The Evidence for Jesus

by James D.G. Dunn

An acknowledged New Testament authority, James D. G. Dunn here makes an important contribution to contemporary thought. He looks at the origins of Christianity in the light of modern scholarship, demonstrating why Christians should "welcome the critically inquiring and investigative skills of scholars."

Genres: Christianity, Religion

Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

James D. G. ("Jimmy") Dunn (born 1939) was for many years the Lightfoot Professor of Divinity in the Department of Theology at the University of Durham. Since his retirement he has been made Emeritus Lightfoot Professor. He is a leading British New Testament scholar, broadly in the Protestant tradition. Dunn is especially associated with the New Perspective on Paul, along with N. T. (Tom) Wright and E. P. Sanders. He is credited with coining this phrase during his 1982 Manson Memorial Lecture.

Dunn has an MA and BD from the University of Glasgow and a PhD and DD from the University of Cambridge. For 2002, Dunn was the President of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, the leading international body for New Testament study. Only three other British scholars had been made President in the preceding 25 years.

In 2005 a festschrift was published dedicated to Dunn, comprising articles by 27 New Testament scholars, examining early Christian communities and their beliefs about the Holy Spirit. (edited by Graham N. Stanton, Bruce W. Longenecker & Stephen Barton (2004). The Holy Spirit and Christian origins: essays in honor of James D. G. Dunn. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. ISBN 0-8028-2822-1.)

Dunn has taken up E. P. Sanders' project of redefining Palestinian Judaism in order to correct the Christian view of Judaism as a religion of works-righteousness. One of the most important differences to Sanders is that Dunn perceives a fundamental coherence and consistency to Paul's thought. He furthermore criticizes Sanders' understanding of the term "justification", arguing that Sanders' understanding suffers from an "individualizing exegesis".

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN "ALTERNATIVE PORTRAYAL" TO THE PERSPECTIVE SHOWN ON BRITISH TELEVISION

James D. G. Dunn (born 1939) is a British New Testament scholar who was Professor of Theology at the University of Durham prior to his retirement; he is also a minister of the Church of Scotland. He has written many other books, such as 'Jesus Remembered: Christianity in the Making, Volume 1,' 'Jesus and the Spirit,' 'New Perspective on Jesus: What the Quest for the Historical Jesus Missed,' etc.

He wrote in the Preface to this 1985 book, "In April 1984 a ... Television series entitled 'Jesus: The Evidence' appeared in Britain. The object... was to make a wider public aware of how New Testament scholars and historians of Christian origins have come to view the beginnings of Christianity... Unfortunately, the series served, if anything, to widen the gap rather than to span it... the presentation of Christianity's beginnings became increasingly unbalanced... it seemed desirable to offer an alternative portrayal..." (Pg. xii-xiii)

He states, "on the question of the HISTORICAL value of John's Gospel there is probably one of the biggest gulfs between New Testament scholarship and 'the man in the pew.'" (Pg. 31) He admits, "the discourses of the Fourth Gospel reflect a breach between the followers of Jesus and 'the Jews' which did not take place till the 80s... there is the very striking use of the phrase 'the Jews'... the phrase has become more or less a stereotype for Jesus' opponents." (Pg. 41) He concludes, "John's Gospel... is intended to present the TRUTH about Jesus, but not by means of a strictly historical portrayal... John's Gospel is more like an impressionistic painting." (Pg. 43)

He asserts, "A jury would require a good deal more before it could reach a verdict 'beyond reasonable doubt.' But if we have to draw conclusions on the basis of the evidence available to us, I have to say quite forcefully: the probability is that the tomb [of Jesus] was empty... the weight of evidence points firmly to the conclusion that ... its emptiness was a factor in the first Christians' belief in the resurrection of Jesus." (Pg. 68) He adds, "Given the probability that a dead prophet's tomb would have provided a focal point for worship by his continuing disciples, the absence of any allusion to such worship has to be explained..." (Pg. 77)

This book is of great value to anyone studying the historical evidence for Jesus, and his life and deeds.

[Lay Len Ching · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a fascinating read on early Christianity and the role of scholarship. Read for 80-271: Philosophy of Religion. Particularly liked the end conclusion:

“According to Paul, the unity of the body of Christ depends on the diversity of its members functioning in their diversity. Without sufficient diversity, the body cannot be one!”

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally written as a response to a commercial documentary similarly entitled; this book attempts to provide a balanced approach to the real available evidence. The author (a theology professor) does so in a measured and scholarly fashion. Very intellectual stimulating arguments without any hyperbole or "faith based" analysis. This is the second time I have read this book.

Now for a third time (05/2017). I watched the TV series on You Tube that prompted this book, and so read the book afterwards once again. I suggest this process: Watch the series on You Tube and then read the book - together very intriguing and engaging.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dunn's exegesis and theology are too liberal for me, but he certainly has some interesting insights.

[Bob Breckwoldt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Semi instant response to an uneven TV programme. Good on the discussion, weak on the inferences. Overly optimistic.

[Lucy Buller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for school.