The Bedrock of Christianity: The Unalterable Facts of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
The bedrock of truth about Jesus
Can we all agree on some things about Jesus, regardless of our belief—or unbelief?
Perhaps surprisingly, there is a lot upon which all scholars can agree. When surveying historical scholarship, there are certain truths about Jesus that Christians, agnostics, and skeptics must affirm.
In The Bedrock of Christianity, Justin Bass shows how—regardless of one’s feelings about Christianity—there lies a bedrock of truths about Jesus’ life and ministry that are held by virtually all scholars of ancient history, classics, and biblical studies. Through an examination of each of these key facts, readers will encounter the unalterable truths upon which everyone can agree. Useful for both Christians and non-Christians alike, this study demonstrates what we can really know about the historical truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Praise for The Bedrock of Christianity
Very highly recommended
–Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor & Chair, Philosophy Department, Liberty University
Justin Bass offers a delightful excavation of the historical foundations of the Christian faith pertaining to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
–Michael F. Bird, Academic Dean and Lecturer of Theology, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia
Justin Bass serves as your expert guide through the maze.
–Michael Licona, Associate Professor of Theology, Houston Baptist University
This is an excellent defense of the essential, historic foundation of Christianity.
–Trent Horn, Staff Apologist, Catholic Answers; author of Counterfeit Christs
Justin Bass takes us down to the core historical facts which have to be explained, surveys the best historical scholarship on each, and shows why ultimately they point towards a risen Lord.
–Andrew Wilson, Teaching Pastor, King’s Church London; author of If God, Then What
Accessible to the lay reader but written with the acuity of a New Testament scholar.
–Mark Penick, Senior Pastor, Metro East Baptist Church
Top Highlights
“What is a bedrock fact is that the early Christians believed and proclaimed that they saw Jesus risen from the dead.” (Page 134)
“The second unparalleled innovation was the claim that this crucified Messiah had risen from the dead” (Page 126)
“history is the ‘knowable past,’ the people and events of history for which reliable sources have survived.” (Page 27)
“Many Jews at this time believed in a future, bodily resurrection. Many Jews expected a Davidic Messiah figure to arrive and rescue them from their pagan oppressors. Yet not one of them envisioned a two-stage resurrection in which the Messiah would die and be resurrected first, and then the general resurrection would take place at the end of this present age, let alone a Messiah that would be crucified by their pagan oppressors! According to N. T. Wright, ‘There are no traditions about a Messiah being raised to life: most Jews of this period hoped for resurrection, many Jews of this period hoped for a Messiah, but nobody put those two hopes together until the early Christians did so.’” (Page 115)
“In sum, a coming Messiah, resurrection, and monotheism were all concepts known in the ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman world. Yet no one mutated them and put them together the way the early Christians did concerning Jesus. They uniquely, with unparalleled innovation, proclaimed that the crucified man Jesus was the Messiah, whom God raised from the dead, and was also Lord of the world.” (Page 131)
- Foreword by Darrell L. Bock
- Introduction
- When Titans Meet
- Studying History Is Time Traveling
- Bedrock Eyewitness: The Apostle Paul
- Bedrock Source: 1 Corinthians 15:3–7
- Crucifixion: “Christ Died for our Sins and He was Buried”
- Resurrection: “He was Raised on the Third Day”
- Appearances: “To Peter, The Twelve, More than 500, James and Paul”
- The Rise of the Nazarenes: “Fighting Against God”
- This Is Wondrous Strange
- New Creation
- Title: The Bedrock of Christianity: The Unalterable Facts of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
- Author: Justin W. Bass
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2020
- Pages: 272
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 5x8
- ISBN: 9781683593607
Justin W. Bass is professor of New Testament at Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary (JETS) in Amman, Jordan. Before moving to Jordan, he and his family lived in Frisco, TX, where he was a pastor of a church for six years and an adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and Dallas Christian College. He has a PhD in New Testament Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary.
Sample Pages from The Bedrock of Christianity
Reviews
6 ratings
Tarjei Dalene
6/6/2023
Anria van Zyl
1/15/2022
Mike Harris
10/21/2021
Jon Feasel
10/11/2021
Erik Manning
5/14/2020
There a lot of long, scholarly monographs on the resurrection. (NT Wright, Mike Licona) Bass gives us a fun to read, condensed version of where modern scholarship is on the facts of the post mortem experiences of the disciples and the two most popular responses to it. I liked that he talked a bit regarding how the risen Jesus changes lives now. This book presents great scholarly, historical evidence of the resurrection but with an evangelistic flair.
David Graieg
4/22/2020
Well written, easy to read, and yet has sufficient depth and references. Bass argues that the following facts, primarily from First Corinthians 15, are supported by 99% of scholars (making them bedrock facts) (p. 200–201): 1) "Jesus’ death by crucifixion in the early 30s ad 2) The claim that Jesus was raised from the dead is an unparalleled, threefold innovation: a) A positive interpretation of a crucified Messiah b) A two-stage resurrection, Jesus raised now and the general resurrection still to come c) This crucified Messiah is claimed to be divine, even Lord of the world 3) Soon after Jesus’ death, his earliest followers, individuals and a group of them, and at least one enemy became convinced he appeared to them alive, raised from the dead 4) These individuals included Peter, James, Paul and at least one group, the Twelve 5) Paul was a Pharisaic persecutor of the church who was transformed into Paul the apostle after becoming convinced Jesus appeared to him 6) Paul spent two weeks as Peter’s houseguest and also met with James, Jesus’ brother 7) Within a decade of Jesus’ death, either after Paul’s conversion or at this meeting with Peter and James in Jerusalem, Paul received traditions and hymns concerning the historical Jesus. The most significant of these was the creedal tradition quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:3–7, which could be multiple independent traditions, but even so they all date to within a decade of Jesus’ death 8) Last, these individuals who believed Jesus appeared to him formed a movement that, through love and sacrifice, went on to overtake the Roman Empire, built Western civilization, and continues to extend overwhelming influence over nations and billions of individuals across the world. This movement known as Christianity is still the largest religion in the world." Bass thinks that the best explanation of these facts is that "Jesus did in fact rise from the dead" (201). Although he considers other views and considers the question of miracles. Recommended.
