week 6 theological interpretation of jesus

THE THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURELECTURE SIX: JESUS

Review

The Metanarrative:

Creation Fall Israel Jesus Church New Creation

Jesus:

Second Temple Judaism:- To understand Jesus well, we must understand his world (i.e. 2nd Temple Judaism).‣ca. 500 BC (about 515 to be exact) — 70 AD.

‣Q: Why might this period be radically different from both first temple Judaism and Rabbinic (or, Diaspora) Judaism?

Jesus:

Second Temple Judaism:- Four Empires / Kingdoms:

1.Persian:‣Key Ruler:

CYRUS THE PERSIAN6TH C. BC•CONQUERED BABYLONIANS

•ALLOWED JEWS TO RETURN TO PALESTINE AND BEGIN REBUILDING

Jesus:


1.Persian (6th-5th c. BC):‣Key Ruler: Cyrus

2.Greek (4th-3rd c. BC):‣Key Ruler:

ALEXANDER THE GREATCA. 333 BC•SPREADS HELLENISM (AND THE GREEK LANGUAGE!) ACROSS THE KNOWN WORLD.

Jesus:


2.Greek (4th-3rd c. BC):‣Key Ruler: Alexander‣After Alexander’s death, two Generals vie for power in Palestine:๏Ptolemy (Egypt)๏Seleucus (Syria)

‣The Septuagint: Hebrew Bible translated into Greek (LXX) under Ptolemy II (250 BC).

Jesus:


2.Greek (4th-3rd c. BC):‣Key Ruler: Alexander‣After Alexander’s death, two Generals vie for power in Palestine:๏Ptolemy (Egypt)๏Seleucus (Syria)

‣The Septuagint: Hebrew Bible translated into Greek (LXX) under Ptolemy II (250 BC).

Whoever is in charge,

controls the temple and

the priesthood.

Corruption & Cruelty are rampant.

This gives rise to a rebellion.

Jesus:


3.Maccabean (Hasmonean) Dynasty (2nd c. BC)‣Antiochus Epiphanes (IV) - a Seleucid‣Mattathias / Sons (Judas Maccabeus)

MATTATHIASBEGINS THE MACCABEAN REVOLT

Jesus:


3.Maccabean (Hasmonean) Dynasty (2nd c. BC)‣Key: Brief period of Jewish Independence‣Judas cleanses temple (164 BC) - Hanukah.‣And yet…Later Maccabean rulers became increasingly corrupt / pagan.๏Their corruption gave rise to some key groups in Jesus’ day:

Jesus:


3.Maccabean (Hasmonean) Dynasty (2nd c. BC)‣Later Maccabean rulers became increasingly corrupt / pagan (gave rise to)๏Pharisees๏Sadducees๏Essenes๏Zealots

All are responding in their own way to the

corruption in Jerusalem

(and esp. the temple)

Jesus:


4.Rome (63 BC - 70 AD, temple destroyed)‣After ruling indirectly, Rome (Pompey) seizes control in 63 BC.๏Controls Temple / High Priesthood.๏Half-Jew (Herod the Great) installed as king.

While living in the land, a sense of exile still pervades.(Promises of Return/New Covenant are unfulfilled)

Isaiah 491Listen to me, you islands;

hear this, you distant nations…

6“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant

to restore the tribes of Jacob

and bring back those of Israel I have kept.

I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,

that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

7…“Kings will see you and stand up,

princes will see and bow down,

because of the Lord, who is faithful,

the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Jesus:


4.Rome (63 BC - 70 AD, temple destroyed)‣After ruling indirectly, Rome (Pompey) seizes control in 63 BC.๏Controls Temple / High Priesthood.๏Half-Jew (Herod the Great) installed as king.

While living in the land, a sense of exile still pervades.(Promises of Return/New Covenant are unfulfilled)

Jesus:

Second Temple Judaism:- A Unified Judaism? (Wright’s 4 Pillars)

1.Temple.

Jesus:

Second Temple Judaism:- A Unified Judaism? (Wright’s 4 Pillars)

1.Temple.

2.Land.

3.Torah.

4.Ethnic Identity.

All Jews cared about these.

