I think the notion of those behind the gospels needing to only maintain a level of verisimilitude would probably need to be expanded on a bit before it is not seen as damaging to faith.
I'd wager that many in the pews would accept such a view if qualified by the addition that such verisimilitude was at least somewhat attached to a substructure of actual events/teachings and their meaning - and not simply an escape hatch for whole cloth literary invention.
I suppose it all depends on what exactly one takes to be the necessary conditions for faith. For a theologian like Rudolf Bultmann, the ‘Dasness’ of Jesus was enough; ‘that’ there was such a figure! For most of us, we would like a little more, but I suspect (to take one example) if it was more widely known that the Fourth Gospel departs at times quite significantly from history, this wouldn’t bother most Churchgoers (for whom the text could still present an inspired reflection on the person of Christ.)
I sure am. There’s so much to discover. And I love how you manage to balance sharing the scholarly insights while still maintaining a respectful tone to let each person make the final decision on how to let the facts inform their beliefs. Something I aspire bringing back into my community. And probably why I can’t get enough listening and reading Dale Alison whom I find incarnate this approach excellent 👌🏼
Yes please regarding the Podcast!
I think the notion of those behind the gospels needing to only maintain a level of verisimilitude would probably need to be expanded on a bit before it is not seen as damaging to faith.
I'd wager that many in the pews would accept such a view if qualified by the addition that such verisimilitude was at least somewhat attached to a substructure of actual events/teachings and their meaning - and not simply an escape hatch for whole cloth literary invention.
What do you think?
I suppose it all depends on what exactly one takes to be the necessary conditions for faith. For a theologian like Rudolf Bultmann, the ‘Dasness’ of Jesus was enough; ‘that’ there was such a figure! For most of us, we would like a little more, but I suspect (to take one example) if it was more widely known that the Fourth Gospel departs at times quite significantly from history, this wouldn’t bother most Churchgoers (for whom the text could still present an inspired reflection on the person of Christ.)
This is great! Concise and clear. Love it 🙏🏼
Thanks very much, Simon. I hope you're enjoying the journey of biblical studies!
I sure am. There’s so much to discover. And I love how you manage to balance sharing the scholarly insights while still maintaining a respectful tone to let each person make the final decision on how to let the facts inform their beliefs. Something I aspire bringing back into my community. And probably why I can’t get enough listening and reading Dale Alison whom I find incarnate this approach excellent 👌🏼
Yes please regarding the Podcast!