The Modern Search for the Real Jesus: An Introductory Survey of the Historical Roots of Gospel Criticism

by Robert B. Strimple

Critical scholars have increasingly questioned the reliability of the Gospels, voicing doubts as to what, if anything, we can know about the historical Jesus. But are the critics as objective as they purport to be? Robert B. Strimple examines their claims and assumptions in this concise survey of the historical roots of Gospels criticism from Reimarus to Bultmann and beyond.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Theology, New Testament, Christian, History, Nonfiction

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Ethan Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know many people would be endlessly bored with books like this, but I find the topics explored in this book endlessly fascinating. I was afraid that this would be a simplistic overview of modern Gospels scholarship that simply dismisses it all since we believers know better than all that. On the contrary, Strimple presents both a thorough and fair summary of Gospel criticism as well as substantial engagement with the subject. He points out the ways in which all of various schools of Gospel criticism have contributed to understanding the Gospels while still pointing out serious presuppositional and methodological flaws within the field. I was pleasantly surprised with how fair and congenial he was toward those he disagreed with. This book helps one to understand why so many people have come to so many different opinions on the history of Jesus and the Gospels (spoiler: its often due to undemonstrated philosophical presuppositions). Theres only two reasons I would lower the rating on this book. First, I'm not sure this is the ideal introduction for someone totally unfamiliar with the scholarship and philosophy explored in this book. The book is so short and succinct (which from one perspective is a great virtue) that I can see someone coming away overwhelmed and not remembering most of what they read. Secondly, and this is bit unfair because it is not the author's fault, the book is becoming and will soon be a bit dated! It is baffling how fast the tides of biblical criticism move, but there have been much advancement in the study of the Gospels since this book was published (good change in my opinion). That is not to say that much of the scholarship Strimple explores in this book does not hold sway over much scholarly research today. It is precisely because these ideas are still around that this book is still helpful. One need only listen to Bart Ehrman for a short time to realize that his ideas are not original, but rather re-workings of theories that go back to the eighteenth century. Yet, much has been published in the last thirty years that have made significant waves in the study of Jesus and the Gospels. N. T. Wright's magisterial "Jesus and the Victory of God," came out only three years before Strimple's book. Wright's work in placing Jesus and his message within the worldview and stories of first century Judaism has made substantial case that it is Jesus as Messianic redeemer of Israel (aka Jesus as he is understood in the Gospels) that makes the most sense of the historical record as we have it. Perhaps even more significant is the work of Richard Bauckham, whose book "Jesus and the Eyewitnesses" (2006) has sounded the death knell of form criticism as formulated by Bultmann. These are very significant advances on where the field seemed to sit in the "Post-Bultmannian" period and the student of Gospels criticism should be familiar with these advances. Again, one cannot fault Strimple for this, but it is just to say that perhaps the book could be ready for a second edition that brings the conversation up to date. I really enjoyed the book and feel that will help as I think about engaging with Gospel scholarship in the future.

[Mitchell Traver · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I learn about source criticism and modern/post-modern approaches to literature (and truth), the more amazed I become at how many different ways people seem to have been able to run the exact same play repeatedly: reject the supernatural because (*inserts statement oozing with chronological snobbery*) and try to find a ‘sensible’ way (by ‘sensible,’ what is obviously meant is the current methods which our age happens to approve of) to talk about Jesus.

Anything but the way the Church has tended to speak (*more than likely this word will actually be a reflection of the deeply allergic response to external authority that our age is marked by*) about Jesus and His gospel!

Man will find a million ways to avoid the same old gospel that was a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. Source criticism may have things to offer along the way, but the premise - it’s very foundation - is one of sand. Not only this, the only ones who can apparently understand what Scripture really says and who Jesus really is are those with a new Gnostic-like access to special information which is unable to be materially substantiated. A remarkable example of how arrogance can camouflage itself as intelligence.

If you’re studying the gospels and need a primer on source criticism, this is the book. Well done by Robert Strimple.

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as I can tell, this is a good overview of Gospel criticism from the mid-1700s up to the 90s, with both appreciation and criticism from an evangelical perspective. Strimple seems careful to present the positions of gospel critics in their strongest and most nuanced forms within the constraints of a short book.

[Ethan Moehn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It broke my threshold for “isms” per page. Good information on a very niche conversation, but certainly not an entertaining read. I may continue to reference it for a short refresher on certain approaches in Gospel textual criticism.

[Myles Southern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this a lot more interesting than I anticipated, but a lottttt of names and -isms made it hard to keep all the information clear in my mind.

[Coleson White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into the mind of theological liberalism and those who were swayed by it. Inerrancy must be fought for at all costs.

[Josiah Bolding]

DNF, but not because it was bad. I read all that was assigned for class (all except the final chapter and conclusion).

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A basic introduction to the confusing world of liberal New Testament criticism. Short but adequate. In brief, the scholars contradict each other in their unbelief and gut the gospel of its power.

[Ethan McCarter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful in certain areas, so long as the reader understands that this is an introduction, it is not a rebuttal, and that the author does not describe every facet of Synoptic criticism. Strimple is good at summarizing certain individuals and their contributions to the field of criticism, such as Bultmann or von Harnack, and is versed in their works; he cites from them regularly. The writing is dry, one should expect that from a book on higher criticism, form criticism, redaction criticism, etc., and can often be hard to follow due to the nature of the discipline. This is a massive discipline that defined New Testament studies from the early 1800s to the mid 1900s; it is hard to summarize all of that history in 150 pages. It's a helpful introduction, but don't expect too much from it. As a conservative, I'd recommend taking this book, realize that few people hold many of these views anymore, understand challenges to the Synoptics prior to the 21st century, and answer them as others such as Warfield or Machen or Ridderbos answered them. I'd recommend to seminary students, particularly students of the New Testament, or to those interested in the discipline; fair-warning, it is a massive discipline with many rabbit trails to go down.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry, but helpful and clear. Could be revised a bit more to cut out certain superfluous sections. Otherwise, accomplishes its aim of providing a short survey of recent critical approaches to the New Testament.

