This book features a learned and fascinating debate between two great Bible scholars about the New Testament as a reliable source on the historical Jesus. Bart Ehrman, an agnostic New Testament scholar, debates Craig Evans, an evangelical New Testament scholar, about the historical Jesus and what constitutes ‘history.’ Their interaction includes such compelling questions as: What are sound methods of historical investigation? What are reliable criteria for determining the authenticity of an ancient text? What roles do reason and inference play? And, of course, interpretation? Readers of this debate—regardless of their interpretive inclinations and biases—are sure to find some confirmation of their existing beliefs, but they will surely also find an honest and well-informed challenge to the way they think about the historical Jesus.
The result? A more open, better informed, and questioning mind, which is better prepared for discovering both truth and contrivance. The debate between Ehrman and Evans along with Stewart’s introductory framework make this book an excellent primer to the study of the historical Jesus, and readers will come away with a deeper appreciation for the ongoing quest for the historical Jesus.
A propos de l’auteur
Robert B. Stewartis Professor of Philosophy and Theology and the Greer-Heard Chair of Faith and Culture at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Stewartwasthe Director of the Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum in Faith and Culture, whichbroughtworld-renowned scholars together in conversation and debate. Stewart hasauthored oreditedtwelvebooks, ten of which weredebatesordialogues, which include numerous contributing essays by other highly respectedscholars, such as John Dominic Crossan, Alister Mc Grath, Daniel Dennett, William Lane Craig, Ben Witherington III, Craig Evans, Bart Ehrman, and others.