Jesus-His Birth

Question 1

Which are the Two Birth Narratives discussed

Answer 1

Matthew 1:18-2:23; Luke 1:26-2:40

Question 1

Where do Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:40 differ in their accounts of Jesus’ Birth

Answer 1

Mathew alone records the marriage, the star, the Magi, the infanticide and escape to Egypt whilst extensively quoting the Old Testament.
Luke alone records Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, the birth of John the Baptist the visit of the Shephards (working class), presentation of Christ in the temple and the hymns.

Question 2

Why have both Matthew and Luke’s accounts been called into doubt.

Answer 2

Mathew- No record of Herod’s Infanticide some think he invented it to draw parallels between Jesus and Moses.
Luke-Quirinius was not governor of Syrai at the time Luke claims despite insisting on his historical accuracy. Furthermroe some have claimed the hymns he espouses were already in use by Christian communites when Luke attributed them

Question 3

What is in the Luke 1:26-2:40 aaccount of Jesus’ Birth

Answer 3

Luke focuses on Mary- Angel Gabriel mentioned. The Magnificat and Benedictine are delineated. Records the census and Mary and Jospeh’s journey to Jerusalem- reference to the Manger. Jesus presented in Jerusalem Temple 8 days after his birth where he is recognized aas the messiah. Nunc Dimittis is recorded.

Question 4

What is in the Mathew 1:18-2:23 account of Jesus’ Brith

Answer 4

Mathew focuses heavily on Joseph- Jesus is born in a house in Bethlehem. Account of the Wise Men (Magi) but no mention of gifts. Records Herod being duped and the infanticide (parallels with Moses)

Question 5

What are the supdernatural events mentioned in the accounts of Jesus’ Birth

Answer 5

Matthew- Angel appears to Joseph three times to announce the birth, announce the beginning and the end of the flight to Egypt. Angel + Star appear to Wise Men
Luke- Gabriel appears to Mary, John the Baptist leaps in the womb when he recognizes Jesus. Shephards- Choir of Angels and Jesus is recognized as the Messiah in the temple.
Both claim Jesus was conceived miraculously by the Holy Spirit (Virgin Birth)

Question 6

Is it possible to Harmonise the accounts of Jesus’ Birth

Answer 6

Yes- they do not contradict each other- They may have both had access to differing source material e.g. Luke allegedly heard directly from Mary, explaining certain aspects of his account. Furthermore, there is much similarity between the two accounts, e.g. Bethlehem, Herod, Mary, Virgin birth and fulfilment of Old Testament Prophecy.
No-Too many differences- if it was true the sources would be more corroborative.

Question 7

What is Redaction Criticism

Answer 7

The idea the the N.T. writers altered or omitted information about Jesus in order to suit their own agenda. Began in Germany in 1940s and assumes that traditions about Jesus circulated in the early church and each writer selected and edited this information to suit their purposes.

Question 8

How can redaction criticism explain Matthews account.

Answer 8

Matthew was writing for Jewish readers, telling the story from Jospehs viewpoint and emphasizing his connection with King David,. Lots of old testament references, Isaiah, Jeremiah Hosea etc. However, he came for all people not just the Jews.

Question 9

How can redaction cirticsm explain Lukes account.

Answer 9

Luke si the only non-Jewish writer in the N.T. and wrote from this perspective. His account seems aimed especially at Gentiles. Lots of Greek influence, dedicated to Theophilus. Less reference to Old Testament and when there is its from the Greek version, the Septuagint. Told from Mary’s perspective, less anxious to establish the King David link. Sympathy for the marginalised-expressed through Jesus’ actions-helping the poor and the shephards. When Mary and Jospeh visit the temple they make the poor person sacrifice- Two Turtledoves.

Question 10

From what Latin word does “Incarnation” derive

Answer 10

Incarnationem-Literally “Becoming Flesh”

Question 11

What is the “Doctrine of the Incarnation”

Answer 11

The belife that Jesus Christ was God in Human Form. Jesus’ life on Earth was only a small part of an eternal being. “The word” at creation was also Jesus. Established at the Council of Nicae in 325, Ephesus in 431 and Chalcedon in 451-Nicene and Chalcedonian creeds.

Question 12

What is the Hypostatic Union

Answer 12

The idea that two natures, human and divine, are united in the one person of Jesus.

Question 13

What is a common misconception about the doctrine of the incarnation.

Answer 13

That jesus was half God half Human- He was both fully God and Fully Human
He was there at creation and so is fully divine and was a man of flesh and blood like any other so is Fully Human.

Question 14

Who rejects the doctrine of the Incarnation

Answer 14

Jews, Muslims and some Christian Denominations like Unitarians as it violates the immutability and transcendence of God.

Question 15

What is the idea of Kenosis

Answer 15

Keno-Greek for ‘to make empty’
Kenotic theology essentialy is that Jesus emptied himself of his Divine nature to allow him to be human so he could be tempted etc.

Question 16

What three things do the Kenotic Emptying consist of.

Answer 16

The ‘Emptying’ consists of a preincarnate self limitation of Jesus, self emptying of his own will and submitting entirely to God, and the indication of Gods will and the ethos of Sacrifice. Divinnity is still ‘Substantially present’ in Jesus.

Question 17

To what extent do the birth narratives not provide insight into the doctrine of incarnation.

Answer 17

Rejecting the virgin birth as Matthew merely quotes from the O.T., where the word Almah can mean Virgin or Young Women, so no explicit Indication. Claiming to be born of Virgin Birth was also not uncommon in 0.A.D. The idea is not unique to Jesus e.g. Egyptian Sun God Ra was also of a Virgin.
Jesus’ Divinity is just a part of the mythology surrounding the Old Testament e.g. stars and angels and so gives little indication to the eactual incarnaiton of Jesus. Bultmann-Accounts should be Dymthologised.

Question 18

To what extent do the birth narratives provide insight into the doctrine of incarnation.

Answer 18

Early Christian writers unlikely to be influenced by Pagan Myths. Both Matthew and Luke corroborate the virgin birth. Paul-Earliest Christians belived in Jesus’ Divinity.
Boils down to debate about entry of God into his creation- if this is possible then virgin brith shouldnt be an obstacle. So it is a matter of faith.

Question 19

Why is redaction criticism important in understanding the birth narratives.

Answer 19

Gospel writers had own thoughts opinions and beliefs- didnt exist to just record information. R.C. helps us to understand the authors purpose e.g. Luke writing for Gentiles- Shed light on Sitz Im leben of writers and communities. Gospels were primarily theological writings, not history.

However, R.C. cannot prove the accounts wewre based off circulating sources from which certain aspects were picked and chosen. It is also not clear the early church would recognise the authors specific theological points. Whether R.C. is accurate depends on both redactor and person studying the redactor. It has limited historical use- more helpful theologically. Redactors own thoughts opinions and agenda- same thing criticising the original writer for.

Question 20

What are the benefits of Redaction Criticism

Answer 20

Resolves the disparities between accounts of Jesus’ Birth. Provides a more nuanced understanding of N.T. texts. Provides insight into ealiest Christian Communities.

Question 21

What are the negatives of Redaction Criticism.

Answer 21

R.C. Focuses more on the historicity of the account- Crossan and Bultmann both belive that the birth narratives are more than what happend in a town in Palestine in 40AD.