The Christ Files: How Historians Know What They Know about Jesus

ISBN: 0310328691

Author: Dickson, John

Condition: Used

In The Christ Files, a four-session small group Bible study, scholar John Dickson examines the Christian faith through a historical look at the Christian faith and life of Jesus from both Scriptural and other non-Bible documentation.Unique among the worlds religions, the central claims of Christianity concern not just timeless spiritual truths, but tangible historical events as well. Historian John Dickson examines Christianitys claims in the light of history, opening you and your group to a wealth of ancient sources and explaining how mainstream scholars - whether or not they claim Christian Faith personally - reach their conclusions about historys most influential figure, Jesus of Nazareth.In The Christ Files, Dickson skillfully highlights sources and historical methods used to study Christianitys assertions. He illustrates how historians assess the reliability of data, and provides an honest and informed perspective on where historical issues or clear-cut and where personal faith comes into play.The Christ Files will help you and your small group expand your understanding of early Christianity and the life of Jesus.This 110-page Participant Guide includes seven chapters of reading and background contextual information, along with questions for four impactful small group sessions. It is meant for use in conjunction with the four-session The Christ Files DVD (sold separately).Chapter titles:1. The Game of ScholarshipHow to Read between the Haedlines2. Secret GospelsJesus in the Gnostic Writings3. The TroublemakerJesus in Ancient Pagan Writings4. Deceiver and MagicianJesus in Ancient Jewish Writings5. Behind the New TestamentEarliest Christian Sources6. Before the GospelsJesus in the Oral Tradition7. Jesus in ContextBackground Sources for the Study of JesusSmall Group Study sessions include:1. Gnostics and Romans2. Jews and Christians3. Lost Sources and Oral Traditions4. Archaeologists and Artifacts