The Jesus Controversy: Perspectives in Conflict (Rockwell Lecture Series) [Hardcover]

John Dominic Crossan (Author), Werner H. Kelber (Author), Luke Timothy Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Rockwell Lecture | Publication Date: November 1, 1999

The current controversy over the historical Jesus and his significance for both scholarship and religious belief continues to rage inside and outside the academy. In this volume, three distinguished New Testament scholars debate the historical, textual, and theological problems at the core of the controversy. John Dominic Crossan offers a theological defense of the historical reconstruction of Jesus, arguing that if Christian faith is not founded on the historical Jesus, it will fall into Docetism. Luke Timothy Johnson counters this thesis, arguing that the biblical Christ and his presence in the life of believers is the proper focus of Christian faith. Werner Kelber takes issue with both views. Placing them in the broader context and history of Christian hermeneutics, he seeks to overcome the alternatives that govern the controversy. John Dominic Crossan is Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at De Paul University. Luke Timothy Johnson is Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Emory University. Werner H. Kelber is Turner Professor of Biblical Studies at Rice University.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A reading of these three essays will present the issues at stake and two very divergent approaches, and they call the reader to make decisions about the validity of these approaches." --Currents, April 2000 (Currents In Theology and Mission )

"...the essays are a very provocative and energetic stating of a key issue for current biblical scholarship." --Donald Senior, C.P., The Bible Today, March / April 2000 (Donald Senior, C.P. Bible Today, The )

"This book is must reading for those interested in the Jesus controversy." -- Craig A. Evans, reviewing for Interpretation, April 2001 (Craig A. Evans Interpretation )

"...the essays are a very provocative and energetic stating of a key issue for current biblical scholarship." --Donald Senior, C.P., The Bible Today, March / April 2000 (, Bible Today, The )

"This book is must reading for those interested in the Jesus controversy." -- Craig A. Evans, reviewing for Interpretation, April 2001 (, Interpretation )

About the Author

John Dominic Crossan is the author of The Historical Jesus (T&T Clark, 1991). He chairs the Historical Jesus section of the Society of Biblical Literature. Luke Timothy Johnson is Woodruff Professor of New Testament at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. The author of a number of best-selling books, he is also editor of the Anchor Study Bible. Werner H. Kelber is Turner Professor of Biblical Studies at Rice University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Trinity Press Int'l; First Edition edition (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156338289X
• ISBN-13: 978-1563382895
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,481,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)