Not the Impossible Faith [Paperback]

Richard Carrier (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0557044642 | ISBN-13: 978-0557044641 | Publication Date: February 10, 2009

Dr. Richard Carrier is an expert in the history of the ancient world and a critic of Christian attempts to distort history in defense of their faith. Not the Impossible Faith is a tour de force in that genre, dissecting and refuting the oft-repeated claim that Christianity could not have succeeded in the ancient world unless it was true. Though framed as a detailed rebuttal to Christian apologist J.P. Holding (author of The Impossible Faith), Carrier takes a general approach that educates the reader on the history and sociology of the ancient world, answering many questions like: How did Christians approach evidence? Was there a widespread prejudice against the testimony of women? Was resurrection such a radical idea? Who would worship a crucified criminal? And much more. Written with occasional humor and an easy style, and thoroughly referenced, with many entertaining "gotcha!" moments, Not the Impossible Faith is a must-read for anyone interested in the origins of Christianity.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.com (February 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0557044642
• ISBN-13: 978-0557044641
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Richard Carrier is a published historian and philosopher, specializing in the philosophy of naturalism and the intellectual history of Greece and Rome. He's a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard with a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley in History and Classical Civilizations, and a Ph.D. in ancient history from Columbia University. He has written extensively for the Secular Web and in various periodicals and books, and discussed his views in public all over the country and on TV.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read., April 3, 2009

By 

mackey "marine3011" (Wabash, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not the Impossible Faith (Paperback)

As a former evangelical fundementalist Christian I was humbled in reading this book. So many of the 'assumptions' I accepted from popular Christian apologists are based upon nothing more than shoddy historical research. I lost my faith in the bible as 'divinely inspired truth' due to things I learned in Cosmology. However, for a while I still didn't know what to do with Jesus and the resurrection. "How did this belief system just pop out of nowhere?" It just so happens that Richard Carrier is a scholar in the field of history from this time and sees right through these arguments that once led me captive. I was impressed by his knowledge of the subtleties of thought and customs that would make certain arguments that seem strong by todays standards, completely worthless. But this is what happens when one has a proposition (like the historicity and resurrection of Jesus) that they want to prove and defend; they scour ancient sources, lifting convenient quotes, while ignoring details that would weaken their efforts. I recommend this book to anyone interested in really getting to know the truth about Christian origins. This book has only made me look forward with even greater anticipation toward his forth coming work; 'On the Historicity of Jesus Christ.'

62 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Diamond in the Rough, April 20, 2009

By 

Richard W. Field (Maryville, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Not the Impossible Faith (Paperback)

I was not expecting much from this book. In the introduction we learn that this book was the product of an internet debate with J.P. Holding. I typically do not expect much from internet debates, even when I'm one of the debaters.

But I was pleasantly surprised. This book is a careful and scholarly consideration of the question of whether the historical truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is at all necessary to explain the growth and ultimate success of Christianity.

Carrier takes his lead from points of Holding's argument by heading each chapter with a question raised (e.g., "Was Resurrection Deemed Impossible?" "Did No One Trust Women?"). In the course of responding to these questions we get an erudite examination of many lines of evidence of relevance. Carrier weighs in on the historical reliability of the Gospels, comparing them with the methods of critical historians of antiquity. He considers with considerable care the likely demographics of Christians in the first century. He reveals the prevalence of resurrection stories in ancient times, both within Judaism and within the wider Greco-Roman world.

It is regrettable that such scholarship was not published by a more prestigious publisher. It is understandable of course since any of the major publishers would have the same doubts as I did originally. But the scholarship of this volume deserves a wider readership. I hope it might achieve it, and I would wish that Carrier's future projects in this vein would be published more prominently.

41 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank god for Dr. Carrier!, July 18, 2009

By 

Will (Indiana) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Not the Impossible Faith (Paperback)

All I can say is we are lucky to have such an impeccable scholar writing on these things. Dr. Carrier evinces a mastery of the historical material as well as the cool headed logic necessary to interpret the relevance of the data in an unbiased way. After reading Holding's book, I had come up with some criticisms myself....but Carrier not only validates them but adds much more to the list. Humorously, Holding claims that he has "kicked Carrier to the curb"...obviously the words of a frustrated and desperate man. And certainly intended for those who have not looked into both of their positions. Kudo's to Carrier for a job well done!
Anyway.I am highly anticipating his next book, "On the Historicity of Jesus Christ". I think it will be a bomb dropped on the entire field of Christian origins and Jesus studies. At least that is what I expect after reading "Not The Impossible Faith". I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Christian origins as well as the apologetic debates.