Ears to Hear (the Jesus Seminar)
Crossan Borg
(Faithful Heretics)
Had a good debate with a friend about the Jesus Seminar, a consortium of New Testament scholars (and others) who have been at work to try to discern the true Jesus behind the Biblical texts. They have been very radical and have been presented by the media often as the forefront of biblical scholarship. They are not, however. Most biblical scholars (believers and non) would not consider them to be cutting edge stuff anymore and few would consider them to be the voice of a whole academic discipline. Among their more favous announcements has been that the Resurrection was not an historical event (in the way most people assume), there was no Virgin Birth, Judas Iscariot probably did not exist but was manufactured to blame the Jews for Jesus’ death when it was actually the Romans, and more. My friend said that the Jesus Seminar offers nothing constructive, that as burned ex-Christians they are to be pitied and that they were all a bunch of publicity hogs. For my part, I do not pity these gentlemen. I admire their quest for truth, even though I disagree with most of their conclusions. I disagree that they offer nothing constructive. Borg and Crossan in particular offer much in the way of construction, even if it differs from historical Christian teaching and from my own opinions. I do not hear them as bitter, but rather frustrated that they do not get a fair hearing from the churches that nurtured them in their faith.Neither do I find these men (and few women) as publicity hounds, trying to say provocative things and jump in front of cameras. I think the press itself is the culprit there. If it bleeds, it leads. And they are looking for something provocative every Christmas and Easter. That Jesus is risen is a 2000 year old headline and (sadly) surprises no one anymore. I have read most books by Funk and Crossan. Both strike me as very earnest seekers for truth. And, as Christians, we should never be afraid of the truth. We know the truth as ultimately trustworthy, and beneficent . . for God is truth.
Now, it may be that these persons in the Jesus seminar are doing a poor job in their quest. I have explored avenues from time to time which turned out to be dead ends. But seeking out dead ends is valuable for all who are a part of the body of Christ (which Crossan and Funk would identify themselves with, if they will not identify themselves with the institutional church).
More over, I trust enough in God and the truth of God to feel that whatever is of God’s truth will remain, while falsities will not. And I feel no real reason to get my feathers ruffled over this stuff it is not of God. And if it is of God, then I will go with God’s flow.
Still more, I trust enough in God and the truth of God to feel that whatever is of God’s truth will remain, while falsities will not. And I feel no real reason to get my feathers ruffled over this stuff it is not of God. And if it is of God, then I will go with God’s flow.
I disagree with them, but I see no reason to vilify or demonize them. Rather, I respectfully listen. Jesus asked all who have ears to hear should listen. I do so (if not uncritically).
