SKU: 62807798475

LED 3x Hardwired Makeup Mirror 3500K–5500K, 3 Finishes - Kimball & Young

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Description

LED 3x Hardwired Makeup Mirror 3500K–5500K, 3 Finishes - Kimball & YoungThis LED rectangular makeup mirror has a 3 position switch 3,500k Off 5,500k. When illuminated at 3,500k, the lighting is very close to "regular" light bulbs. At 5,500k, the lighting is equivalent to the light of a cloudless day at noon. As a single side mirror (non reversible), the mirror has the advantage of a thin, 1" thick casing. The Makeup Mirror has an 6. 6" x 4. 25" viewing area in an 8. 6" x 6. 3" frame, and extends up to 12. 3" from the

This LED rectangular makeup mirror has a 3-position switch - 3,500k/Off/5,500k. When illuminated at 3,500k, the lighting is very close to "regular" light bulbs. At 5,500k, the lighting is equivalent to the light of a cloudless day at noon. As a single side mirror (non reversible), the mirror has the advantage of a thin, 1" thick casing. The Makeup Mirror has an 6.6" x 4.25" viewing area in an 8.6" x 6.3" frame, and extends up to 12.3" from the wall. The single-sided makeup mirror has 3x magnification power and looks slender and elegant in your bathroom. The LED lighting lasts "forever" and runs cool. Finished in Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel, or Brushed Nickel.
Installation Instructions  
Features
  • Kimball & Young high-end Hardwired edge-to-edge makeup mirror with 3x Magnification power - not reversible - maintaiining a slim and elegant appearance. Even the mounting plate is rectangular to complete the look.
  • Bright 950 Lumen lighting around the perimeter of this LED makeup mirror is switchable from 5,500 degrees Kelvin ("blue-sky" white dalight) to 3,500 degrees Kelvin (regular light-bulb lighting). The 3-position switch on mounting plate switches 3,500k/Off/5,500k.
  • The mirror glass is not backed with aluminum, but rather with pure silver, yielding a bright, crisp, clear image. And the final touch is the the electrical switch located on the mounting plate, eliminating the need and expense of a separate wall switch installation.
  • Dimensions: 6.6" High x 4.25" Wide viewing area mirror in a frame that's 8.6" High x 6.3" Wide x 1" Deep. Mounting Plate: 4.65" High x 3.46" Wide x 1" Deep with switch. Retracted Size: 8.6" High x 6.3" Wide x 4.25" Deep. Offset from center of mirror to center of mounting plate: 1.87". 4.50 lbs.
  • Note there is a small LED driver module that needs to be buried in the electrical box or the wall - 3" x 1.25" x 1".
  • The steel frame and structure is triple plated - first with brass, then nickel, then the final finish plating in Polished Chrome or Brushed or Polished Nickel. UL listed. 3-Year manufacturer's warranty.
Complete Specifications

949 Series Hardwired Makeup Mirrors

Magnification
• 3x Single Side

Lighting
• 50,000 Hour LEDs - Not Dimmable
• Switch Control - 3,500k / Off / 5,500k
• 12 Watts
• Incandescent equivalent - 120 Watts
• 947 Lumens
• 110-120 Volt (only) operation.

Extended Dimensions
• Projection from Wall- 12"
• Width - 6.25"
• Height - 8.5"

Retracted Dimensions
• Projection from Wall - 4.25"
• Width - 7.25"
• Height - 8.5"

Other
• Glass Area 6.25 Wide x 8.5" High
• Base Plate 4" Wide x 3" High
• Weight - 2.5 lbs.
• Horizontal Mounting only - Base Plate screwed into wall.
• Indoor use only.

Finishes
• Polished Chrome
• Polished Nickel
• Brushed Nickel
Buyer's Guide

Mirror Buyer's Guide

Magnification: Don't make the mistake of automatically opting for the greatest magnification offered. Most people are surprised to find how strong that might be. Most cosmetic-counter mirrors have 3x or 5x magnification power, but our most popular magnification power is 5x.  Indeed if you have vision problems or you have particularly critical tasks to accomplish, then go for the higher magnification mirrors - we have some up to 15x magnification.  (To give you a basis of comparison, a jeweler's loop is 10x power.)


