40 Questions About the Historical Jesus

by C. Marvin Pate

Overview

Answers to critical questions regarding the study of the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith

The conclusions of the quest for the historical Jesus, which casts the majority of Christ's life as a myth, are a stark contrast to the orthodox view of Christ as presented in the Bible. Pate demonstrates that a critical analysis of the gospel text along with historical and cultural methods of investigation actually point toward an orthodox view of Christ.

This work argues that the canonical Gospels are the most trustworthy information we have about the gospel writers as well as the life and ministry of Jesus, including his death, visit to hades, resurrection, and ascension. Readers will be encouraged by the reliability of the Gospel writers, the reality of Jesus' humanity and deity, and the inferiority of the apocryphal gospels.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825485619
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	04/27/2015
Series:	40 Questions Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

C. Marvin Pate (PhD, Marquette University) is professor of biblical studies at Ouachita Baptist University. He is the author and editor of numerous works, including Four Views on the Book of Revelation; The Writings of John: A Survey of the Gospel, Epistles, and Apocalypse; and From Plato to Jesus.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Abbreviations 13

Part 1 Background Questions About the "Historical" Jesus

A Questions Related to the Quest for the Historical Jesus

1 What Is at Stake Regarding the Four Gospels? 17

2 Do the Gospels Present an Accurate Description of the Life of Jesus? 27

3 What Were the First Two Quests for the Historical Jesus? 39

4 What Is the Third Quest for the Historical Jesus? 47

5 What Are the Various Views of the Historical Jesus? 55

B Questions Related to the Sources of the Historical Jesus

6 What Does the Old Testament Teach About the Coming Messiah? 67

7 Is Jesus' Life Confirmed by Non-Jewish and Jewish Sources? 75

8 Are the Apocryphal Gospels a Reliable Source of the Historical Jesus? 85

9 Was the Oral Tradition Regarding the Historical Jesus Reliable? 97

10 What Does the NT (Outside the Gospels) Teach About Jesus' Life and Teaching? 107

11 What Do We Learn About the Historical Jesus from Archaeology? 117

Part 2 Questions About Jesus' Birth and Childhood

A Questions Related to the Birth of Jesus

12 When Was Jesus Born? 129

13 Was Jesus Really Born of a Virgin? 135

14 Wily Does It Matter That Jesus Was Born of a Virgin? 143

15 Did Isaiah 7:14 Predict That Jesus Would Be Born of a Virgin? 153

B Questions Related to the Childhood of Jesus

16 Did Jesus Have Brothers and Sisters? 163

17 Was Jesus' Family Rich or Poor? 173

18 Did Jesus Do Miracles as a Child? 181

19 What Language(s) Did Jesus Speak? 189

Part 3 Questions About Jesus' Life and Teaching

A Questions Related to the Life of Jesus

20 Why Are There Four Different Accounts of Jesus' Life? 197

21 When Did Jesus Begin His Earthly Ministry? 207

22 What Did the Baptism of Jesus Signify? 213

23 What Is the Significance of Jesus' Temptations in the Wilderness? 219

24 Who Were the Twelve Disciples, and Why Did Jesus Choose Twelve? 229

25 What Does It Mean That Jesus Was Transfigured? 241

26 Did Jesus Really Perform Miracles as an Adult? 249

B Questions Related to the Teaching of Jesus

27 What Was the Focus of Jesus' Teaching? 259

28 What Is the Main Message of Matthew About Jesus? 267

29 What Is the Main Message of Mark About Jesus? 277

30 What Is the Main Message of Luke About Jesus? 283

31 What Is the Main Message of John About Jesus? 293

32 What Did the Historical Jesus Say About His Return (in the Olivet Discourse)? 301

Part 4 Questions About Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection

A Questions Related to the Crucifixion of Jesus

33 What Is the Significance of the Triumphal Entry? 311

34 When and Why Did Jesus Cleanse the Temple? 319

35 Who Was Responsible for Jesus' Death? 327

36 Why Did Jesus Die? 335

37 Did Jesus Remain in the Tomb Three Days and Three Nights? 343

38 Where Did Jesus' Spirit Go While His Body Was in the Tomb? 347

B Questions Related to the Resurrection of Jesus

39 Did the Historical Jesus Rise from the Dead? 355

40 What Is the Meaning of Jesus' Ascension? 365

Select Bibliography 371

Scripture Index 375

Ancient Sources Index 401