3 Stages of Tradition

1. 3 Stages of Tradition

2. I. Jesus’ Life in Palestine

3. I. Stage of Jesus’ life in Palestine • Oral tradition in non-literate and semi-literate societies • Words and Deeds of Jesus, this is where the gospels evolved

4. Words • Gospel = (old English) godspel which means “good news” • (Greek) euangelion = good news of salvation = proclamation of salvation

5. The good news which Jesus himself preached • Ex. Mk 1: 14-15 • The apostolic preaching about Jesus Christ and the salvation which is found in him • Ex. Acts 15:7 • Jesus Christ as the good news (Mk 1:1)

6. Evangelist • gospel = activity of the preacher • Preacher not a writer until 2nd century when a shift in meaning to the written word

7. Deeds • Revelation – in a given moment, God makes something known to the people or to a person • Revelation by deeds: • God’s historical revelation is first of all a revelation in action, ex. Miracles and praxis • Words and Deeds into one revelation – Jesus

8. Jesus as a jew, a man of his time

9. Is Jesus a Christian? • Jesus’ language • Socio-economic and political context • Cultural background • Contemporary world view

10. 1. Language • Aramaic • They spoke in extremes, in opposites. • Ex. “many are called, but few are chosen.” (Mt. 22:14)

11. 2. Socio-Economic & Political Context • Most belligerent and turbulent centuries in Jewish history • Unrest because of Roman occupation • Occupation by foreign troops • Class conflicts which included anti-clericalism • Social banditry • Religious fanaticism

12. Revolutionary prophets and messianic pretenders • Strife between the various factions of revolutionaries • Taxation by the Romans and Herod and his successors • Bitter hostility between Jews and Samaritans

13. 3. Cultural Background • All areas are intertwined • Dominantly village and peasant ethos • Elites – Herodian aristocracy within Antipas territory • Jerusalem priestly ascendacy with religious and secular • Greek culture and development of market versus “little tradition” (traditional local culture)

14. 4. Contemporary World view • Pre-Copernicus and Galilei • God created the world by putting order into chaos • Earth – flat with dome on 4 pillars

15. Jesus was misunderstood

16. 2 types of misunderstanding • Information does not correctly reach the person for whom it is intended • When people are not ready for the challenge contained in what they are told

17. Jesus was misunderstood • Masses • Opponents • Relatives including his mother (Mk. 3:20-21, 31-35; Lk 18:34) • A new understanding • After and in the light of the Easter experience: Easter, Ascension and Pentecost • Role of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:1 - 16:33) Jn 14:25-26 and 16:12-13 • Deeper understanding and in hindsight Ex. Mt 17:9, Jn 2:22, Jn 12:16

18. II. Early Christian Communities

19. Jesus prepared his disciples • He appointed the 12 (Mk. 3:14) • To be with him • To be sent out to preach • To do what he has been doing • Teaching (Mt 5:1 – 7:29) – Sermon at the mount • Healing the sick • Mt 28: 19-20 • Acts 1:8

20. The first Christian Community Acts 2 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.  41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

21. Life of the community Revolves around the ff: • Apostles’ teaching • Fellowship • Breaking of the bread • Prayer

22. 2 Poles of the Community • Elements which promote unity • Common convictions • Common belliefs • Common goals • Agreement on the way tio reach the goals • Elements which bring about diversity:Variety of tasks and responsibilities: • preachers (kerygma) • instruction and encouragement to newly baptized (catechesis and paraenesis) • Defending the beliefs and practices against accusations and attacks from the outside (apologetics and polemics)