Scholars who question the historicity of Jesus’ baptism and why they “do not persuade”

I was struck by a sentence by Dale C. Allison in his Constructing Jesus that began as follows: Indeed, Jesus seems to have submitted to John’s baptism. . . . (p. 53) Only “seems”? I did not know that any theologian and biblical scholar who accepted the historical reality of Jesus doubted it. So catch … Continue reading “Scholars who question the historicity of Jesus’ baptism and why they “do not persuade””


Response 3: that Jesus’ baptism implies historicity

Continued from Response (2): the Bethlehem-Nazareth fallacies . (iii) he was baptised by John This is another of those awkward elements. Mark and Luke tell a story about Jesus going with other people to be cleansed of their sins by being baptised by John. But this story clearly caused problems for early Christians, as it … Continue reading “Response 3: that Jesus’ baptism implies historicity”


The Gospel of Mark’s Jesus as a Fearful – yet Merciful – God

In the previous post I tried to explain my startled response when, many years ago, I first read the Gospel of Mark in a translation that muffled familiar associations with the other gospels. I recall being left with a feeling of some horror, of a Jesus who was certainly not a human-loveable Lukan figure welcoming … Continue reading “The Gospel of Mark’s Jesus as a Fearful – yet Merciful – God”


§ 7. Jesus in Samaria

Critique of the Gospel of John by Bruno Bauer —o0o— 126 § 7. Jesus in Samaria. 4:1-42. ————– 1) Reason for the departure from Judea. 4:1-3. When Jesus leaves Judea and goes to Galilee, according to the view of the evangelist, it is always for a special reason; this time it happens because the Pharisees … Continue reading “§ 7. Jesus in Samaria”


§ 6. The collision of the baptism of Jesus with that of John

Critique of the Gospel of John by Bruno Bauer —o0o— 106 §6. The collision of the baptism of Jesus with that of John. 3:22-36. ———– 1) The jealousy of John’s disciples 3:22-26. As if he were only in his place in Judea, Jesus, when he leaves Jerusalem, goes into the open country and travels around … Continue reading “§ 6. The collision of the baptism of Jesus with that of John”


§ 5. Jesus and Nicodemus

Critique of the Gospel of John by Bruno Bauer —o0o— 83 § 5. Jesus and Nicodemus. 2:23 – 3:21 ————— 1) The behaviour of Jesus against the miracle believers. 2:23-25 Through the signs that Jesus performed during the Passover many were brought to faith; but, the report adds, the Lord did not confide in these … Continue reading “§ 5. Jesus and Nicodemus”


§ 13. The Baptism of Jesus

Critique of the Gospel History of the Synoptics by Bruno Bauer Volume 1 —o0o— 182 § 13. The Baptism of Jesus. 1. The Time. “In those days,” says Mark (C. 1,6.), namely in those days when the Baptist was working in the manner described, Jesus of Nazareth came and was baptized. However, the context has … Continue reading “§ 13. The Baptism of Jesus”


Jesus’ Unheroic Moment in Gethsemane – and a return to Vridar/Vardis Fisher

Some regular readers will know that I am in the process of translating Bruno Bauer’s criticism of the gospels (scandalous in his time!) into English. I recently completed his discussion of Jesus “soul struggle” in Gethsemane and thought one of his observations worth bringing to more general notice here. In sum, Bauer notes that heroic … Continue reading “Jesus’ Unheroic Moment in Gethsemane – and a return to Vridar/Vardis Fisher”