Michael Barber – The Historical Jesus and the Temple
May 20, 2024
auto_awesome
Historical Jesus expert Michael Barber discusses Jesus within his Jewish context, reevaluating research methods and interpreting Jesus's relationship to the temple. The podcast explores priestly associations, significance of casting lots, and Jesus' prophetic actions in the temple. Barber also shares personal insights on fatherhood and values, highlighting Jesus' portrayal as the true high priest and connections to Davidic messiahship.
Jesus portrayed a nuanced view of the temple, affirming its holiness yet predicting its destruction.
The community is depicted as a temple in the Gospels, echoing Jewish temple traditions.
Jesus subtly embodies a high priest role through his actions and teachings, reflecting priestly traditions.
Michael Barber values family as a key source of personal growth and moral development.
Deep dives
Jesus' Relationship to the Temple
Jesus' actions in the temple, such as quoting Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 7, suggest a nuanced view where he affirms the temple's holiness while also predicting its destruction, portraying an eschatological vision of a future temple. The community, represented as a temple, is intricately tied to Jesus' identity and mission, echoing Jewish temple traditions.
Ecclesia as a Temple
The term 'Ecclesia' used by Jesus in Matthew is part of a broader theme in the Gospels where the community is depicted as a temple. Jesus refers to the community as a temple, drawing from Old Testament temple imagery, echoing the Pharisees' views of living out temple holiness and emphasizing an eschatological vision embedded in Jewish expectations.
Jesus and Priestly Imagery
Jesus' role as a high priest is subtly implied through his actions and teachings, reflecting priestly traditions and evoking sacrificial motifs. While Jesus may not overtly proclaim himself as the true high priest during his ministry, his sacrificial understanding of his death and initiation of a new covenant align with priestly functions.
Family and Values
Michael Barbar cherishes watching his children grow and learn from their experiences, finding pride in their development of integrity and making decisions that shape their character. He values family as a source of personal growth and moral development.
Author's Perspective
Michael emphasizes the complexity of understanding Jesus' identity, his priestly role, and the intertwining of temple imagery with community concepts in the Gospels. Through an in-depth exploration of temple traditions and Jewish expectations, Michael's research invites a deeper reflection on the historical Jesus and his symbolic significance.
Final Thoughts
Exploring the interaction between Jesus' actions in the temple, his priestly undertones, and the communal temple imagery, Michael Barber presents a nuanced understanding of the historical Jesus, highlighting his role as a figure embedded in temple traditions and Jewish eschatological expectations. His book delves into the intricate relationship between Jesus, the temple, and the community, offering a fresh perspective on the multifaceted identity of Jesus.
Personal Insights on Fatherhood
Barber reflects on the joy of witnessing his children's growth and integrity, drawing pride from their ability to make ethical decisions and embracing the role of a father in shaping their values and character development. This personal insight highlights the importance of family in fostering moral growth and integrity in children.
Episode: Has the quest for the historical Jesus been plagued by an anti-liturgical sentiment? Michael Barber joins OnScript to discuss the historical Jesus, best method, and Jesus’s mysterious engagement with […]
