Jesus Skeptic: A Journalist Explores the Credibility and Impact of Christianity

by John S. Dickerson

Can we know if Jesus actually lived? Have Jesus's followers been a force for good or evil in history? A respected journalist set out to find the answers--not from opinion but from artifacts. The evidence led him to an unexpected Jesus really existed and launched the greatest movement for social good in human history.

A first-of-its-kind book for a new generation, Jesus Skeptic takes nothing for granted as it explores whether Jesus actually lived and how his story has changed our world. You'll

- learn what heroes like Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman believed about Jesus
- discover how Jesus inspired women's rights, education rights, and modern hospitals
- see visual proofs of Jesus's impact, never before compiled in one place
- be inspired to continue Jesus's fight for human rights, justice, and progress

Jesus Skeptic unveils convincing physical evidence that will enlighten seekers, skeptics, and longtime Christians alike. In a generation that wants to make the world a better place, we can discover what humanity's greatest champions had in a Christian faith.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Theology, Religion, Faith, Christianity, Audiobook

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

John S. Dickerson is a prize-winning journalist, a recognized voice in American Christianity, and bestselling author of "The Great Evangelical Recession." His writing has appeared in The New York Times and USA Today, among others. In 2009 Tom Brokaw, Charles Gibson (ABC News) and Anna Quindlen (Newsweek) named his investigative reporting the best in the nation. As a pastor, John has guided individuals and communities through grief and loss. He serves as Lead Pastor of Connection Pointe Christian Church in the Indianapolis area.

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a skeptic who does not believe in God, you are safe here.
If you were raised as a Christian but are no longer sure what you believe, you are safe.
If you like Jesus but not the church, this book is a safe place for you.
If you are tired of Christianity being defined by bigots and political parties, you are safe too.
I have been all these things and more...

I was completely hooked with this book from the very first pages. Hands down, it's one of the most compelling books I've ever read.

In Jesus Skeptic, author and investigative journalist John S. Dickerson shares his ten-year investigation shedding light on the impact Christianity has had in our world, and answers the question: Did Jesus really exist?

Years ago I read and enjoyed The Case for Christ, but this book especially hit home with me. The book is evidence-based, incredibly educational, and never boring. All the facts are laid out in an easy to read format complete with charts, and pictures of people and artifacts. It's very detailed and well-written. I found so much to learn here and continuously paused throughout the book to jot down facts in my notebook just so I could discuss them with my family later. There's even a book list for further reading in the back.

This book is good for everyone--believers, non-believers, and all those in between. Yes, the book shows that Jesus did in fact exist, but there's so much more here. It's both eye-opening and inspiring, with power to help us all improve the future. Highly recommend.

5*****

I’d like to thank the author and publisher for offering this book in a giveaway. This is my own, honest opinion of the book.

You can also see this review @www.readrantrockandroll.com

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus Skeptic is suitable for both skeptics and believers, young and old. Factual evidence for the existence of Jesus and the impact that He and his followers have had on our world is very compelling. John has used his skills as a former investigative journalist in the research for this book. Profiles of present day Jesus followers who are currently making a difference in this world are a bonus. I loved reading about Katy Davis Majors of Amazima Ministries in Uganda, Stephanie Freed of Rapha House in Cambodia and Thailand as well as John Keshe of Kenya CEA who is working to sponsor young Maasai girls to go to school rather than have them enter early marriages. It is well worth your time to read this book.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever wonder about the life Jesus lived?
…His impact on history?
…His place on your life?
This book brings to light evidence that will answer these questions. Pastor John Dickerson investigates to find truths that lead to the conclusion that Jesus really existed and launched the greatest movement for social good in human history.
Jesus Skeptic explores very specific historical markers and proof of Jesus’ impact on our world today. It is an important read for today’s generation, as they search to make the world a better place.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly cannot say enough (good things) about this book. I enjoyed every single page...really couldn't put it down! Clarity is something I appreciate in any style of writing, and this absolutely delivers, in spades. The abundance of historical facts is expertly planned out, leading the reader to a clear and concise timeline, which can easily be cross-checked and expanded upon. A true gift to society - believers and non-believers alike. Outstanding!

[John Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm definitely biased in this review. What's for sure is that I've read the book--multiple times :) And while no book is perfect or without fault, this book presents evidence about Jesus and his followers that I had never before seen compiled in one place. The book utilizes dozens if not hundreds of actual images, so that when it considers the religious beliefs of great citizens of humanity (MLK, Johns Hopkins, Isaac Newton, Harriet Tubman, etc), we can see what these people believed about Jesus--based on their own words. The revelation, better read in their own words than summarized here, is that their belief in Jesus and the message of his teaching motivated them in their significant efforts to better humanity.

