually and Jesus. 2nd ed. New York : between Evangelical scholar Gary Habermas Oxford University Press, 2002. exclusive. Marcus Borg, for example sees no who argues in the affirmative, and world-class Stein, Robert. Studving the contradiction between Jesus as a healer, a social philosopher Anthony Flew arguing in the Synoptic Gospels: Origin and prophet and a teacher ofJe wish wisdom. Most Interpretation. 2nd ed. Grand negative. T he book also contains helpful Third Quest scholars would agree but add that R apids :Baker, 2001. responses from other scholars who critique the Strauss, David Frederick. The Life Jesus fits the category of eschatological prophet debate. Finally, in Jesus' Resurrection; Fact or of Jesus Critically Examined. as well. Some scholars go even further, saying Philadelphia : Fortress, 1972. Figment edited by Paul Copan and Ronald that Jesus also made messianic claims and even Twelftree, Graham H . Jesus the Tacelli, prominent Renewed Quest scholar, presented himself as the embodiment of divine Exorcist· A Contribution to the Gerd Ludemann debates Evangelical Study of the Historical Jesus. Wisdom, the Son of God who believed his Peabody, MA :Hendrickson, 1993. philosopher and theologian William Lane Craig. mission was to die for the sins of his people. -. Jesus the Miracle Worker· A Craig also debates Jesus Seminar co-founder, Historical and Theological Study. John Dominic Crossan in Will the Real Jesus This, of course, goes well beyond what critical Downers Grove, IL : lntervarsity Please Stand Up? scholars are prepared to accept. For example, Press, 1999. Borg argues that there are "categories of Van Voorst, Robert E. ~ Conclusion: Will the real Jesus please stand up? Outside the New Testament: psychological diagnosis" for people who claim An Introduction to the Ancient In the ABC News special, The Search for Jesus, to be messiahs or sons of God. On the other Evidence. Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 2000. Peter Jennings correctly observes that Jesus hand, there is reliable evidence that Jesus was, in Wenham, David. Paul· Follower of scholars often disagree even when looking at fact, charged with blasphemy and that some jesus or Founder of Christianity. exactly the same evidence. Of course, this is also people accused him of being demon possessed Grand Rapids : Eerdmans, 1995. true of lawyers, econom.ists, and even med.ical or mentally unstable, which is exactly the Wilkins, Michael and J.P. doctors. Still, with so many views about Jesus, reaction that might be expected to someone Moreland. Jesus Under Fire: Modern scholarship reinvents the how is a layperson or librarian supposed to who publicly presented himself as a messiah or historical Jesus. Grand Rapids : make sense of it all? A couple observations may Son of God. Zondervan, 1995. be helpful. Witherington, Ben. The Christo!~ Many would insist that whether Jesus actually of Jesus. Minneapolis : Fortress First, in Jesus and Empire, Richard Horsley was the Messiah or Son of God is a matter of Press, 1990. points out that if a book on Martin Luther King, faith which is beyond the reach of history as a -.Jesus the Sage: T he Pilgrimage ofWisdom. Minneapolis : Fortress Jr. were written based solely on isolated sayings discipline to determine. What seems very Press, 1994. taken out their social and literary context, we probable historically, however, is that Jesus' Wrede, William. The Messianic would not have an adequate understanding of contemporaries looked at exactly the same Secret.James Clarke & Co. 1971. the great civil rights leader or know why he was evidence regarding Jesus' prophetic actions and Wright, N.T. Jesus and the Victorv of God. Minneapolis : important. Horsley and most T hird Quest teachings, his signs and wonders, and reports of Fortress Press, 1996, scholars believe this is what the Renewed Quest his empty tomb and post-death appearances; -. The New Testament and the does with Jesus when they pull isolated sayings and while some concluded that he was a People of God. Minneapolis : Fortress Press, 1992. out of their literary and social context and blasphemer, insane, or even demon possessed, - . R esurrection of the Son of reinterpret them apart from any context. If this others were so convinced they willingly Q.Qd. Minneapolis :Fortress Press, same degree of Renewed Quest skepticism endured great suffering and gave their lives 2003 were applied to the study of other figures in the proclaiming him as Messiah, Savior, and even ancient world, much of ancient history would Son ofGod. 'if'