Jesus Christ in World History.pdf

Studien zur interkulturellen Geschichte des Christentums / Etudes d'histoire interculturelle du christianisme / Studies in the Intercultural History of Christianity 149

Jesus Christ in World History

His Presence and Representation in Cyclical and Linear Settings- With the Assistance of Robert T. Coote

Bearbeitet von Jan A.B. Jongeneel

1. Auflage 2009. Buch. XII, 453 S. Hardcover ISBN 978 3 631 59688 3 Format (B x L): 14,8 x 21 cm Gewicht: 700 g

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Contents Foreword and Acknowledgments

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1

Perceptions and Receptions of Jesus Christ Methodological reflections Overview of presentation

1 4 5

2

World History, World Religions, and Worldviews Outlining world history Surveying world history From oral traditions to scripts and alphabets From incidental truth-findings to complete belief systems From Roman Empire to corpus Christianum and corpus Islamicum From Western to worldwide orientation Transformation through globalization History in the perspective of world religions and worldviews Linear versus cyclical views Immanent versus transcendent views Final observations

9 9 11 11 13 19 21 23 26 26 31 32

3

Messianic Expectations and Beliefs before the Common Era Messianic expectations and beliefs outside Israel Ancient civilizations Jaspers’s axial period Roman empire Messianic expectations and beliefs in Israel The terms “Messiah” and “Christ” Anointed people in Israel Political messianism Spiritual messianism Apocalyptic messianism Final observations

34 35 35 36 37 38 39 39 40 42 46 48

4

Jesus, the Messiah/Christ Sources of our knowledge Jewish sources Greco-Roman sources Christian sources Jesus’ life and work Baptism and communion with God Public ministry Cross Resurrection Jesus’ identity

51 51 52 53 54 59 60 61 65 66 68

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5

6

7

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Jesus’ self-determination Christology of the apostles and evangelists Final observations

69 74 76

From the Birth of Christianity to the Rise of Islam Cyclical worldviews Primal societies Eastern societies with sacred texts Linear worldviews preceding Christianity Zoroastrians Jews Linear worldview of Gentile Christianity Development of the Christian faith Encounter with traditional philosophers, mystery religions, Gnosticism, and Manichaeism Developments in understanding time and Christ Advance of the linear view of history Presence and representations of Jesus Christ

78 79 79 80 81 82 82 86 87 94 102 103 105

From the Rise of Islam to the Discovery of New Worlds Cyclical worldviews Primal societies Eastern societies with sacred texts Western societies: The Buddha and astrology Linear worldviews Zorastrians Jews Christians and the corpus Christianum Muslims and the corpus Islamicum Developments in understanding time and Christ Advances in linear worldviews following Muhammad Presence and representations of Jesus Christ vis-à-vis emerging Islam

108 109 109 110 115 115 116 116 119 126 137 137

From the Discovery of New Worlds to the French Revolution Cyclical worldviews Primal societies Eastern societies with sacred texts Western societies under classical Greek influences Religious linear worldviews Jews Christians Muslims Secular linear worldviews Deists and atheists

142 143 143 146 152 154 154 157 166 168 168

139

8

9

Empiricists, historians, and scholars of comparative religions Rationalists and idealists Impact of French Revolution Christian polemics and apologetics Developments in understanding time and Christ Extension of the linear worldview in the age of emerging secularism Presence and representations of Jesus Christ vis-à-vis emerging secularism

170 175 176 177 178

From the French Revolution to World War I Cyclical worldviews Primal societies Eastern societies with sacred texts Eastern influences in Western societies Religious linear worldviews Jews Christians Muslims Secular linear worldviews and the Christian response Philosophers, scientists, and scholars of comparative religion Religious pluralists Christian apologetics Developments in understanding time and Christ Linear views challenged by the renaissance of the East Presence and representations of Jesus Christ vis-à-vis the renaissance of the East

185 186 186 188 198 204 204 206 213 216 216 219 220 221 221

From World War I to the End of World War II Cyclical worldviews Primal societies Eastern societies with sacred texts Eastern influences in Western societies Religious linear worldviews Jews Christians Muslims Secular linear worldviews and ideologies Worldviews Ideologies Christian apologetics Developments in understanding time and Christ Linear views challenged by emerging ideologies Presence and representations of Jesus Christ vis-à-vis ideologies

225 226 226 228 234 237 237 242 248 251 251 254 261 262 263 264

179 181

222

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10 From the End of World War II to the Present Cyclical worldviews Primal societies Eastern societies with sacred texts Eastern influences in Western societies Religious linear worldviews Jews Christians Muslims Linearly oriented new religious movements Secular linear worldviews and the Christian response United Nations Worldviews Marxism/communism Christian apologetics Developments in understanding time and Christ Cyclical and linear views in a globalizing world Presence and representations of Jesus Christ in a globalizing world

266 267 267 269 277 283 283 289 299 303 304 304 304 306 308 310 310

11 Messianic Expectations and Beliefs in the Wake of Jesus Christ Messianic figures and movements in cyclical contexts Primal societies Hinduism Buddhism China Japan New religious movements in the West Jesus Christ vis-à-vis cyclically oriented messianianism Messianic figures and movements in linear contexts Judaism Christianity Movements influenced by Christianity Islam Secular worldviews and ideologies Jesus Christ vis-à-vis linearly oriented messianism Black and female messianic figures and movements Black messianic figures and movements Feminist messianism Jesus Christ vis-à-vis black and feminist messianism Messiah Jesus and politics, spirituality, and apocalyptism Jesus Christ and political messianism Jesus Christ and spiritual messianism

315 316 316 319 321 322 323 325 326 328 329 332 338 339 342 344 345 345 348 350 350 351 352

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311

Jesus Christ and apocalyptic messianism

353

12 Presence and Representations of Jesus Christ in World History Presence of Jesus Christ Contemporary presence: Transformative power Future presence: Finalizing power Past presence: Initiative power Seminal presence: Cosmic power Representations of Jesus Christ Representation by words Representation by deeds Representation by suffering Representation by resurgence

355 356 358 361 364 368 370 371 373 375 377

Epilogue: The Axial Significance of Jesus Christ Personality: From the cosmic law to a personal God Originality: Jesus as the Messiah/Christ of Israel and the nations Finality: Newness and the judgment of history Normativity: From fear to gracious freedom

379 380 382 383 385

Appendix: Napoleon’s purported musings regarding Jesus Christ Bibliography General Special Index of Persons Index of Subjects

389 391 427 434 445

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