The book also offers visual evidence of ancient artifacts that prove the existence of non-Christians who wrote about Jesus back around the time he lived. This is helpful for any of us who've ever wondered "what if he never lived?"

The book then ends with the reality that while Jesus impact has been massive, and has inspired many exceptional people, we must each decide for ourselves if we will try out his claims to offer internal peace, freedom from shame, purpose and so forth.

this book is designed to help anyone who is sincerely searching to determine what they believe about Jesus. It's also written with Christian teenagers, college students and 20-somethings in mind, knowing we all reach an age when we decide for ourselves if we believe the Jesus stuff or not. This book is designed to be a resource for anyone you know who falls into any of those categories. I liked it a lot, but as I mention at the beginning of this review, I am biased :)

[J McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered if Jesus truly exists or has a place in our current society? Maybe you grew up in the church and believed what you were taught about Him, but now your faith waivers as an adult. John Dickerson's book, Jesus Skeptic, provides "primary evidence" of how Jesus and his teachings has been the foundation for many events in modern history. This book delivers answers to the questions a lot of people may have had regarding Jesus and the need for our society to understand the necessity for Him. After reading this book, I gained more knowledge and insight beyond just what I knew through biblical teachings.

[Aldo Maragoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

By using primary evidence and research skills he used as an award-winning reporter, John Dickerson takes readers on a journey that explores how the teachings of Jesus have impacted the world, from medicine to education to human rights—and everything in between. The details and stories are presented clearly and Dickerson let's them stand on their own. Whether you're a skeptic or have been following Jesus for some time, there is a tremendous amount of information in this book that will help you better understand Jesus.

[Kirsten Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book that needs to be in the hands of every person, you will be changed!

[Off Shelf Books]

For more reviews visit: Off Shelf Book Reviews

Jesus Skeptic was provided to me by Baker Books for an honest review. Let’s be honest, Christianity has not always been a force for good. A big reason is because well… some Christians are awful. Some have done terrible unspeakable acts in the name of Jesus. This has led many to become skeptical of Christianity. John S. Dickerson was one of them. He is an award-winning journalist that has worked for news outlets such as the New York Times and USA Today. His journalism lead him on an investigation towards the credibility and impact of Christianity. Does this sound familiar to another well known skeptical journalist that did a similar investigation? Many have heard about Lee Strobel’s investigation to prove the resurrection of Jesus did not happen. That backfired in a way that led him from atheism to Christianity. While John S. Dickerson does not claim he was an atheist, he does state he did not believe in God at one point in his life. He had a strong skepticism towards Jesus and the largest movement in human history: Christianity. While Strobel and Dickerson’s investigations are similar, the evidence they search for is different. Strobel looked at ancient literature, archaeology, manuscripts, and medical evidence.

Dickerson looks at the world’s most monumental human breakthroughs led by devout Christians. Some of these breakthroughs such as the quality of life, education, hospitals, racial and gender equality, and the ending of slavery. His investigation was anchored under five major breakthroughs:
1. The launch of the Scientific Revolution.
2. The birth of the modern university.
3. The founding of modern medicine and modern hospitals.
4. The End of open slavery.
5. The creation of social literacy.

Dickerson makes a case for these breakthroughs using ‘Primary Evidence’. This is evidence void of any tampering or bias.

Dickerson’s preludes his message with a clever analogy of how sea otters are a keystone species to ocean life. Biologists have learned that the entire ocean ecosystem is dependent on the existence of sea otters. When sea otters are present, ocean life thrives. But If sea otters were completely removed, ocean life deteriorates and the entire ecosystem falls apart. He parallels this “sea otter effect” to Christians being a keystone movement for the entire human race and society. So much of what society has today is because of Christianity motivated by Jesus’ life and teachings. One example of a “sea otter effect” Christianity produces would be women’s rights. The top ten best nations for women’s rights have a high percentage of Christians living in those nations as opposed to the top ten worst nations. The top ten with a Christian culture greater than 50 years have a high population of Christians living in those nations.


