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{{short description|American historian}}
{{Infobox person

| name = Michael R. Licona
{{Infobox academic
| birth_name = Michael R. Licona
| image = Michael R. Licona.jpg
| name = Michael R. Licona
| honorific_suffix =
| nationality = American
| image = Michael R. Licona.jpg
| residence = [[Cumming, GA]]
| caption =
| image_size =
| alt =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|07|17}}
| caption =
| birth_place = [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]]
| death_date =
| gender =
| death_place =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| education = BA (1983), MA (2000), PhD (2009)
| birth_name = <!-- use only if different from full/othernames -->
|resting_place =
| birth_date = 1961
| religion = [[Christianity]]
| birth_place = [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]]
| occupation =
| awards = <!--notable national level awards only-->
| employer = [[Houston Baptist University]].
| website = [http://www.risenjesus.com/ Risen Jesus]
| alma_mater = [[University of Pretoria]]<br/>[[Liberty University]]
| education = [[Liberty University]]
| spouse = Debbie Licona
| alma_mater = [[University of Pretoria]]<!--will often consist of the linked name of the last-attended higher education institution-->
| parents =
| thesis_title = The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus: historiographical considerations in the light of recent debates
| children = 2
| thesis_url =
| family =
| Children =
| thesis_year = 2008
| workplaces = [[Houston Christian University]]
| website = [http://www.risenjesus.com Risen Jesus]
}}
}}


'''Michael R. 'Mike' Licona''' (born July 17, 1961)<ref>''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010.</ref> is an American [[New Testament]] scholar, [[Christian apologist]] and [[historian]]. He is Associate Professor in Theology at [[Houston Baptist University]] and the director of Risen Jesus, Inc. Licona specializes in the [[Resurrection of Jesus]], and in the literary analysis of the Gospels as Greco-Roman biographies.
'''Michael R. "Mike" Licona''' (born 1961)<ref name=":0" /> is an American [[New Testament]] scholar, author, and Christian apologist. He is Professor of New Testament Studies at [[Houston Christian University]], Extraordinary Associate Professor of Theology at [[North-West University]] and the director of Risen Jesus, Inc. Licona specializes in the [[resurrection of Jesus]], and in the literary analysis of the [[Gospel]]s as Greco-Roman biographies.
[[File:Licona at CSF.jpg|thumb|right|Interview with Brian Marshall at the Christian Student Fellowship at the [[University of Kentucky]].]]
[[File:Licona at CSF.jpg|thumb|right|Interview with Brian Marshall at the Christian Student Fellowship at the [[University of Kentucky]]]]

==Biography==
==Biography==
Licona was raised in a Christian family and became a Christian at age 10. When he entered [[Liberty University]], he wanted to go into the ministry as a musician and obtained an undergraduate degree in music performance ([[saxophone]]). He is also an accomplished martial artist, having studied under Sang Ki Eun, and Robert Fujimura,<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Licona Interview|url=http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2012/05/02/michael-licona-interview/|publisher=The Best Schools|accessdate=10 April 2014}}</ref> the latter having been Executive Director of the [[United States Taekwondo Union]].<ref>{{cite web|title=About Taekwondo|url=http://taekwondoclub.org/id2.html}}</ref>
Licona was raised in a Christian family. When he entered [[Liberty University]], he planned to become a musician and obtained a bachelor's degree in music performance (saxophone).<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title= Michael Licona Interview |url= http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2012/05/02/michael-licona-interview/ |publisher= The Best Schools |date= 2012-05-02 |access-date= 10 April 2014 |archive-date= 2015-09-07 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150907113739/http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2012/05/02/michael-licona-interview/ |url-status= dead }}</ref>


