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Questioning Faith
Is Jesus History?
What can we really know for sure about the past? Can anything be trusted as reliable historical fact? What can we really know for sure about the past? Can anything from ancient history be regarded as ‘fact’? In particular, how seriously can we take the historical sources for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth? Did he really even live in first-century Galilee and Judaea, or is he a figure of legend?
In this timely book, historian Dr John Dickson unpacks how the field of history works, giving readers the tools to evaluate for themselves what we can confidently say about figures like the Emperor Tiberius, Alexander the Great, Pontius Pilate, and, of course, Jesus of Nazareth.
He presents the evidence, methods, and conclusions of mainstream scholars—both Christian and not—and asks some pertinent contemporary questions, without offering any pushy answers: If Jesus really did exist, what are we to make of his own claims and those of his followers, and what would any of it mean for us today?
In this timely book, historian Dr John Dickson unpacks how the field of history works, giving readers the tools to evaluate for themselves what we can confidently say about figures like the Emperor Tiberius, Alexander the Great, Pontius Pilate, and, of course, Jesus of Nazareth.
He presents the evidence, methods, and conclusions of mainstream scholars—both Christian and not—and asks some pertinent contemporary questions, without offering any pushy answers: If Jesus really did exist, what are we to make of his own claims and those of his followers, and what would any of it mean for us today?
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
41 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
John Dickson
96 books134 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 11, 2022
For someone who virtually knew nothing about the history of Jesus, this was a great introduction to learn about how historians investigate Jesus and the implications of their findings. Concise and easy to read.
December 23, 2022
I walked into this book expecting a fierce defence of the Gospels as if it were ridiculous to suggest otherwise, but what Dickson delivers is a calm, researched, and highly intelligent summation of a wide range of historical evidence. One of my favourite aspects of this book is how Dickson provides the reader with a segment or passage from the sources, particularly the Gospels or other accounts from Ancient History, at the end of each chapter. I was left with an updated confidence in the Gospel accounts; I am convinced Jesus was an historical figure who lived, breathed, died, and rose again in the first century Middle East.
July 21, 2022
An excellent introduction to the historical evidence for Jesus. This will become my first recommendation to students - seekers or Christians - who want to pursue this question. Easy to read, well footnoted and helpfully placing evidence within its broader ancient context.
January 20, 2024
I think this is a good book on the historical case for the existence of Jesus of Nazareth.
This is not an apologetic book and it is a good introduction to viewing the events of the 1st century Roman Empire. It is not aimed at the academic and should not be reviewed as such.
I particularly like how each chapter ends with a summary, "In a Nutshell", and with extracts from sources and the Bible. I think that is helpful to the reader.
I think Dickson introduces the subject well and engages the reader throughout. He keeps his points short and snappy, but includes a lot of thought provoking content.
I do think that Dickson's criticisms of views that he does not share are valid, but I do not think he represents criticism of his view well. I would like him to provide counter-arguments to his views and his rebuttal - and I think that would make a stronger case for his argument.
I think Dickson's section on the historiography of the historical view of Jesus needs to be more critical. Dickson is critical of the first and second wave, but shares no critical analysis of the third wave, presumably because he agrees with it. It is very difficult for historians to criticise how they see, and how they approach history, but I would like to see more of this. There is no perfect way of viewing and analysing history and all critical viewpoints are open to criticism.
I would recommend this book, despite my criticisms, and I think it is important for people to read up on the historical evidence for Jesus.
This is not an apologetic book and it is a good introduction to viewing the events of the 1st century Roman Empire. It is not aimed at the academic and should not be reviewed as such.
I particularly like how each chapter ends with a summary, "In a Nutshell", and with extracts from sources and the Bible. I think that is helpful to the reader.
I think Dickson introduces the subject well and engages the reader throughout. He keeps his points short and snappy, but includes a lot of thought provoking content.
I do think that Dickson's criticisms of views that he does not share are valid, but I do not think he represents criticism of his view well. I would like him to provide counter-arguments to his views and his rebuttal - and I think that would make a stronger case for his argument.
I think Dickson's section on the historiography of the historical view of Jesus needs to be more critical. Dickson is critical of the first and second wave, but shares no critical analysis of the third wave, presumably because he agrees with it. It is very difficult for historians to criticise how they see, and how they approach history, but I would like to see more of this. There is no perfect way of viewing and analysing history and all critical viewpoints are open to criticism.
I would recommend this book, despite my criticisms, and I think it is important for people to read up on the historical evidence for Jesus.
January 9, 2020
A short and highly readable overview of how historians study history, as well as the latest evidence, methodology and conclusions of mainstream Christian and non-Christian scholars on the historical life of Jesus. There's tonnes of surprises in there that will leave you confident that the Bible we read today is good testimony about the real Jesus.
