What defines the historical Jesus in research?
He is investigated through historical-critical methods including teachings, context, and death.
How did Albert Schweitzer portray the historical Jesus?
As an apocalyptic prophet alien to modern sensibilities.
What is the Christ of faith according to its definition?
The living risen Christ encountered through Church life, faith, Scripture, and sacraments.
What can the title 'Son of God' refer to in biblical context?
Israel, the Davidic king, or a specially commissioned agent.
What are the possible references of the title 'Son of Man'?
A human figure, Jesus himself, or the exalted figure of Daniel 7.
How does the healed man’s view of Jesus change in John 9?
From 'the man' to prophet, one from God, then a figure worthy of allegiance.
What happens to the authorities' attitude in John 9?
They become increasingly resistant.
How does Matthew 5:17–48 portray Jesus' relation to the Torah?
Jesus fulfills rather than abolishes the Torah.
Which behaviors does Jesus intensify in Matthew 5:17–48?
Anger, lust, truthful speech, non-retaliation, and enemy-love.
What does Liberation Theology present Jesus primarily as?
The liberator of the poor and oppressed.
What does the Kingdom of God involve according to Liberation Theology?
Social and political transformation as well as spiritual salvation.
What happens to the haemorrhaging woman in Mark 5:24–34?
She approaches Jesus, receives healing, discloses her story, and is called “daughter.”
What does Luke 10:25–37 shift the question about neighbours to?
Becoming a neighbour through mercy.
How do Gospel miracle narratives function as signs?
By restoring community, dramatizing conflict, enacting abundance, and linking Jesus to scripture.
When do miracles contribute to a cumulative portrait of Jesus?
When they align with his teaching and resurrection.
What does an isolated wonder-working episode fail to prove?
Jesus' divinity.
How is historical evidence about early resurrection belief distinct?
It differs from the theological claim that God raised Jesus.
What term did the Council of Nicaea use to describe Christ's substance?
Homoousios, meaning 'of one substance' with the Father.
What did the Council of Nicaea reject about the Son's origin?
That the Son was created from nothing.
What risk does Nicaea associate with worshiping Christ as a creature?
It would risk idolatry.
Why could a creature not give full participation in God's life, according to Nicaea?
Because only God can fully share divine life.
How did the Council of Chalcedon describe Christ's nature?
As fully divine and fully human in one and the same Christ.
What does the Chalcedonian Definition confess about Christ's person and natures?
One person in two natures united without confusion, change, division, or separation.
In Chalcedonian grammar, what question does 'nature' answer?
What Christ is.
In Chalcedonian grammar, what question does 'person' answer?
Who acts.
How does Chalcedonian language qualify predicates about the Son's knowledge and suffering?
According to nature, the Son knows divinely and learns humanly, and suffers humanly without divine nature becoming passible.
Why is logical coherence of the incarnation not evidence that it occurred?
Because historical resurrection claims, scriptural testimony, and worship provide the theological warrant.
What does Kenosis in Philippians 2:5–11 describe about Christ?
Christ's self-emptying as a servant, becoming human, accepting death, and not exploiting equality with God.
How does functional kenosis differ from radical kenosis?
Functional kenosis involves voluntary restraint of divine powers, radical kenosis involves surrendering divine attributes.
What do Paul's letters reveal about the timing of resurrection belief?
They show resurrection belief emerged early, not centuries after Jesus.
How does the resurrection hypothesis differ from naturalistic alternatives?
It has explanatory unity within theism, unlike naturalistic alternatives.
What does resurrection provide stronger support for compared to an isolated healing?
Unique Sonship of Jesus.
What is still required to move from resurrection to Chalcedon's ontology?
Scriptural and theological reasoning.
How are the historical Jesus and Christ of faith related?
They are distinguishable but not separable.
Why are the historical Jesus and Christ of faith inseparable?
Because resurrection faith shaped memories responding to Jesus' history.
