Overview

This is a fascinating and essential resource for anyone interested in historical methods and the search for the historical Jesus. Almost all experts agree that the Jesus of the Bible is a composite of myth, legend, and historical evidence. So what can we know about the real Jesus? For more than 50 years scholars have attempted to answer this seminal question. In this in-depth discussion of New Testament scholarship and the challenges of history as a whole, historian Carrier proposes Bayes' Theorem as a solution to the problem of establishing reliable historical criteria. Writing with clarity and acuity Carrier explains Bayes' Theorem in easily understandable terms. He then explores the theorem's application to history and addresses numerous challenges and criticisms. For anyone with an interest in historical methods, epistemology in general or in the study of the historical Jesus will find this a fascinating and essential volume.

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9781616145590

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[C]arefully exposes what happens when sound methodology meets biblical studies. . . . Proving History is a brilliant lesson in the proper proportioning of belief to evidence. Even minimal attention to Bayesian probability theory reveals just how much of Jesus scholarship confuses 'possibly true' with 'probably true.' The only miracle Richard Carrier has left to explain is why so few appreciate that extraordinary claims require extraordinary support. <br>-Dr. Malcolm Murray, Author of The Atheist's Primer<br><br> Carrier applies his philosophical and historical training to maximum effect in outlining a case for the use of Bayes's Theorem in evaluating biblical claims. Even biblical scholars, who usually are not mathematically inclined, may never look at the 'historical Jesus' the same way again. <br>-Dr. Hector Avalos, Professor of religious studies, Iowa State University, and author of, The End of Biblical Studies

[C]arefully exposes what happens when sound methodology meets biblical studies. . . . Proving History is a brilliant lesson in the proper proportioning of belief to evidence. Even minimal attention to Bayesian probability theory reveals just how much of Jesus scholarship confuses possibly true with probably true. The only miracle Richard Carrier has left to explain is why so few appreciate that extraordinary claims require extraordinary support. -Dr. Malcolm Murray, Author of The Atheist s Primer Carrier applies his philosophical and historical training to maximum effect in outlining a case for the use of Bayes s Theorem in evaluating biblical claims. Even biblical scholars, who usually are not mathematically inclined, may never look at the historical Jesus the same way again. -Dr. Hector Avalos, Professor of religious studies, Iowa State University, and author of, The End of Biblical Studies

[C]arefully exposes what happens when sound methodology meets biblical studies. . . . Proving History is a brilliant lesson in the proper proportioning of belief to evidence. Even minimal attention to Bayesian probability theory reveals just how much of Jesus scholarship confuses 'possibly true' with 'probably true.' The only miracle Richard Carrier has left to explain is why so few appreciate that extraordinary claims require extraordinary support. -Dr. Malcolm Murray, Author of The Atheist's Primer Carrier applies his philosophical and historical training to maximum effect in outlining a case for the use of Bayes's Theorem in evaluating biblical claims. Even biblical scholars, who usually are not mathematically inclined, may never look at the 'historical Jesus' the same way again. -Dr. Hector Avalos, Professor of religious studies, Iowa State University, and author of, The End of Biblical Studies

Author Information

Richard C. Carrier is a highly respected independent scholar, historian, and author.

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