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{en} Jonathan Rowlands. The Metaphysics of Historical Jesus Research: A Prolegomenon to a Future Quest for the Historical Jesus. New York: Routledge, 2023.

Abstract

"In this book Rowlands interrogates the theological and philosophical foundations of the 'Quest' for the historical Jesus, from Reimarus to the present day, culminating in a call for greater metaphysical transparency and diversity in the discipline ... This multidisciplinary approach to historical Jesus research, drawing on historiography, sociology, philosophy, and theology, makes a significant and original contribution to the field. Part I outlines the implicit role of metaphysical presuppositions in historical methodology by examining the concept of an historiographical worldview. Part II provides an overview of the 'Quest' for the historical Jesus, demonstrating that the disparate historiographical worldviews operative in the 'Quest' evidence a particular shared characteristic, in that they might accurately be described as ‘secular.’ Rowlands’ study concludes with a call for a greater plurality and openness regarding the philosophical and theological presuppositions at work in historical Jesus research ... The Metaphysics of Historical Jesus Research is of interest to students and scholars working on New Testament studies and historical Jesus research."--

Contents

Part I: Worldview and Historiographical Decision-Making; 1. Theology and History, Then and Now; 2. Defining Metaphysics; 3. The Concept of a Worldview; 4. Worldviews and Historiography; 5. Characterising Secular Scholarship; Part II: Worldviews and Historical Jesus Research; 6. Metaphysics and the First Quest; 7. Metaphysics and the Second Quest; 8. Metaphysics and the Third Quest; 9. Metaphysics and N. T. Wright; 10. Expanding the Boundaries of Historical Jesus Research.

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