Scientific Revolution
As for the scientific revolution, an overwhelming amount of its founders were Christian. Some of the greatest mysteries of the universe were discovered by devout believers in Jesus. Sir Isaac Newton discovered the laws of gravity and he loved studying the Bible in every language possible. Johannes Kepler discovered the laws of planetary motion despite his efforts of wanting to be a pastor or a priest. His writings revealed his strong belief in Jesus. Blase Pascal invented a mechanical calculator which many consider as the first computer in history. His writings revealed how science and Christianity are compatible and even wrote a poem devoted to Jesus. Robert Boyle, known as the father of modern chemistry, was also a devout believer that used science to support Christianity. He wrote about theology and even gave money to missionary organizations. Some of his donations help promote the translation of the Bible to other languages. John Ray was the founder of our modern understanding of biology and zoology. He wrote entire books about Jesus in addition to his books about science. Out of fifty-two of the most influential scientists who launched the Scientific Revolution, 98 percent of them were committed Christians. This was clear when looking at their journals and personal artifacts. As a note, that list of fifty-two was chosen by a secular group.

Modern University
When it comes to the modern university, Christian founded universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. They then started multiplying across Europe. The spread continued to North America with universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. In fact the first nine universities in North America (most still regarded as the best in the country and even the world) were all founded by various Christian groups. If we go down this list further, 167 of the first 182 colleges and universities in North America were started by Christians. The motive and purpose was to teach people the Bible. The top ten universities in the world were all founded by Christians, all with the purpose of training students in the Bible.

Modern Medicine and Modern Hospitals
With modern medicine and modern hospitals, it is much of the same. Christians were engaged in caring for the sick while the Scientific Revolution was being launched. Edward Jenner found a monumental discovery with creating the first vaccine. His invention has saved hundreds of millions of lives. Florence Nightingale innovated the way nursing was done. She created wards and divisions within hospitals. She pioneered the use of charts and statistics within medical care. John Hopkins was a major innovator of the modern hospital and founded one of the world’s best hospitals. The world famous Mayo Clinic would not exist had it not been from the influence of a catholic nun named Mary. Her motivation to care for the sick and poor convinced the Mayo family to open a hospital. The top ten hospitals in the United States shows that almost all its founders were Christian. They declared their faith was the motivation to establish these hospitals. If we look at hospitals ranked eleven to twenty, six of them have the same pattern. Dickerson suggests that if someone were to examine the top one hundred or even five hundred hospitals in the world, the majority would likely have been started by the Christian faith.

End of Open Slavery
Dickerson also concludes Christianity was a major force towards the end of open slavery. Harriet Tubman not only escaped slavery, but often risked her life trying to help other slaves escape. Despite all the years of great difficulty, she remained a follower of Jesus. Frederick Douglas also escaped from the abuse and inhumane treatment of being a slave. As a slave, He converted to Christianity at the age of thirteen. He used the teachings of Jesus and the Bible to start a nationwide movement against slavery. Some of those teachings was “breaking the bonds of the oppressed” and “setting the captives free''. William Wilberforce who became a Christian was also influenced by the teachings of Jesus. He gave the rest of his life to end slavery in Britain which expanded beyond the British empire including India. Elijah Parish Lovejoy was one of the founders of the American Anti-Slave society. As a pastor and a newspaper editor, he often declared slavery a 'sin' and 'anti-Christian' which cost him his life. William Lloyd Garrison wrote the first declaration for the American Anti-Slavery Society. He also published an anti-slave newspaper called the Liberator. John Rankin was a Presbyterian minister that spoke out against his congregation what were slave owners. He used his home to help many escape slavery despite it being burned down many times by pro-slavery mobs. Among the most influential people for racial equality was Martin Luther King Jr. . His speeches, sermons, and writings show a clear message that he was motivated by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible. There are so many more anti-slavery leaders that were motivated by Jesus. Dickerson concludes that, "If you remove these sincere Christian followers from world history, you get a very different world than the one we were born into. Not just a few of the influential abolitionists were Christians; no, every single influential abolitionist I studied was Christian."

Social Literacy
When it comes to social literacy, Dickerson demonstrates how there was an explosion of people being taught to read in the 1600s. This happened in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United States. These were all nations dominated by Christianity and the emphasis of teaching people to read the Bible for themselves. The fact that I am able to read this book and write a review on it today is because of Christianity. As recently as one hundred years ago, the global average of people who could read was only twenty-one percent. So one out of five people in the world knew how to read.

"To me, these findings—taken as a whole— are notable in measuring whether Christianity is a force for good or not. The evidence led me to a bold but undeniable conclusion: whether I like Jesus's followers or not, whether I believe in Jesus’s spiritual claims or not, Jesus bears studying, for his movement has been―by multiple measures―among the most powerful movements for social good in all of human history." - page 177

"Whether we believe that Jesus is God or not, his outrageous prediction has come true. Impossible as it was, Jesus's followers have spread his name to the ends of the earth. Jesus's movement is Godlike in its massive size and historic influence. It is unrivaled. And it turns out that Jesus’s movement is also unique in that its growth was predicted―not only in size but also in geography, time, and trajectory." - page 240

Dickerson supports his quotes from a few graphs he provides to show the powerful influence Jesus has. Ninety-eight (past and present) nations or empires have been modeled by Jesus as a Christian state. This is far greater than the twenty-seven Marxist and Muslim nations. Even when you compare the followers of Jesus versus followers of modern celebrities. The number of Instagram followers don’t even dare come close to the 2.3 billion people that not only follow Jesus, but worship him as God.

