The possibility of finding reliable information about the life of the historical Jesus has fascinated the imagination of generations of scholars from as early as the seventeenth century. Opinion on the issue has moved in waves, coming and going along with moodsof pessimism and optimism. Here the comparison of the points of view of the most influential writers about the historical Jesus is offered. The Historical Jesus Question offers commentary on the work and significance of the classic writers presented in the earlier volume: Spinoza, Strauss, Schweitzer, Troeltsch, Bultmann, Kasemann, and some additional comment on the work of Pannenberg. This is not merely a summary discussion of these important writers, but goes beyond to follow the implications for theology of the ongoing challenge history presents to biblical authority.
