Abandon Studying the Historical Jesus? No, We Need History
Third, history cannot compel faith. But it is very good at clearing away the smoke screens behind which unfaith often hides. History and faith are, respectively, the left and right feet of Christianity. Modernism hops, now on this foot (skeptical "historiography"), now on that (unhistorical "faith"). It's tiring, dangerous, and unnecessary. Puzzle: I think Scot believes this too.
N. T. Wright is Bishop of Durham in the Church of England. He is the author of many books, including The Resurrection of the Son of God and Jesus and the Victory of God (Augsburg Fortress).
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Related Elsewhere:
This article is a response to Scot McKnight's cover story on "The Jesus We'll Never Know."
Other responses include Craig Keener: Jesus Studies Matter and Darrell Bock: We Need Context.
Previous Christianity Today articles on Jesus include:
King Jesus the Disguised | There's a reason it's not easy to spot him. (December 22, 2006)
The Jesus I'd Prefer to Know | Searching for the historical Jesus and finding oneself instead. (December 7, 2008)
The Jesus We Never Got | Elijah stands for what I want in a God: someone to offer an escape route around life's messiest problems. By Philip Yancey (December 8, 1997)
Previous CT articles by or about N. T. Wright include:
Heaven Is Not Our Home | The bodily resurrection is the good news of the gospel—and thus our social and political mandate. (March 24, 2008)
Mere Mission | N.T. Wright talks about how to present the gospel in a postmodern world. (January 5, 2007)
What Is This Word? | The incomprehensible, intimate Christmas story. (December 21, 2006)
The Latest in Movie News, May 23, 2013
God Among the Roma
Grieving with the Good Friday God
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Bob S
History joined with faith will probably look a little like the 4 gospels. These "histories" are united in every essential, yet variable in perspective and in some details. Even the variations argue for authenticity, since they prove there was no connivance among the authors. To know Jesus and to worship him in spirit and in truth is no hindrance to historical accuracy. But to "do history" without faith, but with an agenda, is like trampling on holy ground without taking off your shoes.
Dr Mark
I agree that Scot believes this also. That is why I rated both your articles with 5 stars - a good example of the illusion of many truths with the Truth. Thanks to both of you for completing the full presentation.
Dwight Gingrich
[I meant to give 5 stars in my other post.]