April 1, 2025
A great short introduction to the historical analysis of Jesus of Nazareth. Easy to read, light and funny tone. Lovely stuff.
December 21, 2025
Interesting overview of early and current movements in historical scholarship around the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth. Top marks.
April 4, 2020
John Dickson has an impressive CV. He was the Founding Director of the Centre for Public Christianity. He has a degree in theology and a Ph.D. in ancient history. An ordained Anglican minister, he was a Research Fellow of the Department of Ancient History at Macquarie University, and became a Visiting Academic in the Faculty of Classics at the University of Oxford (2017-18), and teaches a course on the Historical Jesus for the Department of Jewish Studies at the University of Sydney.
With such an impressive resume, a book on the historical basis for Jesus should be an interesting read. Yet it is a disappointing book, on what should be a fascinating topic. The structure is disjointed, and the focus just gets lost. Dickson offers a potted history of historians’ approach to Jesus, and then some observations, but the book does not offer any valuable insights. Sometimes, his conclusions are suspect, particularly when he makes some highly flawed logical jumps. In comparing the Gospel of Mark with Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he argues they contain similar phrasing about the last supper but were written independently. Dickson writes: “These two accounts of the Last Supper then, must be recognised as two independent mid-first century version of the same basic testimony about Jesus’s final meal.” Maybe so, but it is also possible that the Gospel of Mark and Paul’s letter drew from the same oral traditions in the new Christian community. It is also possible that both writers used the same source which is now lost.
Moreover, there is some suggestion, rightly or wrongly, that the two men knew each other. “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, bringing with them John whose other name was Mark [Acts 12:25].” Even if incorrect, surely such arguments could be discussed, but they are not considered. Dickson is certainly not critical enough of the views he expresses.
Dickson just pushes his case too hard, making a lot of clear jumps in logic. The overall result is not convincing or even engaging. It is a tedious, disorganised, repetitive, and heavy-handed book with little or no value. It is so poorly organised that sections appear to be undergraduate notes. Dickson often talks down to readers and has the unfortunate habit of using italics when he wants to emphasise something significant. The books also contain irrelevant sections called ‘In a Nutshell,” in case we miss the italics.
In comparison, Reza Aslan’s Zealot combines scholarship and a provocative argument about the true nature of Jesus Christ as a historical figure. Even if you do not agree with his conclusions, Aslan provided an extensive notes section with every critic of his work and a full bibliography. Nothing of this nature is present in Dickson’s book. There was an interview with Aslan on Fox News, where the interviewer asked why should a Muslim write about Jesus -arguing that someone from a different faith could not consider Jesus. Dickson also shared the disdain to Aslan’s work concluding in a review: “The Jesus depicted in Zealot is certainly a figment of the imagination of a professor of creative writing, but he is likely to do concrete damage to the public’s appreciation of a vast and worthwhile academic discipline. Aslan’s Jesus is giving history a bad name.” If Aslan gives history a bad name, then it is challenging exercise to place Dickson’s effort. Curiously, the Fox News journalists comment might actually highlight Dickson’s central problem. It might be that Dickson is simply too keen to prove the historical basis for Jesus, given his strong Christian faith.
For those interested in the topic: Did Jesus Exist? The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth” by Bart D. Ehrman is a stronger and more capable work. The papers in Chris Keith, and Anthony Le Donne, Jesus, Criteria, and the Demise of Authenticity. London ; New York: published in 2012 provide different views to similar material.
https://kevinbrianton.com/is-jesus-hi...
With such an impressive resume, a book on the historical basis for Jesus should be an interesting read. Yet it is a disappointing book, on what should be a fascinating topic. The structure is disjointed, and the focus just gets lost. Dickson offers a potted history of historians’ approach to Jesus, and then some observations, but the book does not offer any valuable insights. Sometimes, his conclusions are suspect, particularly when he makes some highly flawed logical jumps. In comparing the Gospel of Mark with Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he argues they contain similar phrasing about the last supper but were written independently. Dickson writes: “These two accounts of the Last Supper then, must be recognised as two independent mid-first century version of the same basic testimony about Jesus’s final meal.” Maybe so, but it is also possible that the Gospel of Mark and Paul’s letter drew from the same oral traditions in the new Christian community. It is also possible that both writers used the same source which is now lost.
Moreover, there is some suggestion, rightly or wrongly, that the two men knew each other. “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, bringing with them John whose other name was Mark [Acts 12:25].” Even if incorrect, surely such arguments could be discussed, but they are not considered. Dickson is certainly not critical enough of the views he expresses.
Dickson just pushes his case too hard, making a lot of clear jumps in logic. The overall result is not convincing or even engaging. It is a tedious, disorganised, repetitive, and heavy-handed book with little or no value. It is so poorly organised that sections appear to be undergraduate notes. Dickson often talks down to readers and has the unfortunate habit of using italics when he wants to emphasise something significant. The books also contain irrelevant sections called ‘In a Nutshell,” in case we miss the italics.
