Earthly and exalted

JesusJesus

Ministry• Itinerant• Rural • Jewish

Preaches God’s kingdom (now and future)• Absolute allegiance to God• Forgiveness reconciles sinners and outcasts• Reassessment of legal interpretations• Radical “love ethic”• Reversal of social values (poor over the rich;

meek over the powerful)

The Earthly JesusThe Earthly Jesus

Teaches about himself• “Son of Man”• Messiah and Son of God• Mediates God’s presence

Parables and prophetic acts Healing

• Exorcisms• Demonstration of God’s presence and

power Conflict with religious leaders

The Earthly JesusThe Earthly Jesus

Focus: the unique presentation of Jesus in each NT Gospel

Aim: understanding presentation of “Jesus” in each Gospel• Interpret each Gospel on its own terms• Do not import information from one Gospel to

another

BUT Faith and theology aim at Christian belief

Ask different questions; supply different answers

New Testament Study ofthe Earthly JesusNew Testament Study ofthe Earthly Jesus

Focus: historically verifiable evidence Aim: to describe “the person who

emerges from an analysis of sources in accord with generally accepted principles of historical science” (text 72)

A skeptical science• only accepts “facts”• tests sources against one another

Uninterested in the unique perspective of Gospels seeks Jesus “behind” Gospels

Historical Study of JesusHistorical Study of Jesus

Abides with believers; believers abide in Jesus

Communicates with believers Present at baptism of believer Answers prayer Will return again Receives believers’ devotion Equal to God and subject to God

The Exalted Jesus (of NT faith)The Exalted Jesus (of NT faith)