Source: “Paul On The Cross: Reconstructing The Apostle’s Story Of Redemption”, By David A. Brondos, Fortress Press, 2006.
The Early Christian Story Of Redemption.wav
Thispodcast delves into the early Christian understanding of redemption, primarily through the lens of the Synoptic Gospels and the Book of Acts. It highlights that the nascent Christian community, predating Paul's epistles, already held a story of redemption centered on Jesus, yet deeply connected to Jewish redemption narratives. The text emphasizes the challenges in reconstructing this early story due to the fragmentary nature of early Christian writings, asserting that the Gospels and Acts, despite their later composition, offer the most coherent framework by incorporating traditional material. A key theme explored is Jesus' reinterpretation of the Mosaic Law, prioritizing principles of human wholeness, justice, mercy, and love over strict literal adherence, which caused conflict but also laid groundwork for Gentile inclusion. The author further examines Jesus' unquestionable authority, suggesting he superseded the Law and the Temple as the means to salvation and forgiveness of sins. Finally, the excerpt scrutinizes Jesus' rejection and sacrificial death as foundational to a new covenant, a divine plan foretold in the Scriptures, which initiated a new community and offered a means of atonement and access to God distinct from the old covenant.
Topic 1: Reconstructing the Early Christian Story of Redemption Understanding the early Christian narrative of redemption presents challenges due to the nature of the earliest available writings. While Pauline epistles are the oldest Christian texts, they offer only scattered allusions and no systematic presentation of this story. Other early New Testament writings generally share this problem. The most comprehensive first-century accounts containing the fundamental elements of a redemption story revolving around Jesus of Nazareth in an orderly manner are the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) and the Acts of the Apostles. Despite their later composition, these works are considered valuable because they incorporate much traditional material originating from the first Christian communities and even from Jesus himself. However, discernment is crucial to distinguish between original traditions and later theological developments, especially in the Fourth Gospel, which is acknowledged to contain later theological reflections. Therefore, to reconstruct the early Christian story of redemption, particular attention is given to the common and frequently attested elements found across the Synoptic Gospels and Acts, especially passages describing early Christian proclamation, as these are most likely to reflect the foundational narrative. This reconstruction is then examined in light of the Jewish story of redemption to identify both similarities and differences.
Topic 2: Jesus' Interpretation and Fulfillment of the Mosaic Law Jesus' relationship with the Mosaic Law is presented with a degree of ambiguity in the early Christian accounts. His ministry developed in continuity with John the Baptist's call for repentance, which involved not just strict adherence to the commandments but also living by the principles underlying them, such as sharing with those in need and honesty. John's emphasis on a reinterpretation of obedience to God's will laid groundwork for Jesus. While the Synoptic Gospels never depict Jesus as abolishing the Torah, and Matthew, in particular, insists that Jesus came to fulfill the law, his teaching and practices often generated controversy. Jesus' opponents frequently emphasized literal obedience to the law, often according to their oral traditions. In contrast, Jesus interpreted commandments through a lens of human wholeness and well-being. For example, he justified his disciples plucking grain and his own healing on the Sabbath by asserting that "the sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the sabbath," prioritizing doing good and saving life. He rebuked those who neglected "the weightier matters of the law," like justice, mercy, faith, and love, and reinterpreted commandments concerning killing, adultery, and retaliation to emphasize internal disposition and intention. Ultimately, Jesus summarized the law as loving God and loving others. This approach meant that he was sometimes willing to prioritize these underlying principles over a literal observance of certain commandments, effectively redefining true obedience. This focus on the "spirit" of the law and Jesus' openness to those considered "sinners" are seen as potentially laying the groundwork for the later inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community, suggesting that literal observances like circumcision might become secondary.
Topic 3: The Nature of Jesus' Authority and its Implications for Salvation The Synoptic Gospels strongly emphasize Jesus' extraordinary authority, presenting him as more than a teacher but as "God's spokesman" and "God's agent." This authority is consistently highlighted: he taught with unparalleled authority, forgave sins, cast out demons, and even had power over natural elements. This implied that rejecting Jesus was tantamount to rejecting God himself. His followers were called to take his "yoke," signifying a new allegiance that surpassed the "yoke of the commandments" common in Jewish thought. The narratives suggest that while the Mosaic Law and Temple worship had historically offered salvation, health, and forgiveness of sins through obedience and sacrificial rituals, these blessings were now obtained directly through Jesus. His authority to forgive sins and bring healing and deliverance from evil spirits was, in essence, a claim that what was previously sought at the Temple was now available through him. This implies that God's presence and blessings were communicated through Jesus, thus fulfilling the salvific roles of both the Temple and the Mosaic Law. This profound shift meant that access to God, purity, and forgiveness, traditionally linked to the sacrificial system, were now found uniquely in Jesus.