In comparison, Reza Aslan’s Zealot combines scholarship and a provocative argument about the true nature of Jesus Christ as a historical figure. Even if you do not agree with his conclusions, Aslan provided an extensive notes section with every critic of his work and a full bibliography. Nothing of this nature is present in Dickson’s book. There was an interview with Aslan on Fox News, where the interviewer asked why should a Muslim write about Jesus -arguing that someone from a different faith could not consider Jesus. Dickson also shared the disdain to Aslan’s work concluding in a review: “The Jesus depicted in Zealot is certainly a figment of the imagination of a professor of creative writing, but he is likely to do concrete damage to the public’s appreciation of a vast and worthwhile academic discipline. Aslan’s Jesus is giving history a bad name.” If Aslan gives history a bad name, then it is challenging exercise to place Dickson’s effort. Curiously, the Fox News journalists comment might actually highlight Dickson’s central problem. It might be that Dickson is simply too keen to prove the historical basis for Jesus, given his strong Christian faith.
For those interested in the topic: Did Jesus Exist? The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth” by Bart D. Ehrman is a stronger and more capable work. The papers in Chris Keith, and Anthony Le Donne, Jesus, Criteria, and the Demise of Authenticity. London ; New York: published in 2012 provide different views to similar material.
https://kevinbrianton.com/is-jesus-hi...
January 28, 2024
When anyone comes to me with doubts about the historical credibility of Jesus, this is the book I will refer them to. It far surpasses the old classics of "Who Moved the Stone?" (1930) and "The Case for Christ" (1998). The language is far more accessible, and not only due to it's being so much younger, but also due to the author's engaging and down-to-earth rhetoric. The general flow and style of the author's writing is so readable. The book is also honest, balanced, and without the polemic and occasional condescension found in some Christian apologetic works. For those intimidated by longer books, each chapter is scarcely longer than 10-15 pages, making it more digestible. The author has also somehow made the book incredibly informative without being too dense - it's a brilliantly crafted piece of work.
The only criticism I have of the book is its occasional use of Christian jargon, where the author seems to assume readers will know what he means, when this isn't necessarily the case. Sometimes, and especially when quoting other writers, he will clarify or summarise what a word means, but not every time. At one point he quotes a writer who refers to 'Yeshua', but doesn't clarify that Yeshua is Jesus. This is the sort of thing we take for granted in the Christian tradition, where those who are unchurched may have no idea what we are talking about.
This is, however, a very small criticism of an otherwise excellent book. I'd recommend it to everyone. I'd also recommend the other books in this series, such as "Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?", "Where is God in All the Suffering?", and "Can Science Answer Everything?", which are all brilliant.
The only criticism I have of the book is its occasional use of Christian jargon, where the author seems to assume readers will know what he means, when this isn't necessarily the case. Sometimes, and especially when quoting other writers, he will clarify or summarise what a word means, but not every time. At one point he quotes a writer who refers to 'Yeshua', but doesn't clarify that Yeshua is Jesus. This is the sort of thing we take for granted in the Christian tradition, where those who are unchurched may have no idea what we are talking about.
This is, however, a very small criticism of an otherwise excellent book. I'd recommend it to everyone. I'd also recommend the other books in this series, such as "Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?", "Where is God in All the Suffering?", and "Can Science Answer Everything?", which are all brilliant.
February 7, 2023
This book draws strongly on Dickson's previous work "Investigating Jesus", and in many ways is sharper and more focused (The other book goes into a bit more academic detail. And the full colour pictures are beautiful). This book is instead refocused around the titular question "Is Jesus History" which gives it a stronger sense of target audience then the previous work, and I think allows him to conclude the book much better.
After justifying the historical method, and then applying it to various sources (while acknowledging shortcomings) he answers common questions and criticisms levelled by sceptics and doubters. This book concludes with a full chapter not found in "Investigating Jesus" which makes it clear that there can be a *historical* case made for the resurrection, giving a jumping off point for further Christian reading.
This is a fantastic, and I think intellectually honest, gift that I highly recommend to anyone asking the question "Is Jesus History?"
After justifying the historical method, and then applying it to various sources (while acknowledging shortcomings) he answers common questions and criticisms levelled by sceptics and doubters. This book concludes with a full chapter not found in "Investigating Jesus" which makes it clear that there can be a *historical* case made for the resurrection, giving a jumping off point for further Christian reading.
This is a fantastic, and I think intellectually honest, gift that I highly recommend to anyone asking the question "Is Jesus History?"
October 6, 2024
A read this book as advised, a couple of pages at a time and I’m glad I did. It’s very deep with some thought processes and stretching case presentations for the existence of Christ, his life, his death and the resurrection. It’s compelling and makes you think more about what we take as fact and why.
