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Doubter's Guides
A Doubter's Guide to Jesus: An Introduction to the Man from Nazareth for Believers and Skeptics
Who was Jesus? Historical sources portray a person who was complex, multi-layered, and often contradictory to the tidy portrait that much of modern Christianity paints him as. Even the gospel accounts render him as both judge and healer, teacher and temple, servant and savior. A Doubter's Guide to Jesus is a persuasive and often challenging investigation into the historical figure found in the earliest sources. These sources, which include references both direct and indirect—from Roman, Jewish, and Christian accounts—offer us more than simple evidence that Jesus existed; they begin to form a picture that is both deeply credible and profoundly counterintuitive. Each chapter explores the evidence for a different aspect of the most influential figure in human history, The goal is not to turn Jesus into something neater, more systematic and digestible; but to see him more clearly as someone who stretches our imaginations, confronts our beliefs, and challenges our lifestyles. After two millennia of spiritual devotion and more than two centuries of modern critical research, we still cannot fit Jesus into a box—and this is as challenging as it is deeply compelling.
256 pages, Paperback
Published February 6, 2018
88 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
About the author
John Dickson
96 books131 followersJohn focuses on the big ideas that have shaped our world.
His journey is an eclectic one. Starting out as a singer-songwriter, he now works as a writer, speaker, historian of religion (focusing on early Christianity and Judaism), media presenter, Anglican minister, and director of a multi-media think tank.
With an honours degree in theology from Moore Theological College Sydney, and a PhD in history from Macquarie University, John is also an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Ancient History (Macquarie), and teaches a course on the Historical Jesus at the University of Sydney (Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies) .
John is a founding director of the Centre for Public Christianity(CPX), an independent research and media company promoting informed discussion about social, ethical and religious issues in modern life.
His book “The Christ Files: How Historians Know what they Know about Jesus” was made into a four-part documentary which aired nationally on Channel 7 in 2008. Now a best-selling DVD, it also won the 2008 Pilgrim Media award (see www.thechristfiles.com.au). His more recent Life of Jesus also aired on Channel 7 in 2009 (see www.lifeofjesus.tv).
His journey is an eclectic one. Starting out as a singer-songwriter, he now works as a writer, speaker, historian of religion (focusing on early Christianity and Judaism), media presenter, Anglican minister, and director of a multi-media think tank.
With an honours degree in theology from Moore Theological College Sydney, and a PhD in history from Macquarie University, John is also an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Ancient History (Macquarie), and teaches a course on the Historical Jesus at the University of Sydney (Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies) .
John is a founding director of the Centre for Public Christianity(CPX), an independent research and media company promoting informed discussion about social, ethical and religious issues in modern life.
His book “The Christ Files: How Historians Know what they Know about Jesus” was made into a four-part documentary which aired nationally on Channel 7 in 2008. Now a best-selling DVD, it also won the 2008 Pilgrim Media award (see www.thechristfiles.com.au). His more recent Life of Jesus also aired on Channel 7 in 2009 (see www.lifeofjesus.tv).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 21, 2022
Unique book, unlike anything I’ve found so far. Leaning on early sources, Jesus is presented as a worthwhile figure to consider. Scholarly skeptics are engaged and even recommended. I think this could be a great resource for people genuinely seeking to understand more about Jesus in our time.
July 4, 2021
kinda boring and poorly named book
proposed new title: "A christian historian who already knows a lot about Christianity but wants to feel better about themselves by reading a 'different' perspective's guide to Jesus."
anyway i think i just wrote a bad review because im cranky that i was forced to read it for school it aint even that bad
proposed new title: "A christian historian who already knows a lot about Christianity but wants to feel better about themselves by reading a 'different' perspective's guide to Jesus."
anyway i think i just wrote a bad review because im cranky that i was forced to read it for school it aint even that bad
February 9, 2019
This is a good introduction to the reasons why Christianity is reasonable. It’s up to date, and the author covers recent scholarship in an evenhanded way, but I didn’t feel that I learned a great deal. It’s probably just because I’ve read too many books of this type, and not the fault of the author. It’s definitely one of the better ones in the bunch. He also does a great job of directing the reader to other books for more in-depth analysis of certain topics. I think it could be very helpful for people who mistakenly believe that The DaVinci Code accurately describes the origin of the church.
February 13, 2025
This was such an amazing book.
