John began his writing career in 1993. Since then he has produced numerous bestselling titles. Below is a selection.
John began his writing career in 1993. Since then he has produced numerous bestselling titles. Below is a selection.
A Lost Key to LIfe, Love, and Leadership
Speaker and historian John Dickson shows how the virtue of humility was an important character trait for the “greats” of history and figures prominently in the findings of psychology and sociology.
Developing humility can transform your personal relationships and professional dealings.
Read the Introduction to ‘Humilitas‘ (pdf)
An Historian’s Quest
How much can we really know about Jesus of Nazareth?
How reliable are the Gospels and other sources and how widely have historians and theologians agreed on them? And how much does the historical record really matter?
In this popular illustrated book, Australian scholar and TV documentary presenter, John Dickson, sets out to answer these questions. By reviewing ancient evidence, interviewing leading experts and setting out a robust historical method, he establishes clearly the reliability or unreliability of different sources, interpretations and arguments.
Christianity prides itself on being a historical religion. John Dickson subjects this to very close scrutiny and shows both how vital this is and yet how different Jesus was from the way he is so often portrayed today.
Rooted in scholarship and the Gospels, this straightforward account of Jesus draws upon reliable sources and dispels conspiracy theories as well as unfounded evidence to reveal the true man.
The mists of speculation and fantasy surrounding each of the topics addressed—which include the historicity of the New Testament; Jesus’ birth and family; and his teachings, miracles, death, resurrection, and subsequent appearances—are cleared away, revealing the founder of Christianity in sharp focus.
The closing chapters also address the impact of Jesus’ teaching and life on Christianity today. Beautifully illustrated with some of the best-loved images of Christ, this is a reliable and readable biography.
An introduction to the ‘big five’
The award-winning volume outlining the history and beliefs of the world’s five major religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Designed for believers and sceptics alike, this book urges readers to confront the similarities and differences between the great faiths and to work for greater understanding and compassion among all.
Read sample Chapters 1-3 (pdf)
Struggling with Evil, Suffering and Faith
No question has plagued the minds of thinking men and women more than the problem of pain: if there is a Creator, how could so much evil and suffering exist? While freely acknowledging the limitations of philosophy, science and religion to provide ultimate answers, John tentatively points to some ancient ideas that have provided a comfort to millions throughout history.
Read an excerpt (pdf)
This is a book about things that matter – life, death, relationships, sex, science, fashion, meaning and the quest for God. We all have a hunch, a sneaking suspicion, there is more to life than meets the eye. Here, Dickson tries to put into words things we often contemplate but rarely discuss in public.
Read an excerpt (pdf)
This is the published version of John’s doctoral dissertation and offers a wide-ranging historical and philological examination of Second Temple Jewish literature and the epistles of St Paul. It contributes to the vexing historical question, How did early Christianity spread throughout the early Roman empire?
Read the
Introduction (pdf) or Chapter 1 Winning the Gentiles (pdf)
Read an academic review (pdf) in the Journal for the Study of the New Testament.
