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One of the greatest challenges to understanding the message of Jesus is knowing how to categorize him as a speaker.  When those first audiences gathered, who did they think they were going to hear?   A teacher?  A philosopher?  A political leader?  Or something else?

In this fifth installment in the Next Steps into the Gospels course we examine Jesus’ rhetorical genre and identify him as an “apocalyptic prophet” – one who comes to proclaim God’s word to his people, one with a message that God is bringing the present age to it’s conclusion and ushering in the new era of salvation.

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Much of Jesus’ ministry – and the Gospel descriptions thereof – revolve around his “miracles” (the Gk. word is best translated “works of power”).  But what was their purpose?  Did they simply serve to impress his audience, to demonstrate his might or authority?  Or are they part and parcel of the declaration that “the kingdom of God has come near”?

In this episode we examine Jesus’ healing of a paralyzed man as a window into the larger ministry of salvation – of setting God’s creation right (both physically and judicially).  In particular we explore Jewish expectations – rooted in the Hebrew scriptures – of what salvation would entail, and how Jesus’ fulfills and expands this vision.

Continuing my journey into the world of blogging, I’m setting up a podcast.  Mostly I’ll be loading recordings of courses I teach, but as I get more used to the process I’ll hopefully be able to add some special episodes and perhaps even an interview or two.

Please bear with me as I figure out the technology.  The behind the scenes stuff comes with a whole new vocabulary and a giant set of checkboxes.  I plan to wreak some havoc for a while, so if the internet crashes, you’ll know whom to blame.

First up will be my latest IPC course:  Next Steps into the Gospels.

This is actually an introductory course on the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) trying to understand the message and ministry of Jesus.  If you’ve ever felt as though Jesus is inconsistent, frustrating, or just plain confusing, I think this will help a great deal.

In the course we’ll examine the world of 1st century Judaism into which Jesus’ entered, how to interpret his message of the kingdom of God, his teaching, his use of parables, and his acts of power.  We’ll also look at the crucifixion both historically and theologically and how the church understands the resurrection.

I hope it’s of help!