December 28, 2018
This book is a good example of what it means to give the other side a foothold and pretend there is neutral ground. For any of the good point Dickson makes it's underscored by giving up the traditional and biblical standpoint in favor of natural history. This is a stance that shouldn't be taken up by the Christian and is not genuinely made. While Dickson makes some valid points about what you bring in from your worldview says about the evidence presented to you, he does not make the point throughout and gives the doubter the point. What his argument boils down to is the possibility of Jesus being God and the Bible talking about Him in probability but not in divine revelation.
I understand what Dickson is trying to do but he gives up his position immediately. There are also many times where Dickson is just plain wrong in many of his assertions. For example, Jesus never calls His disciples to believe anything. What? A matter-of-fact statement about there being a Q document and what it says. Ya, good luck trying to actually show that. His chapter on Jesus being Adam misses the comparison almost completely. His example using the Prodigal Son misseses the audience and half the story. Dickson's view of the early Church, the Atonement of Christ, and how salvation comes about could use some further reading and study.
I would not recommend this book to many people for the above reasons. Final Grade - D+
I understand what Dickson is trying to do but he gives up his position immediately. There are also many times where Dickson is just plain wrong in many of his assertions. For example, Jesus never calls His disciples to believe anything. What? A matter-of-fact statement about there being a Q document and what it says. Ya, good luck trying to actually show that. His chapter on Jesus being Adam misses the comparison almost completely. His example using the Prodigal Son misseses the audience and half the story. Dickson's view of the early Church, the Atonement of Christ, and how salvation comes about could use some further reading and study.
I would not recommend this book to many people for the above reasons. Final Grade - D+
April 5, 2018
A handy, helpful and easy read. This book is not looking to make any categorical statements about whether Jesus actually rose from the dead or not. Rather, Dickson seeks to look at all the historical evidence for the life, teaching and crucifixion of Christ. He certainly looks at the claim that Jesus also rose, but his focus is more on the reality that this has been part of Christian history from the beginning, not just a Constantinian addition.
If you want to cut through the "Dan Brown" mess and look at solid history, this is a great book for you!
If you want to cut through the "Dan Brown" mess and look at solid history, this is a great book for you!
January 7, 2021
A measured and comprehensive overview of who Jesus is and the good news about him. Written for a popular audience while including references to best scholarship, it does a great job of placing Jesus in his Jewish and Roman context. Useful as a basis of devotional reflection on Christ as well as an apologetic resource.
Could have included an explicit summary of the gospel, and a chapter on the “Son of Man” to tie together the various aspects of Jesus’ identity and mission—but then the Son of Man’s a hobbyhorse of mine.
4.5 stars.
Could have included an explicit summary of the gospel, and a chapter on the “Son of Man” to tie together the various aspects of Jesus’ identity and mission—but then the Son of Man’s a hobbyhorse of mine.
4.5 stars.
June 17, 2025
There's definitely some overlap (personal anecdotes etc) with one of Dickson's previous books, The Jesus Files - I wish I'd not read them on consecutive days!
July 28, 2020
Similar to Keller's works introducing the Christian faith to outsiders, but with a self-deprecating wit and welcome perspective from someone who isn't American. A great read.
June 2, 2024
A balanced attempt to call people to consider the historical evidence for Jesus. A helpful portrait of who Jesus was according to the eyewitnesses. Plenty to reflect on for the Christian and skeptic alike.
March 11, 2022
Handy little book using what can be historically discovered or discerned as its backbone.
January 7, 2023
Well-researched scholarly account of looking at who Jesus was from varying lenses both in terms of the Bible and what extra-Biblical historical sources stated. It was insightful to see how John Dickson took the time to isolate each of these views (teacher, healer, etc.) and the implications of each both by themselves and together as a whole on who Jesus is., along with a whole library's worth of supporting cited material for further reading.
June 3, 2024
A WAY OF LOOKING AT JESUS---PRESENTED FOR THOSE WHO MAY DOUBT
Author John Dickson wrote in the Introduction to this 2018 book, “The aim of this book is to provide readers with an introduction to the major portraits of Jesus found in the earliest historical sources… there are those---I admit to being one of them---who quite like the idea that after two millennia of spiritual devotion, and more than two centuries of modern critical research, we still cannot fit this figure into a single box. Jesus, it seems, is destined to stretch our imaginations, confront our beliefs, and challenge our lifestyles for many years to come. If I have done my job properly, readers will find themselves (just as I do) both disturbed and intrigued by the images of Jesus found in the first sources.”