Jesus radically reorients each one around himself

Jesus:

Genealogies:- Matthew:

Matthew1 This is the genealogy [Lit. Biblos Geneseos] of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar…

Jesus:


‣Biblos Geneseos.‣Jesus as the Davidic Messiah

๏What would Messiah Do (N.T. Wright - 3 things)

1.Fight Great Battle, defeating Israel’s enemy.

2.Reconstitute Temple

3.Reign ForeverJesus does all, but in surprising ways!

Jesus:


‣Biblos Geneseos.‣Jesus as the Davidic Messiah‣A Surprising Genealogy:

๏Foreigners and Females:- Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, (Bathsheba), Mary.- All but Mary have Gentile connections.- All have questionable sexual histories. (why?)

C.S. Lewis (A Grief Observed)

“My idea of God is not a divine idea…

“It has to be shattered time after time. He shatters it himself. He is the great iconoclast. Could we not almost say that this shattering is one of the marks of his presence?

The Incarnation is the supreme example; it leaves all previous ideas of the Messiah in ruins.”

Jesus:


‣Biblos Geneseos.‣Jesus as the Davidic Messiah‣A Surprising Genealogy:

๏Foreigners and Females:- Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, (Bathsheba), Mary.- All but Mary have Gentile connections.- All have questionable sexual histories. (why?)

Jesus:


‣Biblos Geneseos.‣Jesus as the Davidic Messiah‣A Surprising Genealogy:‣3 sets of 14 (Abraham / Exile / Messiah)

MATTHEW’S GENEALOGY: WHY 14?POSSIBLE GEMATRIA (DVD) - AGAIN A DAVID

REFERENCEWHY THE EXILE EMPHASIS? TO EMPHASIZE JESUS AS THE TRUE END OF

EXILE(?)

Jesus:


‣Biblos Geneseos.‣Jesus as the Davidic Messiah‣A Surprising Genealogy (females, foreigners, whores)

‣Genealogy involves 3 sets of 14 ๏A reference to David and the end of exile.

Jesus:

Genealogies:- Luke:

‣While Matthew = “Son of David,” Luke goes back to Adam to show him as “Son of God.”

‣Sidenote: Most genealogies were selective as shown by the fact that “to beget” could apply equally to (great-)grandfathers and fathers.

Jesus:

Birth Narratives:- Two ideas that quickly emerge:

1.This is a ROYAL BIRTH‣Gabriel: “God will give him the throne of his father David.” (Lk. 1.32-3.)

‣The Magi (gifts for a king)‣The Star... (Numbers 24).

Numbers 24[Balaam says:]

17 "I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob;

a scepter will rise out of Israel.

Jesus:


1.This is a ROYAL BIRTH‣Gabriel: “God will give him the throne of his father David.” (Lk. 1.32-3.)

‣The Magi (gifts for a king)‣The Star... (Numbers 24).

Jesus:


2.This is a ROYAL (as in “big”) SCANDAL‣An unwed mother.

๏Mary could be legally stoned for this.‣An unknown(?) father.

๏“Isn’t this Mary’s son...? And they took offense at him...” (Mk. 6.3).

๏The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan?” (Jn.8.48)

Jesus:

John’s Logos Christology:

John 11In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome [or, ‘understood’] it.

…14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus:

John’s Logos Christology- Three Suggested Backgrounds (Logos)

1.Greek (Stoic) Philosophy:

ZENO - STOIC THINKER / OBI WAN KENOBI - STAR WARRIORIN GREEK PHILOSOPHY, THE “LOGOS” IS SOMEWHAT LIKE “THE FORCE.”

Jesus:


1.Greek (Stoic) Philosophy:•Logos as “the rational principle by which everything is animated and held together.”

•Problem: it’s powerful, but not Personal

2.Hebrew Wisdom Tradition•Logos as Wisdom Personified (cf. Prov. 8)

Proverbs 822 “The Lord brought me [Wisdom/Sophia] forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;

23 I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

...

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

...

30 Then I was constantly at his side.

1 Corinthians 124 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Jesus:


1.Greek (Stoic) Philosophy:•Logos as “the rational principle by which everything is animated and held together.”

