Homebrewed Christianity

Paul Capetz: The Two Paths of Liberal Christology

May 2, 2025

Join Paul Capetz, a minister in the United Methodist Church and esteemed theology professor, as he dives into the complexities of liberal Christology. Capetz argues that traditional approaches to the historical Jesus are flawed due to limited sources. He emphasizes that true Christology should focus on the apostles' witness as a revelation of God's love. The discussion also highlights the challenges facing liberal Christianity today, advocating for a return to deeper theological foundations and meaningful engagement in faith.

01:19:14

Episode guests

Paul Capetz

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Quick takeaways

Dr. Paul Capetz critiques traditional liberal Christology for its reliance on historical reconstruction, arguing it undermines essential theological insights.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of balancing historical understanding of Jesus with existential engagement, fostering a richer dialogue about faith.

Challenges faced by liberal Christianity in contemporary culture highlight the need for a robust gospel that addresses existential questions like morality and justice.

Deep dives

Understanding Biblical Complexity

The diversity found within the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, is framed as a strength rather than a weakness. This complexity invites readers to engage in a broader dialogue that encourages exploration of varied interpretations. Rather than seeking a singular, definitive understanding, this perspective emphasizes the richness of conversation surrounding biblical texts. Such an approach fosters deeper insights and encourages individuals to grapple with difficult questions related to faith.

Intro

3min

Engaging Questions in Christological Discussions

2min

Exploring the Foundations of Liberal Theology

4min

The Dynamics of Christology: Faith and Scholarship

30min

Theological Distinctions in Christology

22min

The Challenges of Liberal Christianity

11min

Exploring Historical Jesus and Future Conversations

3min

In this session, we are joined by historical theologian, Dr. Paul Capetz. Dr. Capetz, a minister in the United Methodist Church and former theology professor at various Protestant seminaries, discusses liberal Christology and its limitations. While identifying as a liberal theologian who seeks to reconcile Protestant heritage with Enlightenment thinking, Capetz argues that traditional liberal Christology is fundamentally flawed. He explains that liberal theologians like Friedrich Schleiermacher attempted to reconstruct the historical Jesus using modern historical analysis, but this approach faces insurmountable challenges. Following Rudolf Bultmann, whom Capetz considers the greatest New Testament scholar of the 20th century, he contends that a biography of Jesus cannot be written due to limited reliable historical sources. More importantly, Capetz argues that Christology shouldn't be based on speculations about Jesus's relationship with God, but rather on the apostles' witness to Jesus as the decisive revelation of God's love. Despite his fascination with the historical Jesus question, Capetz believes that the liberal approach of grounding Christology in historical reconstruction is both historically impossible and theologically misguided.

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

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Paul E. Capetz is professor of historical theology emeritus at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and is currently minister at Christ Church by the Sea in Newport Beach, California. He is the author of God: A Brief History and co-editor of James Gustafson’s Moral Discernment in the Christian Life. This episode centers on his recent book, Recovering Protestantism’s Original Insight.

Previous Episodes w/ Paul Capetz

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