Later, he adds, “This is not an academic work… In what follows I intend to keep within the bounds of the mainstream. While I am personally sympathetic to the aims of apologetic scholars---to commend Christianity for the consideration of others---I have drawn almost nothing from them in writing this book. I have drawn little from skeptical scholarship, either.” (Pg. 17)
After quoting Luke 1:1-4, he observes, “Whatever else this is, it is a claim to be writing as a historian about historical events using prior historical sources. The modern identification of Luke’s sources (as Mark, Q, and L)… is entirely consistent with what Luke himself affirms. Other recognized sources for the study of Jesus within the New Testament include: ‘M’ (a source known uniquely to Matthew); ‘SQ’ (…this is the so-called ‘Signs Gospel’ found within the Gospel of John); the letters of Paul; the epistle of James (the brother of Jesus).” (Pg. 30-31)
After quoting the version of the Golden Rule taught by Confucius, he comments, “What Jesus states positively Confucius frames negatively. One is about doing the good to others that you would like to experience yourself. The other is about refraining from doing the harm you don’t want to endure yourself. Both are excellent pieces of advice, but they are not the same… The demand of the Golden Rule is greater: it is the principle of active service, even toward those who hate you.” (Pg. 54)
He notes, “It is sometimes said that miracle-workers were commonplace in Jesus’ day… This is not quite true. While Jewish exorcists … appear to have been common, there are only two Jewish historical figures other than Jesus associated with healing miracles in this period. The first is Honi the Circledrawer… the second figure is Hanina ben Dosa… From the historical perspective, it is difficult to know what to conclude about such isolated stories recorded a hundred or more years after the event… My point, however, is that… the parallel with Jesus is minimal if not non-existent. Honi and Hanina were not really miracle-workers. They were pious Jews with a reputation for having their prayers answered.” (Pg. 68)
He points out, “our earliest Christian writings, the letters of the apostle Paul, refer to Jesus as ‘Christ’ or ‘Messiah’ literally hundreds of times… For the historian, this is significant. It indicates that as early as the AD 40s the title Christ/Messiah was so closely associated with Jesus that it was almost being used as his name., not just his title… [This] suggests that the practice of calling Jesus ‘the Messiah’ must have begun even earlier, with his immediate circle of followers.” (Pg. 115-116)
He suggests, “There was no need… to invent a resurrection story in order to secure Jesus’ fame. The fact that the pagan Romans executed him would have virtually guaranteed him a place in the roll call of faithful Jewish martyrs. Yet, from the earliest period, the disciples made no attempt to cast Jesus as a heroic martyr. And, so far as we can tell, his tomb was never a site of religious devotion. Instead, contrary to all expectations, the first Christians insisted that the tom in which Jesus was laid on Friday afternoon was empty come Sunday morning.” (Pg. 187-188)
He argues, “Historians cannot demonstrate that Jesus ACTUALLY rose from the dead… All they can do is demonstrate that the reports about the resurrection are early, widespread, and unique. Two conclusions are thus common among contemporary experts… 1. Jesus’ tomb was very likely empty shortly after his crucifixion, and: 2. From the very beginning, significant numbers of man and women claimed to have seen Christ alive from the dead. How people account for these two historical data will depend largely on what one feels is possible in the world… if I assume that the observable laws of nature define the limits of what is possible in the universe, then I can rationally affirm that no evidence will ever be good enough to overturn the conclusion that dead people stay dead… If, on the other hand, I assume that the laws of nature do not define the limits of what is possible…then I can rationally interpret this historical data as evidence for an ACTUAL resurrection.” (Pg. 194-195)
He says, “The Christian gospel was 9and is) subversive… in a social, intellectual, and moral sense. The gospel never said that someone else should be sitting on the throne in Rome but it did insist that someone else held the throne of the human heart and mind. Caesar was due my taxes and civil respect… but he was not entitled to my love and worship, and he had no claim over my ethics. Those privileges, declared this gospel, belong to Jesus alone, the true Son of the true God.” (Pg. 217)
He concludes, “To be a Christian is also to bear the name (and shame) of the Christ and to revere him as the JUDGE of all injustice, including the injustice in me. At the same time, it is to approach him as the FRIEND of sinners, as the TEMPLE of the divine presence and mercy, and the SAVIOUR who died for us all… With this hope, I can sit loosely to the claims of my culture, knowing that all earthly empires pass into oblivion while the kingdom of the true CAESAR reigns eternal… No belief is more counterintuitive or revolutionary. If it is true, it means that at the heart of the universe is One who values humility above status, service above power, and generosity above privilege. And if I truly believe this, nothing will ever be the same.” (Pg. 251-252)
This book will be of keen interest to those studying Christian Apologetics.
