top of page
Screen Shot 2022-03-20 at 12.02.00 PM.png

Dataset Analysis of English Texts Written on the Topic of Jesus’ Resurrection: A Statistical Critique of Minimal Facts Apologetics

Michael J. Alter and Darren M. Slade

Vol. 3, No. 2

Winter 2021

Pages: 367-392

DOI: 10.33929/sherm.2021.vol3.no2.09

ORCID_logo_with_tagline.svg.png
dimensions_logo_400x80.png

Also Available

Abstract

Counter-Apologetics

Resurrection Hypothesis, Resurrection, Apologetics, Counter-Apologetics, Gary R. Habermas, Minimal Facts, Historical Jesus

Rational Faith.png
Rational Faith.png

This article collects and examines data relating to the authors of English-language texts written and published during the past 500 years on the subject of Jesus’ resurrection and then compares this data to Gary R. Habermas’ 2005 and 2012 publication on the subject. To date, there has been no such inquiry. This present article identifies 735 texts spanning five centuries (from approximately 1500 to 2020). The data reveals 680 Pro-Resurrection books by 601 authors (204 by ministers, 146 by priests, 249 by people associated with seminaries, 70 by laypersons, and 22 by women). This article also reveals that a remarkably high proportion of the English-language books written about Jesus’ resurrection were by members of the clergy or people linked to seminaries, which means any so-called scholarly consensus on the subject of Jesus’ resurrection is wildly inflated due to a biased sample of authors who have a professional and personal interest in the subject matter. Pro-Resurrection authors outnumber Contra-Resurrection authors by a factor of about twelve-to-one. In contrast, the 55 Contra-Resurrection books, representing 7.48% of the total 735 books, were by 42 authors (28 having no relevant degrees at the time of publication). The 42 contra authors represent only 6.99% of all authors writing on the subject.

Preview

Davis, Stephen vol 2, no 2 PREVIEW_Page_
4.99

4.99

Print Issue

$19.78

SHERM Front Cover - no glow.png
crossref-members.png
Proquest Ebsco Logo.png
ORCID_Cert_Service_Provider_logo[&vF].pn
ATLA 3.jpg
Graphic Advertisement 1 (oval).png
bottom of page