Licona completed his Ph.D. in New Testament Studies ([[University of Pretoria]]) which he completed "with distinction" and the highest mark as well as an M.A. in Religious Studies from [[Liberty University]]. He was the Apologetics Coordinator at the North American Mission Board ([[Southern Baptist]] Convention) through 2011. His book ''The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach'' has been endorsed by many prominent New Testament scholars and historians.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Resurrection of Jesus|url=http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/review/code=2719|publisher=InterVarsity Press|accessdate=15 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Beasley-Murray|first1=Paul|title=The resurrection of Jesus: a new historiographical approach|journal=Evangelical Quarterly|date=2011|volume=83|issue=3|pages=274-275|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Quarles|first1=Charles|title=The resurrection of Jesus: a new historiographical approach|journal=Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society|date=2011|volume=54|issue=4|pages=839-844|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> He has also lectured on more than 70 university campuses throughout North America and appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including ''Faith Under Fire''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Faith Under Fire: Michael Licona and Elaine Pagels|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvlBxXH0yY8|accessdate=1 August 2014}}</ref> He appeared in the DVD version of ''The Case for Christ'' and was one of the scholars interviewed in Strobel’s book ''The Case for the Real Jesus''. Licona also appeared in a 2015 documentary film called "Mining for God" which deals with how Christianity is often misrepresented and misunderstood in modern western culture. <ref>{{cite web|title=Faculty Page|url=https://www.hbu.edu/Choosing-HBU/Academics/Colleges-Schools/School-of-Christian-Thought/Departments/School-of-Theology/Faculty/Mike-Licona.aspx|website=Houston Baptist University|accessdate=1 August 2014}}</ref>
Licona has a M.A. in religious studies from Liberty University and a Ph.D. in New Testament studies from the [[University of Pretoria]], which he earned with distinction.<ref name=":0" /> He served as an apologetics coordinator at the [[North American Mission Board]] ([[Southern Baptist Convention]]) from 2005 through 2011, when he resigned as a result of the controversy surrounding his book ''The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach,''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/november/interpretation-sparks-theology-debate.html|title=Interpretation Sparks a Grave Theology Debate|last=Ross|first=Bobby Jr.|website=ChristianityToday.com|date=7 November 2011 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-07}}</ref> which was otherwise well received.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal|last=Beasley-Murray|first=Paul|year=2011|title=The resurrection of Jesus: a new historiographical approach|journal=[[Evangelical Quarterly]]|volume=83|issue=3|pages=274–75}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite journal|last=Quarles|first=Charles|year=2011|title=The resurrection of Jesus: a new historiographical approach|url=https://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/54/54-4/JETS_54-4_823-883_Book%20Reviews.pdf|journal=[[Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society]]|volume=54|issue=4|pages=839–44}}</ref> Licona has lectured on more than 100 university campuses and has appeared on television and radio programs.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.ivpress.com/michael-r-licona|title=Michael R. Licona|website=Intervarsity Press}}</ref>


In 2012, Licona was hired as Associate Professor of Theology at [[Houston Baptist University]] (now [[Houston Christian University]]). In 2023, he was promoted to Professor of New Testament Studies. Since 2014 he has been Extraordinary Associate Professor of Theology at [[North-West University]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-12-13|title=Curriculum Vitae - Michael R. Licona|url=https://www.risenjesus.com/mike-licona/curriculum-vitae|access-date=2021-12-25|website=Risen Jesus, Inc.|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Views==


==Academic career==
Dr. Licona has strongly disagreed with [[F. David Farnell]]'s view on biblical inerrancy and his historical-grammatical method in New Testament studies, as well as his study on the impact of historical-critical philosophical ideologies in Biblical Criticism and interpretation of the New Testament. <ref>http://www.normgeisler.com/articles/Bible/Inspiration-Inerrancy/Blomberg/DenialOfMiracleStory.htm</ref>
Licona's book ''The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach'' seeks to prove Jesus's bodily resurrection, and was praised by fellow evangelicals for "the painstaking care" with which Licona researched his topic.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> It also led to Licona's departure from [[Southern Evangelical Seminary]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Anderson|first1=Garwood|title=Bedrock Evidence Resurrected|url=https://www.academia.edu/3684318|date=February 2012|pages=13–14|journal=The Living Church|access-date=31 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="CT resignation">{{Citation | title = Interpretation sparks Theology debate | newspaper = Christianity today | date = Nov 2011 | url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/november/interpretation-sparks-theology-debate.html}}.</ref>


