Paul R. Eddy - The Jesus legend: a case for the historical reliability of the synoptic Jesus tradition

This is one of the most important books on methodological issues in the study of Jesus and the Gospels to have appeared for a long time. It deserves to be widely read.

Richard Bauckham, professor of New Testament studies and Bishop Wardlaw Professor, St. Marys College, University of St. Andrews

The Jesus Legend is the best book in its class. Authors Eddy and Boyd demonstrate mastery of the disciplines essential for critical assessment of the Gospels and competent investigation of the historical Jesus. Again and again they expose the dubious assumptions and underpinnings of the theories proffered by those who assume that Jesus either did not exist or that the New Testament Gospels give us little more than myth and legend. I recommend this book in the highest terms.

Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor, Acadia Divinity College, and author of Fabricating Jesus: How Modern Scholars Distort the Gospels

Eddy and Boyd provide a clearly written, carefully researched, and powerfully argued defense of the historical reliability of the Synoptic Gospels. What makes this book noteworthy is the careful treatment of underlying issues in historical methodology and philosophy. A pleasure to read and a wonderful resource for those who have encountered troubling skeptical claims about the Gospels.

C. Stephen Evans, University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Baylor University

I am gratified that my friends and colleagues Paul Eddy and Greg Boyd have taken my work as seriously as they have in this comprehensively researched book. Bravo for their repudiation of any bias of philosophical naturalism! Amen to their urging that the burden of proof is on whomever would reject any bit of gospel tradition as unhistorical. Other than this, I would dispute almost every one of their assertions-but that is why I recommend the book! What can you learn if you only reinforce your own viewpoint? I urge any reader of my books to read this one alongside them!

Robert M. Price, professor of biblical criticism, Center for Inquiry Institute, and fellow of the Jesus Seminar

Eddy and Boyd have provided a thoroughly compelling cumulative argument-one of the very best available-for the reliability of the Synoptic Jesus tradition. Their book constitutes a superb treatment of the various issues, involving both fresh research and a brilliant synthesis of material from a variety of relevant disciplines (philosophy, anthropology, historiography, as well as New Testament, early Judaism, and Greco-Roman antiquity). It is far better argued and documented than the works of the vast majority of the skeptics it challenges.

Craig S. Keener, professor of New Testament, Palmer Seminary

Misinformation about the historical Jesus and the reliability of the New Testament Gospels runs rampant in the twenty-first century. Some of this comes from eccentric or flawed scholarship; some from purely fictitious novels. Eddy and Boyd have surveyed technical and popular writing alike, in meticulous detail, and present what can be concluded responsibly about the trustworthiness of the Synoptic Gospels and the portraits of Jesus they contain. They compile a detailed and erudite case that supports Christian faith, but without the simplistic and unwarranted generalizations that one often hears in grassroots evangelical circles. Highly recommended!

Craig L. Blomberg, distinguished professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

A most welcome survey and critique of modern-day imaginative reconstructions of the rise of Christianity that attempt to justify faith in the presupposition of a non-supernaturalistic Jesus. Well-written and organized, containing a masterful command of the literature. Eddy and Boyd show the difference between an open historical investigation of the life of Jesus and much of todays fictional writing that claims to be historical research concerning the origin of Christianity. A very useful introduction for college and seminary students.

Robert H. Stein, senior professor of New Testament interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

2007 by Paul Rhodes Eddy and Gregory A. Boyd

Published by Baker Academic
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 495166287

www.bakeracademic.com

Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Eddy, Paul R.

The Jesus legend : a case for the historical reliability of the synoptic Jesus tradition / Paul Rhodes Eddy and Gregory A. Boyd.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 10: 0-8010-3114-1 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-8010-3114-4 (pbk.)

1. Synoptic problem. 2. Bible. N.T. GospelsCriticism, interpretation, etc. I. Boyd, Gregory A., 1957- II. Title.

BS2555.52.E33 2007

226.067dc22 2007006639

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Dedicated to

Jim Beilby
and
Roger Forster

I would like to dedicate this work to Jim Beilby, my colleague, collaborator, and close friend. His philosophical acumen, editing skills, and willingness to engage my rough drafts have enhanced my academic work over the years. His financial wisdom has challenged me to be a better steward. His honest and self-sacrificial friendship has been a blessing to my life. Thank you, Jim.

Paul

I would like to dedicate this work to Roger Forster, founder and head of Ichthus Fellowship, centered in London. For fifty years Roger has tirelessly and selflessly served the Kingdom with intellectual brilliance and Christ-like sacrifice. Roger, I never knew what it was to respect and want to emulate another living human being until I met you. Thank you.

Greg

CONTENTS

There are a number of people to whom we are indebted for various forms of input into, and encouragement and support of, this project. Jim Beilby, Michael Holmes, Erik Leafblad, Jeff Lehn, and Stewart Kelly each provided valuable reflections on early drafts of various chapters. Opportunities for correspondence with James Dunn and Theodore Weeden strengthened aspects of the chapters on oral tradition.

I (Paul) want to express my appreciation to Bethel University for supporting my sabbatical during the research phase of this project, and to my aunt Judie and uncle Tim OBrien for offering me the gift of their Punta Rassa hide-away during that time (ah, precious Sanibel!). I also want to thank the Bethel University Alumni Association for providing two research grants in support of this project. We are grateful to Betty Bond and the Bethel University Interlibrary Loan Department for their tireless dedication in tracking down countless volumes related to this bookand their patience with us along the way!

I (Greg) want to express my appreciation to my skeptical colleague Robert Price, with whom I have had the pleasure and honor of publicly debating numerous times. Price makes one of the strongest cases for the legendary Jesus thesis, and our numerous debates have helped both Paul and I sharpen our case for the reliability of the Gospels.