Factors other than the magnification itself affect the quality of the image you see.  The size of the mirror is an important factor.  When two mirrors with the same magnification are compared, the larger size mirror always wins - both for image clarity and freedom from distortion.

Tilt and Swivel: Every wall mounted mirror we carry both tilts and swivels.  Swivel is usually 360° or close to it.  Tilt is usually 15° up or down - sometimes more.   A double-arm wall-mounted mirror has more capability than a single-arm mirror because in addition to rotating at the mirror pivot, you can also rotate through 360° or almost, at the elbow.


Distortion: All magnification-mirrors distort the image.   If they didn't, they wouldn't magnify anything.  The reason for this is that the mirrors magnify by using bent glass to form a sort of lens which does the magnification.  The larger the magnification, the greater the bend in the glass and the greater the distortion.  The center portion of the mirror, at any magnification level, always has the least distortion.  In a larger mirror, the absolute size of the center section is relatively larger, and therefore the area of least distortion is larger.   This is the main reason a larger mirror is preferable.


Expensive Mirrors: All of our mirrors are high quality mirrors, usually better quality than those found in big-box stores; both for image and finish.  But some of our mirrors are dramatically more expensive than others. The reasons are manifold. The "expensive" mirrors have silver-backed glass forming the image, rather than aluminum-backed glass.   The larger mirror sizes of the more expensive mirrors are much more difficult to produce correctly but once you've seen the difference in the larger image it's hard to go back.   The plating on our Miroir Brot mirrors is thick and perfect, as is the finish itself - tiny imperfections are simply not present.  Lastly, the expensive-mirror frames themselves are solid brass or triple-plated steel and heavily built - as these mirrors are often used in hotels and need to be able to take abuse.


Fluorescent, Incandescent, or LED: The long and the short of this is that it's what you prefer that counts.  All of our fluorescent-lighted or LED mirrors are so noted.


Our mirrors use only color-corrected fluorescent lamps and LED lamps, which approximate daylight or indoor lighting - your choice in most cases. They do not have the green tinge of commercial indoor fluorescent lighting - which people find objectionable. (See full explanation below.) Even so, daylight is not always preferable. Light from incandescent lighting or "regular" light bulbs usually used indoors, is often preferred by many.


A feature of modern fluorescent lamps is that greatly reduced wattage produces light output perhaps four times the wattage consumed - and the lamps stay cool.   LED lamps consume even less electricity, stay cooler and last 50,000 hours on average.  That's 6 years of continuous usage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Lighting color is measured in degrees Kelvin. Running through the spectrum, the higher the Kelvin temperature, the closer to pure white light.  The light on bright sunny day with blue sky measures 5,600° Kelvin.   A very bright day with a cloud-covered sky weighs in at 6,000° Kelvin.  An incandescent (regular) bulb gives off light at approximately 3,200° Kelvin.  This is quite yellow, as evidenced by photographs taken by lamp-light.  But our eyes are used to the color and in most circumstances it looks normal if not pleasing.  By contrast, most fluorescent lighting is a color called "cool white" used because it is the cheapest color to produce. Cool-white is 4,600° Kelvin and definitely green. Any photo taken under cool-whites looks green to the viewer.  A color-corrected fluorescent used in our mirrors usually run between 5,000° and 5,400° Kelvin, and approximates blue-sky daylight.  The closer to daylight color the more expensive the bulb.  


So where does this leave us?   With the exception of cool-white fluorescent, most people find color-corrected fluorescent lamps and most LEDs agreeable, as they do regular incandescent lamps - it's purely a matter of preference.


Switch on Base: Putting a switch on the electrical cord is the cheapest way to include a switch. 99% of our makeup mirrors do not have a switch on the cord - but have a switch on the base or mounting plate of the mirror.


