The Jesus Project
Jim West just wrote a post up about The Jesus Project today and April DeConick (a Jesus Project fellow) did likewise some time before that. For those not familiar, the Jesus Project is a group of 50 individuals - most of whom have published on the topic - who intend to assess the historicity of Jesus and discuss that “earliest stratum” of the Jesus tradition.
To give a bit of background, I wrote up an essay about Earl Doherty (a fellow of the Project) and his use of Q earlier this year and decided to submitted a significantly revised version of the essay to The Journal of Higher Criticism, taking into account Robert M. Price’s (another fellow) discussion of Q as well, but limiting the focus to Kloppenborg’s Q1. Naturally, I asked Kloppenborg to look over the paper to assess my criticisms of the aforementioned individuals. Throughout our correspondence, I mentioned in passing that they were fellows in the Project. Shortly after the Jesus Project site was created, I told Kloppenborg that I was a bit surprised to see that he was listed as a fellow, to which he responded on June 20th:
“I’m surprised to see me as fellow of the project too, since I’ve never had any communication with them.”
Of course, I have no idea whether or not there was subsequent contact, or if Kloppenborg was an incorrect name and it was merely Marcus Borg who was intended to be listed. Since there were originally 51 fellows listed when it was said to be 50, this is fairly plausible. It seems now, though, that Kloppenborg’s name has been removed from the list of fellows, though I have no idea how recently that was. I’m quite surprised that William Arnal is not a fellow, as his review of Price’s The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man (CBQ 66 (2004): 665-667) would seem to indicate that he would be the sort of person for whom Hoffmann is looking. Perhaps Dr. DeConick or someone else involved in the Project would be able to comment more on this.
And be sure to expect a plug when “Fear and Loathing in a Lost Gospel” comes in print via The Journal of Higher Criticism.
Also See: An old post by James Tabor, A new and informative post from April DeConick (see also the comments here), from Chris Heard, one on Novum Testamentum, and at Withering Fig. The crosstalk2 list has been discussing it, too. Jim West also is doing updates.
As I mentioned at crosstalk, this project doesn’t seem to be a very scholarly endeavor. Why are Freke, Gandy, and Zindler included in this list? Why are amateurs with no real training included in this list? It’s almost a mockery of the system, if it were not for some of the more reputable members there.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:14 pmIndeed, for all of the talk about non-sensationalism, the “credentials” listed for some of them (e.g., THE BOOK THAT INSPIRED THE DA VINCI CODE!!!) are hardly impressive. The fact that membership is by invitation only and that many members have inadequate qualifications gives an ironic air of elitism.
August 1st, 2007 at 6:35 amChris,
I don’t know how scholars were selected to be Jesus Project Fellows. I didn’t volunteer, but it seems that I was put on the list by somebody at the JP office, perhaps because I had attended the Scripture and Skepticism conference in January 2007. As I said in my earlier post, I have reservations about this Project and have not actually committed to participating in it. My reservations have to do with my own research agenda which is very full. I am not a scholar who is too much worried about the historical existence of Jesus; it doesn’t keep me awake at night.
August 1st, 2007 at 8:59 am[…] this organization is starting to sound a bit creepy. Check out Christopher Heard’s post, and Chris Zeichman’s post. Why is this project associating people with it who have not been asked? Gives me the […]
August 1st, 2007 at 4:01 pm[…] to be listed, James Tabor professes himself mystified about the inclusion of his name, according to Chris Zeichman John Kloppenborg has expressed surprise at the inclusion of his name, and according to Mark […]
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:52 am