The Words and Deeds of Jesus
Lecture 4
October 2, 2007
Read: Perkins Chapters 3-5
I. Sources
Gospels, other New Testament writings. Other historical documents that mention Jesus and Christianity.
A. Basic Skeleton Biography (From Gospels)
1. Born in Bethlehem
2. Baptized by John the Baptist
3. Began His ministry in Gallilee, moved to Jerusalem.
4. Got hostility - temple economy, Pharisees etc.
5. Accused of being a pretender king.
6. Crucified by Romans, raised from dead on third day, after which He ascended to heaven.
II. Initial Picture of Christ
1. Four different Gospels, Matthew and Luke start with story of His birth.
2. Teacher -> two different birth stories, even if they share some fundamental elements.
3. Three of Gospels relatively similar, John tells story in much different way, and different sequence.
4. Mark downplays miracles as way to show who Christ is, and instead focuses on suffering.
5. Historian. What is going on? Why written, for what purpose?
i. more sermon with biography.
ii. not written for historians.
iii. diversity of sources + different kinds of preachers.
iv. leads some to complete skepticism about Jesus, that is one extreme.
v. at the other end, if Gospels Scripture, must be treated as historical documents....
vi. Between these two extremes the right answer lies. historical questions can be accurate, and can be good tools to help in understanding Gospels.
vii. There are diverse approaches taken to His life and record in the Scriptures.
viii. There are four unique Gospels, hard data, working with that data.
III. Tools of Analysis
A. Source / form / textual / redaction criticism
(discussed in previous leture)
B. Criteria of Dissimilarity
When finding something that looks like it does not fit in, ascribe it to Jewish culture, writer or churches, not specifically to Jesus. * red flag, this is problematic.
Problem with this criteria is that it tends to distort people. ie. Jesus known only for what set Him apart. This criteria is useful only if used wisely.
C. Criteria of Coherence
Feature that are in keeping with discovered elements are more probable and believable (exorcisms, healings, radical social and religious critique, claims to be Son of God)
D. Criteria of Multiple Attestation
When a saying or passage is alluded to in multiple places and contexts, it shows the importance and authenticity of a particular saying.
ie. Paul's use of Jesus' condemnation of divorce in 1 Cor 7.
E . Criterion of Palestinian Colouring
Jesus' traditions lived on outside of Palestine.
Most Biblical Scholars betray their Western assumptions, have not lived in Middle Eastern cultures which are still today highly dependant on oral communication.
Scholars familiar with Middle Eastern life are very suspicious of skeptical Biblical scholars as they tend to be completely ignorant of the culture in which Gospels arrived.
Special issues Western scholars struggle with: miracles, ressurection, what can we know etc?
IV. Key Terms and Concepts
criteria of dissimilarity
criteria of coherence
criteria of multiple attestation
criteria of Palestinian colouring
kingdom of God
parable
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