Historian H.G. Wells concludes that “I’m a historian. I’m not a believer. But I must confess as a historian, this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all of history”. Historian Jaroslav Pelikan shares that “Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western culture for almost 20 centuries. If it were possible, with some sort of super magnet, to pull up out of that history every scrap of metal bearing at least a trace of his [Jesus’s] name, how much would be left?”

Jesus Skeptic is not a perfect book. It has an over usage of the statements, “as a reporter” “as a researcher”, “as a journalist”, or “as a skeptic”. The reader does not need over ten reminders of who Dickerson is. There are also no large coloured photos to show these historical writings and artifacts. Readers are instead left with small black and white photos that are difficult to read. These small problems can be overlooked by the immense amount of research Dickerson provides to make a strong case for Jesus. His investigative research crafts a concise book filled with unbiased historical information. Jesus Skeptic will at the very least enlighten readers about the incredible amount of good Christianity has done for the world. Or at the very most, inspire skeptics to investigate Jesus further the way Dickerson did.

Jesus Skeptic: A Journalist Explores the Credibility and Impact of Christianity

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some modern atheists would have us believe Jesus is a myth and Christianity has been nothing but trouble. But what does the evidence say? Did Jesus really exist? What has been the influence of Christians in the world?

That is exactly what Dickerson set to find out. He spent ten years doing the same kind of investigation he did for his award winning journalism. He started out a professional skeptic but what he found out astounded him.

I like Dickerson's approach in that he concentrated on Primary Evidence. He investigated original documents and first hand reports, ones not from the Bible. The evidence is astounding. Dickerson shows how Christians and Christian ideas shaped higher education, science, medicine, public education, and more. The evidence is overwhelming and points out how followers of Jesus have made life so much better for so many people.

And Jesus? The evidence from nonblical historical sources shows that Jesus lived, just as the Bible accounts report. Dickerson also shows how Jesus is the most influential person who ever lived, by far.

I like that Dickerson has included reproductions of many of the source documents. We can see the evidence for ourselves. And if we want, we can check out his evidence at the Jesus Skeptic website.

Dickerson has provided skeptics of Jesus and Christianity with a great deal of evidence. Does he cover everything? No. Does he balance his investigation by noting areas where Christian influence has hindered civilization advancement? No. Does he compare Christianity's influence in the world with that of other religions? Not really.

Dickerson is now a pastor so potential readers should know this book is ultimately a defense of Christianity. I think it is a good one. If you are a skeptic, it is definitely worth considering.

I received a complimentary uncorrected digital galley from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another read that’s stepping out of my comfort zone! Non-fiction and the writings of an investigative journalist is not usually anything I will pick up. But again, I’m glad I did.

If you’ve always been skeptical about God or the existence of Jesus, I encourage you to dive into this. At the very least, you’ll get a history lesson about many influential historical figures who dedicated their lives and works to Christ, how this has impacted our world as we know it, and the story about how an investigative journalist who is skeptical of everything, came to know Christ. At most, you just might find yourself a believer, too.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The content was very eye opening. The writing style was irritating at times, but I really walked away with a new perspective. Well worth the read.

[Ashley Pawlak · Rating 1 out of 5]

"we tend to imagine ancient people as cleanly bathed, drinking fresh water, and enjoying basic human rights"...... okay who is "we"? i don't know one person over the age of 5 who believes this. oh, also, did you know they didn't have phones during the time of Ancient Egyptians. no? You could learn that if you read this book.

[Allie da Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerhouse resource for doubters and defenders of the faith.

[J.K. Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating – Put it on your list

Level – Easy, moderate length (300ish)

Summary
The subtitle does a good job of laying out the premise of the book. As a trained skeptic (journalist) he looks into the impact of Christians and into the credibility of the claims for Christ. The latter is a kind of a classical apologetics for Christ, while the former is more of a modern defense and response to some of the attacks against Christians today.

