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Encountering the Historical Jesus

Module description

Jesus, as a historical figure, continues to stir up controversy and debate in scholarly and popular circles. This module will introduce you to a variety of historical methods used within the ‘Quests for the Historical Jesus’ and develop a plausible picture of his life, aims and the movement he led. Beginning with an analysis of the state of the ‘quest’ for the historical Jesus you will then critically examine some of the key New Testament narratives and associated literature, and theological interpretations of the life and teachings of this mysterious Galilean. You will also consider some contemporary receptions of this figure across the world.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The main objective of the module is to provide you with specialised knowledge and critical understanding of the sources, methodologies, and ideological/contextual assumptions which surround the construction of the historical Jesus. An important aim of the seminars and assessments will be evaluation of scholarship on particular aspects of Jesus’ identity, purpose, and mission, and the gradual construction of one’s own picture of the historical Jesus. You will be equipped to understand and interpret a number of different texts, but also how scholarship reflects/responds to/and interacts with not just ancient, but also contemporary socio-political contexts and movements.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the various aims, agendas, sources and methodologies of contemporary historical Jesus scholarD
• 2. Apply diverse historical critical tools to selected New Testament texts and other relevant literature and evidence
• 3. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of diverse interpretive methods and judge the plausibility of various constructions of the historical figure of Jesus

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Demonstrate knowledge of, and critical reflection on, contrasting scholarly and historical perspectives
• 5. Show the ability to make careful use of core methods of historical-critical and social-scientific biblical interpretation

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Communicate clearly and imaginatively in both written and oral form
• 7. Construct logical and lucid arguments using appropriate methods
• 8. Participate appropriately within group work
• 9. Generously engage with methods and people who represent opinions and viewpoints different from your own

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Jesus Inside and Outside the New Testament
• Methodologies, Ideologies, and Scholarship
• Non-Historicity?
• Class, Social-Position, and Marital Status
• John the Baptist; Parables; Miracles; Birth, Death, Resurrection
• Receptions of Historical Jesus
• Jesus of Metropole and Global South

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Helen K. Bond, The Historical Jesus: A Guide for the Perplexed (T&T Clark, 2010). Available as electronic resource:
• https://r1.vlereader.com/Reader?ean=9780567456489
• J. M. Roberton, The Historical Jesus: A Survey of Positions (2016). Available as electronic resource.
• Amy-Jill Levine, Dale Allison, J.D. Crossan, The Historical Jesus in Context (2006). Available as electronic resource:
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7s40q
• P. Botha, ‘Historical Jesus Research and Relevance in South Africa’ HTS (2009) https://www.ajol.info/index.php/hts/article/view/56631

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3863

Key words search

Historical Jesus; New Testament Sources; Messianic/Prophetic Movements; Historical Methodologies/Ideologies; Receptions of Jesus