Paul L. Maier

A Skeptic’s Investigation into Jesus

Apologetics

“The title of this book might suggest that it is another of the attacks on the biblical version of Jesus, of which there are many currently. This one, however, with admirable candor, is the record of how a genuine skeptic found the arguments of fellow skeptics wanting in all vectors of their cynical reconstructions of the life and teachings of Jesus. This is an excellent resource as a defense of the faith on a philosophical, cosmological, scientific, and theological basis.”

Christian Zionism

Theology

“Congratulations on Christian Zionism. The index alone makes my mouth water, since this is the scholarly treatment to counteract the rabid prophecy pack for which I had been searching. I couldn't be happier that this is published. You and I see eye to eye on this issue. . . . Yours is a true prophetic voice so badly needed in the current prophecy frenzy. And when this mania also affects national and international policy, the danger takes on larger proportions.”

Heresy

Fiction

“No question but that the teachings of Arius almost won the day in fourth-century Christianity, as many were converting to his belief that Jesus was more than a man yet less than God. In Heresy, Frank Spinella brings to life all the passion and drama surrounding the Council of Nicea, which debated the issue, in a brilliant manner that stays as close to the facts as possible. Here is a theological thriller that will prod anyone to ask, 'what if Arius had won?'”

Hopes and Dreams of All

History & Biography

“Pahl brings off his task with panache, beguiling the reader into a nostalgia trip through the joys and jostlings of yesteryear. Giants of the past return to life in these pages, and sometimes stub their toes when they do. But it's all richly documented by an author who has mastered with distinction the crafts of research and writing.”

James, the Apostle of Faith

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

Foreword

(wrote the foreword)

Ministers of a New Medium

History & Biography

“As a son of radio pioneer Dr. Walter A. Maier of The Lutheran Hour, I thought I had ferreted out all the details of his remarkable life, but I was mistaken. Farney found significant material that I should have. You can imagine my delight at reading this fresh information! Pairing Maier with the equally pioneering Fulton Sheen makes sense, since both were radio forces who brought high skills and erudition to their presentations. Sheen went on to enjoy success in television, whereas Maier's death in 1950, just at the start of that new communications medium, prevented what doubtless would have been an equal success, though without the magisterial purple cape. To keep the comparisons fair, Farney principally covers only the radio Sheen in these pages. Anyone born in the Depression 1930s or wartime 1940s will be able to hear two familiar voices as they read.”

Paul Meets Muhammad

Apologetics

“Reconstructing debates between the greats of the past is a clever device occasionally attempted in the media—printed or aired—but never with such success as in Paul Meets Muhammad. St. Paul debating Muhammad? Forget the time warp and simply enjoy the interchange! Since Michael Licona is fast becoming one of Christianity’s most eloquent apologists for the resurrection, you will assume a strong, pro-Christian bias in this book (St. Paul will have all the good lines and Muhammad the bad) but you will be wrong! Licona brilliantly presents also the Muslim arguments at the heart of the Christian-Muslim dialogue, claims that Jesus never died and so could not have been resurrected. Since the Muslim challenge to the church is becoming more acute each passing day, it is well for Christians to arm themselves with the arsenal of arguments presented in these pages.”

The Apostolic Fathers in English

History & Biography

“After the New Testament itself, churchmen like Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp provide the very earliest writings of Christianity, and so their testimony is of enormous importance. More than church fathers, they are Apostolic Fathers, immediately adjacent to the events that gave rise to our faith. Small wonder, then, that Michael W. Holmes has focused his scholarship on this group, bringing out a third edition with all its enhancements in translation and commentary. Extremely readable and helpfully divided by headers, these texts are a gold mine of evidence on earliest Christian theology, worship, and history, including information on what happened to Peter and Paul at the end of their lives. As such, this material is next to the Bible in importance.”

The First Days of Jesus

Theology

“This latest work on the incarnation and nativity is an excellent example of serious scholarship served up in a most readable manner. No birth in history had such prophetic preparation, which is a powerful, central theme in these pages that celebrate the start of the greatest life ever lived. This is a welcome antidote to the cheap sensationalism in recent books on Jesus that try to demolish every reason for regarding Christmas as ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’”

The Resurrection of Jesus

Apologetics

“No episode in the life of anyone in history is more important than the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Vehemently denied or vigorously defended, it has intrigued the world for twenty centuries. A host of scholars have addressed the phenomenon, so what more could be said? In The Resurrection of Jesus, Michael Licona tells us indeed. In brilliant detail, he begins with the anomaly that I, as an ancient historian, have noted for years: that secular historians often have a much higher regard for the New Testament as source material than do many theologians and scholars of religion. The latter tend to overlay their research with preconceived and hopelessly subjective opinions, often ignoring the basic rules of historiography. Licona corrects all this in showing how the research and writing of history ought to be done objectively, especially in dealing with Jesus. I warmly commend this book to all who want to know if the resurrection of Jesus really happened.”

The Rise of Christianity

History & Biography

“This will be the standard reference work in early church history for many a decade to come.”