Jesus, Interrupted

1. The Bible is a human book with discrepancies and contradictions

There are discrepancies in the books of the New Testament.

Textual variations. The New Testament contains thousands of textual variations among existing manuscripts. While most are minor spelling differences, some affect entire verses or passages. These discrepancies arose as scribes copied texts over centuries, sometimes making accidental errors and other times intentionally altering wording.

Contradictory accounts. The Gospels often present contradictory details about events in Jesus' life. For example:

• The birth narratives in Matthew and Luke contain irreconcilable differences
• The day and time of Jesus' crucifixion differs between Mark and John
• Accounts of the resurrection appearances vary significantly

Theological differences. The various New Testament authors present differing theological perspectives:

• Paul's views on salvation differ from those in the Gospel of Matthew
• John's high Christology contrasts with the more human Jesus in Mark
• James emphasizes works while Paul stresses faith alone

These discrepancies and differences point to the Bible's human origins and development over time, rather than divine dictation.

2. The Gospels present different perspectives on Jesus' life and teachings

Each author has to be allowed to have his own say, since in many instances what one author has to say on a subject is not what another says.

Unique portrayals. Each Gospel presents a distinct portrayal of Jesus shaped by the author's theological agenda and community context:

• Mark: A suffering Messiah who dies as a ransom for many
• Matthew: A new Moses giving divine law and instruction
• Luke: A prophet bringing salvation to the marginalized
• John: The divine Word made flesh, equal to God

Differing details. The Gospels disagree on many specifics of Jesus' life and ministry:

• Chronology and length of Jesus' ministry
• Details of Jesus' birth and early life
• Sequence and content of Jesus' teachings and actions
• Circumstances of Jesus' death and resurrection appearances

Varied emphases. Each Gospel highlights different aspects of Jesus' identity and mission:

• Titles used for Jesus (Son of Man, Son of God, etc.)
• Jesus' relationship to Jewish law and traditions
• The meaning and purpose of Jesus' death
• The nature of discipleship and the Christian community

Understanding these differences allows for a richer, more nuanced view of early Christian beliefs about Jesus.

3. Paul's letters reveal evolving early Christian beliefs

Paul's views were different from those of the Ebionites (who saw Paul as the archenemy), of Matthew, and of Jesus himself.

Developing Christology. Paul's letters, the earliest New Testament writings, show an evolving understanding of Jesus' nature and role:

• Jesus as adopted Son of God at resurrection (Romans 1:4)
• Jesus as preexistent divine being (Philippians 2:6-11)
• Jesus as cosmic Lord over all creation (Colossians 1:15-20)

Reinterpreting Judaism. Paul radically reinterpreted Jewish law and traditions:

• Justification by faith, not works of the law (Galatians 2:16)
• Gentile inclusion without circumcision (Romans 3:29-30)
• Allegorical reading of Hebrew scriptures (Galatians 4:21-31)

Eschatological shifts. Paul's expectations about the end times changed over time:

• Imminent expectation of Jesus' return (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)
• Delayed parousia and interim state after death (Philippians 1:21-23)
• Cosmic reconciliation of all things in Christ (Colossians 1:19-20)

These developments in Paul's thought laid the groundwork for later Christian theology and practice.

4. Many New Testament books were not written by their claimed authors

Of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, only eight almost certainly go back to the author whose name they bear: the seven undisputed letters of Paul (Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon) and the Revelation of John.

Pseudonymous writings. Many New Testament books were written under false names:

• The Pastoral Epistles (1-2 Timothy, Titus) claim Pauline authorship but differ significantly in style and theology from Paul's authentic letters
• 2 Peter was likely written long after Peter's death
• The Gospels were not written by eyewitnesses but later Christians

Misattributed texts. Some anonymous writings were later attributed to apostolic figures:

• Hebrews was attributed to Paul but differs greatly from his style and thought
• James and Jude do not claim specific authorship but were linked to Jesus' brothers

Reasons for pseudonymity:

• To lend authority to writings
• To address later situations in the name of revered figures
• To provide continuity with earlier traditions
• To combat perceived heresies or opponents

Understanding the authorship of New Testament books helps contextualize their messages and theological developments.

5. Jesus was likely an apocalyptic Jewish prophet, not claiming divinity

Jesus taught that the Son of Man was soon to arrive from heaven in judgment, and people needed to be ready for it by mending their ways and living as God wanted them to.

Apocalyptic worldview. Jesus shared the apocalyptic expectations common among many first-century Jews:

• Belief in cosmic forces of good and evil
• Expectation of divine intervention in history
• Hope for a coming kingdom of God on earth
• Anticipation of final judgment and resurrection

Ethical teachings. Jesus' moral instructions were framed by this apocalyptic outlook:

• Repentance and righteous living to prepare for the kingdom
• Radical love and forgiveness as signs of the coming age
• Critique of religious and social hypocrisy
• Care for the marginalized as embodying God's reign

Son of Man. Jesus used this apocalyptic title to refer to a coming heavenly figure:

• Drawn from the book of Daniel and other Jewish apocalyptic texts
• Not clearly a self-reference in Jesus' usage
• Later reinterpreted by his followers as referring to Jesus himself

This historical portrait of Jesus differs significantly from later Christian doctrinal developments about his divine nature.

