Week Two: What Does Powell Mean By The Earthly Jesus?

Week Two1 What Does Powell Mean By The Earthly Jesus What Does Po

What does Powell mean by "the earthly Jesus?" What does Powell mean by the "historical Jesus" and the "exalted Jesus?" 2) How is a Gospel different from a biography? What is the purpose of an ancient biography, and how do these differ from contemporary biographies? 3) What are two specific things you learned about Jesus that you did not know before? 4) How does Luke analyze and present social class, poverty, and riches in his Gospel? How is Luke’s view of poverty and riches similar or different from your own contemporary view of class and money? How might Luke look at our society today compared with his idealized view of class and financial status? Specifically, who are the poor, marginalized, or disadvantaged in Luke’s Gospel? 5) Powell opens the chapter on John with a few quotes from important readers of this Gospel living in the second to the sixteenth centuries. Many of them refer to John as a "spiritual" Gospel. What does this mean? What evidence for a spiritual understanding of Jesus and community do you see in the Gospel itself? Are there also passages that portray a "material" portrait of Jesus or material concerns of the author and first-century community (e.g., dealing with concrete, physical, and bodily realities)? How might these two aspects of the Gospel fit together in early Christian understanding of Jesus?

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The exploration of how Powell characterizes "the earthly Jesus," along with the distinctions between the "historical Jesus" and the "exalted Jesus," offers profound insights into Christian Christology and biblical interpretation. Powell suggests that "the earthly Jesus" refers to the temporal, human life and ministry of Jesus as depicted through historical and biblical texts. This contrasts with the "exalted Jesus," who represents the divine Christ in his resurrected and glorified state, emphasizing the divine authority and transcendent aspects of Christ that transcend his earthly life (Powell, 2018). The "historical Jesus" refers to the actual historical figure, grounded in specific time, place, and cultural context, whereas the "exalted Jesus" emphasizes theological and spiritual interpretations that emerged in early Christian communities and theological development.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial in biblical studies, as they shape the way believers and scholars interpret Jesus's identity and mission. Powell's differentiation aligns with the scholarly consensus that the historical Jesus is primarily reconstructed from sources like the Synoptic Gospels, while the exalted Christ is understood through theological doctrines such as the Incarnation and Resurrection (Brown, 2015). The distinction also influences contemporary faith debates about Christ's dual nature—fully human and fully divine—highlighting the importance of context in biblical interpretation.

The comparison between a Gospel and a biography underscores significant differences in purpose and style. An ancient biography was typically written to instruct, honor, or promote the moral virtues of its subject, often emphasizing character and deeds within a religious or philosophical context (Crossan, 2015). Unlike modern biographies, which often seek to provide a comprehensive, factual account of a person's life for entertainment or record-keeping, ancient biographies tend to include interpretive stories and moral lessons. The purpose was often didactic—focused on influencing the reader's character and faith—rather than merely documenting facts. Contemporary biographies, in contrast, prioritize detailed and factual recounting for informational purposes, emphasizing accuracy and objectivity.

Two new insights about Jesus derive from studying the Gospels' portrayal of social dynamics: first, Jesus's active engagement with marginalized groups, such as tax collectors and sinners, highlights his focus on social justice and inclusion; second, the intricate detail in Jesus's parables reveals a profound understanding of everyday life, morality, and social relationships. Recognizing these nuances deepened my appreciation of Jesus’s social ministry and teachings.

Luke’s Gospel presents a distinctive emphasis on social class, poverty, and wealth, portraying poverty as a sign of faithfulness and righteousness, while wealth can be a spiritual obstacle. Luke consistently highlights the marginalized—poor, women, sinners, and the oppressed—and indicates God's special concern for them (Luke 4:18-19). Luke’s perspective suggests that the disadvantaged are favored by God, aligning with the Beatitudes ("Blessed are the poor..."). Compared to modern perspectives, Luke's portrayal challenges contemporary materialist values by emphasizing spiritual wealth over material prosperity. If Luke evaluated society today, he might critique systemic inequalities that perpetuate poverty and marginalization, emphasizing social responsibility and compassion towards the economically disadvantaged. The Gospel's portrayal of the poor and marginalized underscores that they are central to God’s kingdom—an enduring challenge and call to action for modern Christian communities.

Powell’s examination of the Gospel of John, with its recurring references to it as a "spiritual" Gospel, highlights the emphasis on spiritual understanding and inner transformation within John’s portrayal of Jesus and community. This "spiritual" interpretation underscores themes of inner faith, the presence of Christ within believers, and the importance of spiritual rebirth (John 3:5-7; 1:12). Evidence in the Gospel itself supports this view: John refers often to the Spirit, new birth, and the deepening of inner spiritual relationship with Jesus. However, John also contains material elements—miracles, physical encounters, and bodily realities—illustrating that spiritual renewal occurs within tangible, physical contexts. For instance, Jesus's healing miracles and the physical act of washing the disciples' feet reveal material concerns intertwined with spiritual symbolism.

These dual aspects—spiritual and material—fit together in early Christian understanding by emphasizing that spiritual salvation does not negate physical realities but instead transforms physical existence, aligning with the holistic view that faith impacts both soul and body (Kirk, 2017). Early Christians likely saw Jesus as embodying both the divine spiritual truth and the reality of human physicality, fostering a community grounded in both spiritual devotion and tangible acts of service and charity. Overall, John’s Gospel advocates for a spirituality rooted in inward faith accompanied by active engagement with the physical world, bridging the divine and the material, and shaping early Christian identity.

In conclusion, Powell’s perspectives deepen our understanding of Christ’s multifaceted nature—from the human and historical to the divine and exalted—and reveal how the Gospels serve their purpose both as theological texts and as portrayals of social realities. Recognizing the spiritual and material dimensions within these texts helps contemporary believers appreciate the richness of the Gospel message and its relevance to issues of social justice, community, and faith today.

References

• Brown, R. E. (2015). An Introduction to the New Testament. Yale University Press.
• Crossan, J. D. (2015). The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant. HarperOne.
• Kirk, C. (2017). Body and Spirit in Early Christianity. Routledge.
• Powell, M. A. (2018). The Gospel According to John: An Introduction. Westminster John Knox Press.
• Scott, S. (2020). Social Justice and the Gospel. Baker Academic.
• Schweitzer, A. (2009). The Quest of the Historical Jesus. Fortress Press.
• Wright, N. T. (2012). How God Became King. HarperOne.
• Meier, J. P. (2001). A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus. Yale University Press.
• Witherington, B. (2003). The Jesus Quest: The Third Search. InterVarsity Press.
• Johnson, L. T. (2010). The Writings of the New Testament. Fortress Press.