Reinventing Jesus: How Contemporary Skeptics Miss the Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture
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Reinventing Jesus: How Contemporary Skeptics Miss the  Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture  -     By: J. Ed Komoszewski, M. James Sawyer, Daniel B. Wallace

Reinventing Jesus: How Contemporary Skeptics Miss the Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture

Kregel Publications / 2006 / Paperback

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Product Description

Cultural misconceptions abound regarding the uniqueness of Christ and the reliability of the New Testament. International bestsellers such as The Da Vinci Code and Misquoting Jesus merely add fuel to the fire. In this meticulously researched guide, Komoszewski, Sawyer, and Wallace invite readers to take a firsthand look at the primary evidence for Christianity's origins.

Product Information

Title: Reinventing Jesus: How Contemporary Skeptics Miss the Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture
By: J. Ed Komoszewski, M. James Sawyer, Daniel B. Wallace
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 352
Vendor: Kregel Publications
Publication Date: 2006
Dimensions: 8.5 X 5.5 (inches)
Weight: 15 ounces
ISBN: 082542982X
ISBN-13: 9780825429828
Stock No: WW42982X

Publisher's Description

From the worldwide phenomenon of "The Da Vinci Code" to the national best-seller "Misquoting Jesus," popular culture is being bombarded with radical skepticism about the uniqueness of Christ and the reliability of the New Testament. "Reinventing Jesus" cuts through the rhetoric of extreme doubt expressed by these and several other contemporary voices to reveal the profound credibility of historic Christianity. Meticulously researched, thoroughly documented, yet eminently readable, this book invites a wide audience to take a firsthand look at the solid, reasonable, and clearly defensible evidence for Christianity's origins. "Reinventing Jesus" shows believers that it's okay to think hard about Christianity, and shows hard thinkers that it's okay to believe.

Author Bio

J. Ed Komoszewski (Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary) is founder and director of Christus Nexus and has taught biblical and theological studies at Northwestern College and served as the director of research for Josh McDowell Ministry. M. James Sawyer (Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) serves as professor of theology and church history at Western Seminary. He is the author of Taxonomic Charts of Theology and Biblical Studies and The Survivor's Guide to Theology. Daniel B. Wallace (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts, and senior New Testament editor of the NET
Bible. He has written Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament.

ChristianBookPreviews.com

Recently, there has been a flood of attention given to the life of Jesus. One film in particular that has contributed to this is The Da Vinci Code, based on the novel of the same name by author Dan Brown. (He has also written Angels & Demons, Deception Point, and Digital Fortress.) The plot outline is that a murder inside the Louvre leads to the discovery of clues found in the Da Vinci paintings, such as the Mona Lisa, which uncover information that has been protected by a secret society for 2,000 years. This information is so powerful that if brought out into the open, it could have major repercussions on Christianity. What this movie is really attempting to do, however, is to tear down the credibility of the historic Christian faith. This is not new by any means. Liberal theologians, philosophers, atheists, and various unbiblical religious leaders have attempted to do the same for a long time. The Da Vinci Code is just a more popular, though no less dangerous, attempt to rewrite history.
One book in particular that has taken on Dan Brown's historical reconstruction is Reinventing Jesus: What The Da Vinci Code and Other Novel Speculations Don't Tell You, co-authored by J. Ed Komoszewski, M. James Sawyer, and Daniel B. Wallace. Reinventing Jesus is divided up into five parts: Part 1, which deals with the history behind the New Testament manuscripts; Part 2, which answers critical questions about the ancient manuscripts behind the New Testament; Part 3, which answers questions about how the Canon was determined; Part 4, which answers questions about Jesus, His divinity, and what the early church thought of Him; and Part 5, which answers the question if Christianity used ideas from mythic gods and applied them to Jesus.
With all the hype around The Da Vinci Code, the authors of Reinventing Jesus make this accurate statement: "Although The Da Vinci Code is a fascinating tale, that is all it is: a tale, a fable, a good yard spun by a master storyteller" (p. 193). Adding later in the book, they write, "So why all the present fuss about the historical Jesus? More specifically, why are so many people infatuated with reinterpretations of his life? Little attention is given to the scriptural portrait of Christ. However, when a new perspective on Him---one that is decidedly out of sync with the Bible---is unveiled, it draws a crowd. But why isn't society interested in reinventions of other major religious figures? Why not Muhammad, Buddha, Moses, or Confucius? Why Jesus? In a word: accountability. People in the civilized, Western world usually know something about Jesus and the gospel message, and their interest in him rises whenever a new theory comes along that can ease their consciences. People gravitate toward a tame Jesus; a Jesus who can be controlled, a Jesus who is not threatening, a Jesus who values what they value and does not demand anything of them at all. In other words, a Jesus who is not Lord and Savior. Frankly, it's hard to escape the feeling that our culture has taken Jesus' question 'Who do you say that I am?' and changed it to 'Who do you want me to be?' But the real Jesus doesn't ask that question; the real Jesus is not so tame" (pp. 261-62).
While there are other books being written to defend the historical Jesus of the New Testament, and the authenticity and trustworthiness of the New Testament writings, Reinventing Jesus is one of the better ones read by this reviewer. The authors cover such a breadth of material that it is hard to find one of similar value in terms of thoroughness and argumentation. I highly recommend this work. – Ray Hammond, Christian Book Previews.com

