40 Questions About the Historical Jesus (40 Questions \u0026 Answers) by C. Marvin Pate

40 Questions About the Historical Jesus (40 Questions \u0026 Answers) Reviews

• 
  James

  'Q & A' books are as good as the questions they pose and the answers they give. I enjoyed Marvin Tate's book exploring Paul's eschatology (Apostle of the Last Days, Kregel Academic, 2013), but I was uncertain what I would think of his take on 'historical Jesus.' Yet 40 Questions About the Historical Jesus does a great job of summarizing the quest for the historical Jesus and answering questions about Jesus' life from a confessional perspective.
  
  9780825442841The forty questions are organized under four headings, each with two sub-sections. Part 1, tackles background questions about the "historical Jesus." The first subsection summarizes the quest for the historical Jesus. The second subsection examines the source material for Jesus (the Old Testament, Jewish and non-Jewish sources, apocryphal gospels,oral tradition, the New Testament and archaeology). Part 2 explores the birth and childhood of Jesus, delving into Jesus' birth, family of origin (i.e. questions about the virgin birth and Jesus' siblings) and childhood. Part 3 examines Jesus' life and teachings while Part 4 discusses Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.
  
  This user-friendly book is a good apologetic resource for exploring the reliability of the Gospels and who Jesus was. Pate synthesizes insights of confessional scholarship (i.e. I.Howard Marshall, N.T. Wright, Craig Evans, Darrell Bock, etc). This is a quick-at-a-glance resource more than an in-depth exploration. I recommend this book for pastoral ministry and campus ministries. I give it four stars.
  
  Note: I received this book from Kregel Academic in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  Zachary Azzarito

  Incredibly helpful book that answers the 40 most common questions in regards to reconciling the Jesus of history and the Jesus of the Bible. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn more about Jesus
• 
  Rebecca Pate

  Read about half of this book for assigned reading for class. Helpful apologetically and historically. I didn’t always agree with the conclusions.
• 
  Jonathan Fletcher

  Good questions, insightful responses
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  Luke J

  Great book with helpful insights for learning about and defending the Biblical and orthodox view of Jesus Christ.
• 
  Ryan Michaud

  Really good. Covers a lot
• 
  Michael Boling

  The Quest for the Historical Jesus. Seems like a legitimate pursuit and in many respects it is one. With that said, its legitimacy depends on how the foundations of the quest one embarks upon are established. For some scholars, this quest has been a journey of the discovery of the Jesus of the Bible with history proving his existence just as Scripture declares. For other scholars, this is an opportunity to try and disprove Scripture at every turn and more importantly, trying to suggest that either Jesus never existed or that he was just another good man of faith among many throughout history.
  
  As can be expected with such a pursuit, there is a lot of scholarly hype that makes its way into print, either in books, social media, or news reports. With each supposed new “discovery”, scholars on both sides of the aforementioned fence utilize the evidence to support their respective positions. What is one to make of all the hoopla, points, and counterpoints? Thankfully, C. Marvin Pate provides a salient walk through this issue with his latest entry to the 40 Questions series from Kregel Academic titled 40 Questions About The Historical Jesus.
  
  If you are not familiar with this series, the format is quite simple and highly useful. The author addresses 40 vitally important questions concerning a particular issue and in about 8-12 pages, provides a well-thought out, researched, biblically and historically sound response. Since this book is about the quest for the historical Jesus, the 40 questions zero in on addressing the quest, its impact on understanding who Jesus was and is, and most importantly, how we can rest assured that Jesus is exactly who and how he is described in Scripture – a real historical figure, the Son of God, our Messiah.
  
  There is much to appreciate about Pate’s effort. I honed in one fundamental truth regarding Jesus I feel Pate did a particularly good job of addressing, namely his resurrection from the dead. While the works of scholars such as Dr. Gary Habermas are certainly required reading on the Jesus’ resurrection, I believe Pate did an excellent job of covering this topic. Why is it important to discuss? Let the words of the Apostle Paul sink in: “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14). While it is worthy to talk about when and where Jesus was born, his miracles, and the variety of other subjects brought up in the discourse surrounding the quest for the historical Jesus, none of it is as important as Jesus’ victory over the grave.
  
  As Pate aptly notes, “the question is clear and the stakes are high.” He focuses on two broad categories of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, that of the empty tomb and the post-resurrection appearances to a number of individuals. The various theories for the empty tomb are discussed by Pate and cogently reveals they are devoid of any truth. The only reality that is credible is the resurrection from the dead. Regarding the post-resurrection appearances, I appreciated how Pate used the statements by the Jesus Seminar scholars to reveal their own inconsistent approach and beliefs. Again, the only credible position is that Jesus actually rose from the dead and appeared in bodily form to the people Scripture says he revealed himself to. Pate’s conclusion is worth noting – “Christianity is the only faith whose founder met with a totally different destiny.” What is that destiny? Conquering the grave, an action that gives us great hope in our own future destiny.
  
