Did Jesus Exist?
The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth
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4.3 • 8 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
In Did Jesus Exist? historian and Bible expert Bart Ehrman confronts the question, "Did Jesus exist at all?" Ehrman vigorously defends the historical Jesus, identifies the most historically reliable sources for best understanding Jesus’ mission and message, and offers a compelling portrait of the person at the heart of the Christian tradition.
Known as a master explainer with deep knowledge of the field, Bart Ehrman methodically demolishes both the scholarly and popular “mythicist” arguments against the existence of Jesus. Marshaling evidence from within the Bible and the wider historical record of the ancient world, Ehrman tackles the key issues that surround the mythologies associated with Jesus and the early Christian movement.
In Did Jesus Exist?: The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth, Ehrman establishes the criterion for any genuine historical investigation and provides a robust defense of the methods required to discover the Jesus of history.
Customer Reviews
A worthwhile read.
I preferred Jesus Interrupted, however this was still a good read. A lot of the material, I felt had already been covered if you've read his previous books. The last 2 chapters are what made up for the first couple.
I never really thought that Jesus didn't exist, and admittedly was most interested in hearing about what Ehrman thinks the historical Jesus was like. So, I found the several chapters spent refuting mythicist claims that I didn't believe in the first place, to be a bit long. However, the book is true to its title, and so perhaps my expectations were simply misplaced.
If you read The Pagan Christ, and thought it was brilliant, then you really need to read this book. I agree wholeheartedly with Ehrman's final sentiments; Knowing the truth of what happened in the past, whether we like it or not, is better than a revisionist history designed to forward an ideological agenda.
Did Jesus exist?
Very helpful in my desire to better understand the ministry of Jesus. Among the insights gained, rather than the attempt to make Jesus relevant to the world of the day, there is a need to better understand the nature of Jesus in his context and in his life. One other insight is connected to the suggestion that Jesus based his ministry on the fact that the kingdom would be fulfilled in the time of his followers. Although this is not light reading, he stayed with the NT as the source of information. There were times when I thought that he might use OT material; but, I am glad that he did not.
He clearly did not present his thinking as Christian, atheist, nor agnostic. He was faithful in the determination to offer a historical answer to the question: Did Jesus exist?
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is seriously seeking an answer.
Masterpiece
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