The Consciousness of the Historical Jesus: Historiography, Theology, and Metaphysics

Austin Stevenson contends that the difficulty for historians is not Jesus' divinity but his humanity, and that theologians and historians frequently have different answers to the question of what it means to be human. This book proposes a new path to reconcile these disciplines by focusing on human knowledge and subjectivity, challenging the normative metaphysical assumptions in Jesus scholarship, and opening up possibilities for historical approaches to Jesus that are not naturalistic.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Austin Stevenson contends in his book that it is not Jesus' divinity that poses challenges for historians, but rather his humanity. To assert that Jesus was fully human, as both theologians and historians do, raises the question of what it means to be human. It turns out that theologians and historians often have different answers to this question on both a philosophical and theological level. Furthermore, historians frequently misunderstand the historiographical implications of classical Christology, leading to the compatibility between traditional beliefs about Jesus and critical historical inquiry.

To address these challenges, this book takes a fresh approach by engaging closely with the thought of Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225–74). By focusing on human knowledge and subjectivity, which are central issues in both historical method and Christology, the book offers a new path toward reconciling these disciplines. By interrogating and challenging the normative metaphysical assumptions prevalent in Jesus scholarship, a range of possibilities is opened up for approaches to Jesus that are genuinely historical, but not naturalistic.

In the first chapter, Stevenson explores the historical significance of Jesus' humanity, arguing that it is not just a matter of historical fact but also a matter of theological significance. He challenges the traditional view that Jesus' divinity and humanity are separate entities, suggesting that they are interrelated and that understanding Jesus' humanity is essential for understanding his divinity.

The second chapter examines the philosophical implications of Jesus' humanity, particularly in relation to the concept of knowledge and subjectivity. Stevenson argues that traditional approaches to Jesus scholarship have been overly influenced by metaphysical assumptions that are not compatible with historical inquiry. He proposes a new approach that emphasizes human knowledge and subjectivity, which can provide a more accurate understanding of Jesus and his historical context.

In the third chapter, Stevenson explores the historiographical implications of classical Christology, particularly in relation to the question of the compatibility between traditional beliefs about Jesus and critical historical inquiry. He argues that historians often misunderstand the historical significance of classical Christology and that it can be used to support historical claims about Jesus. However, he also suggests that classical Christology can be used to challenge traditional beliefs about Jesus and to encourage critical historical inquiry.

In the fourth chapter, Stevenson examines the relationship between human knowledge and subjectivity and the historical study of Jesus. He argues that human knowledge and subjectivity are essential for understanding the historical Jesus, but that they also pose challenges for historical inquiry. He proposes a new approach to the study of Jesus that emphasizes the role of human knowledge and subjectivity while also recognizing the limitations of historical inquiry.

In the fifth chapter, Stevenson explores the possibility of a genuinely historical approach to Jesus that is not naturalistic. He argues that traditional approaches to Jesus scholarship have been overly influenced by naturalistic assumptions that are not compatible with historical inquiry. He proposes a new approach that emphasizes the role of human agency and intentionality in the historical study of Jesus, while also recognizing the limitations of historical inquiry.

In the conclusion, Stevenson summarizes the key points of the book and suggests that a genuinely historical approach to Jesus requires a combination of human knowledge and subjectivity, a critical understanding of classical Christology, and a recognition of the limitations of historical inquiry. He argues that by adopting this approach, historians can gain a deeper understanding of Jesus and his historical context, while also contributing to the ongoing dialogue between theology and history.

In conclusion, Austin Stevenson's book offers a fresh and innovative approach to the study of Jesus by focusing on his humanity and the challenges it poses for historians and theologians. By engaging closely with the thought of Thomas Aquinas, the book provides a new path toward the reconciliation of these disciplines by emphasizing human knowledge and subjectivity. Through a critical examination of traditional assumptions and a recognition of the limitations of historical inquiry, the book opens up a range of possibilities for approaches to Jesus that are genuinely historical, but not naturalistic. By adopting this approach, historians can gain a deeper understanding of Jesus and his historical context, while also contributing to the ongoing dialogue between theology and history.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780567714398