Who is Jesus?: An Introduction to Christology

by Thomas P. Rausch

Who is Jesus? This is the fundamental question for christology. The earliest Christians used various titles, most of them drawn from the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures, to express their faith in Jesus. They called him prophet, teacher, Messiah, Son of David, Son of Man, Lord, Son of God, Word of God, and occasionally even God. In  Who Is Jesus?  Thomas Rausch, S.J., focuses on the New Testament's rich variety of christologies. Who Is Jesus?  covers the three quests for the historical Jesus, the methods for retrieving the historical Jesus, the Jewish background, the Jesus movement, his preaching and ministry, death and resurrection, the various New Testament christologies, and the development of christological doctrine from the New Testament period to the Council of Chalcedon. Chapters are "The Three Quests for the Historical Jesus," "Methodological Considerations," "The Jewish Background," "Jesus and His Movement," " The Preaching and Ministry of Jesus," "The Death of Jesus," "God Raised Him from the Dead," "New Testament Christologies," "From the New Testament to Chalcedon," "Sin and Salvation," and "A Contemporary Approach to Soteriology." Thomas P. Rausch, SJ, PhD, is the T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. A specialist in ecclesiology, ecumenism, and the theology of the priesthood, he has published eight books including the award-winning  Catholicism at the Dawn of the Third Millennium, The College Student's Introduction to Theology , and  Reconciling Faith and Reason: Apologists, Evangelists, and Theologians in a Divided Church , published by Liturgical Press.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Catholic, Religion

232 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Father Thomas P. Rausch, S.J., Ph.D. (Religion, Duke University, 1976; S.T.M., Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, 1972; M.A. Gonzaga University, 1967; B.A., Gonzaga, 1966), is the Emeritus T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and an ordained Roman Catholic priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) order. He was rector of the Jesuit community at Loyola Marymount 1988–1994, and chair of the department of Theological Studies 1994–2000.

Reviews

[Danny Theurer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful example of a well-researched, well-written book that takes into account all perspectives, regardless of where they fall on the spectrum, and presents them to an audience. What I gained from this book was the viewpoints coming from all three "Quests" and all of the different ways scholars have approached every single thing about Jesus.

The infuriating bit, to a person who is admittedly more black and white than most, is how gray the impressions and conclusions come across. One gets the impression that Rausch believes that those approaching the subject of Jesus cannot be too sure of much and the chapter on the Resurrection was probably the greatest example of that. However, there is MUCH that I learned, in terms of historical viewpoints, and for that I have Rausch to thank. Do read this book if that is what you are looking for.

[Gab Nug · Rating 1 out of 5]

For class on Christology. Definitely more of the historical method for defining who Jesus is. Not my cuppa approach. Didn't really get theological, most traced how others viewed Jesus and viewed the method of deciding who Jesus is.

[Benedict F. Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. It covered all the past teachings about Jesus and gave new insight into current thoughts. I recommend this book to all who are serious in learning what is believed about Jesus and His life/death/resurrection.

[Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of my Theology #RRL (Required Reading Literature), this Christological text provides a quite balanced view of the pervading ways of understanding Christ. Not bad, I should say, as it helped me in reviewing for my coming final exam.

[Laine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a real easy read but makes you think outside of the box. He is inline with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

[Purple Wimple]

A good survey- an inch deep and a mile wide; well footnoted