Jesus, Contradicted: Why the Gospels Tell the Same Story Differently
The apparent contradictions in the Gospels are often cited as key challenges to their reliability. In Jesus, Contradicted, New Testament scholar Michael Licona argues that these differences reflect the Gospels’ genre—ancient biography—which allowed for narrative flexibility and literary conventions. Drawing on examples from Plutarch and Theon’s Progymnasmata, Licona shows that Gospel writers used common compositional techniques of their time. Rather than undermining reliability, these variations align with ancient biographical practices and are compatible with divine inspiration and inerrancy. Licona offers a historically grounded approach to understanding Gospel differences without forced harmonization.
The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach
The historicity of Jesus' resurrection has long been debated, often with mixed results. In The Resurrection of Jesus, Michael Licona identifies a key flaw in previous approaches: flawed historiographical methods. He begins by examining how history, especially miracle claims, should be investigated, offering valuable insight on its own. Licona then applies these principles to the resurrection, using reliable sources and solid evidence while evaluating competing theories. The result is a rigorous and compelling case for the resurrection—one that sets a new standard for future scholarship.
The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus
In The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, Gary Habermas and Michael Licona present a powerful, evidence-based argument that Jesus of Nazareth physically rose from the dead. Using the "minimal facts" approach—grounded in data accepted by the vast majority of scholars—they demonstrate that the resurrection is the best explanation of the historical evidence. Written in an accessible style and designed for both skeptics and believers, this book equips readers with clear, logical, and historically grounded reasons to believe in the central claim of Christianity.
Why Are There Differences in the Gospels?: What We Can Learn from Ancient Biography
Why Are There Differences in the Gospels? by Michael R. Licona explores why the Gospel accounts often vary in how they report the same events. Rather than forcing harmonizations or dismissing the Gospels as contradictory, Licona approaches the issue through the lens of Greco-Roman biography—a genre that allowed flexibility in reporting. By studying multiple accounts in Plutarch’s Lives and comparing them to Gospel pericopes, Licona identifies literary techniques used by ancient authors to shape their narratives. His work provides a thoughtful, historically grounded explanation for Gospel differences, helping readers better understand how truth was communicated in ancient biography.
Paul Meets Muhammad: A Christian-Muslim Debate on the Resurrection
Imagine if the Apostle Paul were alive to defend the truth of Jesus's resurrection-only to be countered by none other than the prophet Muhammad himself.
In an approach as creative as any scholar has taken, Michael R. Licona describes an invention that can make historical figures appear alive and present. Imagining an audience of both Christians and Muslims, Licona crafts a lively debate between Paul and Muhammad, each speaking on and analyzing the validity of the Qur'an, the gospel accounts, and both Christian and Muslim doctrine.
Intriguing and entertaining, Paul Meets Muhammad uniquely offers evangelism advice for Christians who want to speak the gospel to Muslim friends and neighbors. This fictional scenario presents a powerful, comprehensive defense of Jesus's resurrection and of Christianity itself.
Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy, and Science
There have always been challenges to belief in God as he is revealed in the Bible and each new year seems to add more questions to the doubter's arsenal. In Evidence for God, leading apologists provide compelling arguments that address the most pressing questions of the day about God, science, Jesus, the Bible, and more, including
Is Intelligent Design really a credible explanation of the origins of our world?
Did Jesus really exist?
Is Jesus really the only way to God?
What about those who have never heard the gospel?
Is the Bible today what was originally written?
What about recently publicized gospels that aren't in the Bible?
and much more
Raised on the Third Day: Defending the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus
Did Jesus rise from the dead? Is resurrection even possible?
Raised on the Third Day approaches these questions with critical and believing eyes. A variety of contributors―including J. P. Moreland, William Lane Craig, Craig A. Evans, Beth M. Sheppard, and Sean McDowell―evaluate scriptural, historical, moral, and apologetic issues related to Christ’s death and resurrection. Readers will better appreciate how Gary Habermas has shaped the discussion and how scholarship can be moved forward. Study of Christ’s resurrection is far from exhausted.
Gary R. Habermas is one of the most influential Christian philosophers and apologists of the later twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. His life’s work has focused on matters pertaining to the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, and it is widely agreed that Habermas is the foremost authority on the subject. This festschrift is a tribute to that work.
