As the basic premise and argument for the Historical Jesus is based on its claims to reason, objective truth and neutral research grounds, it is difficult argue against its findings if one is inclined to think that it's fair; and rightly so if one has no clue about Jesus. That’s not pleasant news for believers in the resurrected life and divinity of Christ Jesus and there are numerous and good evidence and arguments that supports otherwise however but what is important to note is that the research for Historical Jesus is important and relevant nonetheless.
The quest for the Historical Jesus essentially believes that Jesus is mere mortal that lived an extraordinary life and disseminated wise teachings but there is no good reason or evidence to show that He is God. Predictably this would cause much uproar in the Christian faith but it is important and relevant information nonetheless because it proves that Jesus really did walked this earth and endured a fully human life until His death on the cross.The combination of knowing Jesus as man on earth and divine, even after death is of great significance and relevance because it defines Christianity.
7 comments:
Hi Sarah,
Some people say that the Historicity of Christ proves that what the Bible talks about the divinity of Christ is a fallacy. In that sense, they claim that the historicity of Christ contradicts the divinity of Christ. How then are we to establish and hold on to both views if they really are contradictory?
Hi Sarah,
When you talk about the combination of Jesus' humanity and divinity, i feel that that is what the solely reasoning mind can't accept right; how can someone be totally human and totally divine at the same time? it is just logically impossible right? so this is where faith comes in right for one's individual decision. what do you think of a totally illogical faith?
Hi Bryan and Jason. Thanks for dropping by :)
If I understand both your questions correctly, the common ground found is the question on the incomprehensible idea of how Jesus could be fully God and man simultaneously. It's illogical. It's irrational. It just doesn't make sense. And, so how?
To address this, I think there is a need to first understand that logic and rationale are the language and philosophy of science. I believe in science too. And thank God for some sense in this world.
Although science has brought humanity very far in advance in our understanding of the world, it does have its limitations and it certainly does not have answers to everything. There is only so much it can explain. In the course of time we've discovered that the world is not flat. The sun does not circle the earth. We don't know why we have an appendics. We don't have the cure for cancer.
And in the course of another century, who knows what Science will discover but the point is that science can only make sense of the world with what it knows THUS FAR. Science can only make sense of the world with that it know now. And as such I think it's supremely arrogant for reason and logic to completely throw out even the mere possibility of how Jesus can be fully and God and man at the same time. If Science does not know any better, it does not mean that it cannot be true. In this sense, science in over rated.
I don't have an answer how Jesus could be God and man at the same time. But I know that, that is not the most important question. Maybe one day we'll find out. Maybe we won't but what's the purpose and destiny of mankind? But that's for another post for another subject ;)
Hope it helps cover some grounds on your questions! :)
Hi Sarah,
The Historical Jesus does not believe that Jesus is God, but just like as other mere men here on earth, and this movement cannot find any good reason or evidence to prove the His divinity.
Then you said, the research is important. Why is it important? Don't you think it stumble a christian, who also believe in history, because there is no evidence to prove the divinity of Christ?
Hi Sarah,
The study on the historical Jesus based on the Apocryphal Gospel of Thomas, Peter and Philip, which are believed to be forged (and thus not included in the bible) must be rejected. The evidence for Jesus is sufficiently shown in the Four Gospels which revealed Jesus radical self concept as the divine Son of God, his role as a miracle worker, his trial and crucifixion and his resurrection from the dead. Even the English calendar bear witness to the divinity of Christ with the celebration of Good Friday and Easter. Yes! the human Jesus who died as a man and the divine Jesus who rose from the dead do exists. There is hope for redemption and salvation for mankind.
Very good answer to Jason's and Bryan's questions. You did not provide a direct answer but help clear out the faulty belief about science and logic over matter of faith and supernatural.
Your explanation as an answer is much more valuable and important than a direct answer itself as you did not feed, but educate and correct our mindset about science and boldly speak the truth about the limitation of science. You taught us to fish than give us the fish itself. Good job :)
I have no question for you to clarify at the moment, thank you.
Hi TK Wong, thanks for your comments that help provide an answer to the questions above :)
ApologeticLearner, thanks so much for your feedback. It serves to be a great encouragement to me. Much appreciated!
Hi Sophin,
I think that research is important because whether we are Christian or not we will all at one time or another in the course of our lives question our very core belief and faith. And I think that it is so important for these questions to be addressed as it will either shake or build the very foundations of what we believe in.
Recognizing that although research on the Historical Jesus (i.e. Jesus Seminar) have posed risks of stumbling non-believers when there are seemingly no good evidence to prove His divinity, it is precisely for this reason that profound research is needed, not just to provide a scholarly academic answer to counter-attack what Jesus Seminar community comes up with, but more importantly to develop new insights and findings that will help shed new light on the issue of the humanity and divinity of Christ that addresses the core question what is really being asked. I believe the question is, is there a God and is that God Jesus Christ?
Without good research to engage these questions individuals seeking an answer may by default just fall back on the answers provided by Jesus Seminar researchers. Because of this I believe research is imperative and it is important that it is done by Scripturally-grounded, faith-secured and humble believers in the Divinity of Christ.
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