Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
10-2019
Book
Jesus, Skepticism, and the Problem of History pp. 125-144
ISBN
9780310534761
ANZSRC / FoR Code
170201 Computer Perception, Memory and Attention| 210399 Historical Studies not elsewhere classified| 220401 Christian Studies (incl. Biblical Studies and Church History)
Avondale Research Centre
Scripture, Spirituality and Society Research Centre
Reportable Items
B1
Field of Education
09 Society and Culture
Peer Review
Before publication
Staff Classification
Permanent
Abstract
This chapter addresses the question of how the collective memories of Jesus and his teachings were formed, and then preserved for the 30 to 60 years between the events and their writing down in the Gospels. It considers the reliability of eyewitness memories, and how these would have been formed into the collective memories of the first followers of Jesus. Life tables are used as evidence that a significant number of eyewitness to the earthly life of Jesus would still be alive when the Gospel were written. It further provides evidence that eyewitnesses can reliably remember details of events over periods of 30 to 60 years.
Recommended Citation
McIver, R. (2019). Collective memory and the reliability of the Gospel traditions. In D. Bock, & J. Komoszewski (Eds.), Jesus, skepticism, and the problem of history (pp. 125-144). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Comments
Used by permission: Harper Collins Christian Publishing and the authors.
Copyright © 2019 Darrel L. Bock and J. Ed Komoszewski