Endnote 11 – Why the Ugly Attacks?
Of the seminar’s critics, only Luke Johnson rejects this premise. But he rejects the legitimacy of all historical Jesus research. Commenting on the inclusion of Thomas in The Five Gospels, he charges, “Its inclusion seems to make primarily a political or ‘culture wars’ point: the Gospels are to be considered of value only insofar as they are sources for the historical Jesus” (“Jesus Seminar’s misguided quest,” pp. 19–20). If this were so, John would not have been included.