Includes bibliographical references (pages 272-273) and indexes.

Introduction -- Misplaced faith and misguided suspicion : old and new school skeptics -- Cramped starting points and overly strict critical methods : the question of authenticity -- Questionable texts, Part I : the Gospel of Thomas -- Questionable texts, Part II : the Gospel of Peter, the Egerton Gospel, the Gospel of Mary and the secret Gospel of Mark -- Alien contexts : the case against Jesus as cynic -- Skeletal sayings : maxims without a context -- Diminished deeds : a fresh look at healings and miracles -- Dubious uses of Josephus : understanding late antiquity -- Anachronisms and exaggerated claims : Christianities lost and otherwise -- Hokum history and bogus findings : Jesus between the lines -- Will the real Jesus please stand up? unfabricating his aims and claims -- Appendix 1: Agrapha : free-floating sayings of Jesus -- Appendix 2: What should we think about the Gospel of Judas?

Outlines the efforts of modern scholars to interpret and attach new meanings to the gospels and argues that in doing so, these individuals are distorting the true nature of Jesus Christ and his teachings. Questions whether there is a more effective approach to researching Christ and features a glossary and further reading sources.