The Son of Man Debate: A History and Evaluation (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, Series Number 107)

The expression "Son of Man," used in the Gospels almost exclusively by Jesus, has been the object of intensive study since the Protestant Reformation, yet scholars have failed to agree on its origin or meaning. Because of the scope and complexity of the literature, no comprehensive survey of the subject has been written in the twentieth century; Delbert Burkett's study fills this need. It provides a comprehensive historical overview of the debate from the patristic period to 1996, evaluates that research, and summarizes the present state of the question. The Expression Son Of Man, Used In The Gospels Almost Exclusively By Jesus, Has Been The Subject Of Intensive Study Since The Protestant Reformation, Yet Scholars Have Come To No Agreement On Its Origin Or Meaning. Delbert Burkett's Book Provides A Comprehensive Historical Overview Of The Debate From The Patristic Period To 1996, Evaluates The Various Theories, And Summarizes The Present State Of The Question. Burkett Concludes That Despite Nineteen Centuries Of Son Of Man Study There Is No Consensus Concerning The Meaning Or Origin Of The Expression; The Debate Is Therefore A Prime Example Of The Limits Of New Testament Scholarship.--jacket. Preface -- List Of Abbreviations -- Introduction -- Genealogical Interpretation --the Human Son Of Man -- The Apocalyptic/messianic Son Of Man -- The Question Of Reference -- The Question Of Authenticity -- Miscellaneous Sons Of Men -- Exit The Apocalyptic Son Of Man? -- The Idiomatic/nontitular Son Of Man -- Son Of Man In Apocalyptic And Rabbinic Texts -- Conclusions -- Appendix: Surveys Of Research On The Son Of Man -- List Of References -- Index Of Passages --index Of Authors -- Index Of Subjects. Delbert Burkett. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 126-161) And Indexes. The expression 'Son of Man', used in the Gospels almost exclusively by Jesus, has been the object of intensive study since the Protestant Reformation, yet scholars have come to no agreement on its origin or meaning. Research in this area has been described as 'a veritable mine field' and 'a can of worms'. Because of the scope and complexity of the literature, no comprehensive survey of the subject has been written in the twentieth century. Delbert Burkett's book fills this need. It provides a comprehensive historical overview of the debate from the patristic period to 1996, and gives an evaluation of that research and a summation of the present state of the question. Burkett concludes that despite nineteen centuries of 'Son of Man' study there is no consensus concerning the meaning or origin of the expression; the debate is therefore a prime example of the limits of New Testament scholarship A comprehensive historical overview of the 'Son of Man' debate, tracing its development from the patristic period to the late twentieth century. It evaluates the research on the origin and meaning of the expression, used in the Gospels almost exclusively by Jesus, and summarizes the present state of the debate The earliest interpreters of took ("son") in a literal genealogical sense: for them it identified Jesus as the son of some particular parent.