Topic 4: Jesus' Rejection and Death as the Catalyst for a New Reality The early Christian story portrays Jesus' rejection and eventual death as a pivotal event that laid the foundation for something new. The conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, rooted in his claims of authority, ultimately led to his crucifixion. The Synoptics consistently depict Jesus' rejection and the desire of some to eliminate him almost from the start of his ministry. His death is not merely a tragic end but is framed as a conscious act of rejection by the Jewish leadership and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, fulfilling prophetic patterns of persecuted prophets. However, this rejection is immediately linked to his promised resurrection, which would enable his future return in glory to judge the world and establish God's kingdom. Crucially, Jesus' rejection is also presented as inaugurating a new reality. The parable of the wicked tenants illustrates this, with Jesus becoming the "head of the corner" of a new "construction," understood as the church, functioning metaphorically as a new temple. This new community or "people" is implied to include Gentiles, signifying a broader scope for God's chosen people. The idea of Jesus destroying and rebuilding the Temple in three days, interpreted as referring to his body, reinforces the notion that Jesus himself, or the community formed through his death and resurrection, would become the new locus for God's presence and the means of accessing blessings like healing, forgiveness, and salvation, thus surpassing the old Temple system.
Topic 5: The Sacrificial Significance of Jesus' Death and the New Covenant Jesus' death is consistently presented in the early Christian accounts with strong sacrificial connotations. It is portrayed as a voluntary self-offering, stemming from his unwavering commitment to his divine mission and his Father's will, rather than an inescapable fate. His willingness to continue his ministry, even to the point of suffering death, is seen as part of this sacrificial dedication. The most explicit sacrificial language appears in the Last Supper narratives, where Jesus describes the bread as his body and the cup as the "new covenant in his blood," explicitly "poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." This language deliberately echoes the establishment of the Mosaic covenant through sacrificial blood, thereby signifying that Jesus' death inaugurates a fundamentally new covenant. When viewed in conjunction with his resurrection and exaltation, Jesus' death is understood as God's accepted sacrifice, a favorable response to Jesus' implicit petition for the redemption and salvation of others, and an act that grants Jesus the power to bring about that salvation. This new covenant replaces the former system of worship at the Jerusalem Temple; instead of being cleansed by animal sacrifices, the new covenant people are cleansed by Jesus' own blood, gaining remission of sins. The distinguishing feature of this new people is their communion with Jesus' sacrifice. Through his self-offering, Jesus constitutes himself or his body as the new temple, ensuring that "many" (including the future church) can access God's blessings of salvation and forgiveness through him as the mediator of this new covenant. The rending of the Temple veil at his death further symbolizes the surpassing of the old Temple and sacrificial system, opening direct access to God's presence for all people through Jesus.
Topic 6: Jesus' Passion and Ministry as Fulfillment of Divine Plan and Scripture A foundational element of the early Christian narrative is the assertion that all events surrounding Jesus, particularly his passion, death, and resurrection, occurred precisely as foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures and were part of a preordained divine plan. This comprehensive plan, previously veiled as a "mystery," became evident through Jesus' life and ministry. The Gospels and Acts repeatedly emphasize that Jesus' betrayal, suffering, and death were not random misfortunes but necessary occurrences within God's definite design. Luke, in particular, highlights this, depicting Jesus explaining to his disciples how "everything written about the Son of Man by the prophets" must be accomplished, including his suffering, resurrection, and the subsequent global proclamation of repentance and forgiveness in his name. This divine plan also encompassed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the worldwide mission of the gospel, initially to Israel and then, significantly, to the Gentiles. Even the rejection of the gospel by many Jews and the persecution of the disciples are presented as foreseen elements of this plan, ultimately serving to facilitate the spread of the gospel to the nations. This theological framework provides meaning and purpose to Jesus' life and death, portraying them as the deliberate unfolding of God's redemptive purpose for humanity.
Topic 7: The Early Christian Story of Salvation: A Comprehensive Narrative The early Christian story of salvation, reconstructed from the Synoptics and Acts, unfolds as a grand narrative rooted in a divine plan conceived from ancient times. This plan initially involved the election of Israel and the establishment of the Mosaic covenant, along with promises of salvation. God's ultimate intention, however, was to send his Son, Jesus, to bring these promises to fulfillment. In obedience to God and wielding divine authority, Jesus undertook a ministry of healing and teaching, calling Israel to repentance and conversion, just as prophesied. He also prepared disciples to continue proclaiming God's kingdom after his death and resurrection. Despite Jesus' dedication, many in Israel, especially the Jewish leaders, rejected him and his message. Aware of his impending violent death, Jesus faithfully journeyed to Jerusalem, entrusting his life and work to God. In fulfillment of the divine plan, the Jewish leaders had Jesus arrested and crucified by the Gentiles. Nevertheless, God powerfully raised Jesus from the dead, enabling his future return in glory to establish God's kingdom definitively and fulfill all ancient promises. Through the risen Jesus, God poured out the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to proclaim the gospel not only to Israel but also to the Gentiles, whom God had previously overlooked but now called to repent. While some Jews accepted the message, many rejected and persecuted the apostles, leading them to focus even more intensely on the receptive Gentiles. All who believed and committed to following Jesus were baptized, becoming part of the Christian community (the church). Through this, they received the Holy Spirit and began living under a new covenant centered on Jesus, a covenant that both fulfilled and surpassed the previous one with Israel. This trajectory—from God's eternal plan to the formation of a diverse, global people united under Jesus—was the ultimate objective: that people from all nations might participate in God's blessings and become part of His chosen people.