The comparison of the various authors of the New Testament to Greek and Roman writers is one I’d never heard before and yet makes real sense. Also, the evidence from these writers gives real credence not only to the argument about whether Christ lived (I think beyond doubt it proves he did) but also whether what is presented to us in the NT is a truthful and believable record,
One to be read as you’d eat an elephant. In several sittings across several days.
The comparison of the various authors of the New Testament to Greek and Roman writers is one I’d never heard before and yet makes real sense. Also, the evidence from these writers gives real credence not only to the argument about whether Christ lived (I think beyond doubt it proves he did) but also whether what is presented to us in the NT is a truthful and believable record,
One to be read as you’d eat an elephant. In several sittings across several days.
November 11, 2025
John Dickson's "Is Jesus History" is an intellectually stimulating discussion about how academics interpret, assess and criticise historical testimony.
Dickson does a terrific job at explaining how good faith testimony is relevant to our everyday life but also historically when considering truth vs fiction.
As an atheist myself I found this assessment revealing and very fair, it demonstrated the importance of the academic world practices and in particular made some fantastic observations and comparisons to other figures throughout history whose existence come into constant question.
I would recommend it to anyone who like me isn't particularly interested in Jesus as a religious figure but instead a historical figure as it does a great job at separating the two.
Dickson does a terrific job at explaining how good faith testimony is relevant to our everyday life but also historically when considering truth vs fiction.
As an atheist myself I found this assessment revealing and very fair, it demonstrated the importance of the academic world practices and in particular made some fantastic observations and comparisons to other figures throughout history whose existence come into constant question.
I would recommend it to anyone who like me isn't particularly interested in Jesus as a religious figure but instead a historical figure as it does a great job at separating the two.
August 24, 2022
An interesting little book, this is an easily read introduction to the historical study of Jesus. The chapters were typically broken into smaller sections with their own headings, which is convenient if one has to put the book down mid-chapter. Each chapter was concluded with an 'in a nutshell' section summarising the chapter: rather unnecessary if one pays attention to what one is reading, but may be useful if one has left the book for a while and then returned to it. Each chapter was concluded by some primary source readings, frequently of dubious relevance and presumably included primarily to emphasise that gospel accounts of Jesus should be given the same credence as secular accounts.
April 29, 2020
This is a very readable book which looks at how historians view written material to glean information about the times and people being written about. He clearly shows how this method is applied to Christian writings and compares them with documents about other historical figures such as Roman Emperors etc. If you’re wondering about the reliability or otherwise of the New Testament this is an excellent starting place and he also mentions other books for further reading. A clear outline of the method that you can read in a few days. Highly recommended.
January 7, 2026
written very well and taught me alot regarding historical accuracy and interpretation of history texts. It was at times hard to read simply because there is a lot of textbook information but still written in a way anyone can understand. learned why historical texts are considered to be reliable and how those principles apply to the new testament. informative read.
January 27, 2020
John takes an overview of how history is studied overall, then applies this to Jesus. Great short read, easy to follow. Liked the reminder that definition of faith should be based on reliable trusted testimony, not “blind faith”. Recommended.
January 28, 2021
This book deserves to be read widely and its topic to be discussed more broadly. It shows that our faith is not merely ethereal philosophy and a way of life, but rather hinge on Jesus as truly a Person, and yes, as Saviour of the world in history.
December 30, 2023
John Dickson has a way of taking the most pertinent evidence in a given subject area and presenting it in a manner so plain and clear as to make it irrefutable. This little book has been my most productive deep-dive into the subject of the reality of the existence of Jesus. Highly recommend!
November 6, 2025
Excellent introduction to the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth and establishes why we can consider the four canonical gospels as “good testimony” historically. Recommend it for any and all Christians.
October 9, 2020
This a great little book on the historical Jesus, this would be the first book I recommend to someone who wanted to start reading on whether Jesus existed and how we can know he did.
December 29, 2020
I good, short book about the reliability of the Gospels and other NT writings that could be given to a skeptic. It isn’t detailed but that’s not its aim. Rather, it’s aims seems to be to get the conversation going.
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January 9, 2021Awesome
This book is a really great historical account of Jesus. It really covers the facts about Jesus and leaves the religious side of things up to the reader.
This book is a really great historical account of Jesus. It really covers the facts about Jesus and leaves the religious side of things up to the reader.
September 2, 2022
Really well written and evidenced as well as being easily digestible
December 4, 2022
This book is so well written, easily accessible, and shows that faith in the Resurrection is not only reasonable, but the best explanation of the evidence.
July 10, 2024
Interesante y aterrizada introducción a la defensa del Jesús histórico, contiene ideas que busca explicar y dejar en la mesa con claridad, recomendado para ideas de introducción al cristianismo.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews