The Historical Figure of Jesus

Written by E.P. Sanders Reviewed By Stanley E. Porter

This volume is a more popular-level presentation of the results of Sanders’s numerous earlier investigations of Jesus. Sanders eschews theological questions and undertakes to present what can be known historically about Jesus. Sanders begins with 11 statements about Jesus that he claims are virtually beyond dispute, and adds four statements about the aftermath of Jesus’ life. It is around these that he constructs a description of Jesus’ life. Although some will find Sanders’s indisputable facts too few in number, the book offers a very useful way into the issue of the historical Jesus. Sanders includes five chapters of background lo the issues, including treatment of extra-biblical sources, before undertaking discussion of the life and ministry of Jesus himsetf. The study is a pleasure to read for its clarity of expression.


Stanley E. Porter

Roehampton Institute, London