Reinventing Jesus
"This is not just another response to the issues raised in the novel and the film. It is a serious, detailed, yet eminently accessible refutation of the exaggerated skepticism of bona fide scholars like Bart Ehrman or Robert Price and of the outright misinformation in frequently-believed pseudo-scholarship circulating on the web or via little-known publishing houses." (Craig L. BlombergApologia Report2006-11-01)"Reinventing Jesus cuts through the rhetoric of extreme doubt to reveal the profound credibility of historic Christianity. Meticulously researched yet eminently readable, this book invites a wide audience to take a first-hand look at the primary evidence for Christianity's origins. Reinventing Jesus shows believers that it's okay to think hard about Christianity, and shows hard thinkers that it's okay to believe. . . .While there are other books being written to defend the historical Jesus of the New Testament, and the authenticity and trustworthiness of the New Testament writings, Reinventing Jesus is one of the better ones read by this reviewer. The authors cover such a breath of material that it is hard to find one of similar value in terms of thoroughness and argumentation. I highly recommend this work." (Ray HammondChristianBookPreviews.com2006-08-01)"I have bought all the Da Vinci Code books and I feel this book is by far the best one out there. Reinventing Jesus transcends The Da Vinci Code stuff and is more a book on the origin of the New Testament for the most part. It is definitely a book for the average person to learn about how oral tradition and a memorizing culture was behind how things were written back then, all about textual criticism and why we can have confidence in the New Testament today. How books were selected etc. I can say there that it is one of the best books I have ever read that goes into the apologetics of the Bible and I hope that the Da Vinci Code tie in, doesn't give a short shelf life to this book, as it really is a book that is like taking a class on the origin and trustworthiness of the Bible, not The Da Vinci Code." (Dan KimballVintage_Faith.com2006-07-01)"An excellent book. A readable book. A perennial book with unfortunately, a seasonal title. It deserves to be bought and read and stored and studied ó with or without its current connection to DaVinci Code and The Jesus Seminar. The book is an easy reading account of why and how we have the New Testament." (Doug Pagitttallskinnykiwi.typepad.com2006-07-01)"For years now I've been lamenting the sad state of published apologetics, as it seemed that there was far more interest in getting out insipid eschatological novels than in offering defenses of the faith rooted in sound scholarship. I was glad when Lee Strobel's works finally jimmied that door some, and when Licona and Habermas cracked it further open with The Resurrection of Jesus; and now, this trio has blown the door off its hinges and sent it flying into the atmosphere. I'll put it bluntly: Buy this book. If you're tired of the Christian publishing industry putting out the intellectual equivalent of Hostess Ding Dongs in defense of the faith, you NEED to make this book a success, because otherwise, they won't get the message and we'll get more Ding Dongs instead of more roast beef." (J. P. HoldingTektonics Book Reviews2006-04-01)"Reinventing Jesus cuts through the rhetoric of extreme doubt to reveal the profound credibility of historic Christianity. Meticulously researched yet eminently readable, this book invites a wide audience to take a firsthand look at the primary evidence for Christianity's origins. Reinventing Jesus shows believers that it's okay to think hard about Christianity, and shows hard thinkers that it's okay to believe. While there are other books being written to defend the historical Jesus of the New Testament, and the authenticity and trustworthiness of the New Testament writings, Reinventing Jesus is one of the better ones read by this reviewer. The authors cover such a breath of material that it is hard to find one of similar value in terms of thoroughness and argumentation. I highly recommend this work." (Ray HammondChristianBookPreviews.com2006-08-01)"The book is a very good introduction to the topic from an evangelical perspective, it is well written, extensively footnoted, and it should serve well as a primer for textual criticism and related topics. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for just such a resource." (Michael Krusekrusekronicle.typepad.com2006-05-01)"Of particular benefit in this book are the frequent references to the controversial and influential work of the Jesus Seminar. There is actually far more Jesus Seminar material in this book than DVC [Da Vinci Code] material. Because the methodology of the Jesus Seminar is accepted by many of the media pundits and promoters of the DVC phenomenon, it is important to respond to the assertions of those scholars who are making new and largely revolutionary claims about Jesus and the New Testament. The book is particularly impressive in taking the methodology of radical scholars and going, slowly and carefully through their use of logic, interpretative tools and assumptions. The result is a superb exposure of the bankruptcy of most of the assertions of radical revisions, using the same tools that they claim leads to a 'new' Jesus. . . .I recommend this book without reservation. It is 260 pages of text, with more than 50 pages of readable endnotes and extensive referencing within available New Testament literature. The book is perfectly aimed at students and informed laypersons. It could be given to a skeptic as well, as each author discusses the questions at hand calmly and without ridicule or cheerleader. This is serious scholarship translated down to a level that will help those in local churches and missional callings." (Michael SpencerInternetMonk.com2006-06-20)"The book Reinventing Jesus is by three authors, Dr. Sawyer who spoke at our church is one of them. I have bought all the Da Vinci Code books and feel this book is by far the best one out there. Reinventing Jesus transcends the Da Vinci Code stuff and is more a book on the origin of the New Testament for the most part. It is definitely a book for the average person to learn about how oral tradition and a memorizing culture was behind how things were written back then, all about textual criticism and why we can have confidence in the New Testament today. How books were selected etc. I can say there it is one of the best books I have ever read that goes into the apologetics of the Bible and I hope that The Da Vinci Code tie in, doesn't give a short shelf life to this book, as it really is a book that is like taking a class on the origin and trustworthiness of the Bible, not the Da Vinci Code." (Dan KimballVintage Faith2006-06-19)"As I get ready to start writing on my next Jesus book, I want to recommend a volume I am currently reading. It is Reinventing Jesus, which is also noted elsewhere on this web site. It is a solid walk through the trustworthiness of Scripture dealing with such issues as oral tradition, the criteria of authenticity, issues tied to textual criticism, the canon, and the issues tied to myth, as well as a walk through the early texts on Jesus' deity. It is accessible and very well done. For those who want orientation to issues tied to these questions, this is a good source." (Darrell Bockdev.bible.org2006-07-01)My opinion of the books is that the authors have spent a great deal of time (decades) in their research. It is truly time for other scholars to step up and answer the claims of the skeptics. This book may well be the start of a new gyration of inspiration of upcoming apologetic authors. You can find a helpful set of endnotes (64 pages to be exact) and handy resources for further reading. I highly recommend adding this book to your shelf as a valuable reference tool whether you are an apologist or lay Christian. (Dennismyspace.com2006-12-04)I agree with your review. I reviewed this a few months ago and I was particularly impressed with how accessible the language is in describing some complex idea. (Michael W. KruseEuangelion2007-01-02)Well, I had not heard of this book, but your review, coupled with endorsements by Craig Blomberg (my college advisor back in the day) and Craig Keener and Scott McKnight (both friends whom I consider to be some of the best of current evangelical scholarship), has placed it on my wish list. I am very upset with the way popular culture is misled this wayóalthough rightwing distortions are just as bad. (Michael Westmoreland-WhiteEuangelion2007-01-02)Many British evangelicals tend to be cautious about something coming from Dallas Theological Seminary because of its dispensationalist tendencies. This book, however, written by three graduates from the Seminary and including one (Wallace) actually lecturing there, deserves a whole-hearted welcome by everyone in the UK. The book is accessible, thorough and informative. . . . All in all, the authors have greatly placed us in their debt, and this book should be widely read by everyone. (Dr. Anthony McRoyEvangelicals Now2007-02-01)