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The Christ Files
How Historians Know What They Know about Jesus
Author: John Dickson
Narrator: Simon Vance, Professor Alanna Nobbs
Unabridged: 2 hr 37 min
Format: Digital Audiobook Download
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 12/20/2011
Category: Religion - Christianity - History
Synopsis
Uniquely among the worldâs religions, the central claims of Christianity concern not just timeless spiritual truths, but tangible historical events. At the heart of the of the Christian faith are things that are meant to have happened in Palestine between 5 BC and AD 30. Itâs as if Christianity happily places its head on the chopping block of public scrutiny and invites anyone who wants to come and take a swing.Some of Christianityâs claims are so spectacular that they provoke a firestorm of questions, scrutiny, debate, and misinformation whenever they are discussed. The popularity of The Da Vinci Code and the frequent airing of TV documentaries delving into the darker uncertainties of Christianity show that such skepticism flourishes in the Western world today. In The Christ Files you will learn how historians know what they know about Jesus. Historian John Dickson embraces the need to examine Christianityâs claims in the light of history, opening readers to a wealth of ancient sources and explaining how mainstream scholarsâwhether or not they claim Christian faith personallyâreach their conclusions. Christianity arrived on the historical scene at a time of great literary activity. While many texts penned by ancient philosophers, historians, poets, and playwrights can reliably inform us about Jesus himself and about the culture in which he lived, others are not so credible. Dickson skillfully highlights both types of sources along with the historical methods used to study Christianityâs claims. He also shows how historians asses the reliability of available data, and provides an honest but informed perspective on where historical issues are clear-cut and where personal faith comes into play. The Christ Files is a must-read for those looking to expand their understanding of early Christianity and the life of Jesus.