The academic career of Shirley Jackson Case spanned both rigorous mathematics and theological inquiry, beginning with a focus on quantitative studies before he transitioned into the historical analysis of early Christianity. Born in Hatfield Point, Canada, in 1872, he held positions at the University of Chicago Divinity School and Florida Southern College before his death in 1947.
Early Mathematical Education
Case completed his foundational academic training at Acadia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1893 followed by a Master of Arts in 1896, both in the field of mathematics. Following this, he spent time teaching mathematics at the New Hampton Library Institute, contributing to the academic atmosphere of the institution before redirecting his scholarly pursuits toward divinity and historical criticism.
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In 1904, he obtained a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, later securing his Doctor of Philosophy in 1908. Throughout his tenure as a professor of New Testament literature and interpretation at the University of Chicago Divinity School, Case emphasized a liberal approach to religious history. His professional leadership included serving as president of the American Society of Church History in 1924 and the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis in 1926. He also managed editorial duties for The American Journal of Theology and The Journal of Religion.
Historical Methodology and Publications
Case centered his research on the historicity of Jesus, consistently refuting proponents of the Christ myth theory by arguing that Jesus was a verifiable historical person. His extensive bibliography includes titles such as The Historicity of Jesus: A Criticism of the Contention that Jesus Never Lived (1912), The Evolution of Early Christianity (1914), and The Christian Philosophy of History (1943). His final academic contributions included The Origins of Christian Supernaturalism, published in 1946, one year prior to his passing in Lakeland, Florida.
Fast facts
- Born: 28 September 1872, Hatfield Point, Canada
- Died: 5 December 1947, Lakeland, Florida
- Degrees: BA and MA in Mathematics, Acadia University
- Divinity Education: Yale Divinity School
- Key Role: Dean of the University of Chicago Divinity School
- Research focus: Historicity of Jesus
- Academic positions: University of Chicago Divinity School and Florida Southern College
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Shirley Jackson Case teach?
He taught mathematics early in his career and later served as a professor of New Testament literature and interpretation.
What was his stance on the existence of Jesus?
Case maintained that Jesus was an historical person and actively criticized proponents of the Christ myth theory.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Chicago Divinity School and Florida Southern College
