Book Review
C. Marvin Pate, 40
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HISTORICAL JESUS, Grand
Rapids MI
I must admit I was looking forward to this book. The last
few years there has be a change among Biblical Scholars about the gospels and
the importance of Q. I wanted to see if the changes are reflected in this
volume. It is a large volume and covers a wide range of the subject. The
subject is arranged in four main divisions:
(1) Background Questions about the historical Jesus. This is
divided into two main sections, the first consist of 5 questions. In this
section he points out that the reliability of the Scriptures were confined to
the academic world. However, now it has slipped into the popular culture. This
has been mainly the result of the popular secular Jesus movement by such works
as the DaVinci Code. He confronts such results and falsehoods. One can still
answer yes to the reliability of the four gospels. He also confirms that the
gospels present an accurate description of Jesus?
(2) There are questions about the Birth and Childhood of
Jesus.
Pate centers upon the truth of the virgin birth of Jesus. He
confirms the historical facts of Jesus birth as recorded in Scripture. He takes
an honest look at the virgin birth and deals squarely with the problems of such
a view. He upholds that the virgin birth is a key to the incarnation of Christ.
He includes a section of Isaiah 7:14.
(3) There are questions of the Childhood of Jesus. This
includes his relationship with Mary and his brothers and sisters. He confirms
that Scripture speaks of them in Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55. There are three
views about them: Are they cousins? Are they actual brothers and sisters? Are they step-brothers and sisters? He holds there were brothers and sisters born
of Mary and Joseph. He goes on to question the economic status of the
family—which he would classify as middle class. And of course this subject
would not be complete without questions about Jesus being a child miracle
worker as conveyed by the apocryphal gospels. He points out two dangers as
taking these as gospel: (1) the late date of the works which are from 200 to
500 AD. (2) They have agendas other than historical fact. Therefore they have
no place in biblical study.
(4) Questions about His Life and Teaching. In this he deals
with why there are four gospels. When Jesus began his ministry. The
significance of His baptism and temptation. Who are the Twelve? The meaning of
the Transfiguration. And the true miracles of His ministry. The history actuary
of the passion of Christ and His resurrection. In this Pate upholds the
authority, unity, and continuity of the Bible. All of these points verify the
life of the historical Jesus.
Concerning the teaching of Jesus he deals with its focus. He
upholds that it was the kingdom
of God Israel ), and the opposed Messianic
King.
While this is a good survey, Pate seems to be light in
certain areas: Synoptic problems and its influence of the historical Jesus; He
seems at times to be more interested in the theology rather than the
historical; and more could have been done on the parables since it was a major
element of the teaching of Christ.
Certain things are helpful including footnotes at the bottom
of the pages, not endnotes. I hope publishers get away from the endnote, which
is frustrating for this student. The book has a number of good charts, as well
as questions at the end of the chapter. I appreciate the Ancient Source Index,
and not just a Scriptural index. A subject index would have been helpful. The
question and answer index will be helpful for the general reader. Overall, it
is a valuable source for laymen and Pastor alike. It is informative, reader
friendly, and a helpful guide.
I received this book from Kregel Academic in exchange for
this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in
accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides
Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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