CLAS/PHIL 2610. Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 14. Jesus of Nazareth and the Gospel Tradition

I. The Gospel Tradition

A. Precursors: Paul; "Q"

B. The Synoptic Gospels ("see through")

Mark (before AD 70): short; mystery of crucified messiah

Matthew (c. AD 80): disciple?; 7 parts; for Jewish Xians

Luke (c. AD 80): Greek author / literary; for non-Jews

C. The Gospel of John (c. AD 90)

Kingdom on earth, not soon to come

D. Truth or Fiction?

Jesus in Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus

II. The Religious Context

A. Mysteries

1. Emotional appeal: personal act; contact with God

2. Archetypes:

Mithraism (sacred meal; sacred society; stages of initiation)

Isis (fostering mother; savior; universality)

Cybele (loss and mourning; resurrection)

B. Greco-Roman Judaism

Monotheism; Sects (Asceticism); Messiah; Afterlife

C. World Peace (Orosius)

Kingdom of Herod Antipas (from 4 BC)

Galilee: Settler Territory; Prosperity

Roman Dominion: Judas the Gaulonite

III. The Life of Jesus

A. Birth (6 BC ?)

-From well off Family

-Brothers and Sisters

B. Youth

Jewish customs: Circumcision; Bar Mitzvah

C. Baptism (AD 26 ?)

Essenes and Ritual purity

John the Baptist: disciples; prepare for kingdom

Jesus = John's Cousin: Baptized by John in Jordan

D. Temptations in Desert

World Rule; Jesus not ascetic prophet

E. Galilean Mission: (AD 28-29)

The role of the prophet: attack Satan's kingdom through healing

Messiah?

12 Disciples: Mission and communication

F. Jerusalem (AD 29-30)

Attack Pharisees: Jesus wants inclusion, not exclusion = tax collectors, lepers, women, oh my!

Triumphal entry: palms; "Hosanna!"; money changers at temple

Last Supper (April 6, 30 AD): suffering prophet

Crucifixion: blasphemer; disturber of public peace

IV. Beliefs and Appeal

A. The New Covenant

B. Family of God: Universalist; Mutual Love

C. Grades of Initiation

D. Revelation: In this world but not of it