The central inquiry addresses the centuries-long scholarly quest for the historical Jesus and the inherent tension between secular historical reconstructions and the figure presented in the Gospels. This tension stems from the ambiguous nature of historical documentation, particularly whether the canonical narratives accurately reflect historical reality or merely the later theological convictions of the early Christian communities. A primary topic is the argument that the Gospels are best understood not as traditional historical narratives but as eyewitness testimony, inherently combining factual account with interpretation and asking for trust. This perspective challenges the long-dominant school of thought known as Form Criticism, which posited that Jesus traditions were transmitted anonymously over a long period, resulting in highly fluid and creative narratives shaped mainly by community needs rather than accurate memory.
The alternative model proposed is a formal, controlled process of transmission rooted in the authority of specific, named eyewitnesses who remained credible guarantors of their accounts throughout their lifetimes. These short-term transmissions relied heavily on memorization, appropriate for conserving accounts of unique and profoundly significant events. Analysis of the Gospels reveals sophisticated literary devices used to authenticate these accounts. Specifically, the device of "eyewitness inclusio" frames the entire narrative around the comprehensive testimony of a primary witness (like Peter in Mark). In the case of the Gospel of John, internal evidence suggests the book was authored by a discerning eyewitness disciple whose authority rested on personal intimacy and perceptive insight into events spanning the entire ministry. Ultimately, the materials advocate for adopting "testimony" as the necessary historical and theological framework for accessing the reality of Jesus, bridging the perceived gap between the reconstructed Jesus of history and the Christ of faith.
30. How_We_Remember__The_Gospels.mp4
1. From the Historical Jesus to the Jesus of Testimony
3. Names in the Gospel Traditions
6. Eyewitnesses "From the Beginning”
7. The Petrine Perspective in the Gospel of Mark