The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach

1136 Pages·2011·8.66 MB·English

by  Licona

"Licona has tackled his subject energetically, with near-obsessive thoroughness.
He concludes that if one approaches the sources without an a priori commitment
to the impossibility of resurrection, the `Resurrection Hypothesis' is the
interpretation that most adequately accounts for the evidence. Thus, the book
boldly challenges the naturalistic presuppositions of post-Enlightenment
historical criticism. At the very least, Licona has shown that the usual
naturalistic explanations of the resurrection tradition are, on the whole, weak,
speculative and often tendentious.
"I am not aware of any scholar who has previously offered such a thorough
and fair-minded account of the historiographical prolegomena to the resurrection
question. Furthermore, Licona's discussion of the `bedrock' historical evidence is
appropriately nuanced and carefully modulated, not claiming more than can be
supported by the consensus findings of qualified scholars. This lends credibility
to his conclusions. Licona has presented a fair and vigorous case for his position.
No doubt many readers will be unconvinced by his arguments, but no one can
accuse him of naivete or of ignoring counterarguments.
"This study spans fields that are too rarely brought into conversation: New
Testament studies and historiographical theory. Licona is to be commended for
this undertaking and for producing a study that has both wide range and
significant depth."
Richard B. Hays, George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament and
dean, Duke Divinity School
"This book is the most thorough treatment on the resurrection and historiography
to date, useful also to those studying the intersections of philosophy of science,
history and theology. Drawing masterfully from a wide range of disciplines,
Licona builds a coherent case showing that the best explanation for our evidence
involves Jesus' historical resurrection. Licona's research also makes clear that the
frequent skepticism about this claim in much of the academy reflects not serious
historiographic consideration but the mere inheritance of outdated philosophic
assumptions."
Craig S. Keener, professor of New Testament, Palmer Theological Seminary
"Michael Licona's thorough study of beliefs in Jesus' resurrection is to be
recommended, since it is informed of the social sciences, ancient data, ... attends
to the New Testament witnesses and engages most of the recent discussions. He
rightly argues that the early Christians did not interpret Jesus' resurrection in a
metaphorical or poetic sense to the exclusion of a literal event that had occurred
to his corpse."
James H. Charlesworth, Princeton Theological Seminary
At first glance this book is very provocative even for a theologian who is
convinced that the Easter faith is based on an authentic encounter with God. But
at second glance I became aware that Michael Licona is not dealing with the
`resurrection faith' but more modestly with the `resurrection hypothesis'-in other
words, with those aspects of the resurrection faith that are accessible to historical
arguments. It is fascinating to follow his arguments step by step in his
investigation of the resurrection of Jesus as a unique event in history. I once
learned that historiography is limited to events with analogies, immanent
causality and sources that must be criticized. These are, according to Ernst
Troeltsch, the great theologian and philosopher of historicism, the three
principles of modern historical research. Must we revise these principles? Must
we reformulate them? Perhaps! In any case, it is refreshing to be confronted with
quite another approach that evaluates carefully the historical data, discusses
respectfully the arguments of opponents and demonstrates a humility concerning
the results, claiming only historical degrees of plausibility for its own
hypothesis. Many arguments are valuable also for readers who do not agree. It is
a necessary book, and I recommend it to all who are interested in a responsible
way to interpret the Bible and the Christian faith."
Gerd Theissen, University of Heidelberg
"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 allwho want to know if the
resurrection of Jesus really happened."
Paul L. Maier, Russell H. Seibert Professor of Ancient History, Western
Michigan University
"With impressive erudition, Licona marshals all possible evidence of Jesus'
resurrection and considers its significance in a careful, methodical way. He then
compares several alternative explanations of the disciples' faith in the
resurrection, judging them according to important criteria, and concludes that
Jesus' bodily resurrection provides the best explanation of their conviction, and
so is worthy of belief. This is an astonishing achievement and a major
contribution to the ongoing debate. It is clearly written and full of fresh insights
and arguments that will enrich discussion for years to come."
C. Behan McCullagh, author of The Logic ofHistory
"The resurrection of Jesus is-in many ways-too important a topic to be left to
theologians! In this thoroughly researched and well-argued volume, Mike Licona
