Recommended

After an chapter introducing the state of the problems, Blomberg dives in with a look at the “ancient” principles of form and redaction criticism and at oral tradition. He also briefly looks at some newer theories, including the idea of the Gospels as midrash (an idea very much beloved by John Shelby Spong) and so-called “structuralist” and “post-structualist” theories that relate to the relationship of words and events - and have their grounding in a deterministic worldview.

The third chapter takes a look at the problem of miracles, including scientific, philosophical, and historical objections. Comparisons to pagan and Jewish miracle stories are made. Several pages are devoted to the resurrection.

Chapters Four and Five are devoted to the matter of the Gospels themselves, and are the core of the presentation. Blomberg deals with the matter of theological and chronological differences in the Synoptics, offering several examples of resolved difficulties - the reader will wish to note the techniques used in particular, for they do have broader application. He then steers into the Gospel of John, noting both similarities and differences from the Synoptics.

Chapter Six goes outside the Gospels, and is perhaps the most disappointing chapter. A few key alleged contradictions and errors are examined, notably the census of Quirinius, although Blomberg’s treatment of it is not as complete as Glenn Miller’s. Nor is Blomberg’s treatment of secular references to Jesus as comprehensive as that offered in this item. However, the sections on the Jesus tradition in the church fathers’ writings and in the rest of the New Testament should remain helpful.

Finally, Chapter Seven closes out the work with some coverage of matters of historical method - and a refusal by Blomberg to place the Gospels in the genre of ancient bioi. This is perhaps Blomberg’s only major dissension from our point of view, and his disagreement is based upon the questionable assumption (disproven by Glenn Miller) that bioi was generally a realm for free creation of material. (See here for more.)

Aside from these few disappoinments, however, Blomberg’s work is excellent - and the book is certainly an excellent value for the price. We heartily recommend this work, with the caveats offered, to all beginning students of apologetics and New testament history.