The Historical Reliability of the New Testament: Countering the Challenges to Evangelical Christian Beliefs (B&h Studies in Christian Apologetics)

Blomberg rocks, and I have multiple of his books, this one included. But why would one want digital works instead of paper? Two reasons, both related to time: search and citation (I'm an adult who owns a business and am working on a grad degree...time comes at a premium). Buy the Kindle version of this book, however, and you'll receive the following message: "Due to publisher restrictions, copy is not allowed for this title." Sadly, this reflects and antiquated perspective on value created...so Dear B&H Publishing, I'd gladly pay MORE for the digital copy than a print copy, not less. Please get with the times.

Prof. Blomberg has written a dozen solid books and over 150 peer-reviewed articles on New Testament scholarship.This 800-pager is not as intimidating as it looks. Extremely readable, easy to navigate, very well footnoted, with two generous indices, any thoughtful non-specialist could use this with some effort and care. It is that rare book of scholarship that is accessible and yet takes you on a very deep dive if you allow it to.Just started it last night, but flipping through to pet topics I have some extra interest in, I found it super insightful and reliable. Very self-evidently fair, balanced and accurate.I read the few negative reviews. A few criticize the format of the Kindle version, but not the content of the book (In fact, one of the 1-star reviews praises Blomberg!). One criticizes the conclusions Blomberg draws, but doesn't in any way show deep interaction with how Blomberg arrived at them. That sort of shallow critique is exactly the approach Blomberg avoids in his own analysis! He is generous, fair and humble in his interactions with other scholarship even if he is resolute in the conclusions he lands on.Skeptics and critics, especially, owe it to themselves and humanity to give this a few hours of your time. Even if it doesn't flip you on some issues, it will certainly temper some unfounded dismissals of the Bible that I hear constantly in our cultural narrative. Give it a test drive.Rev. Dr. Ray Cannataauthor, Rooted: The Apostles' Creed

As a budding apologist, this book is an amazing resource. Blomberg careful dissects key passages in the New Testament and brings context,clarity, and insight that would be impossible to find with your basic study bible and Strongs' concordance. He also deals in careful detail with dating,oral tradition, textual criticism, controversial passages (the late,longer ending of Mark 16:9-20),and the gnostic gospels of Peter,Thomas,and Mary,among others. Clocking in at 750+pages, this book is suprisingly a relatively easy read,as it is laid out very clearly and concisely. Some of the historical terminology is a bit daunting;however, I don't read and study this type of material because I'm already completely familiar with the subject matter. This is one to be both challenged and comforted by. I'm sure I'll be referencing it for years to come...

This book bolstered my faltering faith at a time in my life when faith is what I needed the most. It easily disposes of the fallacious arguments put forth by academics and "intellectuals" who, for reasons that often have their genesis in their unhappy, early childhoods, find it difficult, if not impossible to embrace Christianity. One can only feel sorry for people like this and pray for their eventual enlightenment and salvation through the grace of God, purchased for us all by the supreme sacrifice made by His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dr. Craig Blomberg is the greatest living defender of the reliability of the New Testament.

Book was in like new condition

Excellent

I thought Dr. Blomberg did a terrific job. Not everyone will agree with every single point made in the book, not even me. Some people will look for other explanations for the differing genealogies of Jesus in the Gospels, some will want to date Matthew and Luke later than the 60s.But a strong case is made for the historical reliability of the New Testament.

The author begins extremely well. In his introduction the author notes (via in fact a reference to the Da Vinci Code) the paradox that no matter how engaging a story is, people need to be convinced it is literally true before they will take it seriously. This is a very live issue for faiths. Despite the fact that significant number of theologians are able to accept the value of a faith that owes as much to the use of metaphor to understand God as to historical fact and to develop the idea of God that is not personal, such an approach does not seem to hold traction in the world. Therefore as the author develops his theme of historicity, drawing on authorities such as Wright and Bauckham, he does good work in strengthening the historical case. Unfortunately, when he comes to the question of miracles, healings, possession etc. he seems to give up any pretence at serious scholarship and takes refuge in the circular argument that since regular miracles can be seen in contemporary church context they should not be doubted in history. He winningly admits that critics have said this chapter undermines his whole book, and I think he is right. There are theologists - John Polkinghorne comes to mind as well as Alvin Plantinga - who have explored this question better. So, a good book for the already convinced and an easy read - which to be fair is what the title promises - but not one that contributes much to increasing our understanding of the different ways in which the gap between faith and fact might be bridged.

One of the most informative books I’ve read on the New Testament. Blomberg is a master scholar and this book is a bargain buy.

Easy to read and the man has an incredible knowledge.