Author John Dickson wrote in the Introduction to this 2018 book, “The aim of this book is to provide readers with an introduction to the major portraits of Jesus found in the earliest historical sources… there are those---I admit to being one of them---who quite like the idea that after two millennia of spiritual devotion, and more than two centuries of modern critical research, we still cannot fit this figure into a single box. Jesus, it seems, is destined to stretch our imaginations, confront our beliefs, and challenge our lifestyles for many years to come. If I have done my job properly, readers will find themselves (just as I do) both disturbed and intrigued by the images of Jesus found in the first sources.”
Later, he adds, “This is not an academic work… In what follows I intend to keep within the bounds of the mainstream. While I am personally sympathetic to the aims of apologetic scholars---to commend Christianity for the consideration of others---I have drawn almost nothing from them in writing this book. I have drawn little from skeptical scholarship, either.” (Pg. 17)
After quoting Luke 1:1-4, he observes, “Whatever else this is, it is a claim to be writing as a historian about historical events using prior historical sources. The modern identification of Luke’s sources (as Mark, Q, and L)… is entirely consistent with what Luke himself affirms. Other recognized sources for the study of Jesus within the New Testament include: ‘M’ (a source known uniquely to Matthew); ‘SQ’ (…this is the so-called ‘Signs Gospel’ found within the Gospel of John); the letters of Paul; the epistle of James (the brother of Jesus).” (Pg. 30-31)
After quoting the version of the Golden Rule taught by Confucius, he comments, “What Jesus states positively Confucius frames negatively. One is about doing the good to others that you would like to experience yourself. The other is about refraining from doing the harm you don’t want to endure yourself. Both are excellent pieces of advice, but they are not the same… The demand of the Golden Rule is greater: it is the principle of active service, even toward those who hate you.” (Pg. 54)
He notes, “It is sometimes said that miracle-workers were commonplace in Jesus’ day… This is not quite true. While Jewish exorcists … appear to have been common, there are only two Jewish historical figures other than Jesus associated with healing miracles in this period. The first is Honi the Circledrawer… the second figure is Hanina ben Dosa… From the historical perspective, it is difficult to know what to conclude about such isolated stories recorded a hundred or more years after the event… My point, however, is that… the parallel with Jesus is minimal if not non-existent. Honi and Hanina were not really miracle-workers. They were pious Jews with a reputation for having their prayers answered.” (Pg. 68)
He points out, “our earliest Christian writings, the letters of the apostle Paul, refer to Jesus as ‘Christ’ or ‘Messiah’ literally hundreds of times… For the historian, this is significant. It indicates that as early as the AD 40s the title Christ/Messiah was so closely associated with Jesus that it was almost being used as his name., not just his title… [This] suggests that the practice of calling Jesus ‘the Messiah’ must have begun even earlier, with his immediate circle of followers.” (Pg. 115-116)
He suggests, “There was no need… to invent a resurrection story in order to secure Jesus’ fame. The fact that the pagan Romans executed him would have virtually guaranteed him a place in the roll call of faithful Jewish martyrs. Yet, from the earliest period, the disciples made no attempt to cast Jesus as a heroic martyr. And, so far as we can tell, his tomb was never a site of religious devotion. Instead, contrary to all expectations, the first Christians insisted that the tom in which Jesus was laid on Friday afternoon was empty come Sunday morning.” (Pg. 187-188)
He argues, “Historians cannot demonstrate that Jesus ACTUALLY rose from the dead… All they can do is demonstrate that the reports about the resurrection are early, widespread, and unique. Two conclusions are thus common among contemporary experts… 1. Jesus’ tomb was very likely empty shortly after his crucifixion, and: 2. From the very beginning, significant numbers of man and women claimed to have seen Christ alive from the dead. How people account for these two historical data will depend largely on what one feels is possible in the world… if I assume that the observable laws of nature define the limits of what is possible in the universe, then I can rationally affirm that no evidence will ever be good enough to overturn the conclusion that dead people stay dead… If, on the other hand, I assume that the laws of nature do not define the limits of what is possible…then I can rationally interpret this historical data as evidence for an ACTUAL resurrection.” (Pg. 194-195)
He says, “The Christian gospel was 9and is) subversive… in a social, intellectual, and moral sense. The gospel never said that someone else should be sitting on the throne in Rome but it did insist that someone else held the throne of the human heart and mind. Caesar was due my taxes and civil respect… but he was not entitled to my love and worship, and he had no claim over my ethics. Those privileges, declared this gospel, belong to Jesus alone, the true Son of the true God.” (Pg. 217)
He concludes, “To be a Christian is also to bear the name (and shame) of the Christ and to revere him as the JUDGE of all injustice, including the injustice in me. At the same time, it is to approach him as the FRIEND of sinners, as the TEMPLE of the divine presence and mercy, and the SAVIOUR who died for us all… With this hope, I can sit loosely to the claims of my culture, knowing that all earthly empires pass into oblivion while the kingdom of the true CAESAR reigns eternal… No belief is more counterintuitive or revolutionary. If it is true, it means that at the heart of the universe is One who values humility above status, service above power, and generosity above privilege. And if I truly believe this, nothing will ever be the same.” (Pg. 251-252)
This book will be of keen interest to those studying Christian Apologetics.
