1. Jesus Before Christianity Albert Nolan

2. The historical Jesus Sources about Jesus Sources about Jesus 4 gospels in Bible 4 gospels in Bible Not biographies, but faith statements Not biographies, but faith statements A few Roman references A few Roman references The ongoing life of various Christian communities The ongoing life of various Christian communities What does “the historical Jesus” mean? What does “the historical Jesus” mean? Historical context Historical context Historical basis for Christian beliefs Historical basis for Christian beliefs

3. What do we know about Jesus? Born ca. 4 BCE; Crucified ca. 30 CE Born ca. 4 BCE; Crucified ca. 30 CE Observant Jew from Galilee Observant Jew from Galilee Similar to and different from John the Baptist Similar to and different from John the Baptist Gathered disciples and preached about the Kingdom of God Gathered disciples and preached about the Kingdom of God healed, exorcised demons healed, exorcised demons Invited many to eat with him Invited many to eat with him

4. Gospels Purpose Purpose Date: written 40-60 yrs after Jesus Date: written 40-60 yrs after Jesus Preceded by oral tradition Preceded by oral tradition Time of persecution, uprising against Romans Time of persecution, uprising against Romans Time of Jewish crisis Time of Jewish crisis Canonical vs. noncanonical Canonical vs. noncanonical

6. What was going on in Jesus’ lifetime? Roman occupation since 63 BCE Roman occupation since 63 BCE Competition among Jewish groups Competition among Jewish groups Apocalypticism Apocalypticism Catastrophic event, bringing judgment Catastrophic event, bringing judgment End of world, beginning of new world End of world, beginning of new world Honor and shame society Honor and shame society

7. Jewish groups Zealots Zealots Fought against Romans (66-70 CE) Fought against Romans (66-70 CE) Wanted political independence for Israel Wanted political independence for Israel Pharisees Pharisees Religious reformers Religious reformers Used oral traditions (Torah) to revise and renew practice Used oral traditions (Torah) to revise and renew practice Focus on religion; did not interfere politically Focus on religion; did not interfere politically Sadducees Sadducees Priests Priests Controlled Temple in Jerusalem Controlled Temple in Jerusalem Conservative: rejected oral Torah, allied with Romans Conservative: rejected oral Torah, allied with Romans Essenes Essenes Judaism in Jerusalem corrupt, beyond saving Judaism in Jerusalem corrupt, beyond saving Apocalyptic: end of world coming Apocalyptic: end of world coming Withdrew to desert Withdrew to desert Focus on purity of “true” religion within this small group Focus on purity of “true” religion within this small group

8. Archaeological remains of Essene community, near Dead Sea, Israel

9. Qumran cave, Israel: used for storage by Essenes

10. John the Baptist Jesus’ cousin, older by six months Jesus’ cousin, older by six months Prophet Prophet Message of judgment on Israel from God Message of judgment on Israel from God Denounce false religion, economic injustice Denounce false religion, economic injustice Destruction is coming on Israel: looming showdown between Jews and Romans Destruction is coming on Israel: looming showdown between Jews and Romans Preach repentance Preach repentance

11. Icon of John the Baptist Greek on scroll: Repent, y’all Symbols: axe, severed head, hairy coat

12. Overview: Nolan Method: know historical Jesus by looking at his intentions and choices Method: know historical Jesus by looking at his intentions and choices Choice 1: Baptized by John Choice 1: Baptized by John Choice 2: identified with the poor and oppressed Choice 2: identified with the poor and oppressed Principal suffering: shame and disgrace (29) Principal suffering: shame and disgrace (29) compassion = suffering with compassion = suffering with Method: Start with Jesus’ actions (praxis), go to his preaching, return to our praxis Method: Start with Jesus’ actions (praxis), go to his preaching, return to our praxis

13. Praxis Miracles Miracles Healing Healing Meaning of “illness” Meaning of “illness” Exorcism Exorcism Table fellowship Table fellowship

14. Luke 4 When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’

15. Luke 6: Sermon on the Plain Then Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. ‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. ‘Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. ‘Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. ‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.