In a passage in his book, Licona questioned the literal interpretation of the story of the resurrection of the saints in [[Matthew 27]], suggesting the possibility that it might be apocalyptic imagery.<ref>{{cite journal |title= A Roundtable Discussion with Michael Licona on The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach |journal= Southeastern Theological Review|date=2012 |volume= 3|issue=1|pages=71–98 |url= http://www.paulcopan.com/articles/pdf/Roundtable_Discussion-Michael_Licona-The_Resurrection_of_Jesus.pdf |access-date= 28 August 2014}}</ref> This led to evangelicals [[Norman Geisler]] and [[Albert Mohler]] accusing Licona of denying the full inerrancy of the Bible in general and the Gospel narratives in particular.<ref>{{Citation | last = Geisler | first = Norman | title = Mike Licona inerrancy worse | url = http://normangeisler.com/mike-licona-on-inerrancy-its-worse-than-we-originally-thought/}}.</ref> Licona maintained that the interpretation he proposed had nothing to do with whether the Gospels are inerrant but was a matter of how to interpret it as Matthew had intended (i.e., hermeneutics). In the course of events, Licona resigned in 2011 from his position as research professor at [[Southern Evangelical Seminary]] and as apologetics coordinator for the North American Mission Board (NAMB).<ref name="CT resignation"/> Other evangelical scholars such as [[William Lane Craig]], [[J.P. Moreland]], and [[Gary Habermas]] voiced their support for Licona by signing an open letter to Geisler.<ref>{{Citation | date = Sep 2011 | title = Michael Licona response to Norm Geisler | format = [[World Wide Web|blog]] | publisher = Reclaiming the mind | type = press release | url = http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2011/09/press-release-michael-licona-response-to-norm-geisler/ | access-date = 2011-12-28 | archive-date = 2016-07-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160718160229/http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2011/09/press-release-michael-licona-response-to-norm-geisler/ | url-status = dead }}.</ref> [[Michael Bird (theologian)|Michael F. Bird]] likewise supported Licona.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/euangelion/2011/09/michael-licona-on-the-resurrection-of-jesus/|title=Michael Licona on the Resurrection of Jesus|last=Euangelion|date=2011-09-14|work=Euangelion|access-date=2018-01-11|language=en-US}}</ref> The ''Southeastern Theological Review'' devoted their Summer 2012 issue to discussions on Licona's book (edited by Heath Thomas and Robert Stewart), including reviews by Gary Habermas, Timothy McGrew, and C. Behan McCullagh. It also included a virtual roundtable discussion with participants Heath Thomas, Michael Licona, [[Craig Blomberg]], [[Paul Copan]], Charles Quarles, [[Michael J. Kruger|Michael Kruger]] and [[Daniel Akin]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.risenjesus.com/roundtable-discussion|title=Roundtable Discussion - Risen Jesus, Inc.|date=2015-07-04|work=Risen Jesus, Inc.|access-date=2018-01-11|language=en-US}}</ref>
===Gospel Differences===
Licona’s present research concerns why there are differences in the Gospels. Like the majority of contemporary scholars, Licona views the Gospels as belonging to the genre of ancient biography and contends they are best interpreted with this in mind, since ancient biographies were written with slightly different rules than those used with modern biographies. Licona’s research focuses on identifying biographical devices employed by [[Plutarch]] and asking whether these can account for the differences one observes when comparing stories about Jesus that appear in two or more of the canonical Gospels.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why Are There Differences in the Gospels|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYfSf9NgeOQ|accessdate=29 June 2014}}</ref>


In the course of the controversy over the raised saints in the Gospel of Matthew, Evangelicals such as [[Norman Geisler]], [[Albert Mohler]] and [[F. David Farnell]] have questioned whether Licona is moving away from his evangelical views and is headed in a similar path traveled by the agnostic New Testament scholar [[Bart Ehrman]].<ref>{{cite news |last = Mohler |first =Albert |title= Biblical Inerrancy and the Licona Controversy|url= http://www.christianpost.com/news/biblical-inerrancy-and-the-licona-controversy-55591/ |access-date= 29 June 2014 |agency= The Christian Post}}</ref> While asserting his belief in the divine authority of the Bible and its inerrancy, he maintains he cannot presuppose these beliefs while engaged in historical research. He also claims the doctrine of [[biblical inerrancy]] is not a doctrine fundamental to the Christian faith. In a radio exchange with Ehrman, Licona said that if Jesus actually [[Resurrection of Jesus|rose from the dead]], Christianity is true even if it were also true that some things in the Bible were not.<ref>{{cite web|title= Bart Ehrman & Mike Licona Discuss Decisions | date = 7 October 2011 | publisher = Risen Jesus |url= http://www.risenjesus.com/bart-ehrman-mike-licona-discuss-decisions |access-date= 29 June 2014}}</ref> Licona noted what he saw as several problems with the argument for inerrancy provided by Norman Geisler.<ref>{{cite web |title=On Chicago's Muddy Waters |date = 2 June 2014 |publisher = Risen Jesus | url= http://www.risenjesus.com/chicagos-muddy-waters |access-date= 29 June 2014}}</ref>
===Historical Case for Jesus' Resurrection===
Licona’s doctoral research concerned investigating Jesus’s resurrection using the methodology of a historian. He states that almost all scholars writing on the subject of Jesus’s resurrection are biblical scholars and philosophers. And virtually none of them have any training in matters pertaining to the philosophy of history and the historical method of comparing hypotheses.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Licona|first1=Michael R.|title=The resurrection of Jesus : a new historiographical approach|date=2010|publisher=IVP Academic|location=Downers Grove, Ill.|isbn=0830827196|pages=611-612|edition=2nd print.|accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref> So, Licona contributes a primer on these subjects and applies his findings to the question of whether Jesus had actually risen from the dead in his book ''The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach''. This volume is 718 pages in length and is documented with more than 2,000 footnotes.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Anderson|first1=Garwood|title=Review Essay|url=http://www.academia.edu/3684318/Michael_Licona_The_Resurrection_of_Jesus_A_New_Historiographical_Approach_TLC_|website=Academia|accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref>


