The Life of Jesus Critically Examined (4th ed.)

This work opens a bold inquiry into the origins of the Gospel stories, tracing how Protestant scholars of the Reformation first began to question traditional Catholic narratives and how that critical spirit culminated in David Strauss’s revolutionary study. By situating Strauss’s method within the broader history of theological debate, the author shows how the early modern challenge to biblical authority set the stage for a systematic re‑evaluation of the New Testament’s historicity.

The author follows Strauss’s uncompromising logic, applying the “myth” concept to every episode of the Gospel accounts and exposing the gaps and contradictions that have long been glossed over. Listeners will encounter a clear, rigorous analysis that dismantles familiar apologetic defenses while acknowledging the limits of pure criticism. The book invites anyone curious about the scholarly foundations of faith to consider what remains uncertain and what new questions arise when the familiar stories are examined with fresh, scholarly eyes.