Jesus did not explicitly claim to be God in the New Testament, and statements suggesting divinity were likely added later.
The birth narratives in Matthew and Luke contain invented elements and are not grounded in historical fact.
Interpretation of scriptures about Jesus is influenced by personal beliefs, presuppositions, and cultural contexts.
Deep dives
Scholars have a wide range of opinions about who Jesus was and what he taught
Scholars generally agree that Jesus was a Jewish preacher from Galilee, who believed he had come to understand the truth of God and saw himself as a prophet. He proclaimed ethics and emphasized the importance of repentance in preparation for the coming kingdom of God. However, scholars have varying opinions on the historical accuracy of the gospel narratives and the claims made by Jesus.
Jesus did not explicitly claim to be God
Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not explicitly claim to be God in the New Testament. While the Gospel of John includes statements that suggest divinity, most scholars believe these statements were made by later storytellers and were not attributed to Jesus himself in the earlier accounts. The New Testament authors, particularly Matthew, may have misinterpreted or modified Old Testament scriptures to fit their theological beliefs about Jesus.
The birth narratives in Matthew and Luke likely contain invented elements
The birth narratives found in Matthew and Luke, such as the virgin birth, likely contain invented elements. Matthew's citation of a prophecy from Isaiah about a virgin conceiving is a mistranslation of the original Hebrew text and a misinterpretation of its context. The birth narratives may have been created to explain Jesus' unusual birth but are not grounded in historical fact.
Translation issues in the biblical texts can contribute to different interpretations
The New Testament authors were reading the Greek translation of the Old Testament, which can sometimes result in translation issues and misinterpretations of Hebrew texts. Differences in language and cultural contexts can lead to various interpretations of scripture. Scholars believe that some passages, such as the claim of Jesus being born in Bethlehem to fulfill prophecy, were likely attempts to find connections to the Old Testament that support their beliefs about Jesus.
Views on the Historicity of Jesus
The guest and the host discuss the different ways people interpret texts and read into historical figures like Jesus. The guest emphasizes that individuals' interpretations are often influenced by their own beliefs and presuppositions. They explore the question of what can be known about Jesus, focusing on a few commonly accepted facts. They discuss the historicity of Jesus and the various factors that influence the interpretation of his life and teachings. The guest also challenges the idea that certain facts about Jesus imply a resurrection.
Exploring the Resurrection and the Empty Tomb
The guest questions the historical evidence for the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus. They discuss the reliability of the Gospel accounts, particularly regarding the burial of Jesus in a tomb and the claim of individuals and groups seeing him after his death. The guest presents the idea that Jesus' followers may have had individual visions or experiences that they interpreted as seeing Jesus, which then spread through storytelling. They argue that historians need to evaluate the evidence critically and not make exceptions based on religious grounds.
Bart Ehrman is an American New Testament scholar focusing on textual criticism of the New Testament, the historical Jesus, and the origins and development of early Christianity. He has written and edited 30 books, including three college textbooks. He has also authored six New York Times bestsellers. (Wikipedia)
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