The Method and Message of Jesus' Teachings

by Stein, Robert H.

• ISBN13: 9780664255138
• ISBN10: 0664255132
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-01-01
• Publisher: INGRAM

Summary

This useful and practical book provides the college student, seminarian, church study group, and interested lay person with a much-needed introductory guide on the "how" (method) and the "what" (message) of Jesus' teachings. In this revised edition, Robert Stein updates his classic work, adds a new bibliography, and introduces use of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, bringing this important text to a new generation of students.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Revised Edition	xi
Preface to the First Edition	xiii
Abbreviations	xv
Jesus the Teacher	1	(6)
Jesus the Sage	2	(1)
Jesus the Prophet	3	(1)
The Language of Jesus	4	(3)
The Form of Jesus' Teaching	7	(26)
Overstatement	8	(3)
Hyperbole	11	(1)
Pun	12	(2)
Simile	14	(1)
Metaphor	15	(2)
Proverb	17	(1)
Riddle	18	(1)
Paradox	19	(1)
A Fortiori	20	(1)
Irony	21	(2)
The Use of Questions	23	(2)
Parabolic or Figurative Actions	25	(1)
Poetry	26	(6)
Synonymous Parallelism	27	(1)
Antithetical Parallelism	28	(1)
Synthetic Parallelism	28	(1)
Step or Climactic Parallelism	29	(1)
Chiasmic Parallelism	30	(2)
Conclusion	32	(1)
The Parables of Jesus	33	(27)
The Definition of a Parable	33	(5)
Jesus' Use of Parables	38	(3)
The Source of the Material for Jesus' Parables	41	(1)
The Authenticity of the Parables	42	(2)
The Interpretation of the Parables	44	(11)
The Early Church Fathers (to 540)	44	(3)
The Middle Ages (540-1500)	47	(1)
The Reformation and Post-Reformation Period (1500-1888)	48	(2)
The Modern Period (1888 to the Present)	50	(5)
Some Examples in Interpreting the Parables	55	(5)
The Content of Jesus' Teaching: The Kingdom of God	60	(22)
The Relationship of the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven	61	(4)
The Main Schools of Interpretation	65	(4)
The Political School	66	(1)
The Noneschatological School	66	(1)
The ``Consistent'' Eschatological School	67	(2)
The ``Realized'' Eschatological School	69	(1)
The Biblical Data	69	(7)
The Kingdom of God as a Present Reality	69	(5)
The Kingdom of God as a Future Reality	74	(2)
The Kingdom of God-A Present Reality and a Future Inheritance	76	(6)
The Content of Jesus' Teaching: The Fatherhood of God	82	(8)
The Description of God as Father before Jesus	82	(1)
The Uniqueness of the Title ``Father'' for God in the Teachings of Jesus	83	(3)
The Significance of the Title ``Father'' in the Teachings of Jesus	86	(3)
Conclusion	89	(1)
The Content of Jesus' Teaching: The Ethics of the Kingdom	90	(25)
Various Attempts to Interpret the Ethical Teachings of Jesus	91	(8)
The ``Catholic'' Interpretation	92	(1)
The ``Utopian'' Interpretation	93	(2)
The ``Lutheran'' Interpretation	95	(1)
The ``Liberal'' Interpretation	96	(1)
The ``Interim Ethic'' Interpretation	97	(1)
The ``Existentialist'' Interpretation	98	(1)
The Biblical Data	99	(10)
The Prerequisite for Entering the Kingdom of God	99	(2)
The Need for a New Attitude	101	(2)
The Love Command	103	(2)
The Place of the Law	105	(3)
Grace and Reward in Jesus Teaching	108	(1)
A Summary of the Ethical Teachings of Jesus	109	(3)
The Originality of Jesus' Ethical Teachings	112	(3)
The Content of Jesus' Teaching: Christology	115	(38)
The Actions of Jesus	115	(4)
The Unique Authority of Jesus	116	(1)
The Assumption of Divine Prerogatives by Jesus	117	(2)
Jesus' Authority over the Sabbath	119	(1)
The Words of Jesus	119	(5)
The Authority of Jesus over the Law	120	(1)
Jesus' Use of Amen	121	(1)
The ``Totalitarian'' Claims of Jesus	122	(1)
Jesus' Comparison of Himself with the Old Testament Saints	123	(1)
The Titles of Jesus	124	(27)
Messiah	124	(7)
Son or Son of God	131	(4)
Son of Man	135	(1)
Background	136	(3)
The Use of the Title ``Son of Man'' in the Gospels	139	(6)
A Suggested Resolution	145	(1)
The Authenticity of the Son of Man Savings	146	(4)
The Meaning of the Title ``Son of Man'' for Jesus	150	(1)
Conclusion	151	(2)
Notes	153	(32)
Index of References	185	(14)
Index of Authors and Subjects	199