Hardwired Mirrors: Hardwired mirrors are intended to be installed by a licensed electrician and connected to the house wiring.   All of our hardwired mirrors are marked "HARDWIRED" on the website.   Also, all of our hardwired mirrors have a switch on the mirror itself, so your electrician need not install a separate switch.


Electrician's instructions

  • All of our hardwired mirrors have the switch on the base or on the mounting plate. No other switch is required. Also note that each of our hardwired mirrors tilts vertically and swings horizontally.
  • Install a 4" octagon box on a CGFI line, flush with the mounting surface at a height determined by the user. Remember, the center of the mirror is usually higher than the mounting plate center by somewhat more than half the diameter of the mirror frame.  The box should be capable of supporting 10 lbs. (The mirror doesn't weigh 10 lbs., but remember it may be on an arm as long as 20".)
  • NOTE: Hardwired mirrors, once connected electrically, are non-refundable.

Gifts: Makeup mirrors make excellent gifts.  18k Gold or Brass are the best finishes for use in rooms other than bathrooms, while most bathrooms have chrome fixtures, and chrome-framed mirrors should be at the top of the list.  Consider the situation at your recipient's home... their style and preferences, and whether or not they'd want a lighted or unlighted mirror; and if lighted and wall-mounted, whether it should be hard-wired or plug-in.


Bulk Commercial Orders, and Hotels: Let us know what you need, by contacting customer service.


Returns: In accordance with our Refund Policy most mirrors can be returned for a full merchandise refund provided they are returned according to our regular refund procedures.  Custom-made mirrors are non-refundable except for manufacturing defects - extremely rare.  Also non-refundable are hardwired mirrors that have been electrically connected.  A restocking fee of $10 is required for all mirrors with greater than 7x magnification.


Major Brands Only
At PMM we carry only better to best mirror brands.  These even the least expensive of our mirrors will exceed in quality, most of those found at "big-box stores."

99% of our makeup-mirrors are glass (i.e., not plastic) and those that are not are clearly specified.  Similarly 99% of our lighted mirrors have switches on the base or mounting plate - not on the cord.   Vanity-table mirrors all have padded, weighted bases.


  • Aptations makeup mirrors including Kimball & Young, First Impressions, Clear Mirror, and Mirror Image makeup mirrors are an upper mid-priced line of high-quality Makeup Mirrors and come with a 3-year Manufacturer's Warranty.  Finishes include Chrome, Gold, Brushed Nickel, Polished Nickel, and Italian Bronze.  Magnifications run from 3x to 10x with many lighted, reversible, and hardwired mirrors as well as a many cool-running LED-lighted mirrors.
  • Jerdon Style makeup mirrors are a mid-priced line that compares favorably with most in this price range.  Exceptional values may be found in their quality mirrors.
  • Miroir Brot mirrors are made in Paris France and hold the world standard for supreme quality.  A Miroir Brot mirror is truly a luxury for those able to afford one.  Each Miroir Brot makeup mirror is shipped directly to your door from Paris.
  • Sharper Image mirrors have numerous clever and useful innovations in their line of high-tech makeup mirrors.
Magnification Guide

Makeup Mirror Magnification Comparison


These images are an approximation and may not be 100% accurate but they are useful as a basis for comparison. &nbspThe image you will actually see in the mirror is dependent upon several factors in addition to magnification power; including the size of the mirror, the viewing distance from mirror, and the quality of the lens.


Magnification Approximate
View
Viewing
Distance
Focal Length
3x Face, Hair, and Neck 10" - 13" 16"
5x Face and Some Hair or Some Neck 8" - 9" 11"-12"
7x Part of Face 5" - 6" 6" - 7"
10x Eyes and Nose 3" - 4" 3.5"
15x Eyes 2" 2"

There is no industry standard for specifying magnification power for makeup mirrors.  This opens the door to a high degree of subjectivity on the part of manufacturers when they describe the magnification power of their mirrors.  To ensure you're getting what you expect it is best to rely to the integrity of high quality makeup mirror manufacturers.


