Christian apologist Michael Licona has published a book on the resurrection. Another apologist and scholar, Norman Geisler, has questioned part of Licona’s work in two open letters. You can find Geisler’s comments here and here. They are suggested reading for those interested in theology and apologetics.
What caught my eye was the following paragraph in one of Geisler’s letters:
With over a half century of experience in the scholarly world, I would also add one last word to other young evangelical scholars: resist the desire to be an Athenian (Acts 17:21). There is something more important than having a seat at the table of contemporary scholarship; it is putting Lordship over scholarship when necessary. Further, there is something more important than “a new historiographical approach”; it is the “old” historical approach which takes the Gospel record—all of it—as historical. It has served the Church well for nearly 2000 years, and there is no good reason to change it now.
This is wise advice. Many people in the apologetics field rightfully recognize a strong anti-intellectual bias that permeates the church today. I have often spoken of the need to “win back a seat at the discussion table” within the scholarly world, and the need to get the average Christian to think about difficult topics. But Geisler’s words need repeating often: more important than winning academic respectability is being faithful to the truth that has been handed down to us over the centuries.
It is possible to be faithful to the scriptures and also be a thinking Christian in the 21st century. But in the end, orthodoxy must win out over all.
Well said and so very true.
I agree, but how is Licona’s interpretation unorthodox?