Jesus Skeptic
A Journalist Explores the Credibility and Impact of Christianity
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Can we know if Jesus actually lived? Have Jesus's followers been a force for good or evil in history? A respected journalist set out to find the answers--not from opinion but from artifacts. The evidence led him to an unexpected conclusion: Jesus really existed and launched the greatest movement for social good in human history.
A first-of-its-kind book for a new generation, Jesus Skeptic takes nothing for granted as it explores whether Jesus actually lived and how his story has changed our world. You'll
- learn what heroes like Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman believed about Jesus
- discover how Jesus inspired women's rights, education rights, and modern hospitals
- see visual proofs of Jesus's impact, never before compiled in one place
- be inspired to continue Jesus's fight for human rights, justice, and progress
Jesus Skeptic unveils convincing physical evidence that will enlighten seekers, skeptics, and longtime Christians alike. In a generation that wants to make the world a better place, we can discover what humanity's greatest champions had in common: a Christian faith.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Journalist and pastor Dickerson (I Am Strong) highlights only the best sides of Christianity in this disappointing polemic. Relying on what he calls "Primary Evidence" ancient artifacts, primary writings, and historical documents he's assembled rather than established scholarship or the views of experts, Dickerson argues that Christianity is a "keystone" for most social improvements, including the Scientific Revolution, the spread of education and literacy, the development of modern medicine, and even the abolition of slavery. Dickerson repeatedly claims to be a skeptic but largely ignores prominent counterexamples, such as Christians who defended slavery on biblical grounds or key movements inspired by non-Christian impulses, such as the Renaissance. The book's second half argues for the historical reality of Jesus and his lingering impact. Dickerson relies, however, on some silly comparisons to indicate the reach of Christianity such as there being more churches nationwide than McDonald's locations. He closes with his own conversion story and a call for readers to decide on Christ's divinity for themselves. Although Dickerson provides plenty of examples of Christians making positive changes, his simplistic thesis will likely appeal only to the already converted. Readers looking for uncritical cheerleading for Christian supremacy will be gratified, but most will be frustrated by Dickerson's overblown confidence in his own arguments. This review has been updated.
