UPDATED: JULY 13, 2010

My new Baker book co-edited with Bill Dembski is doing pretty well on Amazon and is recommended in this month's World magazine.

My new IVP Academic book coming out this November can now be preordered through IVP or Amazon. The endorsements have been very encouraging!

UPDATED: JUNE 4, 2010

UPDATED: APRIL 15, 2010

Here is my itinerary for my May trip to South Africa:

Monday, 10 May:

14:00 "The death of Jesus as a challenge to Islam" (North West University, Potchefstroom)
19:00 "The historicity of the resurrection" (North West University, Potchefstroom)

Tuesday, 11 May:

10:00-12:00 Colloquium: "The problem of differences: Do the Gospels contradict one another?" (UNISA, Pretoria)
19:00 Debate with Prof Pieter Craffert: "Was Jesus raised physically from the dead?" (University of Johannesburg)

Venue: University of Johannesburg
Location: B-Les 103
Cost: none

Wednesday, 12 May:

19:00 Debate with Prof Sakkie Spangenberg and Prof Hansie Wolmarans (HOD Greek & Latin Studies, University of Johannesburg) vs. Prof William Lane Craig & Prof Michael Licona: "How should we understand the narratives about Jesus' resurrection?"

Venue: University of Pretoria
Location: Musaion Auditorium
Cost: R20 at the door

UPDATED: APRIL 3, 2010

My debate with Stephen Patterson on 3/31 at FSU went well. We were informed that 950 were present at the height of the debate while the average throughout was about 800. Steve and I were very collegial toward one another before, during, and after the debate. In fact, I believe I made a new friend. As with my debate with Rick Carrier, a few said afterward that they had hoped for a heated exchange. Sorry to disappoint them, but that's exactly the way I prefer my debates to be. Having done the traditional format and the more conversational one with Carrier, I prefer the traditional format at this time. It seems to me that more substance can be covered in a shorter period. It just takes more skill.

On May 12, I will be debating Pieter Craffert (NT prof, Univ. of South Africa) at the University of Johannesburg. The following day, William Lane Craig & I will be involved in a 2-on-2 debate with Sakki Spangenberg (OT prof, Univ. of Pretoria) & Hansie Wolmarans (Dept. head of Greek & Latin Studies, Univ. of Johannesburg). This debate will occur at the University of Pretoria. Profs Craffert, Spangenberg, and Wolmarans are 3 of 5 scholars who started the New Reformation Movement, which to my understanding is the South African version of the Jesus Seminar.

UPDATED: FEBRUARY 18, 2010

My debate with Richard Carrier was enjoyable. I had been hesitant about the format but ended up enjoying it. Rick and I had a collegial debate. In fact, I heard from 2 attendees afterward that they had hoped to see a heated exchange. I guess they should have known that that's not what Rick or I would have wanted. There were 600 seats (I'm told all were occupied) and about 150 standing along the walls or seated on the floor. The debate was videotaped and I'm told the edited copy will be only a few weeks in the making. I'll update the "News" when it's available.

On another note, IVP informed me the other day that the title of my forthcoming book with them (a slightly revised and expanded version of my dissertation) will be The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2010). The current plan is that it will appear first at the annual ETS/SBL conferences this November.

UPDATED: JANUARY 13, 2010

Check out these videos answering Bart Ehrman's objections to the Gospels: www.4truth.net/ehrman.  You may download these for free. There's also a free document with questions related to the videos for small group discussions.

UPDATED: DECEMBER 27, 2009

I just signed a contract with IVP Academic to publish my dissertation. Needless to say, I'm very excited. Few have their dissertations published and IVP is an outstanding publisher. The book will probably be between 600-700 pages and will appear in paperback. The projected sales price is $39.95. It is projected to be available first at the ETS/SBL annual meetings in Atlanta next November. 

UPDATED: OCTOBER 30, 2009

Three years ago I was interviewed by the late Dr. D. James Kennedy on my book Paul Meets Muhammad. Dr. Kennedy regarded my self-published book Cross Examined as the most enjoyable book on the resurrection he'd ever read. So, he wanted to interview me personally regarding my latest book. It was really cool carrying on a conversation with him. You may listen to that interview HERE.

UPDATED: OCTOBER 6, 2009

My debate with Stephen Patterson @ FSU has been moved up one day to March 31, 2010.

