Synopses & Reviews
Strange theories about Jesus seem to ooze from our culture with increasing regularity. Ben Witherington, one of the top Jesus scholars, will have none of it. There were no secret Gnostic teachings in the first century. With leading scholars and popular purveyors of bad history in his crosshairs, Witherington reveals what we can—and cannot—claim to know about the real Jesus. The Bible, not outside sources, is still the most trustworthy historical record we have today.
Utilizing a fresh "personality profile" approach, Witherington highlights core Christian claims by investigating the major figures in Jesuss inner circle of followers: Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Thomas, Peter, James the brother of Jesus, Paul, and the mysterious "beloved disciple." In each chapter Witherington satisfies our curiosities and answers the full range of questions about these key figures and what each of them can teach us about the historical Jesus. What Have They Done with Jesus? is a vigorous defense of traditional Christianity that offers a compelling portrait of Jesuss core message according to those who knew him best.
Review
“Admirably learned, shrewdly argued, and thoroughly readable - exactly what we have come to expect from Ben Witherington!” Philip Jenkins, Professor of History and Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University
Synopsis
Strange theories about Jesus and early Christianity seem to crop up with increasing regularity. Tales of mysterious hidden lineages and secret teachings titillate the curious, but how much of this is based on historical fact?
Leading New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III sets the record straight with What Have They Done With Jesus? Witherington, author of The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, mounts a vigorous defense of traditional Christianity, subjecting claims about Jesus and his circle of followers to rigorous scrutiny. What Have They Done with Jesus? debunks fad theories and confirms what can and cannot be known about the life of Christ.
Ben Witherington III is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world and has written over thirty books, including The Brother of Jesus (as co-author), The Jesus Quest and The Paul Quest, both of which were selected as top biblical studies works by Christianity Today. Witherington has been interviewed on NBC's "Dateline", CBS's "48 Hours", FOX News, top NPR programs, and major print media including the Associated Press and the New York Times. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky.
"Ben Witherington III is respected in the academy and honored in the Church. This book shows why: it is candid, it is fair-minded, and it tells the truth: nonsense is nonsense. Very few can get to the heart of historical issues as Ben Witherington can."
- Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University
--Philip Jenkins, Professor of History and Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University
Synopsis
Strange theories about Jesus seem to ooze from our culture with increasing regularity. Ben Witherington, one of the top Jesus scholars, will have none of it. There were no secret Gnostic teachings in the first century. With leading scholars and popular purveyors of bad history in his crosshairs, Witherington reveals what we canand cannotclaim to know about the real Jesus. The Bible, not outside sources, is still the most trustworthy historical record we have today.
Utilizing a fresh "personality profile" approach, Witherington highlights core Christian claims by investigating the major figures in Jesuss inner circle of followers: Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Thomas, Peter, James the brother of Jesus, Paul, and the mysterious "beloved disciple." In each chapter Witherington satisfies our curiosities and answers the full range of questions about these key figures and what each of them can teach us about the historical Jesus. What Have They Done with Jesus? is a vigorous defense of traditional Christianity that offers a compelling portrait of Jesuss core message according to those who knew him best.
About the Author
Ben Witherington III is professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary. The author of more than thirty books, including The Brother of Jesus, he has twice won the Christianity Today award for one of the best biblical studies books of the year, and he has presented seminars for churches, colleges, and biblical meetings not only in the United States but also in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Witherington writes for many church and scholarly publications, is a regular contributor to Christianity Today and Beliefnet.com, and has been featured widely in the national media.