The Historical Jesus

The Historical Jesus

• The Historical Jesus (what we know from historians)

  • The New Testament gives us/ is the greatest source of knowledge about Jesus BUT we have other sources (Both Jewish and Roman) that say he existed.

• Relationship between OT and NT

  • The Old Testament fulfills and completes the New Testament

• Summary of the New Testament

  • 27 books

  • The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

  • focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ

  • Written in Koine Greek (everyday lang.)

  • Types of writing=Narratives & letters

  • Composed over a period of about 70 years

• Formation of the Gospels

  • Life of Jesus

    • Lived in a small town.

    • Didn’t attract much attention as a young boy

    • Traveled into small towns, teaching, healing, proclaiming God’s kingdom

    • Learned carpenter trade

  • Oral Tradition 

    • Holy Spirit within them. Disciples commanded to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to all creation

    • Kerygma -preaching to the unbelievers

    • The Didache- catechetical instruction to converts

    • The Liturgy- worship or way people reflect their beliefs in Eucharistic celebrations.

  • Writings 

    • Last stage: Letters of St. Paul, then Gospels, then Acts, then Revelation