John Dominic Crossan’s views on Jesus’s Resurrection

 

John Dominic Crossan’s views on Jesus’s Resurrection

Could you summarise what John Dominic Crossan has to say about the historicity of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection based on his books "Who Killed Jesus" and “The Birth of Christianity”?

I am thinking particularly of Crossan's use of the Gospel of Peter; what Crossan terms the "Cross Gospel"; and the way he sees the Passion and Resurrection narrative very much as the synthesis of Old Testament exegesis and the interpretation of prophecy there.

So in summary, what does Crossan think is the historical development of the Resurrection narrative as found in the New Testament gospels, particularly Mark, based on earlier sources and the motivations of the early (predominantly Jewish) Christian movement?

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ChatGPT:

John Dominic Crossan, in works like "Who Killed Jesus?", offers a critical examination of the crucifixion and resurrection narratives, situating them within the historical and theological context of the early Christian movement. His analysis challenges traditional understandings by focusing on how these narratives evolved from earlier sources and were shaped by theological and political motivations.

Crucifixion and the Cross Gospel

The Crucifixion's Historicity: Crossan asserts that Jesus’s crucifixion is one of the most historically certain aspects of his life, largely because of its improbability as a fabricated event. A crucified Messiah was a scandalous and counterintuitive claim, making it unlikely to be invented by early Christians. There are also non-Christian accounts of the event.

The Cross Gospel: Crossan hypothesizes the existence of a pre-Gospel source he calls the Cross Gospel, embedded within the apocryphal Gospel of Peter. He suggests this source predates the canonical Gospels and forms the backbone of the Passion narrative. According to Crossan, the Cross Gospel provided a highly dramatized and interpretive account of Jesus’s death, emphasizing divine vindication and Old Testament fulfillment.

Old Testament Exegesis and Prophecy: Crossan argues that much of the Passion narrative was constructed as a theological synthesis of Old Testament prophecies, especially from Isaiah, the Psalms, and Zechariah. The suffering servant, the righteous one vindicated by God, and the imagery of the pierced figure provided a scriptural framework that early Christians retroactively applied to Jesus’s death.

Development of the Resurrection Narrative

Resurrection as Theological Symbolism: Crossan views the Resurrection narratives as theological affirmations rather than historical descriptions. He contends that the earliest followers of Jesus experienced profound spiritual and communal transformations after his death, which they articulated through their religious tradition of resurrection-theology.

Mark’s Gospel and the Empty Tomb: In Mark, the earliest canonical Gospel, the Resurrection narrative culminates in an empty tomb, but with no post-resurrection appearances of Jesus (the 'longer version' is not original). Crossan interprets the empty tomb as a symbolic story emphasizing divine vindication rather than a literal, historical event. He suggests that Mark constructed this narrative using scriptural motifs, particularly from Daniel and Isaiah, to affirm that God had not abandoned Jesus.

Progressive Development of the Resurrection Appearances: Crossan traces the growth of the Resurrection appearances through the Gospels. In Matthew and Luke, these appearances become more detailed and physical, culminating in the highly dramatized and theological portrayal in John. He argues that these narratives reflect the needs of different early Christian communities to articulate and defend their faith in Jesus’s victory over death.

Motivations of the Early Christian Movement

Apocalyptic Expectations: Early Christians, including Jesus himself, were steeped in Jewish apocalyptic thought, anticipating God’s imminent intervention to establish justice. The Resurrection narrative served as a declaration that this intervention had begun through Jesus.

Vindication of Jesus and the Movement: For Crossan, the Passion and Resurrection narratives sought to vindicate Jesus as the Messiah despite his shameful death. These stories assured followers that his mission and message were divinely endorsed, countering Roman and Jewish critiques.

Unifying a Diverse Movement: The Resurrection became a central theological claim that united diverse Christian groups. By emphasizing Jesus’s triumph over death, it provided a compelling foundation for the movement’s growth and sustained hope in periods of repression.

Conclusion

Crossan’s reconstruction of the historical development of the Resurrection narrative highlights its roots in Old Testament exegesis, early Christian theology, and the socio-political context of a persecuted movement. He sees these narratives not as straightforward historical accounts but as theologically rich creations designed to articulate the significance of Jesus’s life, death, and the transformative impact he had on his followers.

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