The book is broken into three parts – Skeptics Welcome, Measuring Christianity’s Impact on Society, and The Most Influential Person – as well as preface, intro, conclusion, and three appendices. The first part is autobiographical and how he came to start exploring Christianity. As an aside for this section, I didn’t like his capitalization of ‘primary evidence’ or him treating the term like it was new or proprietary. The second part looks at things like scientist who were Christians during the scientific revolution, the early Christian efforts to care for people which led to the creation of hospitals, as well as the establishment of public education and Universities. The final part is mostly classic apologetics – did Jesus exist, what did he do, what did his followers believe about him.

My Thoughts
This is also a little nit-picky, but the subtitle doesn’t match the order of the next parts in the book. He explore impact first. Of course most early schools were started to train pastors, and public schools were established to teach literacy, so that people could read the Bible. He takes this to combat the attack that Christians are anti-intellectual today, and as general evidence of the goodness of Christianity (especially with hospitals). He is a little all or nothing in that approach, because there are certainly anti-intellectual Christians, and many of those are big in the home school movement and the general attack on public school that exists today (all with no trace of irony). He has a chapter on the scientific revolution, and the impact of Christians who were important scientist. The stories are good and the evidence of their belief is pretty clear, but I don’t think it will have the apologetic impact he seems to think it might. Similarly, he focuses on abolitionist and slaves that were Christian, but I think attacks on Christianity will only focus on defenders of slavery (which he does acknowledge) or generally doubt the validity of the slaves beliefs.

The final section is the best part of the book, and probably the most useful for young or new Christians. Proof that Jesus (the person) existed is overwhelming and not in dispute in academia, I think the only doubters are internet Atheists, but he does a good job displaying the information from sources outside of Christianity. A common attack against Christian beliefs is that the Resurrection and Deification of Christ were much later additions to the established Church (despite clear evidence to the contrary in the Bible). I think the Divinci Code makes this claim, so it is pretty popular now. Of course there is non-Christian written evidence by Jewish and Greek historians written a few decades (not centuries) after Christ that state that Christians claim Jesus was raised from the dead and that they worshiped him as a god.

The final chapter alone is worth the book. The middle section is good. It is important for Christians to know their history and the impact we’ve had on the world, but the apologetic aspect of the last part is of greater importance. As a church, we’ve done a poor job education our people and this is especially true in history and apologetcs. The books is really well written and very accessible. My hope would be that it would spark some interest in Christians knowing more about ourselves and better able to defend attacks. If you are starting this topic, or already interested, this is a book to add to your list.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
More reviews at MondayMorningTheologian.com

[Karl Dumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a practical standpoint it seems to me that there are two types of people in the world: those who admit that they have or have had doubts about Jesus and the claims that He made about Himself, and those who are lying about never having had a single moment of doubt. Let’s face it, some of those claims are pretty outrageous.
John S. Dickerson is one of those who had doubts, and so he set out to see for himself what was really true about Jesus. As an investigative reporter, he is well qualified to look at these claims, and then decide for himself about the validity of the claims. The result of that investigation is his latest book Jesus Skeptic: A Journalist Explores the Credibility and Impact of Christianity (Baker Books, 2019). Spoiler alert: Dickerson is now serving as Lead Pastor at Connection Pointe Christian Church in Indianapolis. This skeptic investigator found enough evidence to convince him that Jesus existed, and that his impact on the world continues even today, 2000 years later.
I particularly enjoyed his comments on Jesus’ continuing influence. Most people are forgotten within just a short time after their death. Sure sometimes we still study them in history books, but a decade after leaving school, even if we still recognize the name, we don’t often remember what they were famous for. But Christians, taking on the mantle of Christ, have been preeminent in the fields of science, medicine, education, and even instrumental in bringing about the end of slavery.
There are close to 500 endnotes, which normally would scare me, but they are not long detailed, explanations of a single point. When Dickerson cites the ‘primary evidence’ he wants to make sure that the reader can go check it out for himself. This book is fairly easy to read, and is full of fascinating facts about Jesus and the impact He had and, still today, has on the world.
There’s enough here to convince even the most skeptical of skeptics. A must read, and must share book.
I received a copy of this book as a member of the publisher’s blogger’s program; thoughts are my own, and there was no expectation or requirement that I would post a positive review.
4.5/5

[C.L. Burger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus Skeptic is a fascinating book written by journalist, John S.Dickerson. The book explores the credibility and impact of Christianity on society. This book is a thorough account of the facts (Yes, real facts!) of Jesus here on earth. Dickerson not only points out the impact of Christianity on society but also the enormity of the message and teachings of Jesus in our world today.

Dickerson writes from the perspective of an investigative journalist and self-admitted skeptic. His list of resources and research fills pages of notes in the back of the book. In addition, Jesus Skeptic offers suggested reading lists for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the facts of the presence and impact of Jesus here on earth.