[Jeremy Kruizinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summary of the major figures and developments of the history of Gospel criticism from the Enlightenment to today from a Reformed Presbyterian perspective.

[Cal Fisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rhoads brings the reader through how one is to read Mark as a narrative with all the classic literary features/techniques of irony, repetition, foreshadowing, narrator types, etc. The early section of the book serves as a nice refresher to high school literature class and has some value in informing one how to read Mark and determine the emphases of the writer of Mark by looking at his literary techniques. However, what value Rhoads brings to reading Mark ends here. His ensuing interpretation of Mark as determined through using literary techniques commonly used in interpreting fiction works causes Rhoads to reject a divine Jesus and to adopt a Jesus who is merely man. Inevitably, as this ancient heresy as done for two thousand years, the Gospel Jesus proclaims becomes a moral call to all who hear to follow Jesus and model his way of life. A far cry from the true Gospel preached throughout the whole Bible where Jesus, the son of God, offers his life as “a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45) and all who place their faith in Christ and His finished substitutionary work are freely offered salvation.

[JR Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry. The author could have done more to summarize (zoom out, if you will) every once and awhile rather than trudging on with his study of various scholars. For example, he didn’t really take time to summarize what “redaction” or “form” criticism even was until page 139.

Also, just fyi, this book only takes you up to the post-WWII post-Bultmann stage of literary criticism. Not much is said for post-modern, Marxist, or feminist scholarship developed since the 50’s.

Lastly, keep in mind that this is intended to be a historical survey, not a polemic. The author is obviously reformed and disagrees with this stuff, but he largely stays out of argumentation against it. That’s not a bad thing, just go somewhere else for that.

Read for the introduction to Dr. Kruger’s Gospels class at RTS Charlotte, fall 2020.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you write a book about German theologians and Gospel Criticism that stirs the soul? I'm not sure, but this one did a good job of at least being brief and holding my attention. After listening to some lectures by Michael Kruger on the topic, my pump was primed to read this book. So many ideas about Jesus that come from the lips of modern people come from the ideas of these German theologians. What did they believe about the historicity of Jesus and His message, as presented in the Gospels? This brief survey walks you through, hitting the high points and doing a good job of showing us the importance of tracing their lines of thought. It was nice to hear the author get stirred up in response to some of the falsehoods that are told in the name of "historical criticism." I enjoyed it, and was grateful for its brevity and conciseness.

[Jake Busch]

Helpful introduction to gospel criticism... how is it that we've gotten to a place where most universities deny much of the reliability of the gospel narratives? Well, it starts with a series of post-enlightenment German theologians in the 17th century. Strimple traces their ideas and writings and sheds better light on what will eventually lead to liberalism in theological traditions. Have you ever heard the argument that the stories about Jesus are just a myth? That they never really happened? Or that Jesus didn't really think he was the Messiah? How about seminaries today that deny the resurrection? This book traces out some of those theological origins.

Ideas are dangerous. Christianity is a battle for the mind...

(did not read last chapter)

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to the world of Gospel studies. As Strimple points out, there is a long standing history with its many figures and movements that have contributed to the study of the gospels. That being the case, readers should recognize that this is a academic text. It isn't a book that can be read quickly. Readers should also know this book was published in 1995. Since then, Gospel studies has continued to grow and evolve. However, this still stands as a helpful book for getting an overall sense of the major movements in gospel studies.

[Connor Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book traces the more liberal criticism of the gospel narratives. It was very succinct and clear, but it wasn’t really until the end of the book that it started making strong cases against the criticisms that it was survey. I would have never thought that people‘s train of thought could get this way without this book.I liked it, but it was not my favorite and it definitely accomplishes what it said have to do.

[Lauren Danforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! A really good introduction to Gospel Criticism. I was unfamiliar with a lot of the information, but this book presented it in a very readable way. A lot of the questions about and thoughts people have on the gospels today are not new, but have their roots in history. This book helped me to see that and gave me and understanding of where they came from. Highly recommend!

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book of only 150 pages, this is a remarkable treatment. Strimple surveys all the influential figures in gospel criticism, and provide short but cogent critiques of their positions. Very helpful for orienting one to the field of gospel studies from an evangelical perspective.

[Dónal Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meaty so despite short length you will have to lock in. Excellent summary of schools of gospel criticism that have led to all sorts of common objections and ways of interpreting the gospels we hear of today. Good evangelical response

[Sam Nesbitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and engaging treatment on a typically dry topic. Good introduction to the history of NT criticism. Not a book I would want to read for the sake of reading again, but one that I would use to revisit and relearn the content.

[Jon Vos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll give it 5 stars because apparently nobody else wants to. Who doesn’t crack open this book knowing it’s going to be a bit “dry”? It’s a book that needed to be written, and Strimple does it very well while trying to have a little fun along the way.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book on a topic that I find inevitably both frustrating and dull. I can't say I loved reading it, but I can say it was worthwhile.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good survey!

[Toghrul Salamzade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief and basic introduction to biblical-criticism, exposing views of German liberal theologians and then answering their objections. Must-read book for all seminary students.

[Jonathan Mauney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information, but not an entertaining read.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having little to no understanding about the history of Gospel criticism, this book introduced a lot of names and their ideas about the gospels.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading about gospel criticisms & good book to start but still pretty overwhelming

[Peter Julde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just heard about it

[Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for its kind, but I just don’t enjoy reading much of its kind.