the historic Jesus
Progress update on the big challenge
A month ago I shared the information that I had set myself a challenge to search for understanding of the real Jesus. I showed the first pile of books I planned to read.
Well, I can now report real progress! Wahey!! All these books have now moved to the have-been-read shelf. And a substantial pile of knitting for refugees is filling out a polythene sack!
I confess I felt I was drowning for a while, but persistence has paid off and things are coalescing to give me a clearer – no, perhaps ‘less-muddy’ picture would be more accurate. So at this point in my search, I want to pay tribute to the many writers who have attempted to put down their thoughts and scholarship on what is an immensely difficult and multi-layered issue.
In particular one book stands out for me and calls for a specific mention: The Meaning of Jesus by NT Wright and Marcus Borg. Both New Testament scholars, they have excellent credentials for tackling this topic, with impressive lists of awards, appointments and books to their credit. NT Wright is an English Anglican; Marcus Borg was an American Liberal Christian (he died in 2015). Real authorities then, huh?
But not so fast! In this book they have together presented differing views on the historicity and meaning of Jesus of Nazareth. And I mean radically different! On pretty much every aspect: his origins, his birth, his divinity, his foreknowledge, his sayings, his resurrection, his intentions … Mightily confusing for us lesser mortals sitting at their feet. Who is right? They can’t both be.
But they have both challenged me greatly. We are too used to turning to an authority on a subject and quoting them to substantiate a fact or a viewpoint. These two men ask us to enter into their thinking and work it out for ourselves. A work in progress.
However, what impressed me most is their humility and deference each to the other. Less qualified and generous minds too frequently fail to show respect or tolerance for alternative interpretations. But in the struggle to understand matters at the interface between God and humankind, it’s fitting that all should acknowledge they see through a glass but darkly, and encourage fellow travellers to keep thinking and exploring. As they do.
As I’ve said before, I’ve spent years re-examining my own set of beliefs and refining, confirming, revisiting, discarding. So I love the idea conjured up by Wright: It’s time that the old scholars’ myths were given a decent burial! I’ve certainly buried a few in the light of their exposition.
On now to the work of another towering figure who has a wealth of personal experience living in the land where the historic Jesus walked and talked: Kenneth Bailey – Presbyterian, lecturer and author; master of Middle Eastern culture. But first I’m going to take time out to read an undemanding novel to give my grey cells a bit of a holiday!
