| Unit name | Questing for the Historical Jesus |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS30174 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. John Lyons |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The actual historical existence of Jesus of Nazareth is now accepted by the vast majority of scholars as an uncontroversial fact. But with the rise of the so-called ‘renewed quest’ and its competitor, the so-called ‘third quest’, the reality behind the designation ‘the historical Jesus’ is once again the subject of considerable interest and intense debate. Who exactly was the historical figure Jesus? What did he really do and say? What did he think he was going to achieve? And why did his life and death result in such long-lasting religious and political upheaval in both the ancient and modern worlds? The unit aims to introduce students:
a) To help students to gain a perspective on the historical development of a major project within Biblical Studies. b) To familiarise students with the basic source materials for the Quest (Mark. Q, the Gospel of Thomas, etc.). c) To facilitate a critical examination of different historical critical approaches to the same task—uncovering the ‘real Jesus’. d) To introduce the theological implications—if any—of the results of the Quest. e) To provide an encounter with critical objections to the claims of the current Quest.
On successful completion of this unit student will have a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the historical source materials and issues relating to the Quest for Jesus. Students will have further refined their skills in assessing, presenting, analysing and evaluating complex ideas and arguments, and in researching and writing essays.
1 x 2 hour seminar per week
One summative coursework essay of 3000 words (50%) and one unseen examination of two hours comprising 2 questions out of 8 (50%). Both elements will assess knowledge and critical understanding of the historical source materials and issues relating to the Quest for Jesus; skills in assessing, presenting, analysing and evaluating complex ideas and arguments, and in researching and writing essays.
Brown, C., ‘Historical Jesus, Quest of’. In J.B. Green et al (eds), Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (Leicester: 1992) 326-341.
Chilton, B.D. and Evans C.A. (eds), Studying the Historical Jesus: Evaluations of the State of Current Research (Leiden: 1998).
Dawes, G.W. (Ed.), The Historical Jesus Quest: Landmarks in the Search for the Jesus of History (Louisville, KY: 2000).
Powell, M.A. The Jesus Debate: Modern Historians Investigate the Life of Christ (Oxford: 1999).
Theissen, G. The Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive Guide (London: 1998).
Wright, N.T. ‘Jesus, Quest for the Historical’, in D.N. Freedman (ed.), Anchor Bible Dictionary, Vol. 3 (New York: 1992) 796-802.
