1. Jesus
Earthly and exalted

2. The Earthly Jesus Ministry Preaches God’s kingdom (now and future)
Itinerant
Rural
Jewish
Preaches God’s kingdom (now and future)
Absolute allegiance to God
Forgiveness reconciles sinners and outcasts
Reassessment of legal interpretations
Radical “love ethic”
Reversal of social values (poor over the rich; meek over the powerful)

3. The Earthly Jesus Teaches about himself Parables and prophetic acts
“Son of Man”
Messiah and Son of God
Mediates God’s presence
Parables and prophetic acts
Healing
Exorcisms
Demonstration of God’s presence and power
Conflict with religious leaders

4. New Testament Study of the Earthly Jesus
Focus: the unique presentation of Jesus in each NT Gospel
Aim: understanding presentation of “Jesus” in each Gospel
Interpret each Gospel on its own terms
Do not import information from one Gospel to another
BUT
Faith and theology aim at Christian belief
Ask different questions; supply different answers

5. Historical Study of Jesus
Focus: historically verifiable evidence
Aim: to describe “the person who emerges from an analysis of sources in accord with generally accepted principles of historical science” (text 72)
A skeptical science
only accepts “facts”
tests sources against one another
Uninterested in the unique perspective of Gospels seeks Jesus “behind” Gospels

6. The Exalted Jesus (of NT faith)
Abides with believers; believers abide in Jesus
Communicates with believers
Present at baptism of believer
Answers prayer
Will return again
Receives believers’ devotion
Equal to God and subject to God