How does John Hick portray Jesus in his interpretation?
As a human being exceptionally open and responsive to God.
What does Rudolf Bultmann say the cross and resurrection confront hearers with?
Judgement and authentic life received in faith.
How does Albert Schweitzer interpret Jesus' mission and death?
Through an apocalyptic horizon focused on God's coming kingdom.
What aspect of salvation does Liberation Theology emphasize?
Its effect on bodies and social structures.
How does Liberation Theology's view of Jesus' love and messiahship challenge certain interpretations?
It challenges seeing him as an armed nationalist revolutionary.
What does historical judgement assess in biblical studies?
Sources and contexts.
How does theological judgement interpret history?
Through resurrection and worship.
What is the rule about disguising historical and theological judgement?
Neither should be disguised as the other.
What distinction does Rudolf Bultmann make about Christ in the New Testament?
He distinguishes historical reconstruction from the proclaimed Christ confronting the hearer.
How does Bultmann suggest New Testament mythology should be interpreted?
Existentially rather than simply repeated.
How does John Hick interpret the incarnation?
As mythic language for Jesus’ extraordinary God-consciousness and moral significance.
What aspects does Hick’s interpretation of incarnation under-explain?
Early worship, resurrection proclamation, and belief in God acting uniquely in Christ.
What does a political-liberator portrait of Jesus emphasize?
Jesus’ kingdom announcement, temple action, and social practices as challenges to Roman occupation and power.
How does Jesus’ enemy-love and care for outsiders affect his revolutionary image?
They resist describing him as a straightforward armed revolutionary.
What does Gustavo Gutiérrez's preferential option for the poor prioritize?
People whose lives and voices are denied.
What does Gutiérrez's preferential option for the poor not imply about other groups?
Divine hatred of other groups.
What freedoms does Gutiérrez include in his understanding of liberation?
Freedom from personal sin, fatalism, broken communion, and unjust social structures.
Why can't a merely political Jesus explain reconciliation with God?
Because reconciliation involves cross and resurrection beyond politics.
What aspects can a merely spiritual Jesus not explain?
Embodied healing, wealth teaching, and public execution.
What did Rudolf Bultmann argue about the New Testament?
It should be demythologised.
According to Rudolf Bultmann, what matters more than historical details?
The Christ of faith.
What authority does Jesus' repeated 'but I say' give his teaching?
Exceptional authority.
How does Jesus relocate purity and righteousness in his teaching?
Into intention as well as outward conduct.
Which biblical verse identifies Jesus with marginalized people?
Matthew 25:40.
What criteria does historical enquiry use to evaluate miracle traditions?
Independent traditions, linguistic and Palestinian context, embarrassment, and coherence with Judaism.
What is a limitation of historical criteria for miracles?
Each criterion has its own limitations.
What did the Council of Constantinople distinguish in Trinitarian doctrine?
One divine being from three persons.
How can the one person be hungry and life-giving without two independent selves?
By attributing hunger to humanity and life-giving to divinity in one person.
What does the title “Messiah” originally evoke?
An anointed ruler.
How is Jesus' messiahship reinterpreted through his crucifixion and resurrection?
Through suffering and exaltation rather than political victory.
What range of meanings does the title “Lord” have?
From respectful address to participation in language associated with Israel's God.
In what contexts must the title “Lord” be interpreted?
Within prayers, hymns, and scriptural rereading.
What is Bultmann’s approach to demythologising ancient texts?
Seeking meaning rather than contemptuously deleting them.
What criticism is made against Bultmann’s reduction of resurrection to proclamation?
It weakens Christianity’s historical anchor.
Why does crucifixion show political consequence more clearly than a political programme?
Because Rome could execute a perceived claimant without that person endorsing violent revolt.
Answer 47 questions on Jesus and Christology.
1. What can historical-critical methods investigate about Jesus?
2. How did Albert Schweitzer portray the historical Jesus?
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