Historical Jesus

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course will be a lecture course, supplemented by readings and discussion. The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the major historical and exegetical problems involved in the quest for the historical Jesus, especially as pursued today in the wake of the so-called "Third Quest" (ca. 1970-2000). The course will move from initial definitions and concepts, through questions of sources and criteria, to consideration of selected sayings and deeds of Jesus that may reasonably be considered historical. The course will especially focus on the correct understanding of the criteria of "historicity" (or "authenticity"). Examples of material to which the criteria may be applied will be selected from the major areas historical of Jesus research: e.g., Jesus' relation to John the Baptist, Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom as future yet present, his realization of the kingdom through deeds of power (miracles) and table fellowship, the various levels or circles of followers (the crowds, the disciples, the Twelve), various competing groups (Pharisees, Sadducees), his teaching in relation to the Mosaic Law, the enigma (riddle-speech) of his parables, self-designation, final days, passion, and death. Rather than trying to cover large amounts of material, the emphasis will be on grasping the method of the quest, especially the understanding and application of the criteria of historicity.