The book measures Christianity’s impact on the Scientific Revolution, listing many famous scientific pioneers and their documented deep faith in Jesus Christ. The impact of Christianity doesn’t end there. That is just the beginning as the author proves how universities, hospitals, modern medicine, ending slavery and public education all have roots in the Christian faith.

Although the author’s primary audience may have been skeptics of Jesus, it is also an invaluable resource for Christians introducing those who struggle to believe in Jesus by faith alone. In other words, this book is Jesus saying to doubting Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27) Dickerson doesn’t suggest that Jesus was real—he proves it! If anyone doubts that Jesus was an actual, living human being who claimed to be God—his or her doubt will vanish after reading Jesus Skeptic.

Much like author Josh McDowell who wanted to disprove the existence of Jesus in Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Dickerson’s investigation and research cause him to want more of Jesus himself. I believe in Jesus by faith. Nonetheless, I’m strengthened in my faith by this amazing account of the documented facts of Jesus Christ. This book is essential reading for both the doubting Thomas and the faith-filled Christian.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw the title of this book, I was a little put off. I wasn’t so sure that I wanted to read a book about someone who was skeptical of Jesus. But, I was surprised to find a well-researched book, where a skeptic of Christianity became a Christian because of the results of his findings.

If you enjoy reading history, then this is a book that you will enjoy. Dickerson discusses the impact that Christianity has had on society, whether or not Jesus actually existed, and what this means for us today. I found it interesting to learn the impact that Christians had in opening hospitals, ending slavery, and in literacy/public education. My favorite chapter was chapter 13, “Did Jesus Actually Exist?” I of course believe that Jesus existed and is the Son of God, and accept that through faith. But, I never knew that there were records of Jesus’s life and his followers written by people that lived in that time period. It also made a lot of sense to me that Jesus’s disciples would not have been willing to lose their lives for something they knew to be a hoax.

“Believing that Jesus is God is a step of faith that requires believing in what we cannot see. Yes, it takes faith to believe that Jesus rose from the dead and can provide eternal life. But it turns out that it does not take faith to believe that Jesus existed. Nor does it require any faith to acknowledge that this real person launched a global movement. Jesus’s existence is an established fact of history, proven by ancient artifacts and writings. And this conclusion has stood up to frequent critique and investigation for two thousand years.”

I would recommend this book for anyone who is skeptical of Christianity, or for a seasoned Christian who wants to strengthen their faith by reading about Jesus’s impact on the world. I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group, in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I was excited to read Jesus Skeptic before I even opened it, and I was even more excited about it after reading the first ten pages. I’ve read books like it before, most recently Unimaginable by Jeremiah Johnston, but this is the first book I’ve read that dealt with so thoroughly and with such attention to primary evidence.

By primary evidence, Dickerson explains that he means things like firsthand accounts or historical documents of the time period being discussed, similar to the evidence a journalist (which Dickerson is) would use in writing a story. So, the book explores the primary evidence behind science, education, hospitals, and the abolition of slavery to explore the question of whether Jesus’s teachings have helped further justice and progress, or inhibited it. It’s the question of whether Christianity has been good for the world or not, and Dickerson explores it thoroughly, diving deep into statistics and the people behind many important movements.

I knew many things that this book talked about already, but some I did not, and I enjoyed learning more about how universities were established, the origins of hospitals, and what life was like for the majority of people until about two hundred years ago. And the best part of this book is that Dickerson uses only the words of the people who were involved and facts and statistics that can be obtained by anyone. There are pictures and documents and tons of detailed footnotes. There’s even a website, which I peeked at briefly to see if it would be useful for teaching.

This book was especially helpful for times when I forget what an impact Christianity can have on people. Dickerson shared personal stories of his own, as well as stories of people he knew—again, all primary evidence that can be independently verified. And it will be especially helpful for when my students broach the exact question Dickerson is exploring in this novel. Even if you know this information already, Jesus Skeptic is a worthwhile read—but it’s a vital one if you are not aware of the evidence that is out there for Christian involvement in education, medicine, science, and the abolition of slavery.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus Skeptic
A Journalist Explores the Credibility and Impact of Christianity
by John S. Dickerson

Baker Books

Christian

Pub Date 15 Oct 2019


I am reviewing a copy of Jesus Skeptic through Baker Books and Netgalley:



Jesus Skeptic is not your typical book in the sense that it delves into the artifacts, and facts that show the reality of Jesus living as well as the impact that it has on our lives today.


It is different too in that it shows the positive impact of Jesus’s story and the positive social impact it has today.