brings the latest in discussion of historiography to bear on the question of Jesus'
resurrection. In a discipline that is often overwhelmed by theological
specialpleading, it is refreshing to have this sober and sensible approach to the
resurrection that evaluates the historical data and the arguments of many of the
scholars writing on the subject. There are few biblical scholars who will not
learn something from this important book."
Stanley E. Porter, president, dean and professor of New
Testament, McMaster Divinity College
"This rich volume is not only a storehouse of valuable information pertinent to
the historical credibility of the resurrection of Jesus but also an important
contribution to the discussion of the historiographical problems raised by the
investigation of so singular an event. Licona rejects the pessimism that
characterizes many historical Jesus scholars with respect to a resolution of these
problems. He explodes the myth of a postmodern historiography while
recognizing the ineluctability of personal horizons. As a friend of Mike Licona, I
know how mightily and honestly he wrestled with the issue of his own horizons
in tackling the question of Jesus' resurrection. The result is as objective an
assessment of the evidence as one might reasonably demand."
William Lane Craig, author of Is God Real? and contributing
editor, Godls Great, Cod Is Good
"What Licona calls a new historiographical approach is nothing of the sort.
Rather, it is an old, time-honored approach still found among the great majority
of historians. What is new is the application of genuine, rigorous historical
investigationmethods and theories as defined by professional historians, not
biblical scholars-to the question of whether Jesus was raised from the dead. He
leaves no stone unturned in his examination of the evidence, and engages those
with different views fairly yet with a tour de force that unmasks their lack of
explanatory adequacy concerning the resurrection.
"The book is clear and logical, written in an irenic, respectful tone, yet with
passion, self-criticism and an engaging style. In short, Licona models what a true
historian should do as he investigates the evidence for Jesus' resurrection. He has
succeeded in making a compelling case with which all biblical scholars, as well
as any who are concerned with whether Jesus was raised from the dead, must
wrestle. When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus, the metanarrative of our
lives hangs in the balance. But that metanarrative goes beyond what Licona has
presented. An unbiased reader (if there were such a thing!) will have to work out
the implications for him-or herself."
Daniel B. Wallace, executive director, C enter for the Study of New Testament
Manuscripts, and professor of New Testament studies, Dallas Theological
Seminary
"The most important event in the story of Christian beginnings is the resurrection
of Jesus of Nazareth, who was widely believed by his followers to be the
Messiah of Israel and the very Son of God. Their conviction that Jesus was such
a being was confirmed by the resurrection. Without the resurrection of Jesus
there really are no grounds for Christian faith. Consequently, there is no topic
more important than this one and this is why Michael Licona's book on the
resurrection of Jesus is so welcome. Licona demonstrates expertise in every field
that is germane to the question. He knows the philosophical arguments inside
and out, as well as the relevant historical, biblical, cultural and archaeological
data. This is the book for believers and skeptics alike."
Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia
Divinity College, Nova Scotia, Canada
"Treatments of the resurrection from various angles have become fairly common
in recent years, though careful assessments are rare. But efforts that place the
resurrection of Jesus against the meticulous backdrop of historiographical
principles are perhaps the rarest of all. The brilliance of Mike Licona's approach
is his attempt to look far beyond his own discipline of New Testament studies in
an effort to develop a rigorous method by which he could analyze and evaluate a
historical claim such as the resurrection. His approach is original, and
accompanied by painstaking honesty regarding the prospects of arriving at the
best answer on this matter. Those who take the time to work through the various
conclusions will, in my opinion, be rewarded by a cautious, thorough and
painstaking study that could scarcely be outdone. I can vouch for the extent of
Mike's gut-wrenching level of soul-searching before and during this time of
study, and can attest that it was a real effort to come to grips with a final
conclusion, wherever that might lead. There is no question that the reader is the
one who will benefit from this process. This is simply required reading for
anyone who wants to master this subject."
Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor, Liberty University
and Theological Seminary
The Resurrection of Jesus
A New Historiographical Approach
MICHAEL R. LICONA
Michael R. Licona has asserted his
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