Licona has often debated Bart D. Ehrman over his positions about Jesus and his resurrection. Despite this, the two are personal friends, and Licona has published guest articles on Ehrman's blog.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Licona|first=Michael R.|title=I Befriended Bart Ehrman by Debating Him|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/july-august/bart-ehrman-michael-licona-friendship-debate.html|access-date=2021-08-30|website=[[Christianity Today]]|date=21 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=BDEhrman|title=Is the Bible Inerrant? Guest Post by Mike Licona|url=https://ehrmanblog.org/is-the-bible-inerrant-guest-post-by-mike-licona/|access-date=2021-08-30|website=The Bart Ehrman Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>
===Matthew 27 controversy===
In a passage in his 2010 book, ''The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach'', Michael Licona questioned the interpretation of the story of the resurrection of the saints in [[Matthew 27]], and suggested the possibility that it might be apocalyptic imagery.<ref>{{cite journal|title=A Roundtable Discussion with Michael Licona on The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach|journal=Southeastern Theological Review|date=2012|volume=3|issue=1|pages=71-98|url=http://www.paulcopan.com/articles/pdf/Roundtable_Discussion-Michael_Licona-The_Resurrection_of_Jesus.pdf|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> This led to controversy with fellow Evangelical scholars [[Norman Geisler]] and [[Albert Mohler]], who both accused Licona of denying the full inerrancy of the Bible in general and the gospel narratives in particular.<ref>http://normangeisler.net/public_html/MikeLiconaonInerrancyWorse.html</ref> Licona maintained that adjusting an interpretation on a text is not a denial of inerrancy. In the course of events, Licona resigned in 2011 from his position as research professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary and as apologetics coordinator for the North American Mission Board (NAMB).<ref>http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/november/interpretation-sparks-theology-debate.html</ref> Other Evangelical scholars such as [[William Lane Craig]], [[J.P. Moreland]], and [[Gary Habermas]] voiced their support for Licona by signing an open letter to Geisler.<ref>http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2011/09/press-release-michael-licona-response-to-norm-geisler/</ref> In a round table discussion on the issue, [[Craig Blomberg]] urged that another educational institute of similar prestige offer him a teaching role.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Roundtable discussion with Michael Licona|url=http://www.risenjesus.com/images/stories/pdfs/a%20roundtable%20discussion%20with%20michael%20licona%20on%20the%20resurrection%20of%20jesus.pdf|accessdate=29 June 2014}}</ref> Licona was hired shortly afterward by [[Houston Baptist University]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Erin|first=Roach|title=HBU's Licona addresses Bible's 'contradictions'|accessdate=15 April 2014|date=Feb 13, 2013}}</ref>