Editorial Reviews

"This is not just another response to the issues raised in the novel and the film. It is a serious, detailed, yet eminently accessible refutation of the exaggerated skepticism of bona fide scholars like Bart Ehrman or Robert Price and of the outright misinformation in frequently-believed pseudo-scholarship circulating on the web or via little-known publishing houses." -- Apologia Report

"Reinventing Jesus cuts through the rhetoric of extreme doubt to reveal the profound credibility of historic Christianity. Meticulously researched yet eminently readable, this book invites a wide audience to take a first-hand look at the primary evidence for Christianity's origins. Reinventing Jesus shows believers that it's okay to think hard about Christianity, and shows hard thinkers that it's okay to believe. . . .While there are other books being written to defend the historical Jesus of the New Testament, and the authenticity and trustworthiness of the New Testament writings, Reinventing Jesus is one of the better ones read by this reviewer. The authors cover such a breath of material that it is hard to find one of similar value in terms of thoroughness and argumentation. I highly recommend this work." -- ChristianBookPreviews.com

My opinion of the books is that the authors have spent a great deal of time (decades) in their research. It is truly time for other scholars to step up and answer the claims of the skeptics. This book may well be the start of a new gyration of inspiration of upcoming apologetic authors. You can find a helpful set of endnotes (64 pages to be exact) and handy resources for further reading. I highly recommend adding this book to your shelf as a valuable reference tool whether you are an apologist or lay Christian. -- myspace.com

I agree with your review. I reviewed this a few months ago and I was particularly impressed with how accessible the language is in describing some complex idea. -- Euangelion

Well, I had not heard of this book, but your review, coupled with endorsements by Craig Blomberg (my college advisor back in the day) and Craig Keener and Scott McKnight (both friends whom I consider to be some of the best of current evangelical scholarship), has placed it on my wish list. I am very upset with the way popular culture is misled this wayóalthough rightwing distortions are just as bad. -- Euangelion

Many British evangelicals tend to be cautious about something coming from Dallas Theological Seminary because of its dispensationalist tendencies. This book, however, written by three graduates from the Seminary and including one (Wallace) actually lecturing there, deserves a whole-hearted welcome by everyone in the UK. The book is accessible, thorough and informative. . . . All in all, the authors have greatly placed us in their debt, and this book should be widely read by everyone. -- Evangelicals Now

My opinion of the books is that the authors have spent a great deal of time (decades) in their research. It is truly time for other scholars to step up and answer the claims of the skeptics. This book may well be the start of a new gyration of inspiration of upcoming apologetic authors. You can find a helpful set of endnotes (64 pages to be exact) and handy resources for further reading. I highly recommend adding this book to your shelf as a valuable reference tool whether you are an apologist or lay Christian. -- myspace.com

I agree with your review. I reviewed this a few months ago and I was particularly impressed with how accessible the language is in describing some complex idea. -- Euangelion

Well, I had not heard of this book, but your review, coupled with endorsements by Craig Blomberg (my college advisor back in the day) and Craig Keener and Scott McKnight (both friends whom I consider to be some of the best of current evangelical scholarship), has placed it on my wish list. I am very upset with the way popular culture is misled this wayóalthough rightwing distortions are just as bad. -- Euangelion

Many British evangelicals tend to be cautious about something coming from Dallas Theological Seminary because of its dispensationalist tendencies. This book, however, written by three graduates from the Seminary and including one (Wallace) actually lecturing there, deserves a whole-hearted welcome by everyone in the UK. The book is accessible, thorough and informative. . . . All in all, the authors have greatly placed us in their debt, and this book should be widely read by everyone. -- Evangelicals Now

