Ebook: The Jesus debate: a survey and synthesis /

This book hopes to be an introductory survey and interpretation of current developments in the study of Jesus. Because it is only introduc- tory, a certain degree of depth is necessarily sacrificed for the sake of breadth. The primary audience to which this book is addressed is educated beginners in the study ofJesus. This audience dictates the introductory na- ture of the work to a great extent. But my own limitations also dictate this, for the study of Jesus carries one into so many complex areas that no one person can really hope to be master of them all.
Because this book is a survey of current trends, it will attempt to put the student in touch with what the author thinks are the major develop- ments taking place right now. Many fine works have appeared on Jesus from various points of view. This author feels it is time to try to integrate these into an introductory survey so that the interested reader can begin to sketch a preliminary map of the complex terrain.
Because this work is an interpretation, it will attempt some kind of critical integration of the varied currents taking place. In a sense, every work represents the author's own personal evaluation. This cannot be avoided, and admitting it perhaps makes both me and the reader some- what more critical. But this author also feels itis time to attempt some kind of more formal integration. The various currents now developing are very rich and have much to contribute to one another.
From the very beginning let me say that this is a theological intro- duction to the study of Jesus. Theology has its own modest role to play in developing both our critical understanding of Jesus and our critical prac- tice of the Christian life. If a theological book is written well, it can even inspire the reader psychologically and aesthetically. But we theologians need to be humble and recognize that the arts also have their important role to play in matters religious. This book simply needs to be comple- mented by some of the great literary works on Jesus, as well as the great artistic masterpieces. Van Gogh, Endo, Kazantzalcis, Solzhenitsyn, and many more might fruitfully be consulted along with this book. They will help the reader respond to the Jesus event existentially, affectively, and even aesthetically in a way that no merely theological work can do. Be- tween us, theologians and artists, perhaps the "whole person" will be mo- tivated to make the kind of response to Jesus that he deserves.