Stephen Patterson reviews Craig Evans’s Fabricating Jesus
The latest Review of BIblical Literature features a review of Craig Evans's apologetic work Fabricating Jesus (previously discussed HERE) by Stephen Patterson. Patterson has pubished widely on the Gospel of Thomas; but, unlike my own review of the book, Patterson's review devotes little space to Evans's approach to the CA. It focuses instead on Evans's approach to the canonical gospels and to the scholars wth which Evans's takes issue. Here is an excerpt from the review:
After spending an unpleasant week with this book, it is all too tempting to let Evans’s own words come back to haunt him: “I am appalled at much of this work. Some of it, frankly, is embarrassing.” But this would not do. My real difference with Evans is that I do not share his evangelical stipulations about the text. This is a divide that we must increasingly deal with in biblical studies. Competently trained scholars now operate on both sides of this great divide. How we handle that difference honestly and respectfully is our unique challenge. On that score this book fails miserably and can best serve as a counterexample of how not to engage one’s colleagues in discussion and debate.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
It’s rare to see such a negative review – although it may not fulfill its intended purpose: more people are sure to buy the book for the laugh factor alone now.
Do the believers among bible scholars really cause such a fuss? Patterson seem rather angry.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Patterson’s anger may be due more to expecting more from Evans, who is (I believe) rather well-respected.
September 12th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
well-respected..prior to this book
September 15th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
[...] Tony Burke drew my attention to Stephen Patterson’s scathing review of Craig Evans’ Fabricating Jesus. I’m seriously tempted to buy it, just to see if it’s as bad as the reviews says – not something I assume Patterson intended. [...]