  I highly recommend C. Marvin Pate’s book 40 Questions About The Historical Jesus. In a day when critics are trying to surmount a furious barrage of attacks against Scripture, apologetical arguments such as presented by Pate that are rooted in sound logic and biblical truth are important tools by which we can use to respond to the supposed scholars who desire to try and demonstrate Scripture cannot be trusted. We know otherwise and Pate reveals Scripture can be trusted regarding who Jesus is and most importantly, that he did conquer sin, death, and the grave.
  
  I received this book for free from Kregel Academic and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
• 
  John Kight

  There have been literally thousands of volumes written on the subject of the Historical Jesus over the past two centuries. The reader can find anything from multi-volume scholarly monographs and encyclopedias to popular level introductions. Still, there have also been few resources that have presented the Historical Jesus material in the same helpful manner as that found in the present volume by C. Marvin Pate
  
  40 Questions About the Historical Jesus is divided into four major sections: (1) Background Questions About the “Historical” Jesus, (2) Questions About Jesus’ Birth and Childhood, (3) Questions About Jesus’ Life and Teaching, and (4) Questions About Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection. Each of these major sections is comprised of two subdivisions and roughly ten questions relating to the life and ministry of Jesus.
  
  The selection of questions and overall organization of the book is oriented to introduce the reader to a variety of topics related to Historical Jesus studies. Throughout the book, the reader will discover a number of helpfully curated charts and diagrams, and each of the chapters closes with a handful of reflection questions for further pondering. The interaction within each chapter is fair and balanced, and Pate does well in presenting the broader landscape of Historical Jesus studies to readers with all levels of topical exposure.
  
  The comprehensive scope of this volume is incredible. Pate was very ambitious in his selection of material and the reader will benefit greatly therein. Pate’s work is consistently documented and footnoted throughout, and the inclusion of the select bibliography and source indexes will make this a useful volume for future reference. Still, the bibliography that is provided is quite scant in comparison to the interaction throughout. A good addition would have been a designated bibliography at the end of each chapter.
  
  If you are looking for a helpful and unique resource that will reach across the breadth of Historical Jesus studies, 40 Questions About the Historical Jesus by C. Marvin Pate is a volume that cannot be ignored. It is up-to-date and engaging, and the questions therein usher the reader through an ongoing conversation of vital importance. This book was a joy to read and I look forward to consulting it often. It comes highly recommended!
  
  I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
• 
  Jalynn Patterson

  About the Book:
  Answers to critical questions regarding the study of the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith
  
  The conclusions of the quest for the historical Jesus, which casts the majority of Christ's life as a myth, are a stark contrast to the orthodox view of Christ as presented in the Bible. Pate demonstrates that a critical analysis of the gospel text along with historical and cultural methods of investigation actually point toward an orthodox view of Christ.
  
  This work argues that the canonical Gospels are the most trustworthy information we have about the gospel writers as well as the life and ministry of Jesus, including his death, visit tohades, resurrection, and ascension. Readers will be encouraged by the reliability of the Gospel writers, the reality of Jesus' humanity and deity, and the inferiority of the apocryphal gospels.
  
  My Review:
  Jesus has always been of interest to me. As a child I would speak to Him. My mother would walk into the room and I as a 4 year old child would be talking to Him and discussing things with Him. Whether it was me fussing because He had done something to upset me or if it was something I needed Him to forgive. Jesus and I are tight, y'all!
  
  40 Questions About The Historical Jesus, is a journey of sorts and it can be equated to our own personal journey or walk in Christ. We should always been in a position of learning all we can about Him there is no end to His love as there should equally be no end to our quest to know more and more about Him. The author covers many things in his book such as did Jesus do any miracles as a child, what language did Jesus speak, how was He conceived. Among the over 400 pages in the book each discussion is backed by scripture. The author gives us many processes of information to expand on what we are taught whether in seminary or church each week. I think it's an excellent source of go-to information.
  
  40 Questions About the Historical Jesus is a commentary but also a menagerie of well researched facts that clearly are represented in the Bible and given to us to further explain all we know, think we know, and want to know about Jesus Christ. The author gives us further knowledge and understanding. And with his expansion on these facts it will help us grow further in our walk.
  
  
  
  **Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
• 
  Dena McGoldrick Butler

  Loved the easy to read format. A good resource book to return in the future.