Böcker av Michael J. Alter

Since 2004, Gary Habermas has referenced his resurrection bibliography. Frequently, Habermas and Christian apologists assert that the scholarly consensus is that writers support the resurrection: a solid majority (about 75%) of scholars who have published books or articles on Jesus' resurrection accept the historicity of the empty tomb. However, Habermas has not presented supporting evidence for the past twenty years. This issue collects and presents factual data and information about the authors of nonjuvenile, English-language texts, at least forty-eight pages written during the past 500 years on Jesus' resurrection. Significant categories of data investigated include (1) degree(s) earned and level of education, (2) occupation and interests, and (3) religion or denomination. Approximately 775 books (including six double-counted debates) were surveyed, with 713 pros and 62 contras. Pro authors were 610 and forty-six contras. The data substantiates and expands the earlier report by Alter and Slade. This issue provides evidence that a remarkably high proportion of the English-language books written about Jesus' resurrection were by members of the clergy or people linked to seminaries and those having a professional and personal interest in the subject matter.

Why does the Torah begin with the letter beit, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet? This title attempts to answer this question. It gathers material drawing from the Oral Law (Mishnah and Talmud), the Midrash, anonymous kabbalistic texts, and the works of many prominent rabbis, scribes, and writers spanning over 2,000 years.