God's Equal: What Can We Know About Jesus' Self-Understanding?

Description

Authority is something we experience every day, but is it necessary? Many think that it is not, and that it exists only as a remedy for some defect in us. Victor Lee Austin sets about exploring the higher and nobler functions of authority, and in doing so reveals its human importance as more than simply a provision for human inadequacies. A significant contribution to Christian anthropology, the book illuminates an indispensable feature of human sociality: the need for, and the good provided by, authority. In enabling us to do more complex activities, to gain and communicate understanding of the world around us and to flourish in political communities, authority ultimately leads us to enjoy God. Victor Lee Austin makes a unique contribution to political theology by deliberating the ways that authority functions both socially and epistemologically. The field of ecclesiology is also enriched by the book's discussion of authority as at once necessary and fallible. Those interested in the work of Michael Polanyi, Yves Simon, or Oliver O'Donovan will find these authors brought into the broader conversation about authority in an engaging way. Cover Contents Abbreviations Preface INTRODUCTION Scope Method 1. GOD’S VICTORIOUS INTERVENTION: JESUS AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD Background The Kingdom of God in the Teaching of Jesus Conclusion 2. DOING THE WORKS OF GOD: JESUS’ MIRACLES Miracles by His Own Power Miracles as God's New Creation Conclusion 3. GOD’S PARDON: JESUS AND FORGIVENESS Authenticity Significance Conclusion 4. PASSING GOD’S JUDGMENT: JESUS AS THE ESCHATOLOGICAL JUDGE Advocate or Judge? The Authenticity of Mt. 25:31-46 The Nature of the Judgment Conclusion 5. SPEAKING WITH GOD’S AUTHORITY: JESUS AND THE LAW Authenticity of the Antitheses (Mt. 5:21-48) The Nature of the Claim Conclusion 6. ISSUING GOD’S CALL: JESUS’ RELATIONSHIP TO HIS DISCIPLES Twelve Disciples Jesus’ Demands Conclusion 7. GOD’S EPITHETS: JESUS’ METAPHORICAL SELF-DESCRIPTIONS The Bridegroom The Mother Bird The King The Sower Conclusion 8. MEDIATORY FIGURES IN SECOND TEMPLE JUDAISM The Royal Messiah Messianic Pretenders The Angel of the Lord The Prince of Light Melchizedek Moses Other Enthroned Characters The Son of Man Philo’s Ideal Human Being Logos Conclusion 9. THE UNIQUE SON OF GOD: SUBORDINATE AND EQUAL Subordinate to the Father Jesus as the Son of the Father The Unique Son (Lk. 10.21-22/Mt. 11:25-27) Ignorance of the End (Mk 13.32 par.) The Rich Man (Mk 10.18 par.) Conclusion 10. JESUS AS THE SON OF MAN Authenticity Son of Man – Generic or Specific? Connotations Conclusion 11. GOD’S NEW TEMPLE The Temple Charge (Mk 14.58 par.) Jesus’ Temple Action (Mk 11.15-17 par.) The Messiah and the Temple God’s Eschatological Temple Jesus and the Temple Conclusion CONCLUSION Implications Bibliography Index of References Subject Index Index of Modern Names A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Y Z