Innocence of Pontius Pilate: How the Roman Trial of Jesus Shaped History

Jesus was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, but Christians suggest that it was the Judaean authorities who had crucified him. David Lloyd Dusenbury argues that Jesus' interrogation by Pilate and Augustine of Hippo's sermon on that trial led to the concept of secularity and the logic of tolerance emerging in early modern Europe.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2021
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

The gospels and ancient historians provide compelling evidence that Jesus was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman imperial prefect in Jerusalem. This historical consensus is widely accepted among Christians of various denominations, who believe that Jesus died at the hands of Pontius Pilate. However, the exact meaning of this sentence has sparked considerable debate and speculation among scholars.

Within a few decades of Jesus' death, Christians began to propose various theories regarding his crucifixion. One such notion was that the Judaean authorities were responsible for his execution, a belief that was later echoed in the Qur'an. In the third century, a philosopher suggested that, while Pontius Pilate had condemned Jesus, he had done so justly. This idea persists in one of the primary strands of modern New Testament criticism.

The truth behind the matter and the history of its discovery are essential questions that require careful examination. In his book, "Pilate's Innocence: A Neglected Theological Question and a Recurring Theme in the History of European Political Thought," David Lloyd Dusenbury argues that Pilate's innocence has been overlooked as a theological question and a recurring theme in the history of European political thought. Dusenbury contends that Jesus' interrogation by Pilate and Augustine of Hippo's North African sermon on that trial played a crucial role in shaping the concept of secularity and the logic of tolerance that emerged in early modern Europe.

Without the Roman trial of Jesus and the subsequent arguments over Pilate's innocence, the history of empire, from the first century to the twenty-first, would have taken a radically different course. Pilate's role in the crucifixion of Jesus has been a subject of fascination and debate for centuries, and Dusenbury's book sheds new light on this important historical episode. By examining the evidence carefully and considering the broader political and cultural context in which it occurred, Dusenbury provides a fresh perspective on the significance of Pilate's innocence in shaping the course of European history.

Weight: 702g
Dimension: 150 x 224 x 42 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787382176