Michael R. Licona
Encyclopedia
Michael R. Licona is a New Testament
scholar and Evangelical
Christian apologist
. He has a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies (University of Pretoria
) which he completed "with distinction" and the highest mark and an M.A. in Religious Studies from Liberty University
. Till 2011 he was the Apologetics Coordinator at the North American Mission Board (Southern Baptist Convention) and Research Professor of New Testament at Southern Evangelical Seminary.
, and proposed that it might be apocalyptic imagery instead. This led to a major controversy with fellow Evangelical scholar Norman Geisler
, who accused Licona of denying the full inerrancy of the Bible in general and the gospel narratives in particular. In the course of events Licona resigned in 2011 from his position as research professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary and as apologetics coordinator for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Other Evangelical scholars such as William Lane Craig
, J.P. Moreland, and Gary Habermas
voiced their support for Licona by signing an open letter to Geisler.
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
scholar and Evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Christian apologist
Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views...
. He has a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies (University of Pretoria
University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria is a multi campus public research university located in Pretoria, the administrative and de facto capital of South Africa...
) which he completed "with distinction" and the highest mark and an M.A. in Religious Studies from Liberty University
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online...
. Till 2011 he was the Apologetics Coordinator at the North American Mission Board (Southern Baptist Convention) and Research Professor of New Testament at Southern Evangelical Seminary.
Matthew 27 controversy
In a passage in his 2010 book, The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach, Michael Licona questioned the literal historicity of the story of the resurrection of the saints in Matthew 27Matthew 27
Matthew 27 is the 27th chapter in the Gospel of Matthew, part of the New Testament.-Overview:Matthew describes the trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus....
, and proposed that it might be apocalyptic imagery instead. This led to a major controversy with fellow Evangelical scholar Norman Geisler
Norman Geisler
Norman L. Geisler is a Christian apologist and the co-founder of Southern Evangelical Seminary outside Charlotte, North Carolina, where he formerly taught. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Jesuit Loyola University...
, who accused Licona of denying the full inerrancy of the Bible in general and the gospel narratives in particular. In the course of events Licona resigned in 2011 from his position as research professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary and as apologetics coordinator for the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Other Evangelical scholars such as William Lane Craig
William Lane Craig
William Lane Craig is an American analytic philosopher, philosophical theologian, and Christian apologist. He is known for his work on the philosophy of time and the philosophy of religion, specifically the existence of God and the defense of Christian theism...
, J.P. Moreland, and Gary Habermas
Gary Habermas
Gary Robert Habermas is an American evangelical Christian apologist, historian, and philosopher of religion. He is a prolific author, lecturer, and debater on the topic of the Resurrection of Jesus...
voiced their support for Licona by signing an open letter to Geisler.
Debates
- Stephen Patterson (Jesus Seminar) at Florida State University, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (March, 2010)
- Richard Carrier (Atheist) at Washburn University, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (February, 2010)
- Bart Ehrman (Agnostic) at Southern Evangelical Seminary, “Can Historians Prove that Jesus Rose from the Dead?” (April, 2009)
- Bart Ehrman (Agnostic) at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, “Can Historians Prove that Jesus Rose from the Dead?” (February, 2008)
- Ali Ataie (Muslim) at the University of California (Davis), “What was the First Century Fate of Jesus?” (November, 2006)
- Steve Yothment (Atheist) at the University of Georgia, “Resolution: God Created Man” (March, 2006)
- Elaine Pagels on Ron Insana Show, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (April, 2005)
- Elaine Pagels on Faith Under Fire, “The Gospel of Thomas” (February, 2005)
- Shabir Ally (Muslim) on Faith Under Fire, “Who was Jesus: Divine or Prophet?” (November, 2004)
- Richard Carrier (Atheist) at UCLA, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (April, 2004)
- Shabir Ally (Muslim) at Regent University, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (March, 2004)
- Dan Barker (Atheist) at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (April, 2003)
Books
- The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach, (IVP Academic, 2010), ISBN 978-0-8308-2719-0
- Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy & Science, co-edited w/William Dembski (Baker, 2010), ISBN 978-0801072604
- Paul Meets Muhammad: A Christian-Muslim Debate on the Resurrection, (Baker, 2006), ISBN 978-0801066023
- The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, with Gary HabermasGary HabermasGary Robert Habermas is an American evangelical Christian apologist, historian, and philosopher of religion. He is a prolific author, lecturer, and debater on the topic of the Resurrection of Jesus...
, (Kregel, 2004), ISBN 978-0825427886 - Behold, I Stand At the Door and Knock: What to Say to Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses When They Knock on Your Door, (Truth Quest Publishers, 1998), ASIN: B00126UFDS