Are accounts of Jesus' life mere 'stories' or based on historical fact? Is that relevant for faith? This incisive and important book argues - against the lazy prejudices of the present age - that what really happened nearly two thousand years ago still does matter. It deserves to be widely read. ~ Professor Roger Trigg, Senior Research Fellow, Ian Ramsey Centre, University of Oxford, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick

The Jesus Puzzle’ rigorously examines principles underlying Quests for the historical Jesus, exposing preconceptions that impede understanding. It robustly challenges dogmatisms, both secular and religious, commending open- mindedness and a combination of reason and faith, as of cognition and emotional awareness... It argues in favour of the overall historicity of the gospels and against an a priori rejection of the supernatural, accepting that all our knowledge is provisional. The book emphasises the relevance of the human Jesus for today with his message of putting people first. I am happy to commend Brenda Watson’s book as a thought- provoking and balanced study of historical method coupled with comprehensive awareness of the centrality of Jesus in Western thought and culture. Her discussion of the Resurrection is particularly illuminating. ~ The Revd Nicholas Menon, former University and School Chaplain