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In order to have a well-rounded understanding of the arguments for and against a historical resurrection of Jesus, what would be a comprehensive list of must-read scholarly books defending its historicity and scholarly books denying it?

To get us started, here are some books I'm aware of:

For:

  • The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus (link)
  • The Fate of the Apostles: Examining the Martyrdom Accounts of the Closest Followers of Jesus (link)
  • Evidence for the Resurrection (link)
  • The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (link)

Against:

  • On the Historicity of Jesus: Why We Might Have Reason for Doubt (link)
  • Jesus Before the Gospels: How the Earliest Christians Remembered, Changed, and Invented Their Stories of the Savior (link)

Both for and against:

  • Resurrection: Faith or Fact?: A Scholars' Debate Between a Skeptic and a Christian (link)

Are there other relevant books worth keeping in mind?

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  • If the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which resurrection declares that he is the Son of God, if that resurrection be true then how can any book which argues against that fact be called 'scholarly' ?
    – Nigel J
    Dec 20, 2021 at 9:52
  • @NigelJ - Well, you would need to prove the "IF" of your question first, which is exactly what these books are debating about. If you know scholarly books that make a very strong case for your "IF", feel free to share.
    – user50422
    Dec 20, 2021 at 10:25
  • So, you are saying you do not believe that truth. You have not heard the glad tidings (through the preaching of the gospel) and have joyfully received the truth in the love of it ?
    – Nigel J
    Dec 20, 2021 at 10:35
  • @NigelJ - Did you not feel a 'burning in the bosom' when you read the Book of Mormon?
    – user50422
    Dec 20, 2021 at 12:48
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    Ray, I would argue that it doesn't matter if they are not that well received in the academic community. What counts is whether they have some good arguments or not. The second author is quoted regularly and remains the gold standard for arguing a skeptical position. One of the best ways to not get caught in having a confirmation bias is to think through the best opposing arguments that one can reflect upon. I read Carrier, Ferguson, Price, Ehrman, and others on a regular basis.
    – Jess
    Dec 21, 2021 at 4:49

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