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JESUS.
Dibelius describes the New Testament as the humanly conditioned deposit of an event, and considers that the crucial question at issue in the struggle over Christianity is whether God made his will manifest in this event
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1939
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August 27, 2024
AN INTERESTING STUDY BY THE FOUNDER OF "FORM CRITICISM"
Martin Dibelius (1883-1947) was a German theologian and New Testament professor at the University of Heidelberg. He also wrote books such as From Tradition to Gospel, Paul, etc.
In this 1939 book, Dibelius states the book's purpose as "to determine what we can know of the historical phenomenon Jesus. In so doing it cannot demonstrate to faith what faith, and faith alone, is competent to say, but it can make clear to Christian believers and opponents alike just what is at issue between them."
Unlike the more complete skepticism of his peer Rudolf Bultmann (e.g., his The History of the Synoptic Tradition), Dibelius believes that "we can see that Jesus' sayings were handed down with great fidelity, thanks to the unencumbered memory of his unspoiled followers and to their reverence for their Master's word."
Here are some representative quotations from the book:
"Whether Jesus himself received or discovered his mission at the moment of baptism, as is implied by the Christian story of the heavenly voice, is something we do not know."
"Jesus never specifically interpreted the expression 'Kingdom of God.'"
"Jesus knew himself to be the Messiah chosen by God, especially when he made his entrance into Jerusalem and appeared in the Temple as Lord."
"That in this sense Jesus affirmed his rank as Son of Man or Messiah is also shown, finally, by his execution as pretender to the throne."
"This is indeed the first and foremost demand of the message of Jesus: Be ready for God's Kingdom."
This book is still of continuing interest to students of the historical Jesus, Form Criticism, New Testament studies, etc.
Martin Dibelius (1883-1947) was a German theologian and New Testament professor at the University of Heidelberg. He also wrote books such as From Tradition to Gospel, Paul, etc.
In this 1939 book, Dibelius states the book's purpose as "to determine what we can know of the historical phenomenon Jesus. In so doing it cannot demonstrate to faith what faith, and faith alone, is competent to say, but it can make clear to Christian believers and opponents alike just what is at issue between them."
Unlike the more complete skepticism of his peer Rudolf Bultmann (e.g., his The History of the Synoptic Tradition), Dibelius believes that "we can see that Jesus' sayings were handed down with great fidelity, thanks to the unencumbered memory of his unspoiled followers and to their reverence for their Master's word."
Here are some representative quotations from the book:
"Whether Jesus himself received or discovered his mission at the moment of baptism, as is implied by the Christian story of the heavenly voice, is something we do not know."
"Jesus never specifically interpreted the expression 'Kingdom of God.'"
"Jesus knew himself to be the Messiah chosen by God, especially when he made his entrance into Jerusalem and appeared in the Temple as Lord."
"That in this sense Jesus affirmed his rank as Son of Man or Messiah is also shown, finally, by his execution as pretender to the throne."
"This is indeed the first and foremost demand of the message of Jesus: Be ready for God's Kingdom."
This book is still of continuing interest to students of the historical Jesus, Form Criticism, New Testament studies, etc.
Displaying 1 of 1 review