Did Jesus Exist?
The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth
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3.8 • 75 Ratings
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- $1.99
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.
In this forceful scholarly rebuttal to the "Jesus didn’t exist" theory, Ehrman demonstrates:
Historical Methods Explained: Why virtually every expert on the planet—regardless of their faith—agrees that Jesus of Nazareth was a real historical figure.Non-Christian Sources: A critical examination of what Roman and Jewish writers like Tacitus and Josephus actually said about a man named Jesus.The Gospels as Evidence: How scholars analyze the Gospels not as inerrant scripture, but as historical documents containing valuable data about the life and death of a first-century Jew.Early Christian Origins: A definitive takedown of mythicist claims, showing how the belief in a crucified messiah could only have emerged from a real, historical event.The Apocalyptic Prophet: A compelling portrait of who the historical Jesus truly was: a Jewish apocalypticist who expected the imminent end of the world.
Customer Reviews
Did Jesus Exist?
Ehrman takes on the "Mythicists," who claim that Jesus is an invention of first century Christians. While he sympathizes with their irreverence Ehrman argues that their claims are irrelevant to answering the question, did Jesus exist. Ehrman carefully demonstrates his case point by point. In the final section he shows how one can make a stronger argument for irreverence (dismissing Christian claims of the supernatural divinity of Jesus) by accepting the historical evidence that he did exist, but not like Sunday schools teach.
Did Jesus Exist?
Bart Ehrman shows us again why he is the best scholar in his field.
With no religion to defend, Dr Ehrman explores this topic like a veteran detective. A must have book!! I can't wait for the existential sequel "Do You Exist?".
Bill Sutherland
Compelling evidence and perspective
I have been searching for a good book to help me with struggles concerning the existence of Jesus. I am not a person to believe "just because". I prefer facts and evidence. This book provides a compelling argument and challenges the opposition on and intellectual level. What is even more refreshing is that the author is not a Christian. He presents the evidence from a purely historical perspective, points out inconsistencies when he perceives them, and continues the quest for proof.
If you are a seeker of the truth and want the insight from a historical scholar whether it not Jesus walked the earth and said the things that are claimed, this is the book for you.