A History of the Quests for the Historical Jesus, Volume 2: From the Post-War Era through Contemporary Debates

Description

A comprehensive, two-volume reassessment of the quests for the historical Jesus that details their origins and underlying presuppositions as well as their ongoing influence on today's biblical and theological scholarship. Jesus' life and teaching is important to every question we ask about what we believe and why we believe it. And yet there has never been common agreement about his identity, intentions, or teachings-even among first-century historians and scholars. Throughout history, different religious and philosophical traditions have attempted to claim Jesus and paint him in the cultural narratives of their heritage, creating a labyrinth of conflicting ideas. From the evolution of orthodoxy and quests before Albert Schweitzer's famous "Old Quest," to today's ongoing questions about criteria, methods, and sources, A History of the Quests for the Historical Jesus not only chronicles the developments but lays the groundwork for the way forward. The late Colin Brown brings his scholarly prowess in both theology and biblical studies to bear on the subject, assessing not only the historical and exegetical nuts and bolts of the debate about Jesus of Nazareth but also its philosophical, sociological, and theological underpinnings. Instead of seeking a bedrock of "facts," Brown stresses the role of hermeneutics in formulating questions and seeking answers. Colin Brown was almost finished with the manuscript at the time of his passing in 2019. Brought to its final form by Craig A. Evans, this book promises to become the definitive history and assessment of the quests for the historical Jesus. Volume One (sold separately) covers the period from the beginnings of Christianity to the end of World War II. Volume Two covers the period from the post-War era through contemporary debates.

Colin Brown (1932-2019; DD, University of Nottingham; PhD, University of Bristol) was senior professor of systematic theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He taught and wrote on the historical Jesus, Christology, philosophical theology, New Testament theology, history and criticism, and miracles. He served as editor of?The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology?and was the author of several books, including?Miracles and the Critical Mind, History and Faith,?and?Jesus in European Protestant Thought. Craig A. Evans (PhD, Claremont; DHabil, Budapest) is the John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins at Houston Baptist University. Author and editor of more than ninety books and hundreds of articles and reviews, Evans has lectured at major universities worldwide and has regularly appeared on Dateline NBC, CBC, CTV, Day of Discovery, and in many documentaries aired on BBC, The Discovery Channel, History Channel, History Television, and National Geographic Channel speaking on the historical Jesus, the New Testament Gospels, archaeology, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Bible.

'A fascinating tour of our field's past and present. Given the scope of Brown's research, even long-time adepts will learn much.' * DALE C. ALLISON JR., Richard J. Dearborn Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary * 'Brown here reconstitutes his topic away from the classic and still-dominant scholarly template for these quests, both by stressing the importance of Jesus research well before Schweitzer and by extending his purview to chronicle the exciting and far-reaching debates of the later twentieth century.' * MARKUS BOCKMUEHL, Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, University of Oxford * 'With characteristic lucidity, learning, and touches of humor, Colin Brown here examines what it means to think critically about Jesus. . . . Brown is a master at putting differing views into conversation with one another, sometimes across time, in his sweeping, socially sensitive account of what investigators have proposed and how scholarship might tool up to face present and future challenges. Evangelical theology in particular is the richer for this precise, creative, well-written account.' * BRUCE CHILTON, Bard College * 'Not since the grand survey of Albert Schweitzer at the beginning of the twentieth century have we seen--especially in English--such a vast review of academic (and at times popular) literature on the historical Jesus.' * JOHN P. MEIER, University of Notre Dame * 'Brown (with Craig A. Evans) offers a comprehensive, reliable, and insightful guide to the variety of original quests (beginning with the New Testament), the New Quest, the Third Quest, the Jewish Jesus, and ongoing phases of the movement, highlighting how the social circumstances of the individual participants influenced the discussion.' * CLARE K. ROTHSCHILD, professor of Scripture studies at Lewis University, professor extraordinary in the Department of Ancient Studies at Stellenbosch University * 'In this comprehensive two-volume study, the late Colin Brown brings together the rich fruits of his lifelong studies on Jesus in Christian theology. . . . A broad framework for the study of Jesus in Christian theology. For future Jesus research, this thorough study is an indispensable tool.' * JENS SCHROETER, Humboldt University * 'Brown and Evans break the boundaries of the 'three-quest scenario' to move in multiple fresh directions. The result is a one-stop resource for historical Jesus research that uncovers historical, exegetical, and theological treasures.' * ELIZABETH E. SHIVELY, senior lecturer in New Testament, St. Mary's College, University of St. Andrews, Scotland * '. . .A fresh, lucid, and insightful history of life of Jesus research that will be a vital addition to any library where the subject is taught. Moving away from standard models, Brown creates a nuanced schematic history and also points to a new path ahead. Important too are his own erudite contributions to key topics.' * JOAN E. TAYLOR, professor of Christian origins and Second Temple Judaism, King's College London * '[A] remarkable achievement that makes for a significant contribution to the field of historical Jesus research. Colin Brown provides an in-depth, detailed, and learned analysis of the study of the historical Jesus, taking the changing cultural context into regard as he skillfully guides the readers through the centuries. This is an important book that fills a definite gap in scholarship.' * CECILIA WASSEN, Uppsala University *