When Was Jesus Really Born? Early Christianity, the Calendar, and the Life of Jesus (ebook Edition)

About the Book
When was Jesus born? When did he die and rise from the grave? What does the timing of these events have to do with Christian theology and practice for the last 2,000 years? When Was Jesus Really Born? explores the issues faced by early Christians as they sought to proclaim and celebrate the most important events in human history--the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Includes illustrations, appendices, glossary, bibliography, and comprehensive indices of Scripture, dates, and subjects.

About the Author
Steven L. Ware, Ph. D., is Professor of Historical Theology at Nyack College/Alliance Theological Seminary in New York City and Nyack, NY. As a member of both the Evangelical Theological Society and the American Society of Church History, he has presented widely to both academic and church audiences on questions of Biblical history, the chronological dates of Jesus' life, the Paschal calendar, and historical foundations of the Christian faith.

What Others are Saying
The birth of Jesus of Nazareth—unlike the legendary births of many rulers of the ancient world—is essential to date, as an affirmation of the full reality of Jesus as a historical, rather than a merely mythological or spiritual, character. If Jesus was a real human being, then he must have been born on a specific date.

Upon what historical evidence does this claim of the true humanity of the person Jesus of Nazareth rely? This is the place where Ware’s painstaking labors come to our aid. When Was Jesus Really Born? offers a truly comprehensive reading of all of the calendars, timelines, church chronologies, and other materials that provide the evidence for dating the birth of our Lord.
—Charles J. Scalise
Professor of Church History, Fuller Theological Seminary

“The most important event in human history,” is what Steven Ware the Christian called the birth of Jesus Christ. With his particular thoroughness and diligence, Steven Ware the scientist considered the question of when it all took place. Dr. Ware brings together his knowledge of the Bible, history, astronomy, the calendar, and chronometry to show us when Jesus was really born. The comprehensive, informative appendix should not go unmentioned.
—Prof. Dr. Manfred Schukowski
Rostock, Germany; Retired Professor of History of Science

Weaving scientific and historical scholarship with theological and pastoral concern, Dr. Ware’s book provides a fresh, rigorous, and engaging new approach to an old issue. Although we must remain uncertain about the answer to the question the book’s title asks, When Was Jesus Really Born? offers new clarity about how Christians have seen time and history as revealing God’s presence and activity. This book deserves to be widely read by students and scholars, and by pastors and others exploring their faith.
—Rev. Prof. Andrew McGowan
Warden, Trinity College, The University of Melbourne