Chapter 12: The Continuing Quest for the Historical Jesus

The question of who Jesus actually was has plagued scholars for years. Many different facts are given about his essential teachings and self-identity, but it is hard to define the historical Jesus from the divine Jesus. In this chapter, Harris illustrates for us how historians research the material world of Jesus, while the theologians study “the paradox of Jesus as divine and human” (Harris, 254), for us to understand the historical Jesus.

The first person to write about Jesus was Paul and his most important view, as Jesus being the salvation of all humankind, has influenced people all over the world. This increased the Church’s view only to look at the divine nature of Jesus and somewhat avoid the real person that Jesus was. This was the first step in losing some information on the historical Jesus. However, there are many early historical references to Jesus. Most of them prove that a man named Jesus was crucified and had followers who gathered to “partake in a meal [probably the Eucharist or Holy Communion] and to sing a hymn to Christ, as if to a god” (Harris, 255). Many of these historical references were from Roman senators, Roman historians, and also a Jewish historian who have written these remarks about Jesus.

There is no definite answer to who the historical Jesus was. Harris gives us many people who have theories as to who this man was, and many findings of one researcher will lead to other findings of the next researcher. Hermann Reimarus believed that Jesus was a Jewish revolutionist who tired to overthrow the Roman government, but was executed before it was accomplished. This caused questions to rise about the intentions and teachings of Jesus. H. J. Holtzmann, another important theologian, made a very important conclusion that Mark was the first Synoptic Gospel written. This then inspired Johannes Weiss to study the “kingdom of God,” and he came to the notion that researchers should concentrate on studying Jesus in the context of first-century Palestinian culture. The next two men are probably the more influential New Testament Scholars. Albert Schweitzer’s book, Quest of the Historical Jesus, states that “Jesus believes he is God’s chosen instrument” to guide the people into God’s kingdom which is the end of history. Jesus feels that no headway is apparent and goes to Jerusalem where he tries to influence the kingdom, but dies instead. Rudolf Bultmann does extensive research and argues that the Synoptic gospels do not place a large emphasis on Jesus’ teachings, but on the role of the church.

There are six criteria for testing the accuracy of the deeds and words of Jesus. Orality, everything was written which means all the sayings and deeds must be very memorable. Form, Jesus used parables and aphorisms that gives familiarity to the audience. These usually shocked the audience and showed the opposite of social norms. Dissimilarity, the verse is likely to be accurate if it differs from first-century Jewish views and also those of the Hellenistic Church. Multiple Attestation, if the verse is in Q, the Gospel of Thomas, and Mark, which are all different, then it is likely to be authentic. Coherence, allows the verse to be viewed as authentic if passed by the top four. The Embarrassment Factor, if it includes some sort of awkward, embarrassing story then it is likely to be authentic.

The Jesus Seminar isolated the voice of Jesus and found it in mostly parables and aphorisms, which means only 20% of the words in the gospel are true. They also proved that Jesus was a teacher of wisdom, a healer, and an exorcist. They concluded this by wiping away the Synoptic Gospels’ eschatological center. The only book I ever thought to be correct. However, other scholars believe that, without the eschatological view, it is impossible to fit Jesus into his natural environment.

There are facts about Jesus which are known. Jesus and his father were carpenters, he went to the Jordon River with John the Baptist at about thirty years old, he was an active friend of the poor and outcasts, etc. The most important thing, which Harris goes into detail, is about the Kingdom of God. Many of the parables that Jesus speaks about are related to the kingdom. The kingdom is a future event, all the gospels relate to the closeness of the kingdom. The kingdom as an unexpected event, the kingdom as a hidden power that grows, the kingdom as a present reality, the kingdom as presently present but unnoticed, saying there will be no sign of when the kingdom comes but it will be there. Harris reviews this topics and gives bible passages for each, but knowing the actual phrase basically explains most.

There are many different theories about the historical Jesus. We know that Jesus emphasized the Kingdom of God, but the ideas of when it will come will puzzle scholars for many years. A man who is half human, half divine, lived in first century Palestine, and had a large effect on millions and millions of people is very intriguing. I hope some day we may know all the answers, but for right now, the most important aspect is faith in one day knowing the answers, and growing to love and praise Jesus even more.