Can We Trust the Bible on the Historical Jesus?
Author: Bart D. Ehrman; Craig A. Evans; Robert B. Stewart
Genre: Religion; Debate
Rating: ★★★★☆
Can We Trust the Bible on the Historical Jesus? brings together two well-known New Testament scholars Craig A Evans and Bart D. Erhmann, in a focused debate over one of the most important questions in biblical studies: how reliable the biblical texts are for reconstructing the historical Jesus. The book presents the transcript of their exchange, allowing readers to follow both the affirmative case and the(Evans) and the more skeptical critique (Ehrman) side by side. Having these perspectives in the same volume is especially valuable, because the arguments interact directly with one another rather than being presented in isolation.
For students of modern Biblical scholarship, the format makes this an excellent entry point into the conversation surrounding the “historical” Jesus. Whether one ultimately leans toward Evans’s confidence in the Gospel traditions or Ehrman’s more critical assessment, the reader is given a clear introduction to the major lines of argument currently shaping the discussion. It’s a strong resource for anyone wanting to understand the opposing views within contemporary scholarship. Thank you to Westminster John Knox Press for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this thought provoking work.
