The main purpose of the present volume is to set forth the evidence for believing in the historical reality of Jesus' existence upon earth. By way of approach, the characteristic features of more recent opinion regarding the historical Jesus have been surveyed, and, on the other hand, the views of those who deny his existence have been examined in detail. The negative arguments have been carefully analyzed in order accurately to comprehend the problem. In presenting the evidence for Jesus' historicity, an effort has been made both to meet opponents' objections and at the same time to give a fairly complete collection of the historical data upon which belief in his existence rests. Finally, the practical bearing of the discussion has been indicated by briefly considering Jesus' personal relation to the founding of the Christian movement and his significance for modern religion.
The needs of two classes of readers have been kept in mind. The general public, it is believed, will find the treatment suited to their tastes. By a free use of footnotes the more technical side of the subject has also been presented for the benefit of readers wishing to study the question more minutely. No important phase in the history or in the present status of the problem has intentionally been ignored.
The author has made free use of some opinions which he had already expressed in the pages of the Biblical World and the American Journal of Theology, but these materials have been largely recast in becoming an integral part of the present work.
SHIRLEY JACKSON CASE
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
February 15, 1912.
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