Books by "Michael R. Licona"
6 books found
The Resurrection: A Critical Inquiry is a scholarly work that refutes Jesuss purported physical, bodily resurrection and those writings in support of it. This book is compelling, relevant and current for those readers seeking scholarly refutations of that resurrection. This in-depth work presents the reader with 113 issues. Altogether one hundred twenty contradictions and 217 speculations are examined. Topics include cutting edge research in astronomy, geophysics, criminology and the rules of evidence, the social sciences and cognitive psychology.
A Theology of Matthew's Gospel develops the perspective that Matthew wrote his Gospel to identify, defend and proclaim Jesus Immanuel, "God with us," as the Davidic Messiah who fulfilled the OT expectations of humanity's redemption. Matthew's Gospel establishes Jesus's identity as the heir to the promises of Israel's throne through King David, and heir to the promises of blessing to all the nations through the patriarch Abraham (1:1). So, this first Gospel offers evangelistic hope in Jesus's message of the gospel to Jews, contending that they should turn to Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah (Matt 11:2-6). But, strikingly, Matthew's Gospel also offers evangelistic hope to Gentiles, emphasizing that salvation through Jesus Messiah is available to all the nations (28:19). The book emphasizes the three horizons that comprise Matthew's gospel: history, theology, and literature. The first horizon focuses on Jesus's history ministry. Here Matthew provides for us a record of God's activities in history in the arrival of Jesus Messiah and the kingdom of heaven. The second horizon develops Matthew's theological perspective for his audience(s). Here we attempt to understand and isolate Matthew's unique theological perspective of God's activities in Jesus Messiah. This is a central focus, emphasizing Matthew's theological perspective of the Old Testament, Christology, the kingdom of heaven, discipleship, the Church/church, Israel (past, present, and future), the death and resurrection of Jesus, mission/commission, and eschatology/eternity. The third horizon emphasizes today's reader(s) engaging with Matthew's Gospel as literature. Here we attempt to capture the significance of the perspective of today's reader's understanding of Jesus Messiah's activities in history and Matthew's theological perspective for the contemporary church. In this book we view Matthew's perspective of God's activities in Jesus's unfolding earthly ministry. The alternating sections of narrative and discourse provide for his readers Jesus's example to follow and Jesus's words to obey. Therefore, Matthew's Gospel is at least in a part a manual on discipleship to Jesus Messiah in the kingdom of heaven. In the six Narratives, Matthew reveals Jesus's true identity in his deeds, and introduces themes that will lead to instructions to Jesus's disciples in the Discourses. The six Narratives provide the example that Jesus's disciples are commanded to obey. In the five Discourses, Matthew records Jesus's instructions, commands, parables, directives, and prophecies that will guide his followers in their discipleship to Jesus until the end of the age. Combined, the narratives of Jesus's life provide Jesus's example to follow, and the discourses give Jesus's instructions to obey, and are the basis of our ongoing transformation to become like Jesus.
Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah and the Savior of the human race, who died for the sins of humanity on the cross (1 Cor. 15:3). The next verse adds the essential “that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” In Jesus’ Death and Burial, Michael Alter critically surveys the writings of leading Christian apologists about Jesus’ death and burial, and then explains why detractors and skeptics cannot accept the New Testament claim that Jesus died on the cross and received a tomb burial. The Resurrection and Its Apologetics is an in-depth series that significantly contributes both to the academic and non-academic world reviewing and analyzing the most salient claims put forward in defense of Jesus’ death, burial, and bodily resurrection from the dead.
An Introduction to Christian Worldview
by Tawa J. Anderson, W. Michael Clark, David K. Naugle
2017 · InterVarsity Press
Why do worldviews matter? What characterizes a Christian worldview? Part of being a thoughtful Christian means being able to understand and express the Christian worldview as well as developing an awareness of the variety of worldviews. Well organized, clearly written, and featuring aids for learning, this is the essential text for either the classroom or for self-study.
Defending the Christian faith by demonstrating its reality. Relational Apologetics is about your life becoming a defense of the Christian faith. Every relationship you have is an opportunity for you to connect people to their creator by displaying your hope, both in word and deed. Defending your faith is not just about answering questions and "proving" that God exists. It is about showing that He is real by the way you live. It is about demonstrating the power of God through your holiness. And it is about drawing people to Jesus through your kindness. Using stories and drawing on personal experiences, Sherrard teaches the importance of holiness, treating skeptics with respect, engaging in authentic conversations instead of shouting matches, and having well thought out answers to the skeptic's questions. The book doesn't delve deeply into the scientific and philosophical arguments for the existence of God and the validity of Christianity. Rather, it provides solid, simple, and easily remembered reasons why one should believe in each. It will also teach essential relational skills that are necessary for talking to skeptics and maintaining healthy relationships with them.
Today, some of the world's best minds - in a variety of disciplines - grapple with whether there is any real purpose to our lives. Yet not only do many scientists believe in the God who created us with purpose, they also understand that what we do in the here and now has consequences in the next life.John Ashton has compiled a group of essayists who specialize in fields such as archaeology, astronomy, biblical scholarship, and more. The result is a fascinating exploration of an age-old question, sure to intrigue believers and skeptics alike.