•Problem: it’s powerful, but not Personal

2.Hebrew Wisdom Tradition•Logos as Wisdom Personified (cf. Prov. 8)•Problems: “wisdom” isn’t “word”

3.God’s Spoken Word (e.g. Creation Narratives)

Jesus:


3.God’s Spoken Word (e.g. Creation Narratives)• In addition to Genesis, see Isa. 55.9-11

Isaiah 55.9-1110As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,and do not return to it without watering the earthand making it bud and flourish,so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Jesus:


3.God’s Spoken Word (e.g. Creation Narratives)• In addition to Genesis, see Isa. 55.9-11.

‣Sent forth (goes out)‣Accomplishes purpose‣Returns

John’s Gospel speaks of the Word (Jesus) similarly

Jesus:


1.Greek (Stoic) Philosophy

2.Hebrew Wisdom Tradition

3.God’s Spoken Word (e.g. Creation Narratives)

All may be in mind, but the third should likely be normative

Jesus:

John’s Logos Christology- Key: While the Synoptics build a Christology (somewhat) “from below,” John starts with the Preexistent Divinity of Christ.

Jesus:

The Message of Jesus:- Key Theme: “The Kingdom of God”

‣How Jesus’ teaching ministry begins (in Mt./Mk):

Mark 114...Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news [“gospel”] of God.

15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus:



1.Repent

2.Believe the “good news”

3.The Kingdom of God is nearMetanoia - a change of mind - give up your old agendaSame words used by Josephus to Jewish revolutionaries a few years later.

Jesus:



1.Repent


3.The Kingdom of God is nearCannot mean “believe I died for your sins”More likely: Believe that I am the source of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus:



1.Repent


3.The Kingdom of God is nearThe King is the one to whom total obedience is due.Consider the kingship theme thus far…

Review

Kingship and Kingdom:


Creation is arranged like a kingdom (Sun “rules” day; etc.)Adam and Eve are vassal kings (“rule over” animals)

Review



Humans hand over “kingship” to SatanSatan becomes “the ruler of this world” (Jn. 12.31).

Review



In the Exodus, YHWH becomes Israel’s King;They reject Him (1 Sam. 8)

1 Samuel 86 …when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

Review



In the Exodus, YHWH becomes Israel’s King;They reject Him (1 Sam. 8)

Review



As Son of David, Jesus is reestablishing divine (and human!) Kingship.

Jesus:



1.Repent


3.The Kingdom of God is nearThe Status of the KingdomAlready (inaugurated); not yet (fully consummated)

Jesus:



1.Repent


3.The Kingdom of God is nearTo First-Century Ears, this would sound VERY much like the start of a Violent (pro-Jewish,

anti-Gentile) Revolution.

Jesus:



1.Repent


3.The Kingdom of God is nearThis would sound VERY much like the start of a Violent (pro-Jewish, anti-Gentile) Revolution.

Jesus’ first sermon in Luke reveals that it will NOT be like this

Jesus:


‣How Jesus’ teaching ministry begins (in LUKE):•The so-called “Nazareth Manifesto” (Lk. 4)

Luke 418“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Isaiah 61.1-2; referencing Lev. 25).

20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.

Luke 422 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.Incidentally, the next verses in Isa 61 spoke of

God’s vengeance upon Gentile oppressors…

5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.6 And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.

Luke 423 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.

Jesus:


‣How Jesus’ teaching ministry begins (in LUKE):•The so-called “Nazareth Manifesto” (Lk. 4)

Jesus:

The Method:- Jesus seems to see himself as “Israel embodied” and thus he is re-living their story, yet faithfully.‣Word for this: “recapitulation”

Jesus:

The Method: Recapitulation- Jesus seems to see himself as “Israel embodied” and thus he is re-living their story, yet faithfully.‣Examples(?):

• “Out of Egypt I have called my Son” (Mt. 2).

Matthew 214So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON” (Hos. 11).

Jesus:


• “Out of Egypt I have called my Son” (Mt. 2)•Passing through Jordan / Baptism.•Wilderness experience (40 Days).• Jesus as Isaiah’s Servant•The sacrifice of (Abraham’s) “beloved son”•Cross & Resurrection as Exile / Exodus (Lk. 9!)

Luke 928 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure,[literally: his exodus] which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

Jesus:


• “Out of Egypt I have called my Son” (Mt. 2)•Passing through Jordan / Baptism.•Wilderness experience (40 Days).• Jesus as Isaiah’s Servant•The sacrifice of (Abraham’s) “beloved son”•Cross & Resurrection as Exile / Exodus (Lk. 9!)

