Searching for Jesus by Robert J. Hutchsinson

This is an apologetics book how the Biblical Gospels authenticate the historical case fr Jesus. The author, Robert Hutchinson, got his degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of six books and has written for many national publications, including CHRISTIANITY TODAY. This book is solidly based on the research he has done to write it. He begins with an Author's Note which poses questions that this entire book are meant to explore and answer. He continues with an Introduction, which gives a summary of his experiences in the Holy Land, which give him much bacground for this book. He continues with a Prologue, which focuses on the Person of Jesus. The the author begins his actual first chapter, the first of his 11 chapters for this book. Each chapter ends with a number of books for suggested study. He ends the book with an Epilogue, which is like an afterthought to this book, acknowledgements of those who made this book possible and a bibliography. Finally, he concludes all this with many pages of notes, arranged as notes of sources used in each chapter.

I found this to be a fascinating book. While solidly based on research from start to finish, it was more than just another apologetics book. It was also a memoir of this author's experiences of the land where Jesus lived and walked when He was living as a human being. With his use of photos of the Holy Land, though in black and white, I got a feel for what life may have been when Jesus lived His human life here on earth 2000 years ago. I liked how he challenged some of the conclusions about how the Scriptures were written, translated and perserved over the centuries, that those in Christendom have traditionally made. He states that Jesus was probably a learned Rabbi, not an illiterate peasant as based on how He handled Himself in dealing with the religious leaders of His day. I was saddened at the very end of the book when the author states that on our own, none of us individual followers of Jesus reflect much of His goodness or decency. Yet I realize how true that this is. I liked how the author anticpates the arguments of those who may object to the assertions that he makes this book and then answers them. I got through this lengthy book faster than I thought I would because it was interesting and well-written.

As this is a rather long, scholarly book, I do not think it is for everyone. However, I do recommend it for all college students, including the non-Christian majority among them. This book may go a long way toward answering honest, intelectual doubts about the Bible and its authority. I recommend this book for all pastors and Christians who specialize in apologetics, as this book will equip them to better answer skeptical questions about the authority of Scripture and the reality of Jesus. I would like to see a youth version of this book written, as this is an age of reductionism and raionalism where everything is put through a test tube. It is true that we can never know God through our intellects, but all barriers tofaith, including intellectual doubts, need to be removed before people will consider Christ's claims.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booklook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.