Includes bibliographical references (p. [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?.