==Works==
===Evangelicalism===
===Thesis===
In the course of the controversy over the raised saints in the Gospel of Matthew, Evangelicals such as Norman Geisler and Albert Mohler have questioned whether Licona is moving away from his evangelical views and is headed in a similar path traveled by the agnostic New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mohler|first1=Albert|title=Biblical Inerrancy and the Licona Controversy|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/biblical-inerrancy-and-the-licona-controversy-55591/|accessdate=29 June 2014|agency=Christian Post}}</ref> Licona’s approach seems to provide fodder for his critics. While asserting his belief in the divine authority of the Bible and even its inerrancy, he claims he cannot presuppose these beliefs while engaged in historical research. He also claims the doctrine of biblical inerrancy is not a doctrine fundamental to the Christian faith. In a radio exchange with Bart Ehrman, Licona said that if Jesus actually rose from the dead, Christianity is true even if it were also true that some things in the Bible were not.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bart Ehrman & Mike Licona Discuss Decisions|url=http://www.risenjesus.com/bart-ehrman-mike-licona-discuss-decisions|accessdate=29 June 2014}}</ref> Licona has noted what he saw as several problems with the argument for inerrancy provided by Norman Geisler.<ref>{{cite web|title=On Chicago's Muddy Waters|url=http://www.risenjesus.com/chicagos-muddy-waters|accessdate=29 June 2014}}</ref>
* {{ cite thesis|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |author1-mask=3 |title=The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus: historiographical considerations in the light of recent debates |type=Ph.D.
|location=Pretoria, SA |publisher=University of Pretoria |date=2008 }}


==Personal life==
===Books===
* {{ cite book|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |author1-mask=3 |title=Behold, I Stand At the Door and Knock: What to Say to Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses When They Knock on Your Door |publisher=Truth Quest Publishers |date=1998 | asin = B00126UFDS }}
Licona is married to Debbie and has two children; a daughter Allie and a son Zach. Licona's son-in-law Nick Peters is a Christian apologist who blogs on a regular basis<ref>{{cite web|last1=Peters|first1=Nick|title=Deeper Waters|url=http://deeperwaters.wordpress.com|accessdate=3 July 2014}}</ref> and has a weekly podcast called Deeper Waters.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Peters|first1=Nick|title=Deeper Waters Podcast|url=http://deeperwaters.wordpress.com/category/deeper-waters/deeper-waters-podcast/|website=Deeper Waters|accessdate=3 July 2014}}</ref>
* {{ cite book|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |author1-mask=3 |author2-last=Habermas |author2-first=Gary R. |author2-link=Gary R. Habermas |title=The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=Kregel |date=2004 |isbn= 978-0-8254-2788-6 |oclc=123818389 }}
* {{ cite book|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |author1-mask=3 |title=Paul Meets Muhammad: A Christian-Muslim Debate on the Resurrection |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=Baker Academic |date=2006 |isbn=978-0-8010-6602-3 }}
* {{ cite book|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |author1-mask=3 |title=The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach |location=Downer's Grove, IL |publisher=IVP Academic |date= 2010 |isbn=978-0-8308-2719-0 }}
* {{ cite book|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |title=Why Are There Differences in the Gospels? What We Can Learn From Ancient Biography |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=Oxford University Press |date=2017 |isbn=9780190264260 }}
* {{ cite book|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |title=Raised on the Third Day: Defending the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus |location=Bellingham, US |publisher=Lexham Press
|date=2020 |isbn=9781683594321 }}
* {{cite book|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |title=Jesus, Contradicted: Why the Gospels Tell the Same Story Differently |location= |publisher=Zondervan Academic
|date=2024 |isbn=9780310159599 }}