This is a journalist personal journey to realizing the impact that Jesus’s story has on us today. At the beginning of this investigation John S Dickerson set out to answer these questions:


Did Jesus actually exist?
Can Jesus’s teachings actually provide peace, identity, and fulfillment today?


Do Jesus’s teachings block social justice and human progress—or do Jesus’s teachings further those causes?


Using some of the methods he uses in his reporting John S Dickerson begins a journey into Jesus’s life, not as a believer but as an Investigation Journalist, and one who admittedly was a skeptic. This investigation into Christianity began with a man who was admittedly a skeptic.


In this book Dickerson takes nothing for granted as he explores whether Jesus lived and the impact whether Jesus lived and how his story changed the world.


Jesus Skeptic uncovers convincing physical evidence that will enlighten those who are seeking, skeptics as well as long time believers. John S Dickerson has written a powerful and enlightening book for this generation.


I give Jesus Skeptic five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Shirley Alarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impactful, educational, and interesting investigation into the credibility of Christianity.

Successful journalist (Author) John S. Dickerson used his investigative journalistic approach to explore fundamental human questions. Who am I? What am I worth? Where will I belong and be safe? Why do I exist?

When he found Jesus at the center of the most centered people he interviewed, he decided to use his journalism skills to put Jesus to the test. Jesus Skeptic - A Journalist Explores the Credibility and Impact of Christianity defines his quest to analyze the impact of Jesus using hard evidence instead of hope or opinion.

From our educational system to medical care and science, Dickerson explores and explains the fascinating impact of Jesus and His followers on our current society. The facts that Dickerson lays out debunk a common myth that Christians are weak and stupid. Dickerson’s cases are concise and comprehensive, serving those who already believe as well as the skeptics.

Dickerson conveys his study and conclusions using clear, understandable language, as expected of a journalist. Because Jesus Skeptic covers various topics and isn’t a narrative, some of the points are repeated, but I felt it was helpful to have underscored those findings. Dickerson cites an impressive list of references at the end.

Dickerson’s research ultimately led to his own conversion to Christianity. His conversion might make some skeptics distrust his conclusions because belief requires some leap of faith no matter how certain the physical evidence seems.

How this book affected me:
My favorite books are memoirs where non-Christians set out to disprove Christianity and their quest ultimately ends with their conversion. So I loved the premise of this book. I was personally fascinated to learn the impact Jesus has had on our current society. This book was interesting, entertaining and educational. It’s a report of findings, rather than a memoir, and it’s unlike any book I’ve read before. Highly recommended.

Who would enjoy this book:
A major audience for Jesus Skeptic is Christians whose faith is wavering, those who say they believe but who struggle to actually believe. Also, Christians who enjoy ‘quest and conversion’ stories would enjoy this book. Christians who are interested to understand the history and the ways in which Jesus impacted life as we know it today would love this book. And non-Christians who’re interested in historical facts about Jesus would be served well by this book. This book may not convince the staunchest agnostics or atheists, but I suggest recommending it to every hopeful agnostic you know!

Our Christian Book Reviews:
The book reviews at Finding God Among Us focus on Christian books - adult and children, fiction and nonfiction. We're proud to be included in the Top 50 Christian Book Review Bloggers. I chose to read an ARC from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This review is my honest opinion.

[Travis Heystek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best one I’ve read in quite awhile when it comes to apologetics style writing. It’s a refreshing approach that doesn’t seek to tear others down in order to make its point. John does a great job building and presenting a case for why the world is much better off with the impact of Christianity. Even as a Christian pastor there have been times I’ve wondered if we sometimes do as much damage to the name of Christ as we do goof for it. Dickerson does a great job bringing to light some ways Christianity has greatly impacted the world in ways I had never considered. He also refutes some ideas that Christianity is somehow counter to science. Some people will consider the evidence to be anecdotal, but I think many will agree you have to choose to believe beyond reason that the evidence is anecdotal. I’m really not sure how to be critical of this book. It was a book on Christian apologetics I was able to speed through, kept me engaged, and reshaped the way I’ll approach conversations with skeptics in the future. This book is one of the few I can give 5 stars in 2019. My approach to books in the past has possibly been to gracious, but this book is definitely 5 stars for me, and I plan to recommend this book to the people of my church and anyone who made me questioning the validity of Christianity or it’s positive impact on society.

[Shawn Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misleading title as there is little skepticism involved here. It's mainly about confirming bias. Most books do that, but a different title would have been more appropriate. Maybe something like, "Good in the World: Accomplishments of Christians Throughout History". I'm ranking this book at three stars as I think it was a good compilation of accomplishments throughout history.

