More books have probably been written about Jesus than any other person in the history of mankind.  You would think that with all of this information we would have a very clear picture of the historical Jesus and what he taught.  But, the fact of the matter is that we find just the opposite.  Some hold that Jesus was the "Creator God of the Old Testament."  Others declare that Jesus was the "Son of the Creator God of the Old Testament."  And then there are still others who proclaim that the real Jesus not only did not see himself as any kind of God, but that he would have never allowed anyone else to see him that way - he would have considered it blasphemy!

Why does what we believe about Jesus it make any difference?  We have been told that our eternal destinies depend upon our beliefs.  For centuries Christian leaders have been declaring that everyone who does not "believe in Jesus" will go to hell and suffer eternal punishment.  As a matter of fact, belief in Jesus is a foundational doctrine of modern Protestant Christianity.  But, what does the term "belief in Jesus" mean to them?  Does it mean that they "believe that a man named Jesus lived approximately 2000 years ago or does it mean something else?" 

In their belief system it means to accept their interpretation and doctrinal model of a Jesus.  The basic doctrinal requirements are: (1) Jesus was God; (2) Jesus was born of a virgin; and, (3) Jesus was a universal sacrifice for all those stained by "Original Sin."  The proof that these doctrines are true is the claim that each one is "based upon the Scriptures."  However, when proof about their claims concerning the authority of the term "Scripture" is requested, other "Scriptures" are presented.  Are you beginning to see the problem? 

If we turn to Rabbinic Judaism for assistance we are told that anyone who believes that Jesus was God will "not share in the world to come."  That is a rabbinic way of saying the Jewish equivalent to the Christian belief of "going to hell."  It's easy to find oneself in a catch-22 situation - if you hold the Christian beliefs about Jesus, you are in direct conflict with the teachings of Rabbinic Judaism.  However, if you hold Rabbinic Judaism's beliefs about Jesus, you are in direct conflict with Christian beliefs.  The point is that Christianity (Protestantism and Catholicism) and Rabbinic Judaism are mutually exclusive religions - you can't belong to both.

Things really get exciting when someone tells you that "Jesus was a Jew."  If you check it out you will discover that the statement is basically true.  When I first discovered the Jewish Jesus I immediately assumed this -- "Well, if Jesus was a Jew, he must have believed what modern Rabbinic Judaism teaches."  But, if Jesus believed what modern Rabbinic Judaism taught, he couldn't agree with the teachings of Christianity.  Do you understand the gravity of the situation in which I found myself, since the entire doctrinal system and legitimacy of Christianity stands or falls on the validity of its beliefs about Jesus?

I guess it really shouldn't be a surprise that many of the greatest opponents to the quest for the historical Jesus aren't atheists and agnostics.  From what I have witnessed, the ultimate resistance comes from committed religious people and their leaders -- staunch believers and professional theologians.   The leaders are well aware of the fact that the "model of Jesus" their followers select will be the Standard they use to test their organization's doctrines.  Any Jesus model that doesn't support and reinforce their organization's doctrinal system must be not only be rejected, it must be destroyed.  How many will give up their power, positions, and wealth for the truth? 

The Real Jesus

What do we mean when we say "the real Jesus"?  This Jesus must be defined in terms of what exists within the boundaries of time and space.  This is evidence that can be viewed by anyone - not just the true believers.  This historical Jesus lived and died in the land we now call Israel.  He lived during the time period of approximately 6 BCE to 27 CE.  He was a member of the culture of that period and that place. 

One of the places we must search for evidence is in historical records.  Here, we again encounter the influence of religious authorities.  There are many Christian and Rabbinic Judaism accounts of this historical period, but when we compare them we find conflicting accounts.  It becomes very clear that neither Christianity nor Judaism provides us with completely accurate historical information.  Each authority provides us with a picture of how each one "wished history had been."  In other words, they provide us with a picture that supports their claim of "divine authority."  This is why archaeological evidence is so important.  It helps us sort through the inconsistencies and contradictions.

A problem that arises as we learn more about the culture and time period of the historical Jesus is that the Jesus that we discover doesn't fit any of the theological models of any Christian religious organization.  He also doesn't fit the models provided by Rabbinic Judaism.  There was a time that I thought - and taught - that the way we could understand more about the historical Jesus was to learn as much as possible about modern Rabbinic Judaism.  I was wrong.  Both Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism are new religions that came into being long after the life of Jesus.

Do you understand why it is so important to learn as much as possible about the "real Jesus"?  Are you aware of how much is at stake?  Some religious leaders have argued that all the search for the historical Jesus does is create endless confusion.  In my opinion, it doesn't create more confusion than exists already.  Instead, with the discovery of every new piece of evidence, our picture of the life of Jesus becomes much more in focus.  The better we can see that picture the more accurate our understanding of his teachings and desires becomes.  Of course, long-held doctrines will be tested and some will have to go.  But, I believe that most people will be happy to dump beliefs that are proven false.  Wouldn't you?

A Period of Transition

Many theologians now declare, "the Jesus of history is not and cannot be the object of official Christian faith."  This creates a tremendous crisis for them, since their entire doctrinal system stands or falls on the validity of their models of Jesus.  Therefore, they are working very hard to steer their followers away the search for the real Jesus.  They are also actively attacking those who continue the search.  I do have one question -  "Did Jesus teach that he should be the official object of anyone's faith?" 

We are in a period of transition that is very much like the period that many of our ancestors lived through approximately 500 years ago.  Their reality was that the earth was flat, the surface of the moon was flawless, the sun orbited around the earth, and there was no salvation outside the Roman Catholic Church.  Columbus didn't fall off the edge of the earth; Galileo saw creators on the moon; Copernicus found that the earth orbited around the sun; and Luther declared there was salvation without the Roman Catholic Church.  Their whole perspective of reality was shattered and replaced with a reality unknown to any of their ancestors.

History will record that we are also a generation living in the midst of another major period of transition.  I can't tell you exactly what our reality will be, but I am learning more and more about what it won't be.  The authoritarian models of religion that present multiple and conflicting realities will began to fade away.  Our understanding of the development of the different concepts of God, the environment in which they developed, and the agendas of those who developed them, will become clear.

It will not be easy to put away old beliefs and doctrines - changing realities is never easy.  Overcoming racial prejudices, allowing women to vote, making people in positions of power more responsible for their actions, have all been very difficult challenges.   The forces that tried to keep us tied to the old realities were primarily religious.  Is our world a much better place because of the changes that have been made?  I think so.  Will our world even be a better place if the evidence requires that we change our concepts of God and understanding of Jesus?  What do you think?

The ultimate challenge facing our generation is this -- Which of the following will we use to as our source of information about Jesus? 

(1) One or more of the many different mutually exclusive doctrinal systems?

(2) Or, scientific evidence that comes from a variety of sources? 

The choice is yours!                                                    DTB