★★★★★ 5
Excellent book on the historicity of the resurrection!
Format: Paperback
There are many books devoted to the resurrection of Jesus. Licona’s book is unique in that it takes “a new historiographical approach” to the resurrection by applying the principles of secular historical analysis to the question of whether Jesus rose from the dead. In applying the historical method, Licona seeks to understand the objective truth about what happened regardless of his subjective Christian beliefs on the matter. In fact, Licona readily admits his personal bias – or “horizon” – and his desire to see the historicity of the resurrection confirmed. However, as he points out, all historians have a “horizon” of some sort, and in his research and analysis, Licona is careful – some would say too careful perhaps – to set aside his “horizon” in order to objectively consider the evidence.
Licona considers a variety of historical sources pertaining to the resurrection, both biblical and extra-biblical, weighing each source on a spectrum of historicity – from “certainly not historical” to “certainly historical.” Licona seeks to find the best explanation for the evidence according to five criteria: plausibility, explanatory scope, explanatory power, less ad hoc, and illumination. After examining the evidence, Licona concludes that there are three virtually undisputed facts that he calls “historical bedrock:” (1) Jesus died by crucifixion; (2) Jesus’ disciples had experiences that led them to believe that he had been resurrected; and (3) Paul converted after experiencing what he interpreted as a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus.
Licona then weighs five naturalistic hypotheses for the resurrection, demonstrating how each of these views falls short of providing the best explanation for the historical bedrock. Licona ultimately concludes that the resurrection is the only hypothesis that meets all five criteria. In other words, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead provides the best explanation of the historical bedrock, and the historian is warranted in regarding Jesus’ resurrection as an actual historical event.
Licona’s historiographical approach to the resurrection produces a very strong case for the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. I particularly appreciated Licona’s treatment of “horizon.” Licona is transparent about his Christian beliefs, but he demonstrates a willingness to go where the evidence leads and bent over backwards to remain objective. For example, Licona does not include the empty tomb as part of the historical bedrock since many scholars dispute the empty tomb. Some would take exception to this, but I believe it actually strengthens the case for the resurrection and leaves the skeptic with very little to argue. In other words, Licona is able to make a convincing case for the resurrection without considering what many Christians consider the best evidence – the empty tomb!
I found the book very helpful, but keep in mind it is an academic work, and at over 600 pages, it is not necessarily an easy read. That being said, Licona’s book is outstanding and is a “must-read” for anyone seeking to understand the historical evidence for the resurrection or seeking to counter skeptical arguments against it. This is a great book to add to your library.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2021