Topic 8: The "Necessity" of Jesus' Death: A Distinct Early Christian View The early Christian perspective on the "necessity" of Jesus' death differs significantly from later theological explanations. For the evangelists, Jesus' death was necessary because it constituted an indispensable part of the divine plan foretold in the Scriptures. It was viewed as no more or less necessary than other elements of this plan, including Jesus' birth, ministry, rejection, resurrection, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the global spread of the gospel. This understanding contrasts sharply with later Christian doctrines, such as theories of satisfaction or penal substitution, which propose that Jesus' death was an absolute necessity rooted in God's nature or a cosmic moral order, without which human salvation or the forgiveness of sins would be impossible. The early texts maintain the Jewish belief that "nothing is impossible for God," suggesting God could have chosen other means of salvation. Instead, the "necessity" is understood as God's sovereign will to execute this specific plan. It can be argued that Jesus' death was an ultimate expression of love from both God and Jesus, demonstrating a full commitment to humanity's salvation, enduring suffering and death in solidarity with humanity, rather than God intervening to spare him. Furthermore, Jesus' rejection and death might have been seen as necessary for the establishment of the new covenant, mirroring how previous covenants were inaugurated through sacrifice, and signifying the invalidation of the old covenant due to widespread disobedience, thereby paving the way for a new, universal covenant.
Topic 9: How Salvation and Forgiveness Are Attained in the Early Christian Context In the early Christian understanding, salvation and forgiveness are not presented as an automatic consequence solely of Jesus' death but as benefits obtained through active participation in a new reality initiated by his death and resurrection. To access this salvation and forgiveness, individuals were required to repent, believe, and be baptized. Baptism symbolized cleansing and purification, incorporating believers into the community of God's new people. Living faithfully within this community was subsequently essential for maintaining this state. This aligns with Jewish thought, where forgiveness was contingent on repentance and obedience within a covenant relationship. Therefore, the basis for forgiveness was not Jesus' death in isolation, but the believer's integration, through faith and baptism, into the new covenant community for whom Jesus had obtained forgiveness and salvation from God. The book of Acts particularly links forgiveness of sins to repentance, faith, baptism, and Jesus' new status as the risen Lord and Savior. It also emphasizes that God graciously grants the ability to repent and bestows the Holy Spirit, enabling believers in this new covenant to live according to God's will. This provided a freedom from the limitations of the Mosaic Law, offering salvation and forgiveness that were previously unattainable for many.
Topic 10: Distinctions from Jewish and Later Christian Theological Frameworks The early Christian story of redemption, as depicted in the Synoptics and Acts, exhibits notable differences from both the broader Jewish narrative and subsequent Christian theological developments. In contrast to the often nationalistic Jewish messianic hopes centered on Israel's exclusive restoration, the early Christian narrative prominently includes uncircumcised Gentiles as integral members of God's people, with less emphasis on the literal restoration of the land, Temple, or Jerusalem. The concept of the "elect" expanded from diasporic Jews to Christian believers worldwide. A significant departure from Jewish thought is the idea of the Messiah coming, dying, being raised, and then needing a second coming to fully inaugurate redemption. This concept of "two comings" with an interim period led to the use of "realized eschatology" in Luke and Acts, suggesting that God had definitively begun to fulfill His promises through Jesus, making their future realization certain, even if the full kingdom had not yet arrived. This contrasts with many later Christian theories that posit an objective, universal change in the world's condition or human nature directly effected by Jesus' death (e.g., God's wrath being exhausted for all humanity, Satan being overcome universally). Furthermore, the early Christian texts do not portray Jesus' death as inherently different in nature from the death of any other person, nor do they emphasize his physical or emotional suffering as having unique salvific significance in a way that implies he experienced unparalleled torment or divine abandonment akin to the pangs of hell. Instead, they underscore the fulfillment of Scripture, the injustice of his rejection, and his death being comparable to that of prophets and disciples, highlighting his faithfulness within God's plan rather than a unique metaphysical event of penal substitution or universal satisfaction.