Don't make the mistake of opting for the highest magnification offered.  Most people are surprised to find how strong that might be.  Many find the 15x and greater mirrors much too strong and the viewing distance of approximately 2 inches, much too close for comfortable viewing.


For comparison purposes, most cosmetic-counter makeup mirrors have magnification powers between 3x and 7x.  Our most popular magnification power is 5x.  Indeed if you have vision problems or you have particularly critical tasks to accomplish, then you may want to opt for an extreme magnification makeup mirror. As an additional reference point: A jeweler's loop, used to inspect diamonds, is 10x power.


Factors other than the magnification affect the quality of the image you see.  The size of the makeup mirror is an important factor.  When two makeup mirrors are compared that both have the same magnification, glass quality, and silver-back quality, the larger size makeup mirror always wins - both for image clarity and freedom from distortion.  There is a simple reason for this.  Magnification is achieved by shaping the glass to a convex lens.  It is impossible to have zero distortion, but the center of the glass/mirror/lens is the point of least distortion.  The larger the mirror, the larger the center, and the less apparent distortion.


The quality of the glass and whether or not it's backed with pure silver or aluminum are two other important factors to consider.  And finally the quality of the material used for the frame and other metal parts is important if the mirror is to be used in a humid location such near a shower or bath.


3,500k vs. 5,500k

Color Temperature Comparison



Color Temperature is not Brightness Color temperature describes the color of the light.

The color temperature of any light bulb, including LEDs is measured in degrees Kelvin ("k").  The higher the color temperature, the closer the light is to pure white light at 10,000° K.  A blue sky sunny day at noon has a color temperature of about 5,500° K.  On a very bright cloud-covered day, the sky registers a color temperature closer to white, of about 6,500° K., while a "regular" incandescent light bulb has a color temperature of about 2,700° K.

The color temperature of the lighting in your mirror may affect the way you apply your makeup and then how it's viewed by others, in a real-life situation.  It's best, therefore, to choose a lighted makeup mirror with a color temperature to approximate your most frequent environment.

Many of our LED mirrors have their color temperature specified. And some makeup mirrors have adjustable or switchable color temperatures.  For those where color temperature is not specified a reasonable guide is this: For incandescent bulbs, a color temperature of around 3,000° K. is normal. LEDs with no color temperature specification often have color temperatures around 4,000° K. The chart at right can serve as a guide.


If you're planning for an outdoor day, the higher the color temperature the better. For evenings on the town, 2,700&deb; K. to 3,500° K. is best. For office environment lighting conditions, color temperatures around 4,500° K. provide the closest match.
L.E.D. Facts

LED Quick Facts
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode
Reduced Energy Use

• LED Lighted Mirrors Use Tiny Amounts of Electricity
• Emitting the equivalent amount of light, LEDs typically use 50% of the electricity
consumed by a fluorescent bulb and about 17% of the electricity
consumed by an incandescent (regular) bulb.

Light for a LIFETIME?   LEDs operate an average of 50,000 hours.

• Standard incandescent bulbs operate an average of 1,500 hours
• Standard fluorescent bulbs operate an average of 8,000 hours
• LEDs operate an average of 50,000 hours.

• 33 times as long as a standard incandescent bulb.
• 6.25 times as long as a standard fluorescent bulb.
• More than 40 years of 2-1/2 hours of use, every single day.

Almost No Heat Generation

•Incandescent bulbs get hot quickly and generate lots of heat
•Fluorescent bulbs are much cooler than incandescents, but still warm.
•LEDs generate very little heat.


Hardwire Installation

Electrician's Hardwired Makeup Mirror Mounting Instructions

•  Hardwired mirrors should be installed by a licensed electrician in accordance with local codes.

•  We strongly recommended that installation only be done when the mirror itself is present, and the actual user is available, in order to set the most convenient mounting height.

