3 Stages of Tradition

I. Jesus’ Life in Palestine

Oral tradition in non-literate and semi-literate societies

Words and Deeds of Jesus, this is where the gospels evolved

I. Stage of Jesus’ life in Palestine

Gospel = (old English) godspel which means “good news”

(Greek) euangelion = good news of salvation= proclamation of salvation

Words

The good news which Jesus himself preachedEx. Mk 1: 14-15

The apostolic preaching about Jesus Christ and the salvation which is found in himEx. Acts 15:7

Jesus Christ as the good news (Mk 1:1)

Evangelist gospel = activity of the preacher

Preacher not a writer until 2nd century when a shift in meaning to the written word

Revelation – in a given moment, God makes something known to the people or to a person

Revelation by deeds:God’s historical revelation is first of all a

revelation in action, ex. Miracles and praxis

Words and Deeds into one revelation – Jesus

Deeds

Jesus as a jew, a man of his time

1. Jesus’ language2. Socio-economic and political context3. Cultural background4. Contemporary world view

Is Jesus a Christian?

AramaicThey spoke in extremes, in opposites.Ex. “many are called, but few are

chosen.” (Mt. 22:14)

1. Language

Most belligerent and turbulent centuries in Jewish history

Unrest because of Roman occupation

a. Occupation by foreign troopsb. Class conflicts which included anti-

clericalismc. Social banditryd. Religious fanaticism

2. Socio-Economic & Political Context

f. Revolutionary prophets and messianic pretenders

g. Strife between the various factions of revolutionaries

h. Taxation by the Romans and Herod and his successors

i. Bitter hostility between Jews and Samaritans

All areas are intertwinedDominantly village and peasant ethos Elites – Herodian aristocracy within Antipas

territoryJerusalem priestly ascendacy with religious

and secularGreek culture and development of market

versus “little tradition” (traditional local culture)

3. Cultural Background

Pre-Copernicus and GalileiGod created the world by putting order into

chaosEarth – flat with dome on 4 pillars

4. Contemporary World view

Jesus was misunderstood

1. Information does not correctly reach the person for whom it is intended

2. When people are not ready for the challenge contained in what they are told

2 types of misunderstanding

MassesOpponentsRelatives including his mother (Mk. 3:20-21,

31-35; Lk 18:34)A new understanding

After and in the light of the Easter experience: Easter, Ascension and Pentecost

Role of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:1 - 16:33) Jn 14:25-26 and 16:12-13

Deeper understanding and in hindsight Ex. Mt 17:9, Jn 2:22, Jn 12:16

Jesus was misunderstood

II. Early Christian Communities

He appointed the 12 (Mk. 3:14)To be with himTo be sent out to preach

To do what he has been doingTeaching (Mt 5:1 – 7:29) – Sermon at the

mountHealing the sickMt 28: 19-20Acts 1:8

Jesus prepared his disciples

Acts 214 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 

41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

The first Christian Community

Revolves around the ff:Apostles’ teachingFellowshipBreaking of the breadPrayer

Life of the community

Elements which promote unityCommon convictionsCommon belliefsCommon goals Agreement on the way tio reach the goals

Elements which bring about diversity:Variety of tasks and responsibilities:preachers (kerygma)instruction and encouragement to newly

baptized (catechesis and paraenesis)Defending the beliefs and practices against

accusations and attacks from the outside (apologetics and polemics)

2 Poles of the Community