From Publishers Weekly
The quest for the historical Jesus has come and gone in New Testament scholarship since the 18th century, when Reimarus challenged the historical veracity of the Gospels. In the late 20th century, this quest is dominated by two groups that Martin calls "conservatives" (E.P. Sanders and John Meier) and "liberals" (Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza and John Dominic Crossan). He contends that scholars Marcus Borg and N.T. Wright "cross the lines" of these distinctions and use the methods of the "liberals" to emphasize the Jesus of faith of the "conservatives." After a historical overview of the quest for the historical Jesus, Martin (The Past Within Us) provides a brief sketch of the work of contemporary Jesus questers like Crossan and Wright. Martin contends that Christians respond to such arguments in one of three philosophical ways: "Only Faith"; "Faith Seeking Understanding"; "Only Reason." The first option, he says, denies that secular historical scholarship can make any contributions to understanding Jesus because it contradicts traditional religious claims. "Faith Seeking Understanding" attempts to "integrate the diverse claims of secular scholarship and religious faith into a single coherent account." The final position, he notes, asks Christians to allow their faith to be subsumed into the "expert" opinions of secular scholarship. Martin asserts that what he calls "multiperspectivalism," simply looking at various interpretationsAreligious and secularAof the evidence for the historical Jesus, offers the most consistent philosophical response for Christians confronting the challenge of the quest for the historical Jesus. However, Martin is on ground already well trod by Ben Witherington III (The Jesus Quest) and adds little that's new to the contemporary quest for the historical Jesus. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Martin (philosophy, Univ. of Maryland) uses scholarly writings to examine the relationship between faith and historical research. In Part 1, he explores the challenges to Christian faith presented by modern science, history, and the quest for the historical Jesus. He also looks at the intellectual roots of this quest in the work of Spinoza and Hume. In Part 2, he offers a review of Jesus studies as expressed in the work of four modern academic thinkers. Part 3, "Faith and Reason," and Part 4, "Response," are Martin's most original contributions. Part 3 relates history and theology by analyzing the work of Marcus Borg and N.T. Wright, two important Jesus-quest historians. In Part 4, Martin uses Jesus scholars such as Luke Johnson to investigate three responses to the results of historical research: faith only, faith seeking understanding, and reason only. An original and significant contribution; most libraries should consider.ADavid Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernardino Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

What might the findings of researchers engaged in the quest for the historical Jesus mean to Christians? In posing this question and others, The Elusive Messiah opens a window for a new look at the age old problem of faith versus reason. Through readily understandable language and examples, Martin poses basic questions, looks for the answers, and explains how these answers correspond to larger issues. His accessible writing synthesizes complex academic arguments in ways that bring them down to earth, enabling Christians and other readers to understand what is being claimed and to test these claims for meaningfulness.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The quest for the historical Jesus has come and gone in New Testament scholarship since the 18th century, when Reimarus challenged the historical veracity of the Gospels. In the late 20th century, this quest is dominated by two groups that Martin calls "conservatives" (E.P. Sanders and John Meier) and "liberals" (Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza and John Dominic Crossan). He contends that scholars Marcus Borg and N.T. Wright "cross the lines" of these distinctions and use the methods of the "liberals" to emphasize the Jesus of faith of the "conservatives." After a historical overview of the quest for the historical Jesus, Martin (The Past Within Us) provides a brief sketch of the work of contemporary Jesus questers like Crossan and Wright. Martin contends that Christians respond to such arguments in one of three philosophical ways: "Only Faith"; "Faith Seeking Understanding"; "Only Reason." The first option, he says, denies that secular historical scholarship can make any contributions to understanding Jesus because it contradicts traditional religious claims. "Faith Seeking Understanding" attempts to "integrate the diverse claims of secular scholarship and religious faith into a single coherent account." The final position, he notes, asks Christians to allow their faith to be subsumed into the "expert" opinions of secular scholarship. Martin asserts that what he calls "multiperspectivalism," simply looking at various interpretations--religious and secular--of the evidence for the historical Jesus, offers the most consistent philosophical response for Christians confronting the challenge of the quest for the historical Jesus. However, Martin is on ground already well trod by Ben Witherington III (The Jesus Quest) and adds little that's new to the contemporary quest for the historical Jesus. (July) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Martin (philosophy, Univ. of Maryland) uses scholarly writings to examine the relationship between faith and historical research. In Part 1, he explores the challenges to Christian faith presented by modern science, history, and the quest for the historical Jesus. He also looks at the intellectual roots of this quest in the work of Spinoza and Hume. In Part 2, he offers a review of Jesus studies as expressed in the work of four modern academic thinkers. Part 3, "Faith and Reason," and Part 4, "Response," are Martin's most original contributions. Part 3 relates history and theology by analyzing the work of Marcus Borg and N.T. Wright, two important Jesus-quest historians. In Part 4, Martin uses Jesus scholars such as Luke Johnson to investigate three responses to the results of historical research: faith only, faith seeking understanding, and reason only. An original and significant contribution; most libraries should consider.--David Bourquin, California State Univ., San Bernardino Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

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