Jesus of Nazareth as the (Apocalyptic) Prophet-Storyteller-Coach-Redeemer Following Jesus Christ beyond radical criticism’s point of view Section Special Report

Abstract

The study of Jesus of Nazareth has long been a topic subjected for intense
debates for competing interpretations, often polarized between traditional
faith perspectives and radical critical approaches (Deines, 2006; Howard
Marshall, 1967, 1977, 2004). This article proposes a methodology for
historical research on Jesus that transcends the limitations of radical
criticism, which frequently reduces Jesus to a mere social revolutionary,
rebel rabbi, or political zealot. By focusing on Jesus as the (Apocalyptic) Prophet-Storyteller-Coach-Redeemer, we aim to draw a nuanced portrait that
acknowledges the historical context while remaining faithful to the basic
tenets of Christian belief (Hwang, 2001, 2024). In this connection it can be
said that the hypothesis of Jesus as an Apocalyptic Prophet was first
proposed by A. Schweitzer. This aforementioned approach emphasizes
Jesus’s prophetic pronouncements, His use of parables as transformative
teaching tools, His role as a spiritual coach guiding disciples, and His
ultimate redemptive purpose. This article argues that a careful examination
of the Gospels, informed by historical and cultural context but guided by a
faith-informed hermeneutic, allows for a robust and enriching
understanding of Jesus without succumbing to the reductionist tendencies
of radical criticism.