This fresh book argues that the four Gospels are closely based on eyewitness testimony of those who knew Jesus. Noted New Testament scholar Richard...
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Aug 03, 2011
James
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Jesus and the Eyewitnesses is a ground-breaking study by NT scholar Richard Bauckham that questions many of the assumptions current in much New Testament scholarship today, especially about the formation of the Gospels. In this seminal book, Bauckham makes a sustained case for the involvement and centrality of eyewitnesses in the formation of the Gospels as they appear in their current, written canonical form. I won't attempt to recreate his arguments here, for they are many and detailed, but he
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Jul 27, 2011
I will never read the Gospels in the same way again after reading this book. Bauckham argues, with the help of Samuel Byrskog, convincingly for the Gospels as eyewitness testimonies. He does so with brilliant scholarship and convincing references to contemporary historiographical views. I also like his dialogue with Ricoeur and the underlying philosophical voice. The book also completely debunks the form criticism project and I cannot understand how anyone will be able to argue with an "Sit
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Nov 17, 2010
Lionel
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I'm not even halfway through this. Heard about it through Tim Keller, one of my favorite speakers/authors. This is definitely a scholarly work, not a quick read (at least not for me). Strong rebuttal to the old form critics argument that the New Testament, in particular the gospels, are not reliable as they were a result of traditions passed down over centuries. Bauckham argues gently, but forcibly, that the four genuine gospels found in the NT were based on eyewitness testimony, and written
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Jul 15, 2010
Andrew
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A lively defense of the canonical portraits of Jesus in the Gospels, Bauckham's book is a very interesting read. The basic argument Bauckham makes is that the portraits of Jesus in the canonical Gospels are reflections of eyewitness testimony to the earthly Jesus, and, moreover, these witnesses are trustworthy. This basic argument entails two basic modes of argumentation--ideological and exegetical.
Like his essay, "God Crucified," in this book Bauckham attempts to alter More...
Like his essay, "God Crucified," in this book Bauckham attempts to alter More...
Aug 06, 2009
David
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Bauckham successfully demonstrates, against much modern biblical scholarship, that the canonical gospels are based on eyewitness testimony. For much of the last century the common view was that the gospels as we have them are the culmination of a long line of people who passed on traditions for generations, thus the final product is very different than whatever the original story was. But Bauckham shows, focusing on Mark and John as well as in depth study on second century church father Papias
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Aug 29, 2008
Jim
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Richard Bauckham has removed the crust that has surrounded the Christian gospel due to the use of form criticism. He has called us to a posture of trust in the eyewitness who are named throughout as they were conveyors of an oral tradition that was sealed with their final testimony and contained in the gospels.
Bauckham uses the testimony of Papias, Eusebius and the internal structure of the gospels to show that the historiography of the gospels was solidly dependent on eye witness testi More...
Bauckham uses the testimony of Papias, Eusebius and the internal structure of the gospels to show that the historiography of the gospels was solidly dependent on eye witness testi More...
Dec 27, 2011
Gregory
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This was an amazing book--amazing in Bauckham's detective work, and amazing in his careful academic spade-work. Because Bauckham is challenging the reigning paradigms of form criticism, he has to build his case step by step, which made for tedious reading at times. But, if you are willing to tough it out, the overall argument is thrilling and makes a credible case for reading the Gospels for what they are--reliable eyewitness testimony.
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Aug 09, 2011
Chad
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Richard Bauckham is one of the top New Testament scholars alive today, and thankfully he writes as much as he does. In this book, Bauckham works off of the recent studies of oral cultures done by Jan Vansina and expands on the ideas of Samuel Byrskog in his 'Story as History, History as Story', to demonstrate that the Gospels are comprised of eyewitness accounts, and not an evolving tradition that changed throughout the years until their form today. What Bauckham intends is the end of the domini
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Feb 01, 2012
Paul
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This has been a groundbreaking book since its arrival in 2006. I not only heard about it, but frequently saw it cited in other things I was reading. I've finally read it!