Southern Evangelical Seminary has posted videos of my second debate with Bart Ehrman:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 15, 2009

I'm now scheduled to participate in two debates to be held next Spring:

1) with Richard Carrier on Jesus' resurrection; Feb 11 @ Washburn University in Topeka, KS

2) with Stephen Patterson of the Jesus Seminar on Jesus' resurrection;
April 1 @ FSU in Tallahassee, FL

UPDATED: APRIL 11, 2009

DVDs of my recent debate with Bart Ehrman are now available for purchase for $10 at http://theapologeticsbookstore.com/licona-ehrman-debate.aspx.

UPDATED: DECEMBER 6, 2008

Complete videos of my debates with Dan Barker, Richard Carrier, Bart Ehrman, Shabir Ally, and Ali Ataie are now posted at 4truth.net. Scroll down to the four "Debate Video" links. You may watch these by streaming or downloading as an MP4 or MP3.

Bart Ehrman and I have agree to debate the resurrection of Jesus again. The debate will take place on April 2, 2009 at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, NC.

UPDATED: NOVEMBER 8, 2008

The video of my debate with Bart Ehrman is now posted on 4truth.net.

UPDATED: OCTOBER 24, 2008

Today I passed the oral defense of my dissertation and have now completed all requirements for a PhD in New Testament Studies at the University of Pretoria. I was also awarded the degree "with distinction" and the highest mark. My supervisor was Jan van der Watt. One of my external readers was Richard B. Hays (Distinguished Prof. of New Testament, Duke). Both gave my dissertation the highest rating.

UPDATED: JULY 4, 2008

I was recently informed that my debate with Bart Ehrman (audio only) is on Youtube: Click Here

UPDATED: APRIL 16, 2008

I just learned that my debate with Bart Ehrman is now available to purchase on DVD through the Seminary that sponsored it.  The cost is only $11 plus $1.50 shipping.  Call Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City and ask for the Library: 816.414.3729.

UPDATED: March 19, 2008

I thought my debate with Bart Ehrman went very well.  Prof. Ehrman was a pleasant opponent.  The event at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) in Kansas City was well attended.  The chapel was packed at capacity as was an overflow room.  A second overflow room was opened.  I had an unexpected challenge that evening: I lost most of my voice and was barely able to make it through the debate.  I've been told that MBTS will be posting the entire debate on its website for free viewing (www.mbts.edu) and will also make it available for purchase on DVD.

UPDATED: December 7, 2007

Mike with debate Bart Ehrman on the question, "Can Historians Prove that Jesus Rose from the Dead" on February 28, 2008 in Kansas City at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary or a place to be determined nearby. 

UPDATED: August 20, 2007

Lee Strobel's most recent book is The Case for the Real Jesus and features Mike as one of the scholars Strobel interviews.  Mike also appears in Strobel's new video The Case for Christ.  Both are now available in bookstores.  To find out more, visit www.leestrobel.com.

UPDATED: June 3, 2006

June 2, 2006: NEW in Risen Jesus bookstore: CD including 67-min panel discussion on The Da Vinci Code with panelists William Lane Craig & Mike Licona.  Answers major claims of The Da Vinci Code and new claims of some scholars about the nature of early Christianity.

RECENT NATIONAL RADIO APPEARANCES
On February 23, Mike appeared on Janet Parshall's America.
On April 10, Mike appeared on Truths That Transform with D. James Kennedy.
On April 13, Mike appeared a second time on Janet Parshall's America.
On April 13 & 14, Mike appeared on The Bible Answer Man with Hank Hanegraff.
Mike will appear on Faith & Family with Richard Land in the near future (TBA).

February 1, 2006: MIKE'S LATEST BOOK NOW AVAILABLE IN BOOKSTORES AND ONLINE. Paul Meets Muhammad: A Christian-Muslim Debate on the Resurrection with Foreword by Lee Strobel.  On March 1, the publisher (Baker) informed Mike that the first printing sold out the first month!

Recent Radio Interview w/Bible Answer Man Hank Hanegraaf

With Christian apologist, author, and friend Frank Turek (left) & Hank (right)

With Hank and his very cool staff!

The following photos were taken at the recent apologetics conference in Ashville, NC (courtesy Mike Creswell of BSCNC):

Gary Habermas

Bill Dembski

Tal Davis

Left to Right: Habermas, Dembski, Marty Dupree (IE Coordinator, NC)

Me