September 28, 2018
We've been working through this book in a small group at my church. I was a little confused by the title at first. I'm not a doubter; why should I read this book? I was encouraged, however, to join the investigation of Jesus, and we were off.
I'm told John Dickson is a historian as well as a pastor. He spends each chapter focusing on an aspect of Jesus' time on earth and examining it through available records. Some of the chapter topics surprised me. Those chapters often held the most surprises in them as well. I appreciated Mr. Dickson's historian's approach. It made the book worthwhile. His moments as pastor were also welcomed as he always gave (I felt) thoughtful and pointed admonishment.
I can see myself going through this book again very soon. It is worth your time.
I'm told John Dickson is a historian as well as a pastor. He spends each chapter focusing on an aspect of Jesus' time on earth and examining it through available records. Some of the chapter topics surprised me. Those chapters often held the most surprises in them as well. I appreciated Mr. Dickson's historian's approach. It made the book worthwhile. His moments as pastor were also welcomed as he always gave (I felt) thoughtful and pointed admonishment.
I can see myself going through this book again very soon. It is worth your time.
September 9, 2025
If you’re curious about Jesus but unsure where to begin, this is the perfect place to start. John Dickson is one of the brightest Christian scholars today, and this book is tremendous. He writes in a way that is accessible, gracious, and honest about both the beauty and the challenges of Christianity. It’s a brilliant look at the person of Jesus, providing historical context and evidence for who he is and what he did.
September 25, 2019
Thoughtful, honest and informative. I enjoyed seeing Jesus clearly as a historical figure with so many dimensions and so many names and titles. Exploring each one challenges my faith and inspires me to worship more fully knowing what I’ve learned from these pages. John Dickson writes in a way that my most content and spiritually uninterested friends would be intrigued and willing to read.
March 20, 2018
Equal parts academic and simple, which is hard to do. This is the kind of book that is enjoyable and though-provoking to read through once, and will be a great resource to have and pick up from time to time when thinking about specific qualities of Jesus.
July 8, 2018
Dickson is one of my favorite writers. He is humble, clear, rigorous, and pastoral. 5 stars because there are so many bad "biographies of Jesus" out there. This manages to be fresh and ancient, interesting and orthodox. I would hand this to anybody.
January 30, 2019
A great book providing evidence from multiple sources (historical, Christian, Judaism, Muslim, etc). John Dickson stays fairly neutral in his investigations while providing details and points of evidence that lead toward discovering Jesus more or for the first time.
January 13, 2021
This is a great book for someone that has questions and reservations about Christianity, someone looking to gain more knowledge for evangelism, and/or someone just wanting a diverse read on the topic of Jesus. Highly recommend!
October 31, 2022
measured and insightful
There is no overstepping here. It’s a measured and insightful look at the man Jesus and it combats errors on both sides about what can be said about Jesus.
Enjoy
There is no overstepping here. It’s a measured and insightful look at the man Jesus and it combats errors on both sides about what can be said about Jesus.
Enjoy
May 23, 2023
Exactly what it appears to be, a lovey guide from primary sources about the authenticity and efficacy of Jesus. Despite the long reading time this is extremely easy to read - I just put it down and didn’t pick it up for a while!
March 21, 2018
Excellent book on the Christian and secular history of Jesus.
June 2, 2018
Brilliant!
July 8, 2018
About half this book is interesting and convincing. Represents ancient historians well. The other half is padding.
October 25, 2018
This is a wonderful book for those who are looking for some answers in regards to faith and Jesus. It is a great read to do with a group or bible study!
December 27, 2018
Very good! It really helps you learn a lot about different characteristics of Jesus.
March 6, 2019
It was full of historic content, just not really the guide book I was expecting
August 20, 2019
Excellent.
Read
October 2, 2019Just not worth the effort.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews