Robert M. Bowman Jr.
DeWard, 2020
Just as the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christianity, the visions of Joseph Smith are the foundation of Mormonism. Latter-day Saints often argue that if Christians can believe Paul’s claim to have seen the risen Jesus, they should also be able to believe Joseph’s claim. Ironically, skeptics are now using the argument in reverse: They argue that if Christians don’t believe Joseph’s story, they shouldn’t believe Paul’s, either. In Jesus’ Resurrection and Joseph’s Visions, Robert Bowman
addresses these arguments head on. He compares the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection with the evidence for Joseph’s visions. The historical data confirm the truth of Jesus’ resurrection and his appearances to the disciples and later to Paul. By contrast, the historical data show that the accounts of Joseph Smith’s visions—especially the official account in LDS scripture—are historically lacking in both reliability and credibility. For Mormons who have doubts about their religion, this study will help them find a more reliable basis for faith in Christ. For Christians, this study provides a fresh angle on the historical evidence for the truth of Christianity.
Here are some recommended places where you can find it:
Amazon.com (paperback, Kindle)
ChristianBook.com (paperback)
IRR e-store (paperback)
Here are excerpts from statements by a few of the Christian scholars who have recommended Jesus’ Resurrection and Joseph’s Visions:
“Robert Bowman has done a wonderful service for anyone interested in the foundations of
traditional Christianity and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With fairness, and yet historical rigor, he examines the central events that lie at the heart of both Christianity and Mormonism. Jesus’ Resurrection and Joseph’s Visions is a must-read for scholars and lay people who are open to considering the historical credibility of the respective religions.”
Sean McDowell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Apologetics, Talbot School of Theology
Author, The Fate of the Apostles
Co-editor, Sharing the Good News with Mormons
“Seldom are readers treated to such a scholarly evaluation of a prominent religious movement as Robert Bowman has undertaken in this volume. Time and again the necessary care is taken to document the myriad details, along with the corresponding, painstaking analysis and interpretation. The notes and sources by themselves are truly worth the price of the volume. Highly recommended.”
Gary R. Habermas, Ph.D.
Distinguished Research Professor & Chair, Philosophy Department, Liberty University
Author of numerous books including On the Resurrection and The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ
“In Jesus’ Resurrection and Joseph’s Visions, Robert Bowman beautifully compares the
foundational claims of Mormonism and those of Christianity. Remarkably, he shows that the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is both very good and overwhelmingly more credible than that of the visions of Joseph Smith.”
Corey Miller, Ph.D.
President, Ratio Christi: Campus Apologetics Alliance
Co-author, Leaving Mormonism: Why Four Scholars Changed Their Minds
“The apostle Paul claimed the risen Jesus had appeared to him. So did Joseph Smith. Is one justified in believing the former while doubting the latter? No one on Earth is more qualified to answer this question than Robert Bowman, a very careful scholar who is an expert on both the historical Jesus and Mormonism. You will not find Mormon-bashing in this volume. Instead, readers will encounter carefully and clearly articulated arguments based on a robust knowledge of the primary sources of early Christianity and Mormonism.”
Michael Licona, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Theology, Houston Baptist University
Author, The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach
For the complete endorsements by these and other authors, along with later comments, please see the Jesus’ Resurrection and Joseph Smith’s Visions review page.
Click here to get a free excerpt of the book that includes the full Introduction is available here.