Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman Did Jesus Predict his Own Death?
Aug 29, 2023
This discussion delves into the complex relationship between Jesus' predicted death and Christian belief. Scholars examine whether the Gospels authentically reflect Jesus' own intentions regarding his fate. The conversation highlights the differences among the synoptic Gospels and hints at the theological motivations behind these narratives. It questions whether Jesus truly viewed his death as inevitable or if this notion was shaped by early followers. The implications of these interpretations raise profound questions about the foundations of faith.
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Challenges in Verifying Jesus' Words
- Determining what Jesus actually said is complex due to differing Gospel accounts and authors' theological biases.
- Scholars use careful historical criteria to distinguish authentic Jesus sayings from later additions.
Criteria for Authentic Jesus Sayings
- Scholars assess Jesus' sayings by seeking multiple independent attestations and those unlikely to promote early Christian theology.
- Sayings inconsistent with first-century Jewish contexts are often deemed inauthentic.
John's Gospel and Divine Claims
- The Gospel of John presents a divine Jesus unlike the synoptic Gospels, suggesting those divine claims are likely later theological additions.
- Early sources lack evidence that Jesus called himself God, making such claims historically doubtful.