===As editor===
==Debates and dialogues==
* {{ cite book|editor1-last=Licona |editor1-first=Michael R. |editor1-mask=3 |editor2-last=Dembski |editor2-first=William |editor2-link=William A. Dembski |title=Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy & Science |location=Grand Rapids, MI |publisher=Baker Academic |date=2010 |isbn=978-0-8010-7260-4 }}
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite web| |title=Evan Fales (atheist) at University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN), “Can historians investigate miracle claims?” and “Did Jesus rise from the dead?” (June 24, 2014)}}
* {{cite web| |title=Dale Martin at Acadia Divinity College, "Did Jesus Think He was Divine?" (October 19, 2012)}}
* {{cite web| title=Dale Martin at Saint Mary's University, "Did Jesus Rise Physically from the Dead?" (October 18, 2012)}}
* {{cite web| title=Greg Cavin at Antioch Church, "Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?" (July, 2012)}}
* {{cite web| title=Shane Puckett (Agnostic) at West Monroe Baptist Church, "Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?" (January, 2012)}}
* {{cite web| title=Yusuf Ismail (Muslim) at the University of Potchefstroom,(South Africa), "What was the 1st century fate of Jesus" (September 2011)}}
* {{cite web| title=Stephen Patterson (Jesus Seminar) at Florida State University, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (March, 2010)}}
* {{cite web| title=Richard Carrier (Atheist) at Washburn University, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (February, 2010)}}
* {{cite web| title=Bart Ehrman (Agnostic) at Southern Evangelical Seminary, “Can Historians Prove that Jesus Rose from the Dead?” (April, 2009)}}
* {{cite web| title=Bart Ehrman (Agnostic) at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, “Can Historians Prove that Jesus Rose from the Dead?” (February, 2008)}}
* {{cite web| title=Ali Ataie (Muslim) at the University of California (Davis), “What was the First Century Fate of Jesus?” (November, 2006)}}
* {{cite web| title=Steve Yothment (Atheist) at the University of Georgia, “Resolution: God Created Man” (March, 2006)}}
* {{cite web| title=Elaine Pagels on Ron Insana Show, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (April, 2005)}}
* {{cite web| title=Elaine Pagels on Faith Under Fire, “The Gospel of Thomas” (February, 2005)}}
* {{cite web| title=Shabir Ally (Muslim) on Faith Under Fire, “Who was Jesus: Divine or Prophet?” (November, 2004)}}
* {{cite web| title=Richard Carrier (Atheist) at UCLA, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (April, 2004)}}
* {{cite web| title=Shabir Ally (Muslim) at Regent University, “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (March, 2004)}}
* {{cite web| title=Dan Barker (Atheist) at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), “Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?” (April, 2003)}}
{{refend}}


===Articles and chapters===
==Bibliography==
* {{cite journal|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R.| author2-first=Jan G. |author2-last=Van Der Watt| author1-mask=3 |author2-mask=0 |title=Historians and miracles: the principle of analogy and antecedent probability reconsidered |journal=HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies |volume=65 |issue=1 |date=2009 |pages=6 |doi=10.4102/hts.v65i1.129 |s2cid=145496185|doi-access=free |hdl=2263/11088 |hdl-access=free }}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R.| author2-first=Jan G. |author2-last=Van Der Watt| author1-mask=3 |author2-mask=0 |title=The adjudication of miracles: Rethinking the criteria of historicity |journal=HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies |volume=65 |issue=1 |date=2009 |pages=7 |doi=10.4102/hts.v65i1.130 |s2cid=54900116|doi-access=free |hdl=2263/11099 |hdl-access=free }}
* {{cite book|title=The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach|date=2010|publisher=IVP Academic|isbn=978-0-8308-2719-0}}
* {{cite journal|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |author1-mask=3 |title=Historians and Miracle Claims |journal=Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus |volume=12 |issue=1–2 |date=2014 |pages=106–129 |doi=10.1163/17455197-01202002 |s2cid=54694524 }}
* {{cite book|title=Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy & Science|editor1-last=Dembski|editor1-first=William|publisher=Baker Academic|date=2010|ISBN=978-0-8010-7260-4}}
* {{cite journal|author1-last=Licona |author1-first=Michael R. |author1-mask=3 |title=Are the Gospels "Historically Reliable"? A Focused Comparison of Suetonius's Life of Augustus and the Gospel of Mark |journal=Religions |volume=10 |issue=3 |date=2019 |pages=148 |doi=10.3390/rel10030148 |s2cid=150829429 |doi-access=free }}
* {{cite book|title=Paul Meets Muhammad: A Christian-Muslim Debate on the Resurrection|publisher=Baker Academic|date=2006|ISBN=978-0-8010-6602-3}}
* {{cite book|title=The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus|last1=Licona|first1=Michael|last2=Habermas|first2=Gary|publisher=Kregel|date=2004|ISBN=978-0-8254-2788-6}}
* {{cite book|title=Behold, I Stand At the Door and Knock: What to Say to Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses When They Knock on Your Door|publisher=Truth Quest Publishers|date=1998|}} AISN: B00126UFDS
{{refend}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|20em}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.risenjesus.com/ Mike Licona's website]
* [http://www.risenjesus.com/ Mike Licona's website]
* [http://www.cyiworldwide.com/deeper-waters-archives/july-18th-2014 Interview with Nick Peters] Licona discusses Plutarch's Lives and how they relate to scholarship regarding the Gospels.
* [http://www.deeperwatersapologetics.com/podcasts/20140712MikeLicona.mp3 Interview with Nick Peters] Licona discusses Plutarch's Lives and how they relate to scholarship regarding the Gospels.


