James M. Robinson

For the American politician, see James M. Robinson (Indiana).

James McConkey Robinson (born June 30, 1924)[1] is Professor Emeritus of Religion, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California. He is a member of the Jesus Seminar and arguably the most prominent Q and Nag Hammadi library scholar of the 20th century. He is also a major contributor to The International Q Project, acting as an editor for most of their publications. Particularly, he laid the ground for John S. Kloppenborg's foundational work into the compositional history of Q, by arguing its genre as an ancient wisdom collection.

He has received criticism from philosopher and apologist William Lane Craig regarding his views on Jesus' resurrection appearances. Robinson argued that these appearances had their origins in second-century Gnosticism. Craig argues that there is no reason to believe that all of these experiences were luminous, and even if they were, that they were interpreted as non-physical appearances.[2]

Bibliography

Additional biographical source: James M. Robinson. "Theological Autobiography." pp. 117–150 in The Craft of Religious Studies, edited by Jon R. Stone. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998.

References

  1. Jon Ma Asgeirsson,; Kristin de Toyer; Marvin W. Meye (2000). From Quest to Q: Festschrift James M. Robinson. p. 23. ISBN 9042907711.
  2. Craig, William Lane (1993). "From Easter to Valentinus and the Apostles' Creed once More". Journal for the Study of the New Testament 52: 19–39.