Jesus: Evidence and Argument or Mythicist Myths? - (Biblical Studies) by Maurice Casey (Paperback)

About the Book

Did Jesus exist? There has been a recent surge in public discussion surrounding this question, with many scholars ('mythicists') claiming that Jesus did not exist. Maurice Casey, one of the most important Historical Jesus scholars of his generation, seeks to provide a clear and balanced view of what can be said about Jesus, and of what can't.

Book Synopsis

Did Jesus exist? In recent years there has been a massive upsurge in public discussion of the view that Jesus did not exist. This view first found a voice in the 19th century, when Christian views were no longer taken for granted. Some way into the 20th century, this school of thought was largely thought to have been utterly refuted by the results of respectable critical scholarship (from both secular and religious scholars).

Now, many unprofessional scholars and bloggers ('mythicists'), are gaining an increasingly large following for a view many think to be unsupportable. It is starting to influence the academy, more than that it is starting to influence the views of the public about a crucial historical figure. Maurice Casey, one of the most important Historical Jesus scholars of his generation takes the 'mythicists' to task in this landmark publication. Casey argues neither from a religious respective, nor from that of a committed atheist. Rather he seeks to provide a clear view of what can be said about Jesus, and of what can't.

Review Quotes

"Maurice Casey strategically lays out his research on the existence of Jesus as a historical person against arguments made by mythicists, or those who do not believe Jesus ever lived. Casey brings to his study a unique depth of knowledge about the Bible, the time in which it was written, and the Aramaic language ... the book provides a wealth of powerful arguments and background information, all of value to the interested reader ... readers will be rewarded with an abundance of thought-provoking information by which to better understand the biblical context and reasons to believe Jesus is a person, not a myth." -Melody Diehl Detar, Catholic Library World

"Casey has accomplished [his] purpose with a thorough and rigorous examination of the arguments of his opponents, and with enough wit and flair to make the process far less tedious than such thorough examinations usually are ... a masterful and masterfully executed piece of critical scholarship" -Nathan LaMontagne, Catholic University of America, Catholic Biblical Quarterly

About the Author

Maurice Casey is Professor of New Testament Languages and Literature at the University of Nottingham, UK. He has published extensively on the Son of Man problem, and more generally on reconstructing Aramaic traditions about Jesus from the Greek Gospels.