{{Authority control|VIAF=63963452}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Licona, Michael R.
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = New Testament Scholar
| DATE OF BIRTH = July 17, 1961
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Licona, Michael R.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Licona, Michael R.}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Biblical scholars]]
[[Category:21st-century American historians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century evangelicals]]
[[Category:American biblical scholars]]
[[Category:American Evangelical writers]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Christian apologists]]
[[Category:Christian apologists]]
[[Category:Christian writers]]
[[Category:American critics of atheism]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:Critics of Jehovah's Witnesses]]
[[Category:University of Pretoria alumni]]
[[Category:Critics of Mormonism]]
[[Category:People from Baltimore, Maryland]]
[[Category:Historians from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Historians from Maryland]]
[[Category:Liberty University alumni]]
[[Category:Liberty University alumni]]
[[Category:New Testament scholars]]
[[Category:People from Cumming, Georgia]]
[[Category:People from Cumming, Georgia]]
[[Category:University of Pretoria alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Baltimore]]

Latest revision as of 19:39, 9 August 2024

Michael R. Licona
Born1961
Baltimore, Maryland
Academic background
EducationLiberty University
Alma materUniversity of Pretoria
ThesisThe Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus: historiographical considerations in the light of recent debates (2008)
Academic work
InstitutionsHouston Christian University
WebsiteRisen Jesus

Michael R. "Mike" Licona (born 1961)[1] is an American New Testament scholar, author, and Christian apologist. He is Professor of New Testament Studies at Houston Christian University, Extraordinary Associate Professor of Theology at North-West University and the director of Risen Jesus, Inc. Licona specializes in the resurrection of Jesus, and in the literary analysis of the Gospels as Greco-Roman biographies.

Interview with Brian Marshall at the Christian Student Fellowship at the University of Kentucky

Biography

[edit]

Licona was raised in a Christian family. When he entered Liberty University, he planned to become a musician and obtained a bachelor's degree in music performance (saxophone).[1]

Licona has a M.A. in religious studies from Liberty University and a Ph.D. in New Testament studies from the University of Pretoria, which he earned with distinction.[1] He served as an apologetics coordinator at the North American Mission Board (Southern Baptist Convention) from 2005 through 2011, when he resigned as a result of the controversy surrounding his book The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach,[2] which was otherwise well received.[3][4] Licona has lectured on more than 100 university campuses and has appeared on television and radio programs.[5]

In 2012, Licona was hired as Associate Professor of Theology at Houston Baptist University (now Houston Christian University). In 2023, he was promoted to Professor of New Testament Studies. Since 2014 he has been Extraordinary Associate Professor of Theology at North-West University.[6]

Academic career

[edit]

Licona's book The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach seeks to prove Jesus's bodily resurrection, and was praised by fellow evangelicals for "the painstaking care" with which Licona researched his topic.[3][4] It also led to Licona's departure from Southern Evangelical Seminary.[7][8]

In a passage in his book, Licona questioned the literal interpretation of the story of the resurrection of the saints in Matthew 27, suggesting the possibility that it might be apocalyptic imagery.[9] This led to evangelicals Norman Geisler and Albert Mohler accusing Licona of denying the full inerrancy of the Bible in general and the Gospel narratives in particular.[10] Licona maintained that the interpretation he proposed had nothing to do with whether the Gospels are inerrant but was a matter of how to interpret it as Matthew had intended (i.e., hermeneutics). In the course of events, Licona resigned in 2011 from his position as research professor at Southern Evangelical Seminary and as apologetics coordinator for the North American Mission Board (NAMB).[8] Other evangelical scholars such as William Lane Craig, J.P. Moreland, and Gary Habermas voiced their support for Licona by signing an open letter to Geisler.[11] Michael F. Bird likewise supported Licona.[12] The Southeastern Theological Review devoted their Summer 2012 issue to discussions on Licona's book (edited by Heath Thomas and Robert Stewart), including reviews by Gary Habermas, Timothy McGrew, and C. Behan McCullagh. It also included a virtual roundtable discussion with participants Heath Thomas, Michael Licona, Craig Blomberg, Paul Copan, Charles Quarles, Michael Kruger and Daniel Akin.[13]

