The Jewish Jesus

Jesus was a Jewish person speaking to a Jewish culture. This Jewish culture then changed after a couple of rebellions against the Roman Empire, as the results didn't meet expectations. Christianity quickly spread from beyond its Jewish beginnings to become predominantly a religion of Greco-Roman people, who often had little understanding of its Jewish context from which it had arose. The question of what changes occurred in how Jesus was understood is for me an unsettling question, as it can challenge Evangelical beliefs that have been much cherished since the Protestant Reformation, and can place me in disagreement with people whom I have great respect for. Christian tradition is of much importance to me.

As a New Zealander this is hard situation to be in, for to quote Bill Pearson: “In public morality, the New Zealander’s guiding principle is: Do others do it?

I have learnt a bit about what a Jesus within first Century Jewish culture looks like, from reading Tom Wright’s large tomes. I am still pondering whether or not this Blog is the appropriate place for such discussions. Feel free to comment.