Yeshua in Context >> Archive
Perplexing Resurrection
Luke 24:1-53. When the women showed up at the tomb on Sunday morning, the word Luke uses to describe their emotion is perplexity. When the angels, who seemed to be men, spoke to them, the theme of their communication was remembrance. When two disciples encountered Yeshua along the road, their experience was a mystery. When Yeshua spoke to the Eleven and other disciples gathered, his theme was continuation. Perplexity. Remembrance. Mystery. Continuation. ... Read entire article >>
Filed under: Formation of the Gospels , Gospels as History , Resurrection of Yeshua
Chronicling the Formation of the Gospels #2
This is not exactly what I promised would be in Part 2, but these notes are about current decisions I am making in theorizing how the gospels were formed. Note the word current. I'd like to see, as I build on this, how believable it turns out to be. First, I accept the basic order of Mark, then Matthew, then Luke, and then John. ... Read entire article >>
Filed under: Formation of the Gospels , General , Gospels as History
The Eyewitness Theory of Gospel Formation #1
I haven't forgotten that I started a series called "Chronicling the Formation of the Gospels." I've just been busy...too busy. I'm reading Mark Goodacre's The Case Against Q and Richard Bauckham's Jesus and the Eyewitnesses. Soon I plan to read Paul Anderson's The Fourth Gospel and the Quest for Jesus. Alongside my "Chronicling the Formation of the Gospels" series, I plan to write a simpler explanation of Bauckham's eyewitness theory. I think there is something solid here which future researchers will not be able to ignore. Bauckham makes some points so well, I would have to think his book will leave a mark on historical Jesus studies and gospels research. What are some of the kinds of observations and questions that lead Richard Bauckham to the eyewitness theory of the formation ... Read entire article >>
Filed under: Disciples & Named Characters , Eyewitnesses , Formation of the Gospels , Gospels as History
Hidden Corners and Disciples
This is the greatest liability of Yeshua-faith: that God does his work quietly and in hidden corners while the world is looking for noise and spectacle. Luke 10:21-24 is material not found in Mark. It is found in Matthew, but Matthew has it separated into two separate sayings on two occasions: 11:25-27 and 13:16-17. Messianic fulfillment comes in unexpected ways and Yeshua's identity peeks through the veil. On that same occasion Yeshua rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. All things have been given to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the ... Read entire article >>
Filed under: Discipleship - Formation , Divinity of Yeshua , Identity of Yeshua , Messiah , Mysticism in the Gospels
Also Messiah of the High & Mighty
He is the Lord of the poor and lowly and also the down and out. There is no doubt that this is a theme of Yeshua's life and especially in Luke. Aside from the obvious one ("blessed are the poor," Luke 6:20), there are plenty of others. I rather like this one: "Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you'" (Luke 10:9). But a comment in Markus Bockmuehl's This Jesus: Martyr, Lord, Messiah caused me to go searching. He says, "One should resist the cliche that Jesus kept company only with the poor" (83). So I went searching to find among those who knew and loved him, those whom he knew and loved, some who were high and mighty. ... Read entire article >>
Filed under: Disciples & Named Characters , Eyewitnesses , Preachable Points