Murray J. Harris's Three Crucial Questions about Jesus deals with three pillars of the Christian faith in creatively different ways. Harris so frames these christological studies that they serve as model apologetic approaches for defending the validity of Christianity. - Did Jesus exist? Harris first addresses Jesus' historical existence, surveying four early classical writers for evidence that a person named Jesus of Nazareth lived in Israel in the first century. - Did Jesus rise from the dead? In debate format, Harris counters the most convincing arguments that Jesus did not return from the dead. The debaters discuss, among other issues, the so-called swoon theory, alternative explanations for the empty tomb, psychological explanations for the recorded appearances, and the Shroud of Turin - Is Jesus God? Finally, Harris amasses the New Testament evidence that teaches that Jesus is God, thereby countering those who believe that Jesus' godhood has been read into the Bible by overzealous believers. Harris discusses the divine status claimed by or accorded to Jesus, the divine functions exercised by Jesus, and the divine title God used of Jesus. Murray J. Harris is professor emeritus of New Testament Exegesis and Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.
