The Significance for Christology of the Quest of the Historical Jesus

1. Introduction
The primary and the significant question in Christology is ‘Who is Jesus’. This fundamental question is a starting point when the scholars and theologians explore and investigate the identity of Jesus of Nazareth. The questions surrounding his divinity, death and resurrection have all been part of this scholarship. The quest for learning and comprehending more about the Jewish man who lived two thousand years ago in the regions of Galilee, and whose life and faith have changed humanity in a way that nobody has ever done, is very important for Christians.

Understanding and knowing the historical Jesus, the culture and traditions in which he lived and more significantly the Jewish backgrounds that he comes from is very significant, even compulsory for Christianity. Above all, to understand what scholars say about Jesus is a part of Christological exploration in order that we come to faith in him. It is so right, I think, when Donald Senior says that the more we want to know about Jesus, the more we need to know about his world of persons, places, concerns, the world in which he lived his entire life.[1] For this aim, I would like to explore the three prominent quests of historical Jesus since the first quest from Reimarus until the third quest. This present essay, then, will draw what is significant for Christology from the three quests of the historical Jesus before summing up the final thought.

2. The Three Quests for the Historical Jesus
2.1. The First Quest: Reimarus to Schweitzer
2.2. The Second Quest: Kasemann to Schillebeeckx
2.3. The Third Quest

3. The Significance for Christology of the Quest of the Historical Jesus

4. Conclusion
I would like to conclude this simple essay by emphasizing of the necessity the quest for Christological study for Christian faith as N. T. Wright says the first and foremost reason for grappling with the historical question of Jesus is that we are made for God; for God’s Glory and we reflect his likeness. It means that we are called to find out who the true and living God by taking the risk of looking at Jesus himself. So our debates in recent times are so important because they are debates about God himself.

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