•  Install a 4" octagon box on a GFCI line or on a line where a GFCI outlet is installed, or both.  The box should be flush with the mounting surface at a height determined by the user.  The box should be capable of supporting 15 lbs.  The mirror doesn't weigh 15 lbs., but remember it may be on an arm as long as 20".  Note that the center of the mirror is usually 1/2" to 6" higher than the mounting-plate center.   All of our hardwired makeup mirrors have the switch contained within the mirror mounting plate, mirror base, or mirror housing.  No other switch is required.  Also note that each of our single and double arm wall mirrors tilt vertically and swing horizontally.

•  Hardwired mirrors, once wired, are no longer eligible for refund.

Hotels

Partial List of Hotels with Aptations Brands Makeup Mirrors

  • Holland America Cruise Lines
  • Omni Hotels
  • Trump International Hotels
  • Fountainbleau Resort
  • The Wynn Hotel
  • Harrah's
  • Hotel Oceana
  • Marriott Hotels
  • W Hotels
  • Hyatt Regency
  • The Fairmount Hotels
  • Hard Rock Hotel - Las Vegas
  • Crown Plaza Hotel
  • Hilton Palmer House
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
  • Terranea Resort
  • LaCosta Resort
  • The London Hotels
  • Kapalua Bay Ritz Carlton
  • Hotel del Coronado
  • Marriott's Grand Chateau

Shipping Information
Most Aptations Brands products ship within 48 hours (2 business days). The majority of Aptations brands makeup mirrors ship via UPS or FedEx from Kansas City, Missouri or from Seattle, WA. Time in transit generally takes between 2-4 business days, but depends on the destination. Your total delivery time to receive your order is the lead time (approximately 2 business days + transit time).

Product lead time is subject to item availability. With 99% certainty, if an item is back-ordered, the item will be greyed-out or missing from the selection list. If an and item "sneaks through" and allows an order, even though the idem is on back-order, we sincerely apologize, and we will do our best to notify you promptly.

To request tracking information for an order already placed, please contact customer service.


Warranty & Returns

 

Manufacturer's Warranty
Aptations Mirrors in all collections are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship. All metal finishes and reflective materials are fully warranted for three years.

The life of the finish will be best cared for, especially in areas of high heat and moisture, by keeping all surfaces clean and dry. Cleaning should be done with a non-abrasive cleaner and soft polishing cloth.

The warranty does not cover damages resulting from an accident after purchase, misuse, abuse, lack of reasonable care, or loss of parts. For lighted mirrors, this warranty does not cover the original light bulb beyond the normal lifetime of the bulb, or replacement bulbs. Replaceable bulbs (not LEDs) are easily replaceable and may be purchased at most local hardware stores or through Aptations directly.

Should your experience a product defect covered under the expressed warranty period, please contact our customer service department for prompt replacement of the defective item.

Returns & Exchanges

We understand that ordering online is different than purchasing a product in a store. Online, you are unable to touch, feel, and see the item "live and in person." Should you wish to return or exchange an item, simply contact us within 30 days of receipt. We will provide return instructions to ensure a prompt and accurate refund is issued.

Items must be returned in new, unused, and resalable condition with all original packaging intact. Returned items will be inspected prior to issuing credit. Return shipping costs will be deducted from refund for returns unless the mirror was received defective or damaged. Return shipping costs may be waived if exchanging for another item of same or greater value. Custom made products cannot be returned due to their uniqueness.

Free shipping applies only to merchandise shipped within the 48 contiguous United States.

If your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 5 business days of receipt of your order to ensure refund or exchange. We do not guarantee refund or exchange after 5 business days for items that may have been damaged in shipping due to requirements set forth by our shipping carriers.

Aptations Brands
What Sets Aptations Mirrors Apart?
Mirrors in the Aptations collections are usually reserved for elegant showrooms and display cases. The high quality and unbeatable clarity make these mirrors the best value for your money. Whether you need a mirror for applying make-up, shaving, or want to impress guests at your home, Aptations Mirrors stun with their brilliance and design. Superior quality and selection reasonable prices. Numerous exclusive innovations give you exceptional value in Mirror technology. And check our prices, always less than what you'd pay at a department store.

