jesus of nazareth messiah? founder of a religion? man? god?
TRANSCRIPT
Jesus of NazarethJesus of Nazareth
Messiah? Founder of a religion? Man? God?
Messiah? Founder of a religion? Man? God?
WHO WAS JESUS?WHO WAS JESUS?
Jesus?Jesus?
Jesus?Jesus?
Jesus?Jesus?
Jesus?Jesus?
Jesus? (and Mary?)Jesus? (and Mary?)
Jesus as a JewJesus as a Jew
Enjoyed historical background of his people Spirit had been known to other Jewish
prophets Fasting and solitude were known routes to
knowing God
Enjoyed historical background of his people Spirit had been known to other Jewish
prophets Fasting and solitude were known routes to
knowing God
Palestine during Jesus’ timePalestine during Jesus’ time
Politics of Jesus' TimePolitics of Jesus' Time
In Roman servitude for more than a century: Not free and taxed excessively
Several different sub-groups of Jews: Sadducees Essenes Pharisees “Zealots”
In Roman servitude for more than a century: Not free and taxed excessively
Several different sub-groups of Jews: Sadducees Essenes Pharisees “Zealots”
SadduceesSadducees
Fairly well off Many members of priestly families In charge of Temple Tried to make the best of a bad situation Accommodated themselves to Hellenic culture
and Roman Rule Mostly about assimilation Accepted Torah not other books, created conflicts
Fairly well off Many members of priestly families In charge of Temple Tried to make the best of a bad situation Accommodated themselves to Hellenic culture
and Roman Rule Mostly about assimilation Accepted Torah not other books, created conflicts
EssenesEssenes
Considered world too corrupt to allow Judaism to remake itself
Essentially “dropped out” Lived in property sharing communes Lives were characterized by piety and a
certain amount of asceticism
Considered world too corrupt to allow Judaism to remake itself
Essentially “dropped out” Lived in property sharing communes Lives were characterized by piety and a
certain amount of asceticism
PhariseesPharisees Remained within society Wanted to ensure piety of priests Wanted to revitalize Judaism through
adhering to Jewish law Emphasized daily practice & Scriptures Accepted more writings than Sadduccees Appreciated Oral tradition Foundations of Rabbinical Judaism
Remained within society Wanted to ensure piety of priests Wanted to revitalize Judaism through
adhering to Jewish law Emphasized daily practice & Scriptures Accepted more writings than Sadduccees Appreciated Oral tradition Foundations of Rabbinical Judaism
“Zealots”“Zealots”
Perhaps not highly organized
Thought that the fate of the Jewish people would only change through violence
Acts of Resistance culminated in revolt of 66-70CE which led to the Second Destruction of the Temple
Perhaps not highly organized
Thought that the fate of the Jewish people would only change through violence
Acts of Resistance culminated in revolt of 66-70CE which led to the Second Destruction of the Temple
Jesus as another optionJesus as another option
Wanted Change, unlike Sadducees
Unlike Essenes, stayed in the world (did he?)
Wanted peace and said “love your enemy” (unlike “Zealots”)
Wanted Change, unlike Sadducees
Unlike Essenes, stayed in the world (did he?)
Wanted peace and said “love your enemy” (unlike “Zealots”)
Jesus as another option (continued)
Jesus as another option (continued)
Pharisees emphasized Yahweh’s holiness
Jesus emphasized Yahweh’s compassion
Although Jesus believed Yahweh was holy, his emphasis would change his notion of the Jews’ relationships to other groups
Pharisees emphasized Yahweh’s holiness
Jesus emphasized Yahweh’s compassion
Although Jesus believed Yahweh was holy, his emphasis would change his notion of the Jews’ relationships to other groups
How was Jesus both “deeply Jewish” and yet standing in
tension with Judaism?
How was Jesus both “deeply Jewish” and yet standing in
tension with Judaism?
Jerusalem in Jesus’ TimeJerusalem in Jesus’ Time
Holy WeekHoly Week
Palm SundayPalm Sunday Other DaysOther Days Maundy Thursday Good Friday Easter Sunday
Maundy Thursday Good Friday Easter Sunday
Sequence of Key EventsSequence of Key Events
Last Supper – Passover, basis of “communion” or Eucharist celebrations
Prayer in Gethsemane Arrest “betrayal”
Last Supper – Passover, basis of “communion” or Eucharist celebrations
Prayer in Gethsemane Arrest “betrayal”
Trial(s) Crucifixion Burial Resurrection
Trial(s) Crucifixion Burial Resurrection
Gospel of MatthewGospel of Matthew
Written ca. 75-80CE Intended for Jewish
Audience “New Moses/New Torah” Quotes Hebrew Scriptures Sermon on the Mount like
Moses preaching from Sinai
Written ca. 75-80CE Intended for Jewish
Audience “New Moses/New Torah” Quotes Hebrew Scriptures Sermon on the Mount like
Moses preaching from Sinai
Winged Angel, symbol of help during
Jesus’ birth & Infancy
Winged Angel, symbol of help during
Jesus’ birth & Infancy
Gospel of Mark
Gospel of Mark Perhaps oldest: written 65-
70CE Source for Matthew and
Luke Shortest, simplest gospel No infancy stories Begins with Jesus’ adult
life
Perhaps oldest: written 65-70CE
Source for Matthew and Luke
Shortest, simplest gospel No infancy stories Begins with Jesus’ adult
life
Winged lion signifies the opening of the gospel in the desertWinged lion signifies the opening of the gospel in the desert
Gospel of Luke
Gospel of Luke
Written ca 85 CE Characterized by sense of
wonder Speaks of God’s spirit in the
world Called the “women’s gospel”:
Mary & Elizabeth Good Samaritan story
epitomizes role of underdog Written for Greco-Roman
people Notion of all as neighbors
Written ca 85 CE Characterized by sense of
wonder Speaks of God’s spirit in the
world Called the “women’s gospel”:
Mary & Elizabeth Good Samaritan story
epitomizes role of underdog Written for Greco-Roman
people Notion of all as neighbors
Winged Ox signifies the gospel’s opening in Jerusalem, sacrifice of animals at Temple there
Winged Ox signifies the gospel’s opening in Jerusalem, sacrifice of animals at Temple there
Written 90-100CE Views human life as a
struggle Images of light and darkness Rays of light: have an open
heart Connections to
Zoroastrianism? Gnosticism? Jesus depicted as God
incarnate “I am the light of the world” “I am the bread of life”
Written 90-100CE Views human life as a
struggle Images of light and darkness Rays of light: have an open
heart Connections to
Zoroastrianism? Gnosticism? Jesus depicted as God
incarnate “I am the light of the world” “I am the bread of life”
Eagle signifies the majesty and “height” of God’s wordEagle signifies the majesty and “height” of God’s word
Gospel of John
Gospel of John