Faith on Trial (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Faith is a wonderful gift, but it was not given to me..." (more)
Key Phrases: credibility test, synoptic problem, early dating, New Testament, Gospel of John, Gospel of Matthew (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Using a method that is hardly new, Ewen, an international lawyer who specializes in corporate finance, applies the legal rules of evidence to the case of Jesus' death and resurrection. Ewen invites the reader to act as a jury to which she will present archeological, scientific, historical, literary and even medical evidence in an attempt to defend the credibility of the claim that Jesus rose from the dead. The author examines the testimony of eyewitnessesAthe writers of Matthew, Mark and LukeAto argue that the Synoptic Gospels indeed are fact, contending that they present factual evidence because of the authors' credibility. Based on the evidence she accumulates, Ewen argues that each of the authors of these Gospels would have been in a position to observe Jesus' death and resurrection. Her summation before the jury contends that a thorough examination of the evidence must lead one to believe rationally in the truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The flaw in Ewen's argument is that there is little factual evidence that any of the Gospel writers would have observed Jesus' death and resurrection. Ewen's evidence depends only on the sources with which she agrees. Ewen's book is a perfect example of how historians and lawyers can manipulate "facts" to prove whatever assertion they wish.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: B&H Publishing Group (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805420266
• ISBN-13: 978-0805420265
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,112,359 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lawyer defends gospel historicity, October 3, 2000

By	Philip Johnson (HURSTVILLE, NSW AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

Faith on Trial focusses on questions associated with the authenticity and integrity of the New Testament gospels, especially those concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The author, Pamela Ewen, is a practising lawyer in the field of commercial law and is a committed Christian. Her approach to these questions involves juridical methods of assessing documentary evidence, the testimony of witnesses, and collateral legal proofs as accepted in the American common law system.

The text fits into a genre of Christian apologetics known as juridical apologetics. Other apologists in this genre include Simon Greenleaf, Francis Lamb, Joseph Sagebeer Evans, Irwin Linton, Clarence Bartlett, John Warwick Montgomery and Ross Clifford.

The book is crisply written. There is a tight argument based on legal criteria of proof, which is employed to argue in favour of the gospel records. The author's presentation is pitched at a level that non-lawyers will find easy to follow.

The author relies not just on juridical canons, but also buttresses her case with reference to other apologetic writers. Although I concur with the author's position on the gospels, I am not convinced she has set forth "the best possible case". Ewen relies on some writings whose arguments are not mainstream in either New Testament scholarship or apologetics. I refer to her use of Ian Wilson's books supporting the Turin Shroud, and Carsten Thiede's Eyewitness to Jesus. The Shroud is an area where apologists are on shaky ground. Thiede argues very strongly, but not conclusively, that some gospel papyri fragments were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. This argument has not received much acceptance in New Testament scholarship ever since O'Callahan made the claims in the early 1970s. Also absent from her bibliographical citations are the works of some of the legal apologists listed above. She would have benefitted from reading more widely in this genre.

I wonder whether Ewen would have done better to cast her work in the form of a "legal brief" that advises a barrister or requires a judge's ruling in chamber, or opted for the genre of a moot trial (as did Thomas Sherlock in the 18th century). One difficulty for juridical apologists like Ewen is the tendency to overstate the conclusions reached when employing the canons of proof from the criminal code and the civil code. This problem does have a bearing for example on the conclusions drawn about the "ancient documents rule". Many apologists since Greenleaf first argued the point, have overstated their case with this rule. Ewen would have profitted from reading the appendix in Ross Clifford's Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (1996) on this very matter.

Perhaps Ewen should have interacted with the critiques of atheists and sceptics, particularly since her apologia is directed to a "tough-minded" audience.

The book is worthwhile reading and reflecting on. Christian apologists however would be advised to read more widely in the genre of juridical apologetics. The untrained layperson may be too impressed with the cogency of Ewen's arguments simply because of her credentials as a lawyer. We have yet to see a careful and comprehensive evaluation of legal apologetic literature (a long neglected area of study where more than 70 apologists have contributed since Hugo Grotius' day). A layperson, unaware of the limitations of legal argument could end up in deep waters when dialoguing with a specialist. Those who are sceptical of Ewen's position should be willing to read more widely in apologetic literature. Partisanship on both sides can lead to the phenomenon of two ships passing each other without either side understanding the other's position.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good defense of Christian faith, January 24, 2000

By A Customer

This book effectively uses legal reasoning to establish the evidence for the pivotal event of Christianity -- the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The author marshalls the facts in a compelling and convincing way. Anyone looking for a thorough presentation of the historical evidence for Jesus should also read "The Case for Christ," available , which builds a powerful and airtight case for Jesus Christ being God's unique Son. Both of these books should be read by any Christian who wants to strengthen his or her faith and by any skeptic who wants a responsible defense of the reality of Christianity.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An attorney's presentation to you, the jury!, August 16, 1999

By	Chris Schaefer (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a thorough and convincing presentation of evidence, written by an attorney for presentation to a jury, in court. The questions before the court are: Did a man named Jesus Christ live and die 2000 years ago, and did he, in fact, rise again from the dead? If so, this one fact alone (the resurrection) substantiates Christianity. Eyewitness accounts are presented from the four gospels, but are they legally credible? The lawyer, Pam Ewen, presents substantial corroborating evidence and also opposing testimoniy. You, the reader and jury, make your decision based on the evidence. A great read and, I would think, a fascinating presentation for anyone interested in legal proceedings and judgements.