All mirrors in the Aptations collections mirrors go through a 4-step process to prevent pitting and tarnishing. - Step 1. The metal frame is cleaned in a neutralizing water bath. - Step 2. The metal is treated to a brass plating, then a pre-plating nickel bath. - Step 3. An acid-bath plating method is used to apply the chrome, gold, nickel, or other finish plating. - Step 4. Completion occurs with an application of an anti-tarnishing lacquer coating. All joints are either welded or reinforced and carefully machined to give you a mirror that won't turn into a "spinner" after a few months or even years of use. All glass lenses.

Bulbs are replaceable in incandescent and fluorescent models. Most lighted models, however, use LEDs that need no replacement. 3-Year Manufacturer's Warranty - best in the industry. Magnifications of 1x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 7x, and 10x. Please bear in mind that most mirrors are 3x or 5x magnification. 7x is larger than most people are accustomed to and more than adequate for most purposes. The 7x and 10x magnification mirrors produce dramatically large magnifications. Many models reverse to regular view. Non-reversible mirrors have plated metal backs, not cheap plastic. Table-top and Vanity Stand Mirrors have weighted and padded bases. Wall Mirrors have concealed mounting hardware. Most wall makeup mirrors are available in hardwired models. Lighted Mirrors are all UL listed. Incandescent illumination models use 25-Watt bulbs. Fluorescent models use low-heat 20 and 22 Watt bulb for the equivalent of 75 to 90 watt illumination. LED illuminated mirrors usually come in two color temperatures - 3,500° K. for indoor lighting and 5,500° K. that closely approximates daylight. They are very bright, and consume tiny amounts of electricity. Shipping usually within 48 hours.


