Raised?

As an advocate of religious literacy, I encourage Christians and non-Christians alike to read this book. Christianity is the largest religion on the planet, and the Christian faith hinges on the seemingly implausible claim of the resurrection of Christ. Provocative, illuminating, and succinct, Raised? invites doubt and provokes faith by blending historical context and pastoral insight. Even if you don't accept the resurrection as truth, you will come away with a deeper understanding of the faith of more than two billion people. -- Eileen Flynn, former religion reporter for Austin American-Statesman and journalism and religion lecturer at the U Short books are most helpful when they get right to the heart of the issue ... and of the reader. Raised? is one of those books. It demonstrates why the bodily resurrection of Jesus is believable and the difference his life makes in your own life. Read it and then share that life with others. -- Gerry Breshears, Professor of Systematic Theology at Western Seminary In an easy-to-read and engaging, polite style, Dodson and Watson share personal stories and beliefs that highlight the importance of the resurrection of Jesus. If you have doubts about the resurrection of Jesus, I strongly encourage you to read and ponder this book! It will challenge you without scolding you and exhort you without condescension. -- J. D. Payne, Ph.D., minister, professor, author, blogger No historical events have had a greater impact on Western history and culture than the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of books have been written about this, but Raised? is strikingly different. It takes doubt seriously, situates the resurrection in a grander biblical narrative, and clarifies meanings of words that are so often misunderstood. The subject matter of Raised? makes this book important, but the approach taken by Dodson and Watson is what makes it all matter. Read it expectantly! -- Jonathan Merritt, author of Jesus is Better Than You Imagined Dodson and Watson do a wonderful job demonstrating both the plausibility of the resurrection of Jesus and the possibilities for a life of hope that emerges from this world-transforming event. Highly recommended. -- Sean McDonough, professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and author of Christ as Creator:

In Raised?: Finding Jesus by Doubting the Resurrection, pastors Jonathan Dodson and Brad Watson help readers wrestle with tough questions regarding the Christian Savior's miraculous return to life.

Did Jesus really beat death? That’s what Christians for hundreds of years have believed, that Jesus Christ returned to life after death and burial in a stone tomb. To the modern mind, “resurrection” is utterly implausible, but it was also doubtful to many first-century Greeks, Jews, and even some Christians. With such an incredible assertion at the heart of the Christian faith, it’s no wonder that some people struggle to believe.

Unlike any other book on the resurrection, Raised? encourages you to doubt in order to believe. Too often Christians look down on doubt, but in Christ, we see a person who welcomes doubt and encourages faith. Jonathan Dodson and Brad Watson don’t shy away from the hard questions or settle for easy answers. They help you to see how the resurrection offers hope for the future and answers for the life and death questions we all face.

“I encourage Christians and non-Christians alike to read this book. . . . provocative, illuminating, and succinct.”

—Eileen Flynn, former religion reporter for Austin American-Statesman and Journalism and religion lecturer at the University of Texas

“Wonderfully demonstrates the plausibility of the resurrection of Jesus and the possibilities for a life of hope.”

—Sean McDonough, professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and author of Christ as Creator: Origins of a New Testament Doctrine