The Historical Jesus of the Gospels

This monograph offers a comprehensive defense of the historical reliability of the Gospel accounts, particularly their portrayal of Jesus as a figure who understood himself in divine terms. Keener challenges the methodological skepticism that has dominated historical Jesus research since the Enlightenment, arguing that such skepticism often reflects philosophical presuppositions rather than sound historical method.

Drawing on extensive comparative analysis of ancient biographical literature, Keener contends that the Gospels conform to the conventions of ancient biography and should be evaluated accordingly. He demonstrates that ancient biographers, while employing literary techniques and theological interpretation, maintained a fundamental commitment to historical events. The work systematically examines the cultural context of first-century Palestine, utilizing archaeological findings, Jewish sources, and Greco-Roman parallels to illuminate the Gospel narratives.

Central to Keener's argument is his critique of the artificial dichotomy between the "Jesus of history" and the "Christ of faith." He argues that attempts to strip away supernatural elements to recover a purely human Jesus reflect modern naturalistic assumptions rather than historical inquiry. The monograph engages extensively with the Jesus Seminar and scholars like Crossan and Borg, challenging their portrayal of Jesus as merely a wisdom teacher or social revolutionary.

Keener's methodology combines traditional historical-critical tools with insights from social-scientific criticism and narrative analysis. He emphasizes the importance of eyewitness testimony in the Gospel tradition, noting the relatively short time span between Jesus' ministry and the written Gospels. The work addresses standard critical issues including the Synoptic Problem, the relationship between John and the Synoptics, and apparent discrepancies between accounts.

The monograph's significance lies in its challenge to post-Enlightenment skepticism about the Gospels' historical value. While not directly arguing for Jesus' divinity in philosophical terms, Keener maintains that historically responsible reading of the sources must reckon with Jesus' exalted self-understanding and his followers' immediate recognition of his divine status. The work represents a major contribution to evangelical scholarship's engagement with critical biblical studies, demonstrating that rigorous historical method need not lead to reductionist conclusions about Jesus' identity. Keener's extensive documentation and engagement with diverse scholarly positions make this a significant reference work for understanding how historical investigation relates to theological claims about Jesus' nature.