The Historical, Rhetorical Jesus

Abstract

This paper shares with readers a brief conversational moment in time approximately two years ago. Michel and I constantly imagine ever-changing theories, ideas and opinions regarding possible psychological aspects of an unknown "Historical Jesus." There is such a vast array of theories about the actual man in the first-century sandals, as there are theories about the reality, meaning and origin of the phrase "the Son of man," that both quests get lost and confused into an unknown abyss. What is historically true? What is imaginatively rhetorical? Who was Jesus? In spite of the historical unknowns, Einstein was right to say, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." And so, those of us who find these topics interesting press on imaginatively. As Michel taught me, "Imagination is the beginning of learning." Jesus was, at least in my humble opinion, a radical, young, wild man of his time and place, a healer and a teacher, whom we can't actually know personally. By contrast, Michel is a moral and ethical teacher of his time and place, of our time and place - the very best teacher I have had the pleasure to get to know personally. This is because Michel is such a patient and profound, insightful, and above all else, an honest man.