Prop 65 Warning
Prop 65 Warning
Chromium hexavalent compounds.
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
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S.B.
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Great, easy to understand explanations
Format: Kindle
I definitely needed this! I have been enduring a long period of spiritual attacks in the natural and physical realms. It has helped me to better understand my calling, even though I have been serving God as a spirit filled and spirit baptized follower of Yeshua.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2025
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Trader Dave
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Easy to read. Line spacing is just right! Thank you!
Format: Paperback
Michael Van Vlymen delivers the lived from experience truth once again! Michael is down to earth and matter of fact as he writes. He is heavenly minded every day! I've grown more in love with Jesus because of his testimony of heavenly realms operating on the earthly realm. My eyes have been opened much much more as I listen and read Mikes well illustrated books and videos!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2025
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Online shopper
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★★★★★ 5
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I liked the book. It challenged my position of focusing on the light and ignoring the darkness. It challenges me to desire the whole experience of spiritual awareness and sight and to become adept in living as a watchman.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2025
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Tim Chaffey
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Outstanding, compelling, and thorough work on the historicity or non-historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus
Format: Paperback
I had been looking forward to reading this book since the first time I heard about it. I was sitting in Dr. Gary Habermas' class on miracles and he told us about Mike Licona, who was currently working on his dissertation on the Resurrection. Although it was published in 2010, I finally had the opportunity to read it over the past few months. At over 700 pages, including an extensive bibliography and over 2,000 footnotes, this book is not a light read by any stretch of the imagination. As the subtitle states, this is a book dealing with historiography. Readers looking for a deep theological treatment on the Resurrection of Christ may want to look elsewhere since Licona's focus here is not theology, but history (although there is still a good deal of theology). Using methodological principles agreed upon by a vast number of historians from a variety of religious and philosophical backgrounds, he sets out to determine whether or not the historian "is warranted in regarding Jesus' resurrection as an event that occurred in the past" (p. 610). Surprisingly, the book consists of only five chapters and one appendix, so each chapter averages more than 100 pages in length. Also, the second half of the book contains a significant amount of Greek, giving me a good opportunity to brush up on that. If you can't read Greek, don't worry, Dr. Licona provides an English translation throughout. The first section deals with a significant number of preliminary considerations. There is an excellent critique of the skeptical postmodern view of history and a complete dismantling of the beliefs of Jesus "mythers" (those who claim Jesus never existed). There's also a good discussion on horizons (the presuppositions and biases we all have). While total neutrality may not be possible, Licona gives several principles historians should implement to help them transcend their horizon. Finally, he provides an honest discussion of his own biases so that readers are well aware of where he is coming from. The second chapter focuses on whether or not miracles fall within the purview of the historian. Licona addresses the popular objections of David Hume and Bart Ehrman, as well as McCullagh, Meier, Wedderburn, and Dunn. Many skeptics simply have an a priori objection to miracles, so they aren't willing to even consider the possibility that historical evidence for a miracle may exist. There's an interesting discussion on the burden of proof as it relates to the historicity of miracle claims. I thought the following quote summarized the nature of evidence when it comes to miracle claims: "It is the responsibility of the historian to consider what the evidence would look like if she were not wearing her metaphysical bias like a pair of sunglasses that shade the world. It is not the responsibility of the evidence to shine so brightly that they render such glasses ineffectual." (p. 196) With all the preliminary matters out of the way, Dr. Licona gets down to the business of doing history. Chapter three examines the historical sources pertaining to Christ's Resurrection. Many Christians may object to the methodology employed in this chapter since he does not automatically accept every biblical passage on the subject as evidence, but bear in mind that Licona is doing his best to transcend his own Christian horizon to be as neutral as possible. He discusses over two dozen early sources and rates them as "unlikely, possible-minus, possible, possible-plus, highly probable, indeterminate [or] not useful" (p. 201). The fourth chapter uncovers the historical bedrock pertaining to the fate of Jesus. This approach follows on the heels of the exhaustive work of Dr. Habermas who, since 1975, has kept track of over 3,400 academic works from scholars of various stripes on the Resurrection in English, German, and French. From this research, Dr. Habermas has shown that there are 12 facts accepted by the vast majority of scholars. He has reduced this to six best attested details in what he calls the "minimal facts" approach. Each of these facts are discussed, but Dr. Licona narrows this down to three facts that nearly all scholars agree upon: 1) Jesus died by crucifixion, 2) the disciples had experiences that led them to believe and proclaim that Jesus had risen from the dead, and 3) Paul converted to Christianity after experiencing what he believed to be a post-Resurrection appearance of Jesus. There's also a lengthy discussion on what "resurrection" meant to Jewish and Christian audiences in the first century. The information contained in this chapter is often completely ignored by agnostics, atheists, Muslims, and others who do not want to even consider the Resurrection as a possibility. I have had many discussions with skeptics who display naivete when they claim that there is no evidence to support the claim that Jesus rose from the dead. It's one thing to disbelieve in the event, but it's an entirely different thing to completely ignore or to willingly remain ignorant of the historical bedrock pertaining to the fate of Jesus. The fifth and final chapter of the book examines six different hypotheses that attempt to explain what happened to Jesus after being crucified. Along with the traditional Christian understanding of the Resurrection, the views promoted by