A Doubter's Guide to Jesus
An Introduction to the Man from Nazareth for Believers and Skeptics
- Apologetics
- Publisher: Zondervan Academic (Zondervan)
- Published: 2018
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Publisher's Description
Who was Jesus? Historical sources portray a person who was complex, multi-layered, and often contradictory to the tidy portrait that much of modern Christianity paints him as. Even the gospel accounts render him as both judge and healer, teacher and temple, servant and savior. A Doubter's Guide to Jesus is a persuasive and often challenging investigation into the historical figure found in the earliest sources. These sources, which include references both direct and indirect—from Roman, Jewish, and Christian accounts—offer us more than simple evidence that Jesus existed; they begin to form a picture that is both deeply credible and profoundly counterintuitive. Each chapter explores the evidence for a different aspect of the most influential figure in human history, exploring: His words and their impact. The scandal of his social life. His preference for the poor and lowly. The meaning of his death and influence of his promises. The goal is not to turn Jesus into something neater, more systematic and digestible; but to see him more clearly as someone who stretches our imaginations, confronts our beliefs, and challenges our lifestyles. After two millennia of spiritual devotion and more than two centuries of modern critical research, we still cannot fit Jesus into a box—and this is as challenging as it is deeply compelling.
Endorsements (4)
“ENDORSEMENTS FOR DOUBTER’S GUIDE “Making sense of the Bible in a skeptical world is hard work. John Dickson’s The Doubter’s Guide to the Bible is a wonderful tour guide through the high points of Scripture, dealing directly with the questions people have while explaining the gist of what is going on in Scripture. It is a tour well worth taking because it is led by such a competent guide.”
“Even though the Bible is the bestselling and the most influential book of all time, it can be a daunting read: hundreds of colorful characters, thousands of years, dozens of countries, sixty-six books. It’s a common experience for even regular readers to feel lost and to ask, Where am I now? Why are we in Egypt? Why in Babylon? Why in Rome? Who is Abraham again? Who is David? Who is John the Baptist? What it’s all got to do with Jesus anyway? Dickson’s A Doubter’s Guide to the Bible is the ultimate map for reading the Bible. He gives both seasoned and new Bible readers the requisite knowledge, the rich backstory, and a sense of where things are heading, so that you’ll never feel lost again. Everything you need for a satisfying journey through the Book of Books in one slim volume!”
Dr. Brian Rosner
“A Doubter’s Guide to the Bible is a delight to read. Dickson clearly and winsomely takes us through the overarching narrative of the Bible, showing how all the major themes and plot-turns weave together as part of God’s salvation story, and addressing challenging questions with respect and insight along the way. This book offers an engaging introduction to the story of the Bible for Christians and skeptics alike.”
“John Dickson takes readers on an engaging journey through biblical history, inviting his audience to wrestle with various counter-perspectives along the way. He is a passionate historian and winsome communicator who has lectured alongside my colleagues and me in various global settings. His book is a helpful and unique introduction to the Bible for skeptics and believers alike.”
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