"I have bought all the Da Vinci Code books and I feel this book is by far the best one out there. Reinventing Jesus transcends The Da Vinci Code stuff and is more a book on the origin of the New Testament for the most part. It is definitely a book for the average person to learn about how oral tradition and a memorizing culture was behind how things were written back then, all about textual criticism and why we can have confidence in the New Testament today. How books were selected etc. I can say there that it is one of the best books I have ever read that goes into the apologetics of the Bible and I hope that the Da Vinci Code tie in, doesn't give a short shelf life to this book, as it really is a book that is like taking a class on the origin and trustworthiness of the Bible, not The Da Vinci Code." -- Vintage_Faith.com

"An excellent book. A readable book. A perennial book with unfortunately, a seasonal title. It deserves to be bought and read and stored and studied ó with or without its current connection to DaVinci Code and The Jesus Seminar. The book is an easy reading account of why and how we have the New Testament." -- tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com

"For years now I've been lamenting the sad state of published apologetics, as it seemed that there was far more interest in getting out insipid eschatological novels than in offering defenses of the faith rooted in sound scholarship. I was glad when Lee Strobel's works finally jimmied that door some, and when Licona and Habermas cracked it further open with The Resurrection of Jesus; and now, this trio has blown the door off its hinges and sent it flying into the atmosphere. I'll put it bluntly: Buy this book. If you're tired of the Christian publishing industry putting out the intellectual equivalent of Hostess Ding Dongs in defense of the faith, you NEED to make this book a success, because otherwise, they won't get the message and we'll get more Ding Dongs instead of more roast beef." -- Tektonics Book Reviews

"Reinventing Jesus cuts through the rhetoric of extreme doubt to reveal the profound credibility of historic Christianity. Meticulously researched yet eminently readable, this book invites a wide audience to take a firsthand look at the primary evidence for Christianity's origins. Reinventing Jesus shows believers that it's okay to think hard about Christianity, and shows hard thinkers that it's okay to believe. While there are other books being written to defend the historical Jesus of the New Testament, and the authenticity and trustworthiness of the New Testament writings, Reinventing Jesus is one of the better ones read by this reviewer. The authors cover such a breath of material that it is hard to find one of similar value in terms of thoroughness and argumentation. I highly recommend this work." -- ChristianBookPreviews.com

"The book is a very good introduction to the topic from an evangelical perspective, it is well written, extensively footnoted, and it should serve well as a primer for textual criticism and related topics. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for just such a resource." -- krusekronicle.typepad.com

"Of particular benefit in this book are the frequent references to the controversial and influential work of the Jesus Seminar. There is actually far more Jesus Seminar material in this book than DVC [Da Vinci Code] material. Because the methodology of the Jesus Seminar is accepted by many of the media pundits and promoters of the DVC phenomenon, it is important to respond to the assertions of those scholars who are making new and largely revolutionary claims about Jesus and the New Testament. The book is particularly impressive in taking the methodology of radical scholars and going, slowly and carefully through their use of logic, interpretative tools and assumptions. The result is a superb exposure of the bankruptcy of most of the assertions of radical revisions, using the same tools that they claim leads to a 'new' Jesus. . . .I recommend this book without reservation. It is 260 pages of text, with more than 50 pages of readable endnotes and extensive referencing within available New Testament literature. The book is perfectly aimed at students and informed laypersons. It could be given to a skeptic as well, as each author discusses the questions at hand calmly and without ridicule or cheerleader. This is serious scholarship translated down to a level that will help those in local churches and missional callings." -- InternetMonk.com

"The book Reinventing Jesus is by three authors, Dr. Sawyer who spoke at our church is one of them. I have bought all the Da Vinci Code books and feel this book is by far the best one out there. Reinventing Jesus transcends the Da Vinci Code stuff and is more a book on the origin of the New Testament for the most part. It is definitely a book for the average person to learn about how oral tradition and a memorizing culture was behind how things were written back then, all about textual criticism and why we can have confidence in the New Testament today. How books were selected etc. I can say there it is one of the best books I have ever read that goes into the apologetics of the Bible and I hope that The Da Vinci Code tie in, doesn't give a short shelf life to this book, as it really is a book that is like taking a class on the origin and trustworthiness of the Bible, not the Da Vinci Code." -- Vintage Faith

"As I get ready to start writing on my next Jesus book, I want to recommend a volume I am currently reading. It is Reinventing Jesus, which is also noted elsewhere on this web site. It is a solid walk through the trustworthiness of Scripture dealing with such issues as oral tradition, the criteria of authenticity, issues tied to textual criticism, the canon, and the issues tied to myth, as well as a walk through the early texts on Jesus' deity. It is accessible and very well done. For those who want orientation to issues tied to these questions, this is a good source." -- dev.bible.org

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