1. Unwrapping the Gift: Evangelism and the Resurrection of Jesus
Introduction to Part 1
Let the Discussion Begin
n July 2000, ABC network television news anchor Peter Jennings produced
a program titled The Search for Jesus. Of the seven New Testament scholars
interviewed, four belonged to the Jesus Seminar, a group that denies most historic Christian teachings about Jesus Christ. These radical theologians have received a lot of exposure through the mass media. News organizations have found
that their controversial ideas seem novel to the public.' The irony is that, while
this group provides "expert" commentary for the popular press, most genuine
scholars of all viewpoints reject their conclusions. Regarding the Jesus Seminar,
Emory University's Luke Timothy Johnson comments that the group is "selfselected," not on grounds of quality scholarship, but on its members' prior commitment to a radical liberal viewpoint.' Craig Blomberg of Denver Seminary
writes, "The Jesus Seminar and its friends do not reflect any consensus of scholars except for those on the 'radical fringe' of the field. Its methodology is seriously flawed and its conclusions unnecessarily skeptical."'
In the Jennings documentary, Jesus Seminar co-founder John Dominic Crossan was awarded over one-quarter of the air time allotted to the New Testament scholars,4 fostering the appearance that Jesus Seminar views, and particularly those of Crossan, represent the majority view of scholarship. Yet, Crossan himself has publicly admitted that his views do not represent most scholars.' Such imbalance might be compared to producing a program on the American spirit at the beginning of the twenty-first century, in which four of the seven citizens interviewed belong to the Communist Party U.S.A., with the most time given to the organization's president. Unfortunately, in the case of The Search for Jesus, the average television viewer is not equipped to recognize how misleading this interesting production is. Such unbalanced treatment of this sort must be answered, and individual believers are in the best position to do this through their own networks of friends.6
"Americans generally have an abysmal level of knowledge of the Bible," Johnson observes. "In this world of mass ignorance, to have headlines proclaim that this or that fact about [Jesus] has been declared untrue by supposedly scientific inquiry has the effect of gospel. There is no basis on which most people can counter these authoritative-sounding statements."' This is where the Christian's role in sharing his or her faith requires some knowledge of the facts about Jesus and his resurrection. Blomberg comments, "The problem is that other worldviews and religions make the same claims as we do. To defend your view in the marketplace of religious ideas, you have to be able to give reasons for why you believe the Bible's claims about itself."' The apostle Peter told us to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense" to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15).
It is the objective of this book and software to equip you to do just that.