The Consciousness of the Historical Jesus - (T&t Clark Studies in Systematic Theology) by Austin Stevenson

About the Book

"In this new book, Austin Stevenson argues that it is not the 'divinity' of Jesus that causes problems for historians, but his humanity. To insist that Jesus was fully human, as both theologians and historians do, still leaves us with 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 a theological register. Furthermore, historians frequently misunderstand the historiographical implications of classical Christology, and thus the compatibility between traditional beliefs about Jesus and critical historical inquiry. Through close engagement with the thought of Thomas Aquinas (c.1225-74), this book offers a new path toward the reconciliation of these disciplines by focusing on human knowledge and subjectivity, which are central issues in both historical method and Christology. By interrogating and challenging the normative metaphysical assumptions operative in Jesus scholarship, a range of possibility is opened up for approaches to Jesus that are genuinely historical, but not naturalistic"--

Book Synopsis

In this book, Austin Stevenson argues that it is not the 'divinity' of Jesus that causes problems for historians, but his humanity. To insist that Jesus was fully human, as both theologians and historians do, still leaves us with 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 a theological register.

Furthermore, historians frequently misunderstand the historiographical implications of classical Christology, and thus the compatibility between traditional beliefs about Jesus and critical historical inquiry. Through close engagement with the thought of Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-74), this book offers a new path toward the reconciliation of these disciplines by focusing on human knowledge and subjectivity, which are central issues in both historical method and Christology. By interrogating and challenging the normative metaphysical assumptions operative in Jesus scholarship, a range of possibility is opened up for approaches to Jesus that are genuinely historical, but not naturalistic.

Review Quotes

This remarkable book constitutes a significant contribution to contemporary Christology. The author offers a deeply insightful analysis of the relationships that obtain between conciliar Christology and modern historical-critical scholarship. He does so while advancing scholarly understanding of Aquinas' philosophy and theology in reference to Christology, in ways that have real significance for Christian ecumenism. The treatment of the knowledge of Christ in historical context is seminal and provides a reference work for future reference and debate. A first rate theological work.
Thomas Joseph White, The Angelicum, Italy

This work argues that Thomas Aquinas's participatory metaphysics and epistemology -- including his understanding of prophecy and of Jesus's beatific vision -- can assist powerfully in the resolution of certain potent puzzles about the apocalyptic Jesus, as well as in the development of a historical biblical scholarship that is appropriately critical in facing its own philosophical premises. Persuasive in its applications to Jesus scholarship and sure-handed in its interpretations of Aquinas, the book represents a major advance. It will be of significant help to theologians and biblical scholars seeking ways to enable the erudition of the each discipline to instruct the other.
Matthew Levering, University of St Mary of the Lake, USA

About the Author

Austin Stevenson is Assistant Professor of Theology at Palm Beach Atlantic University, USA.