Jesus:

The Means of Communication: Often Parables- Why Parables? (Mt. 13)

‣Dual Function:

1.So some will get it - clarification.

2.So some will not - obfuscation.

The determining factor: Whether one has “eyes to see”

Beale, idolatry discussion…

G.K. BEALE“WE BECOME LIKE WHAT WE WORSHIP”

Jesus:

The Means of Communication: Often Parables- Why Parables? (Mt. 13)

‣Dual Function:

1.So some will get it - clarification.

2.So some will not - obfuscation.

The determining factor: Whether one has “eyes to see”

Beale, idolatry discussion…

Jesus:

The Means of Communication: Often Parables- If Jesus’ mission is to “re-live” Israel’s story, his parables often function to “re-tell” (re-interpret) Israel’s story (N.T. Wright).

N.T. WRIGHTPARABLES ARE:

“ISRAEL’S STORY IN MINIATURE” -

RETOLD SUBVERSIVELY.

N.T. Wright Jesus and the Victory of God, 179

Most parables…are Israel’s-story-in-miniature. Jesus’ telling of the Israel-story in order to undermine the present way of understanding the nation’s identity. It is as though someone were to tell the story of the development of America, or of the British Empire, not, as Americans and British normally tell them, as the stories of freedom and civilization…but as stories of Promethean ambition achieving deeply ambiguous power, handling it with irresponsible self-righteousness, and facing imminent disaster as a result.

If people really understood what was being said, a lynching would always be on the cards.

Jesus:

The Means of Communication: Often Parables- If Jesus’ mission is to “re-live” Israel’s story, his parables often function to “re-tell” (re-interpret) Israel’s story (N.T. Wright).‣Wicked Tenants - (yes).‣Two Sons - (perhaps; perhaps not).

Jesus:

The Sermon on the Mount: (Mt. 5; Lk. 6)- Brief sampling…

Luke 620 Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are you who hunger now,

for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

22 Blessed are you when people hate you,

when they exclude you and insult you

and reject your name as evil,

because of the Son of Man.

Luke 627 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Jesus:

The Sermon on the Mount: (Mt. 5; Lk. 6)- Two Parts:

1.Beatitudes— Blessed are the…‣Not commands(!) but statements of fact and invitations to a new perspective on the world.

‣This is how God views the world.

Jesus:

The Sermon on the Mount: (Mt. 5; Lk. 6)- Two Parts:

1.Beatitudes— Blessed are the…‣Not commands(!) but statements of fact and invitations to a new perspective on the world.

‣This is how God views the world.

2.You have heard it said…‣New Covenant/Kingdom Ethics‣Deepening the Covenant Commands‣Note the “mount” symbolism (Moses)

Jesus:

Cross and Resurrection:- Since we’ve had an entire course on the Atonement, this section must be abbreviated.‣Key Themes:

1.Exodus/Passover:• John, Christ killed at same time as lamb.•Synoptics, Last supper as Passover meal.

Jesus:


2.Kingship Redefined.• “King of the Jews” (titulus).• “right & left” when you enter kingdom (Mt. 20).

• “Remember me…” (Lk. 23).

Jesus:


3.A Substitutionary Sacrifice• “as a ransom for many”• “this is my body/blood”

Jesus:


4.A Strange Victory• John: cross as “glorification” / “exaltation”•Paul view it is his “triumph” (Col. 2).

Jesus:


1.Exodus/Passover

2.Kingship Redefined

3.A Substitutionary Sacrifice

4.A Strange Victory

Jesus:

Cross and Resurrection:- So also, his resurrection is viewed as the inauguration of God’s new creation, breaking into this one:‣In a garden (e.g. Jn. 20)‣The first day of a new week (Jn. 20)‣Jesus named as “gardener” (Jn. 20)‣The eighth sign(?), corresponding to 8th day (Jn.)Thus we prepare to enter a new “chapter” in the Story…

Review

The Metanarrative:


week 6 theological interpretation of jesus

Education

temple judaism

bc key

empires kingdoms

bc hanukah

jesus day

diaspora judaism

bc spreads hellenism

bc conquered babylonians