Bauckham’s thesis: there’s strong evidence the four gospels are “closely based on eyewitness testimony of those who personally knew Jesus.” The whole book forcefully and, let’s say, nonchalantly (can’t think of a better word) lays out a compelling case. I don’t call this a book review, because the author of this book More...
Bauckham’s thesis: there’s strong evidence the four gospels are “closely based on eyewitness testimony of those who personally knew Jesus.” The whole book forcefully and, let’s say, nonchalantly (can’t think of a better word) lays out a compelling case. I don’t call this a book review, because the author of this book More...
Feb 17, 2009
Brett
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Bauckham's thesis is a challenge to the consensus of modern Gospels scholars, which presupposes a long and anonymous process of passing on (and adapting) oral traditions about Jesus before the Gospels were composed in written form. Thus, the Gospels more accurately represent the faith of the early church than the real Jesus who walked the streets of Galilee. Bauckham presents evidence from early traditions and ancient historical practices to propose an alternative view, namely that the Gospel
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Jan 03, 2012
Bruno
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This is not a light read but a very thorough exploration that the Gospels are eyewitness accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus.
Bauckham looks at both internal with the Gospels and external evidence that the Gospels are eyewitness accounts.
He looks at various ways oral history is transmitted reliably within oral communities. Of note is that the known unreliability of eyewitness testimony in court is irrelevant because the details required in a law court e.g. recalling fac More...
Bauckham looks at both internal with the Gospels and external evidence that the Gospels are eyewitness accounts.
He looks at various ways oral history is transmitted reliably within oral communities. Of note is that the known unreliability of eyewitness testimony in court is irrelevant because the details required in a law court e.g. recalling fac More...
Dec 12, 2011
Todd
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Bauckham's scholarship is extraordinary. He leaves no stone unturned to develop his thesis that the Gospels were written as eyewitness accounts (not the creation of the early Christian community) and ought to be read as such. He also has a very interesting proposal of the identity of John, the biblical writer, that is compelling. My criticism is the length. I read the entire book, but found his interaction with all his conversation partners to be tough-sledding at times (I was already convinced)
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Aug 26, 2010
Fox
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An interesting (and well argued and researched) take on the writing of the gospels that runs counter to current mainstream scholarly (and lay) thinking.
Jan 13, 2012
Drew
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This book makes me exceedingly grateful for nerds. It is a wonderful apologetic for the eyewitness nature of the gospel accounts.
Oct 31, 2010
Daniel
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Breaks the form-criticism hegemony in the New Testament scholarship. The book is valued so highly by the evangelicals.
Apr 02, 2009
Jeff
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Fascinating and thought provoking challenge to whatever vestiges of form criticism are left in Gospels research. Suggests that several indications exist in the texts of the Gospels that their creation was not due to a long history of stories passed down anonymously. Rather many of the stories from the gospels circulated with the names of the persons who were eyewitnesses to the events. A scholarly study - so be ready for several chapters that explore memory, oral traditions and ancient histor
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Jul 31, 2008
Diane
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The thesis of this book is that the Gospels were written by people who had direct access to eyewitness testimony of the events described. The author makes a good case, and it is certainly heartening to read a work of theology that is so strongly supportive of the authenticity of the scriptures. The book is very long and dense, but it doesn't use a lot of technical terminology, so it is appropriate for the (very interested and focused) non-specialist.
Jun 02, 2008
Alan
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I have to confess that I only read about 130 pages or so, and put it back on the shelf. It wasn't that it was bad, it was just that it provided a little bit more detail than I really needed. You'll be in the weeds in no time. I think it might serve my purposes better as a resource than a book you read from front to back.
Oct 18, 2010
Looks thorough and convincing but dry. As much as I would, theoretically, like to know the information and arguments contained in this volume, I don’t think I’m going to be able to plod through it.
Jan 15, 2008
Lee
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I haven't really finished this book, but what I've read is truly compelling.
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