In the course of the controversy over the raised saints in the Gospel of Matthew, Evangelicals such as Norman Geisler, Albert Mohler and F. David Farnell have questioned whether Licona is moving away from his evangelical views and is headed in a similar path traveled by the agnostic New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman.[14] While asserting his belief in the divine authority of the Bible and its inerrancy, he maintains he cannot presuppose these beliefs while engaged in historical research. He also claims the doctrine of biblical inerrancy is not a doctrine fundamental to the Christian faith. In a radio exchange with Ehrman, Licona said that if Jesus actually rose from the dead, Christianity is true even if it were also true that some things in the Bible were not.[15] Licona noted what he saw as several problems with the argument for inerrancy provided by Norman Geisler.[16]

Licona has often debated Bart D. Ehrman over his positions about Jesus and his resurrection. Despite this, the two are personal friends, and Licona has published guest articles on Ehrman's blog.[17][18]

Works

[edit]

Thesis

[edit]
  • ——— (2008). The Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus: historiographical considerations in the light of recent debates (Ph.D.). Pretoria, SA: University of Pretoria.

Books

[edit]
  • ——— (1998). Behold, I Stand At the Door and Knock: What to Say to Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses When They Knock on Your Door. Truth Quest Publishers. ASIN B00126UFDS.
  • ———; Habermas, Gary R. (2004). The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel. ISBN 978-0-8254-2788-6. OCLC 123818389.
  • ——— (2006). Paul Meets Muhammad: A Christian-Muslim Debate on the Resurrection. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. ISBN 978-0-8010-6602-3.
  • ——— (2010). The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach. Downer's Grove, IL: IVP Academic. ISBN 978-0-8308-2719-0.
  • Licona, Michael R. (2017). Why Are There Differences in the Gospels? What We Can Learn From Ancient Biography. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780190264260.
  • Licona, Michael R. (2020). Raised on the Third Day: Defending the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus. Bellingham, US: Lexham Press. ISBN 9781683594321.
  • Licona, Michael R. (2024). Jesus, Contradicted: Why the Gospels Tell the Same Story Differently. Zondervan Academic. ISBN 9780310159599.

As editor

[edit]
  • ———; Dembski, William, eds. (2010). Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy & Science. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. ISBN 978-0-8010-7260-4.

Articles and chapters

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Michael Licona Interview". The Best Schools. 2012-05-02. Archived from the original on 2015-09-07. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  2. ^ Ross, Bobby Jr. (7 November 2011). "Interpretation Sparks a Grave Theology Debate". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
  3. ^ a b Beasley-Murray, Paul (2011). "The resurrection of Jesus: a new historiographical approach". Evangelical Quarterly. 83 (3): 274–75.
  4. ^ a b Quarles, Charles (2011). "The resurrection of Jesus: a new historiographical approach" (PDF). Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. 54 (4): 839–44.
  5. ^ Michael R. Licona. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  6. ^ "Curriculum Vitae - Michael R. Licona". Risen Jesus, Inc. 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2021-12-25.
  7. ^ Anderson, Garwood (February 2012). "Bedrock Evidence Resurrected". The Living Church: 13–14. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Interpretation sparks Theology debate", Christianity today, Nov 2011.
  9. ^ "A Roundtable Discussion with Michael Licona on The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach" (PDF). Southeastern Theological Review. 3 (1): 71–98. 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  10. ^ Geisler, Norman, Mike Licona inerrancy worse.
  11. ^ Michael Licona response to Norm Geisler (press release), Reclaiming the mind, Sep 2011, archived from the original (blog) on 2016-07-18, retrieved 2011-12-28.
  12. ^ Euangelion (2011-09-14). "Michael Licona on the Resurrection of Jesus". Euangelion. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  13. ^ "Roundtable Discussion - Risen Jesus, Inc". Risen Jesus, Inc. 2015-07-04. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
  14. ^ Mohler, Albert. "Biblical Inerrancy and the Licona Controversy". The Christian Post. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  15. ^ "Bart Ehrman & Mike Licona Discuss Decisions". Risen Jesus. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  16. ^ "On Chicago's Muddy Waters". Risen Jesus. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  17. ^ Licona, Michael R. (21 June 2019). "I Befriended Bart Ehrman by Debating Him". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  18. ^ BDEhrman. "Is the Bible Inerrant? Guest Post by Mike Licona". The Bart Ehrman Blog. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
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