6. Early Christianity developed diverse theological views about Jesus

There were lots of early Christian groups. They all claimed to be right. They all had books to back up their claims, books allegedly written by the apostles and therefore representing the views of Jesus and his first disciples.

Competing Christologies. Various early Christian groups held differing views of Jesus' nature and role:

• Ebionites: Jesus as fully human Messiah, not divine
• Marcionites: Jesus as fully divine, not truly human
• Gnostics: Jesus as divine revealer of secret knowledge
• Proto-orthodox: Jesus as both fully human and fully divine

Diverse practices. These theological differences led to varied religious practices:

• Observance or rejection of Jewish law
• Different baptismal and Eucharistic rituals
• Varying spiritual disciplines and ethical norms
• Distinct scriptural canons and interpretive methods

Power struggles. Competing groups vied for dominance and legitimacy:

• Claims to apostolic authority and succession
• Development of creeds and "rules of faith"
• Accusations of heresy against opponents
• Alliance with political powers (especially after Constantine)

This diversity challenges simplistic notions of a monolithic early Christianity and highlights the complex development of orthodox doctrines.

7. The concepts of Trinity, heaven, and hell evolved over time

Within three hundred years Jesus went from being a Jewish apocalyptic prophet to being God himself, a member of the Trinity. Early Christianity is nothing if not remarkable.

Trinitarian development. The doctrine of the Trinity emerged gradually:

• Early belief in Jesus' exaltation after resurrection
• Paul's high Christology, but not full equality with God
• John's logos Christology equating Jesus with God
• 2nd-3rd century debates over Christ's relationship to God
• 4th century creeds defining one God in three persons

Afterlife concepts. Ideas about heaven and hell changed significantly:

• Jewish belief in bodily resurrection and earthly kingdom
• Paul's interim state before resurrection at Jesus' return
• Shift to immediate postmortem rewards and punishments
• Development of purgatory in medieval Catholicism
• Protestant rejection of purgatory but retention of heaven/hell dualism

Theological motivations. These doctrinal developments addressed specific concerns:

• Maintaining monotheism while affirming Christ's divinity
• Explaining delayed parousia and intermediate state of the dead
• Providing comfort and motivation for believers
• Asserting divine justice and human accountability

Understanding this evolution challenges notions of unchanging Christian doctrines and highlights the creative theological work of early Christians.

8. Anti-Judaism in Christianity emerged as the religion separated from its Jewish roots

Anti-Semitism as it has come down to us today is the history of specifically Christian reactions to non-Christian Jews. It is one of the least savory inventions of the early church.

Gradual separation. Christianity slowly distinguished itself from Judaism:

• Jesus and earliest followers were thoroughly Jewish
• Paul's mission to Gentiles created tensions
• Jewish revolts against Rome widened the divide
• Christian reinterpretation of Hebrew scriptures

Supersessionism. Christians increasingly saw their faith as replacing Judaism:

• Claim to be true Israel and heirs of divine promises
• Allegorical reading of Old Testament to find Christ
• Portrayal of Jews as stubborn and spiritually blind
• Belief that the church replaced Israel as God's people

Intensifying hostility. Anti-Jewish rhetoric escalated over time:

• Gospels' increasingly negative portrayal of Jewish leaders
• 2nd century apologetic works arguing against Judaism
• 4th century sermons denouncing Jews and Judaism
• Medieval persecutions, forced conversions, and expulsions

This trajectory of anti-Judaism had catastrophic consequences throughout history and continues to impact Jewish-Christian relations today.

9. The canon of Scripture formed through centuries of debate and politics

It took at least three hundred years of debate before the question of the canon even began to reach closure.

Gradual process. The New Testament canon developed slowly:

• Early use of diverse writings in Christian communities
• Growing consensus around core books (Gospels, Paul's letters)
• Debates over disputed books (Hebrews, Revelation, etc.)
• Regional variations in accepted writings

Selection criteria. Various factors influenced canonical decisions:

• Apostolic authorship (real or perceived)
• Orthodoxy of content
• Widespread use in churches
• Antiquity and continuity with earlier tradition

Political dimensions. Canon formation involved power dynamics:

• Competing Christian groups promoted different writings
• Bishops and councils made authoritative pronouncements
• Imperial influence after Constantine's conversion
• Standardization efforts to unify the church

The long and complex history of canonization challenges simplistic notions of the Bible "falling from heaven" and highlights its human development.

10. Historical-critical analysis reveals the human origins of Christian doctrines

The historical findings I am discussing here do not necessarily lead to my personal agnostic conclusions. But they should lead all people to see the human element in the development of the Christian religion.

Contextual interpretation. Historical criticism situates biblical texts in their original contexts:

• Cultural background of ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world
• Social and political factors shaping early Christianity
• Literary conventions and genres of ancient writings
• Linguistic analysis of Greek and Hebrew texts

Source criticism. Scholars examine the sources behind biblical writings:

• Synoptic problem and relationships between Gospels
• Paul's use of earlier Christian traditions
• Identification of redactional layers in texts
• Recognition of pseudonymous authorship

Theological development. Critical analysis traces the evolution of Christian beliefs:

• From Jewish apocalypticism to Gentile mystery religion
• Diverse early Christologies converging on Nicene orthodoxy
• Reinterpretation of Jesus' teachings in light of delayed parousia
• Hellen

Last updated: August 8, 2024