Theology, Philosophy, and the Historical Figure of JesusCross-file under New(ish) Book, which I missed when it came out.The study of the historical Jesus involves an interplay between theology, philosophy, and historiography, with our understanding shaped by pre-existing worldviews as much as it shapes them. While absolute certainty about Jesus’ life is unattainable, historians assess plausibility through their philosophical and theological assumptions, making “what we can know” dependent on who “we” are. Embracing diverse perspectives, rather than enforcing a single framework, offers the best path toward meaningful research.
See also The Metaphysics of Historical Jesus Research: A Prolegomenon to a Future Quest for the Historical Jesus (London, 2023).
By Jonathan Rowlands
Graduate Tutor, Lecturer in Theology, and Lead Tutor for Assessment
St. Mellitus College, East Midlands
August 2025
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.