Rating: 
Summary: Persuasive and easy to read
Review: This book is a perfect beginning point for anyone interested in modern scholarship into the origins of the Christian Bible, and of the origins of traditional Christianity. Helms' writing is clear, his arguments cogent, and his scholarship is commendable. While not as detailed, subtle and penetrating as Burton Mack's "Who Wrote the New Testament," this book is far more approachable and understandable for regular people who may not be academically oriented.While it may come as a suprise to many, it has been known for centuries that the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were not written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Instead, these are "traditional" names given to anonymously-written works over a hundred years after they were written. This much is not controversial among biblical scholars. What is controversial is the attempt to assign actual authorship to these anonymous works, and to place them in the proper historical, social, cultural, and theological context. Helms does an excellent job of showing how these Gospels were not simply eyewitness accounts, or even second-hand accounts, of Jesus' time. Rather, they are products of complicated theological advocacy written generations after Jesus' time. Each Gospel is shown to reflect the author(s) own theological interests and agenda, as each sought to advance their own vision of the emerging religion. While I do have a few quibbles and reservations about some of Helms' more speculative speculations, I found his arguments to be convincing generally. Christianity as we have come to know it, is the historical product of a historically brief period between the traditional dates of Jesus' ministry and the Council of Nicaea in the early 4th century. During the intervening centuries, Christianity began as a diverse and conflicting collection of religious associations and movements, passed through a period of competition and acrimony among sects, and ended in the triumph of one particular brand of Christianity which has come to be labeled "orthodox." Helms book illuminates an important part of this historical process, by showing how the Gospels reflect the viewpoints, concerns and agendas of these anonymous early Christian writers during the period of competition between the various visions and interpretations of Christianity. An enlightening and worthwhile read for anyone interested in Christianity or the history of religion in general.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT AND PROVOCATIVE
Review: This book is especially appropriate now when a number of Evangelists and Christians believe the "last days" are approaching and they quote Daniel and Mark in support of their beliefs. Helms clearly shows how Mark based many of his apocalyptic beliefs and statements on the Book of Daniel. In his analysis he also points out several historical inaccuracies of the Old Testment and contradictions between the Gospels in the New Testament. When Jesus failed to return during the life time of his followers (as Mark said he would), Matthew and Luke had to rewrite the stories to make them fit their own troubled times. Helms also presents a strong and fascinating case that the author of Luke was a woman. "Who Wrote The Gospels" is readable, clear, and enlightening.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT AND PROVOCATIVE
Review: This book is especially appropriate now when a number of Evangelists and Christians believe the "last days" are approaching and they quote Daniel and Mark in support of their beliefs. Helms clearly shows how Mark based many of his apocalyptic beliefs and statements on the Book of Daniel. In his analysis he also points out several historical inaccuracies of the Old Testment and contradictions between the Gospels in the New Testament. When Jesus failed to return during the life time of his followers (as Mark said he would), Matthew and Luke had to rewrite the stories to make them fit their own troubled times. Helms also presents a strong and fascinating case that the author of Luke was a woman. "Who Wrote The Gospels" is readable, clear, and enlightening.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good exposition; minor slip can be overlooked
Review: This is a very good book, exposing how Mark was first developed, the main book from which we get the so-called historical outline of Jesus's ministry. Seeing Mark's outline's origin introduces some doubt about the traditional evangelical ideas of how Jesus's ministry went. The weak point, as another reader said, is when he deduces that Luke was a woman writer. It's not to much that it can't have been but rather that the evidence alone doesn't convince me. Overall, meets its title's burden quite well... A very good and necessary read for all who are interested in one of the major religion's origins...
Rating:
Summary: A Well Reasoned Guide
Review: to some of the inconsistencies of New Testament prophecy. Helms presents a clear case when exposing the theological program of the real NT authors. I found the explanation of the apocalyptic/gnostic contradictions of John particularly fascinating. The book was written in an easy to read style, and did an excellent job (I thought) of maintaining its focus on the subject matter without getting overly bogged down in technical jargon. Overall a well-written beginner's guide for anyone wanting a starting point from which to explore the New Testament's historical grounding.
Rating:
Summary: If you enjoy Bible mysteries also read new Proverbs book.
Review: Who Wrote the Gospels is a fascinating and indepth exploration of the roots of Christianity. Mark wrote in AD 72 to interpret the significance of the temple destruction of AD 70. He used the twelth chapter of Daniel & predicted the end of the age in AD 74. Matthew quoted 600 of Mark's 666 verses and corrected Marks errors in quoting Scripture. Luke was a female stroyteller in Greece. She had the angel announce Jesus' birth to Mary instead of Joseph. If you enjoy Bible mysteries you may also find fascinating THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BOOK OF PROVERBS by Cody Jones which unveils surprising new revelations on authorship on Old Testament books of Proverbs, Isaiah, Song of Songs and Job. The identitiy of King Solomon's secret ghostwriter for the book of Proverbs is unveiled for the first time in any commentary. Many other mysteries and riddles of Proverbs and the Old Testament are explored with surprising new answers.
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