The downside of the book is that is that it doesn't fit the title of being skeptical. A true skeptic would have went further into some of the counterarguments. But let's be honest, most books meant to persuade do not do that. I think a lot of people would agree that many good things can be traced back to Christians, but in reality, that has been the dominant religion in western society for over 1,000 years so couldn't one blame Christianity for all bad things that have happened? I think what he failed to discuss is how all of the good things he detailed also had Christians who were resisting. Abolishing slavery is the best example.

I won't nitpick specific citations from the book, but I will say that this is such an easy read, it's at least worth reading it for yourself. My guess is that if you are a skeptic of religion, you will pick out lots of flaws, but if you are an evangelical Christian you'll be nodding your head in agreement.

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review:
John Dickerson is an award-winning investigative news reporter. That profession is the lens through which he “explores the credibility and impact of Christianity” (book subtitle)– including the historical reality of Jesus Christ and His claims. Dickerson approached this topic as a skeptic, not as a believer, endeavoring to bring the same objectivity he brings to all his news reporting. He says, “My aim as a reporter is to present facts so that justice is served and humanity improves. My aim here is to present the truth so that you can decide for yourself what to believe…My aim is not to tell you how to think but, very simply, to show you the artifacts, the evidence, the record” (pp. 32,33). Dickerson compares the life before Jesus’ influence with the impact Christianity has had on society since Jesus’ resurrection. He works through the Scientific Revolution, the founding of Universities, modern medicine, abolition of slavery, and public education.

His book is a concise, well-researched presentation of Jesus Christ and the Christian religion He birthed. It is a compelling perspective for our pluralistic world.

[Joel Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Himself a skeptic in regards to faith in Jesus Christ, John S. Dickerson seeks to discover why so many people believe in and follow Jesus Christ. In his exploration, Dickerson takes a unique perspective on apologetics by exploring how the person of Jesus Christ has influenced his followers and how those followers have then transformed the world through their obedience to Christ. In “Skeptic Jesus” Dickerson looks at how Christians have been influential in overcoming slavery, improving education, discovering scientific truths, and a myriad of other improvements upon society. As Dickerson explored his doubt he himself becomes a believer and seeks to convince other skeptics that following Jesus is necessary for an improved world. Anyone who questions why intelligent and gifted people follow after Jesus should read “Jesus Skeptic.” A life may be transformed in the process.
I received this book as part of Baker Publishing Group’s blogging program.

[Ellie Dix · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have questions about the credibility of Christianity, or if you are just curious to learn more (like me), then this is a great book to pick up!

I was immediately drawn to the description of this book because it promoted answers from artifacts written by philosophers, scientists, activists and more. I learned that the majority of the big stars in these various professions were devout Christians - something I feel that society often ignores or hides. Their relationship with Jesus even prompted some of their most amazing findings and movements.

This book was very carefully written over a long period of time, and the amount of evidence collected proves this. This is perfect for the non-believer (or skeptic) that has many unanswered questions about Jesus and the group of people that follow Him who are known as Christians.

[Rex Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Dickerson is an investigative journalist who pursued, from a true skeptics point of view, if Jesus really lived, his impact on the people He came in contact during His time on earth and how He continues to impact us today. John points to men and women who have been serious in the belief and faith in Jesus has impacted the world we live in. People like, Johns Hopkins, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, John Harvard, Martin Luther King Jr. and many many others.

You may be a total skeptic yourself and Jesus is waiting to help you make a discovery that will change your life. John S. Dickerson can shine a light on your pathway to discovery. I am so grateful to my beautiful daughter for giving me this book to add to my collection of great works. Enjoy.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the same vein as Lee Strobel’s works, this book is about a journalist who scours through all the evidence he can find about God to make a choice about whether He is real or not. Some of the chapter were pretty good. Others were not at all. The low point of the book was the popularity contest where he compared the amount of instagram followers of popular celebrities like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry, to the amount of followers that Christ has across the globe. I can’t imagine anyone finding that convincing or more importantly it being a valid and Biblical defense of the faith.

[victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was remarkable writing, encouraging and compelling to read with that also you will be surprise to getting close to finding the real answer an identify, significance and a meaningful of your life base on the research and investigative about Jesus historical of a Journalist and the Author of this book. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book from Baker Books Bloggers for this review”.

[Catherine Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, fact driven book. As much as I love apologetics, I also love facts and research. This book is not based in opinion, but in one journalists journey to uncover the truth about Jesus, whatever that might be. He looks at the global impact of Jesus-followers in medicine, science and other areas. His writing style was so easy to read and presented the material clearly. I'd definitely recommend to anyone who would like to learn more about Jesus from a non-biblical perspective!