Jesus and the Logic of History (New Studies In Biblical Theology Series)

At the heart of the Christian faith stands a man, Jesus of Nazareth.

Few people seriously question whether Jesus existed in history. But influenced by the more skeptical scholars many doubt that the Christ of orthodox Christianity is the same as the Jesus of history.

In this important book, historian and New Testament scholar Paul W. Barnett lays these doubts to rest. He uncovers the methodological weaknesses present in some forms of critical scholarship, demonstrating a failure to account for important early evidence about Jesus.

Once the evidence is properly marshalled, a picture of Jesus emerges that fits well with orthodox belief in him.

Table of Contents

1. Jesus and the Practice of History
2. Christ in History
   --Excursus: Jesus as 'Christ' in the Testimonium Flavianum
3. Jesus in Proclamation and Tradition
   --Excursus: Summary of Information about Jesus in the Letters of Paul
4. Jesus in Historical Context
   --Excursus: The Quest for the Historical Pontius Pilate
5. Jesus in the Gospels
   --Excursus: Overview of Jesus' Ministry
6. Jesus and the Spread of Early Christianity
   --Excursus: The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead
7. From Jesus to Gospel Text
8. Jesus' Death: a Defiance of Biography
9. Conclusion.

"Barnett offers important contributions to the manner in which we may responsibly work as both historians and theologians to understand not only the nascent Christian church, but also the historical Jesus whom they confessed . . . (His) work deserves wide dissemination."
---D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, Illinois)
-Publisher.

Publisher Description

With Jesus and the Logic of History, Paul W. Barnett offers a fresh defence, for a sceptical age, of the orthodox view of Jesus. Barnett's other works include Behind the Scenes of the New Testament and Is the New Testament History?