Historical Jesus research and relevance in South Africa

Abstract

Original ResearchArticle #154(page number not for citation purposes) HISTORICAL JESUS RESEARCH AND RELEVANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA aBstractA brief review of signifi cant developments in South African historical Jesus research during the past three decades is given. Although historical Jesus investigations are not characteristic or even dominant in South African New Testament scholarship, some of the achievements of the scholars working in this fi eld are not only signifi cant contributions to the discipline but are also of considerable relevance to the challenges facing biblical scholarship in general in the South African context. South African historical Jesus publications show a distinct development from the almost unproblematic application of Jesus' words and actions at the earlier stage to a sophisticated and nuanced juxtaposing and interrelating of modern and ancient settings at the present time. It is suggested that these developments can contribute to the exploration of alternative and appropriate theological discourses.

Posing the historical Jesus question and the goal of African biblical scholarship

“…African biblical scholars have done a lot of works as earlier pointed out. From the South African experience, Botha (2009) revealed that South African biblical scholars have published widely on various topics, and have gained international repute on many terrains, such as modern linguistic approaches to the Greek of the New Testament, discourse analysis (Holgate & Starr 2006:48), study of the Gospel of John, and exegesis of Pauline Letters. The historical Jesus, however, has never been of much interest among South African scholars, despite the efforts of a few talented researchers since the last quarter of the twentieth century.…”

“…Nolan's concern to overcome the divide between (academic) understanding and (practical) relevance becomes an affirmation of that dualism. At the really crucial stages of the presentation, critical analysis and historical probing are left behind and reductionist affirmations are employed (Botha 2009, citing Nolan 1976. Among African scholars, the most pressing challenge at hand is further clarification of the interaction of theology and critical history, especially in the light of the church life and belief.…”

“…Among African scholars, the most pressing challenge at hand is further clarification of the interaction of theology and critical history, especially in the light of the church life and belief. This is why scholars like Botha (2005), Van Aarde (1999 and Craffert (2006;2007) emphasize that a deeper understanding of reality, with a more holistic and complexifying approach to controversies, is unavoidable (Botha, 2009). How does African Scholars and Christians approach the scientific historicity of the Jesus of the New Testament?…”

Metaphors We Teach By: The Language of “Learning Outcomes”

“…10 10 Although he focuses upon research, Botha (2009) illustrates how research has direct and important implications for particular contexts; in his case, that of South Africa. Because of the specific history and issues facing that nation, the nature of historical Jesus research, for example, may be different from similar work being carried out in Canada or in the United States. …”

Grammaties-historiese eksegese: quid est et quo vadis?

“…Comstock, 1986). Botha (2009) se onlangse bydrae oor die waarde van die historiese-Jesusnavorsing, bied, myns insiens, 'n gepaste grens vir die ander kant van die spektrum. Indien die grens na daardie kant oorgesteek word, verval teologie in 'n vorm van rasionalisme.…”