Understanding the categories of divine beings in antiquity is crucial for understanding Jesus' divinity.
Ontology, the study of being, is often overlooked but is essential in understanding Christology.
Jesus' uniqueness is evidenced by his crucifixion, role as creator, resemblance to Yahweh, giving of the Spirit, affection towards him, and Trinitarian dimensions.
Deep dives
Jesus' Divinity and Ancient Taxonomies of Divinity
Mike Bird discusses his latest book, Jesus Among the Gods, where he explores the concept of early Christology in the Greco-Roman world through the lens of ancient taxonomies of divinity. He argues that understanding the nature of deity and the categories used to describe divine beings in antiquity is crucial to understanding how Jesus was understood as divine in the New Testament.
Ontology in Early Christology
Mike Bird highlights the importance of ontology in early Christology, emphasizing the study of being and what it means to be divine. He discusses how scholarly debates on functional Christology often neglect the issue of ontology, leading to a limited understanding of the divinity of Jesus in the New Testament.
Comparisons with Intermediary Figures
Mike Bird explores the similarities and differences between Jesus and intermediary figures in the ancient world, such as angelic beings, divine heroes, and Roman emperors. He argues that while there are some parallels, there is no definitive figure that explains the unique divinity attributed to Jesus in the New Testament.
Jesus' Unique Features
Mike Bird identifies six key features that set Jesus apart from other Greco-Roman and Jewish gods: his crucifixion, his role as creator and eternal being, his resemblance to Yahweh, his role as the giver of the Spirit, the intensity of affection for him, and the early Trinitarian dimensions found in the New Testament.
Reflections on Imperial Cults and Rule of Cults
Mike Bird discusses similarities and differences between Jesus and the imperial cults in the Greco-Roman world. He explores the use of rule of cult language, such as being co-enthroned and sharing in divine worship, in early Christology, highlighting the distinctiveness of Jesus' divinity.
Ontology and Trinitarianism
Mike Bird argues for the importance of ontology and the incipient Trinitarian dimensions in early Christology. He emphasizes that Jesus' divinity is intimately connected to his relationship with God the Father and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating a unique understanding of divinity and the Godhead.
Episode: Michael Bird turns the well-rehearsed scholarly tale about how Jesus came to be described as divine on its head. Jesus didn’t become God through the application of Greek metaphysical […]
