The Origin of Divine Christology (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, Series Number 169)

In recent years, there has been considerable debate concerning the origin of divine Christology. Nevertheless, the proposed theories are beset with problems, such as failing to address the evidence of widespread agreement among the earliest Christians concerning divine Christology and the issues related to whether Jesus’ intention was falsifi ed. This book off ers a new contribution by addressing these issues using transdisciplinary tools. It proposes that the earliest Christians regarded Jesus as divine because a sizeable group of them perceived that Jesus claimed and showed himself to be divine, and thought that God vindicated this claim by raising Jesus from the dead. It also provides a comprehensive critique of alternative proposals and synthesizes their strengths. It defends the appropriateness and merits of utilizing philosophical distinctions (e.g. between ontology and function) and Trinitarian concepts for explaining early Christology, and incorporates comparative religion by examining cases of deifi cation in other contexts. Acknowledgements page xv 1 Introducing the Theories and Approaches Concerning the Origin of Divine Christology 1 1.1 Signifi cance of the Question 1 1.2 Introducing Various Types of Theories Concerning the Origin of Divine Christology 3 1.3 Introducing the Issue of Jesus’ Self-Understanding 6 1.4 The Approach of This Book 9 1.5 Clarifi cation of Key Terms 12 1.6 An Overview of the Rest of This Book 21 2 The Highest Christology Was Present Among the Earliest Christians: The Evidences 24 2.1 Introduction 24 2.2 1 Corinthians 8:6 26 2.3 Philippians 2:6–11 33 2.4 Evidence from Devotional Practices 41 2.5 Evidence from Expressions of Spiritual Desire for Christ 45 2.6 Conclusion 47 3 Replies to Objections Involving Various Exalted Figures in Second Temple Judaism 48 3.1 Introduction 48 3.2 The Importance of the Creator–Creature Divide 53 3.3 Concerning the Angel of the LORD 66 3.4 Concerning Kings, Messiahs and Others 68 Replies to Other Objections Concerning the Highest Christology of the Earliest Christians 79 4.1 Concerning the Claim That According to Acts the Earliest Christians Did Not Worship Jesus 79 4.2 Concerning the Claim That Jesus Was Distinguished from and Subordinated to God 80 4.3 Concerning the Claim That Adoptionism/Exaltation Christology Was Present Earlier 83 4.4 Concerning the Claim That Jesus Was Regarded as Functionally Divine but Not Ontologically Divine 93 4.5 Concerning the Claim That Jesus Was Merely Venerated, Not Worshipped 94 4.6 Concerning the Claim That Sacrifi ce Is Never Said in the New Testament to Be Off ered to Christ 95 4.7 Conclusion 97 5 The Extent of Highest Christology in Earliest Christianity 100 5.1 Introduction 100 5.2 The Argument for Widespread Extent 101 5.3 Is There Absence of Jewish Objection to Paul’s Divine Christology? 103 5.4 Argument from Silence? 107 5.5 Reply to Objections by Bart Ehrman and Others 110 5.6 Examples of Theories Which Fail to Explain the Widespread Extent 114 5.7 Conclusion 131 6 The Best Explanation for the Origin of Highest Christology 134 6.1 Introduction 134 6.2 The Earliest Christians Were Evidently Concerned About Passing on the Traditions of Jesus’ Teachings 134 6.3 The Diffi culty of the Idea of Regarding a Human Jesus As Also Truly Divine 137 6.4 The Issue of Falsifi cation of Jesus’ Intention 140 6.5 The Best Historical Explanation for a Diversity of Other Peculiar Beliefs and Practices of the Earliest Christians Is That They Originated from Jesus 144 6.6 It Is Likely That Jesus Was Perceived to Have Given Clear Indications That He Regarded Himself as Truly Divine by a Signifi cant Number of Disciples 146 6.7 The Role of Early Christian Thinking About Intermediary Figures 147 6.8 Is My Proposal Too Christocentric Rather Than Theocentric? 147 6.9 Conclusion 151 7 Assessing the Evidences for the Origin of Highest Christology in the Gospels 153 7.1 Introduction 153 7.2 Counter-Evidence in the Gospels? 153 7.3 Traces in the Gospels 159 8 Conclusion 194 Bibliography 209 Scripture and Apocrypha Index 232 Index of Other Ancient Sources 240 Index of Authors 242 Index of Subjects 245 In Recent Years, There Has Been Considerable Debate Concerning The Origin Of Divine Christology. Nevertheless, The Proposed Theories Are Beset With Problems, Such As Failing To Address The Evidence Of Widespread Agreement Among The Earliest Christians Concerning Divine Christology, And The Issues Related To Whether Jesus' Intention Was Falsified. This Book Offers A New Contribution By Addressing These Issues Using Transdisciplinary Tools. It Proposes That The Earliest Christians Regarded Jesus As Divine Because A Sizeable Group Of Them Perceived That Jesus Claimed And Showed Himself To Be Divine, And Thought That God Vindicated This Claim By Raising Jesus From The Dead. It Also Provides A Comprehensive Critique Of Alternative Proposals, And Synthesizes Their Strengths. It Defends The Appropriateness And Merits Of Utilizing Philosophical Distinctions (e.g. Between Ontology And Function) And Trinitarian Concepts For Explaining Early Christology, And Incorporates Comparative Religion By Examining Cases Of Deification In Other Contexts.-- From The Publisher. Introducing The Theories And Approaches Concerning The Origin Of Divine Christology -- The Highest Christology Was Present Among The Earliest Christians: The Evidences -- Replies To Objections Involving Various Exalted Figures In Second Temple Judaism -- Replies To Other Objections Concerning The Highest Christology Of The Earliest Christians -- The Extent Of Highest Christology In Earliest Christianity -- The Best Explanation For The Origin Of Highest Christology -- Assessing The Evidences For The Origin Of Highest Christology In The Gospels -- Conclusion. Andrew Ter Ern Loke, The University Of Hong Kong. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 209-231) And Indexes.