Types of Social Memory and Historical Jesus Analysis

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Questions and Answers

What does the criterion of double dissimilarity suggest about the sayings attributed to Jesus?

They are likely to be influenced by early Christian traditions.

They are likely authentic if they differ from both the Jewish traditions and early Church. (correct)

They are most likely fabrications of later sources.

They should be viewed as unreliable due to their complexity.

According to the content, what aspect of memory does cultural memory primarily refer to?

Conscious recollections of past events across multiple generations.

Traditions derived from remote past events or mythical origins. (correct)

Individual memories that are reshaped over time.

Memories shared by a small group of individuals.

How does Reimarus's viewpoint of Christianity differ from traditional views of Jesus?

He views Jesus as fundamentally misrepresented by his followers. (correct)

He considers Jesus's aims to be aligned with those of his disciples.

He believes in the miracles attributed to Jesus.

He asserts that Christianity is based on divine revelation.

What does the criterion of multiple attestation imply regarding the attributions to Jesus?

The credibility of an attribution increases with the number of independent sources. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of the Son of Man signify in the context of Jesus's teachings as presented?

A prophetic declaration of Jesus's future suffering and glory. Signup and view all the answers

Which interpretation correctly differentiates between the concepts of 'Kingdom' and 'Kingship' of God?

'Kingdom' refers to a land ruled by a Monarch, while 'Kingship' refers to the authority of the Monarch. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Second Temple Judaism, how is impurity characterized?

Impurity is a ritual requirement that can affect one's status in religious community. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates Jesus' practice of commensality from that of the Pharisees?

Jesus encouraged open invitations, while Pharisees restricted gatherings based on purity. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the relationship between medical knowledge and the perception of miracles in the historical context?

Low medical knowledge led to heightened hope for miracles associated with divine intervention. Signup and view all the answers

How is the concept of marriage described in the context of the covenant between God and Israel?

The allowance of divorce suggests a flexible divine relationship with Israel. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Abba' signify in the context of how Jesus addressed God?

It means father in Aramaic. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the role of the Pharisees in Judea?

They interpreted the Torah to make it accessible to common people. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant characteristic of the Sadducees in relation to their beliefs?

They strictly adhered to the Torah without additional interpretation. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Flavius Josephus and what was his relevance to Judea's history?

He was a Jewish historian who documented the destruction of the Second Temple. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes the historical context of the Dead Sea Scrolls?

They were found in Qumran and are believed to reflect a group distinct from mainstream Judaism. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Collective memory (over 3-4 generations)
- Past is consciously recalled and reshaped
Cultural Memory (remote past)
- Mythical origins
- Past is a given tradition
- Often related to a nation or religion
Social Memory
- Criterion: rule of evidence, argumentation pattern
- Not a guarantee of authenticity

Criteria for Evaluating Historical Jesus

Criterion of Double Dissimilarity:
- If a saying attributed to Jesus is different from both contemporary Jewish traditions and early Church traditions, it is likely from the historical Jesus.
Criterion of Multiple Attestation:
- The more independent sources for an attribution, the more likely it is to be from the historical Jesus.
- Examples: Source-critical and Form-critical analysis
Criterion of Unfulfilled Prophecy:
- If a prediction attributed to Jesus does not come to pass, it is less likely he made the prediction.

Jesus's Title, "Son of Man"

Used in the Gospels to describe Jesus's ministry, present actions on Earth, future sufferings, and a superior force/glory that will come in the future.

Historical Jesus and His Disciples - Classic Authors

Reimarus:
- Argued "Apologia" to disprove Christianity by showing Jesus was not who he was believed to be
- Argued Jesus' disciples' aims differed from his, implying Jesus' mission differed from his disciples'
- Believed Christianity was false, and God did not reveal religion to men.
Lessing:
- Wrote "On the Aims of Jesus and his Disciples"
- Used historical sources to study Jesus.
- Did not believe the Gospels.

Other Historical Jesus Themes

God's Kingship:
- The concept of kingdom is misinterpreted
- Believing God's kingly rule is the correct translation, not the land ruled by a king
- The focus should be on the person of the King, rather than the geopolitical units
Concept of Temple:
- Destruction and recreation of the Temple (potentially refers to the physical structure or Jesus' body)
Purity/Impurity:
- A concept in Second Temple Judaism involving purity and impurity
Commensality:
- The practice of eating and drinking together
- Jesus practiced commensality differently than the Pharisees

Other Important Concepts

Criterion of Developed Language:
- If a tradition shows discomfort with something attributed to Jesus and revises it, suggests it may not be authentic.
Tool of Power:
- Social grouping creates asymmetry. Greater power creates better opportunities.

Miracles

Miracles were greatly affected by medical knowledge and the perception of the miracle-worker as an agent of God.

Abba (Father)

Jesus called God “Abba” (father) in Aramaic
This is consistent with both Jewish and Early Christian thought

Other Concepts

Rabbinic Judaism started after the destruction of the Second Temple (70 AD) and involved priests and Rabbis.
Gentiles: Non-Jews
Flavius Josephus: Notable Jewish historian and scholar who wrote about the destruction of the Second Temple
Judea: Roman province encompassing Israel and Palestine.
John the Baptist: executed by Herod Antipas, baptized Jews.
Jesus:
interested in marriage laws, but was executed for criticizing the King's marriage.
May have been claiming Messiahship, but was not perceived as "the" Messiah in some traditions.
The Twelve and small group of disciples surrounding Jesus

Q Source Hypothesis

Q was a hypothetical source that Mark and Luke both used while writing the Gospels, which contained sayings of Jesus.

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Description

This quiz explores different types of social memory, including collective and cultural memory, and how they relate to historical understandings of Jesus. Additionally, it examines the criteria for evaluating the authenticity of Jesus's sayings and the implications of these criteria. Test your knowledge on these fascinating concepts!