Vermes, Goulder, Ludemann, Crossen, and Craffert are weighed in terms of their explanatory scope, explanatory power, plausibility, the amount of ad hoc elements, and illumination for solving problems associated with the subject. An appendix also examines Dale Allison's work on the Resurrection according to the same criteria. The traditional Resurrection hypothesis is the only view that fulfills all five criteria, and it outdistances the other views by a wide margin. Critics can claim that Licona merely concluded what he hoped to prove, but they must be able to point out flaws in his methodology, since his conclusion most certainly follows from the data when historiographical principles are applied. My biggest concern with the book is found in the fifth chapter. While discussing the strange events described in Matthew 27:51-53, Licona suggested that the passage was not describing historical events but employing apocalyptic language to show that a significant person had died. Such descriptions were not uncommon in the ancient world when describing the death of important people. This comment has set off a wave of criticism from conservative Christian scholars like Norman Geisler and Al Mohler. I disagree with Licona's statement and share some of the same concerns as Geisler and Mohler. But when I consider the context and methodology being used in the book, I don't find it to be quite as grievous an error as some have claimed. Skeptics will undoubtedly continue to dismiss the Resurrection of Christ, but they must deal with the research in this book or they simply are not interacting with the latest scholarship. Dr. Licona's work raises the bar when it comes to the most important subject we could ever study: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in this subject who is up to the task of reading an academic work. I have studied the subject for years, but I still learned a lot and will treasure this book as an extremely valuable resource. Even though I disagree with his take on Matt. 27:51-53, I still need to give the book five stars since I don't need to agree with the author on every point for me to give a positive review and recognize the book's worth.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2012
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Brant Jones
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Brilliant, rigorous, balanced, and approachable
Format: Paperback
"The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach," by Michael R. Licona is an outstanding, thorough yet highly approachable assessment of the evidence, sources, and explanatory hypotheses for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the subtitle suggests, it borrows significant methodological rigor and best practices from the field of historical analysis and applies them to biblical scholarship. Licona begins his assessment with a meticulous discussion of his historical analysis methodology. Included in this section is his definition of five criteria he uses to assess a set of explanatory hypotheses. He then uses those assessments to weigh the hypotheses based on nine levels of certainty ranging from “certainly not historical” to “certainly historical.” The hypothesis representing the best explanation for the resurrection of Christ is the one rated highest in historical certainty based on the five criteria. At the outset of the book, Licona also includes a robust discussion of historical analysis influences and issues because evaluating them openly is essential to his methodical approach and because they aren’t often discussed in biblical studies. It is in this section that he does something quite unique and insightful; Licona includes a full discussion of knowledge, experiences, worldviews, preferences and other influences, which he calls “horizons,” that tend to bias the assessment of history. Furthermore, he defines a set of six methods that he uses throughout the book to avoid his own biases as he strives to present outcomes based on methodical neutrality. It’s quite brilliant. Licona even includes a confession of his own “horizons” - his potential influences. With all this foundation in place, Licona proceeds to identify all sources of evidence for the resurrection of Christ and rates each according to its likelihood of providing reliable independent testimony. Included in this assessment are sources from the Bible, early Christian writers, non-biblical Christian literature and early non-Christian writers. He then uses the most reliable sources as the basis for attesting to the reliability for all the available evidence for the resurrection. This produces three pieces of evidence that he calls “historical bedrock” because they are well attested within multiple reliable sources and are validated by a broad range of scholars. In the final section of the book, Licona evaluates major assertions against the resurrection from skeptics and compares the results against a parallel evaluation of the resurrection hypothesis. Specifically, he uses his criteria and rating system to assess how well hypotheses from a range of skeptical scholars, like Gerd Ludemann and John Dominic Crossan, are able to explain the historical bedrock evidence. At the end of this extensive analysis, the biblical resurrection hypothesis is by far the most credible explanation for historical bedrock evidence associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As noted above, Michael Licona’s book is an excellent assessment of the evidence, sources and competing hypotheses associated with the resurrection of Christ. The author uniquely applies the meticulousness of best practice historical analysis methodology to arguably the most important of all biblical questions. Using rigorous criteria and rating scales, Licona delivers a fair and balanced evaluation that achieves the methodical neutrality he was striving for while minimizing, as best as possible, influences from his “horizons.” It’s also worth noting that Licona assesses a broad range of possible sources, including those classified as gnostic and pseudepigraphal, and includes viewpoints from a broad range of scholars, supportive and skeptical alike. Furthermore, the author includes a very robust set of footnotes on the various topics discussed within the book. These footnotes are helpful for both scholars and non-scholars looking for a deeper understanding or pointers for additional exploration plus they include additional explanatory comments that complement Licona’s focus on delivering a fair and balanced assessment. The one issue I found while reading the book was its treatment of the empty tomb evidence. I was disappointed the author’s discussion was brief since I was looking forward to a robust evaluation. However, in his defense, Licona was looking for historical bedrock evidence that could be used to assess the various resurrection hypotheses. A large number of scholars are skeptical of the empty tomb so it doesn’t belong in his historical bedrock category. Beside this one brief moment of disappointment, I was greatly pleased with the totality of Licona’s analysis and outcomes.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2021

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