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This study asks if the historical Jesus was ever a disciple of John the Baptist, where by ‘disciple’ is meant someone who would have been in a close personal relationship to John as their leader and teacher, and who would have spent considerable time in his presence. The current majority view of scholars is that Jesus is likely to have been John’s disciple at some time before beginning his own ministry (and in the opinion of some, during the early part of his ministry too). However, this study argues that, although we cannot be sure, he is actually unlikely to have chosen to submit himself to John in this way. Reasons are provided for believing that, even early in his ministry, Jesus had a profound confidence in his (sometimes distinctive) beliefs across a range of religious issues, including those beliefs that had to do with his own extremely important place in God’s plan. It is argued too that if Jesus was ever John’s disciple, he would very probably have to have first become his disciple no more than a matter of months before beginning his own ministry. The shortness of the time in which his confidence in his religious beliefs could have developed means that, during the period in which any potential discipleship would have begun, it is probable that Jesus had at least a fairly deep assurance about what he believed in religious matters, including what he believed concerning his own crucial place in God’s plan. This assurance makes it unlikely that he would have wished to become John’s disciple. Further – related – reasons for thinking that Jesus’ discipleship is historically unlikely are also provided. These are (a) that Jesus may well have had a spiritual experience at the time of his baptism (before any discipleship could have occurred), something that would not have cohered well with a decision then to become John’s disciple; and (b) that Jesus may have spent time alone in the wilderness very soon after his baptism. In addition to presenting these arguments against Jesus’ discipleship, most of the study involves detailed examination of the most cogent arguments that have been used to support the view that Jesus was once John’s disciple. It finds that even the strongest of these are relatively weak.

"A Voice Crying In The Wilderness," an opera in two acts, is written for baritone soloist (John) and chorus with minor singing roles for two sopranos, mezzo soprano, tenor, a major speaking role for male falsetto voice, and three lesser speaking roles for tenor voices. Members of the chorus are required to play an assortment of percussion instruments and must be able to dance in contemporary modern dance styles. The opera is scored for large string orchestra, amplified solo viola, two electronic "digital" keyboards, and a large assortment of percussion instruments. (The keyboard scores were conceived using the "CZ-1" model digital synthesizer by Casio and the "KORG DW 8000" digital synthesizer.) The opera is divided into two acts and is approximately 80 minutes in duration. Each act consists of a combination of very broad scene complexes made up of dances, recitatives, choruses, instrumental interludes, arias, and rituals. There is a short intermission between the two acts.

This research project concerns itself with the three disputed passages of Christian import as preserved in extant manuscripts of the AJ (Ἰουδαϊκὴ Ἀρχαιολογία a.k.a. Antiquitates Judaicae), viz.: AJ, XVIII, 3, 3 / 63 (i.e. the so-called Testimonium Flavianum), AJ, XVIII, 5, 2 / 116 -119 (i.e. the references to John the Baptist) and AJ, XX, 9, 1 / 200 - 203 (i.e. the references to James the brother of Jesus). Within the context of contemporary historicity research outcomes, and employing an interpretist/constructivist episteme, a series of critical analyses was undertaken aimed at verifying to what degree the three passages in question may be deemed to be in any way authentic and/or historically reliable. The result of the investigation proves beyond reasonable doubt that no reliable extra-biblical/scriptural accounts exist to support the historical existence of, inter alia, Jesus of Nazareth, James the Just or John the Baptist. Certainly, no such accounts ever appeared in Josephus’ original texts. Furthermore, and most importantly, the three passages are confirmed to be total forgeries initiated in the first four centuries of the Common Era most likely by Origen and Eusebius respectively. / PhD (Greek), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This research project concerns itself with the three disputed passages of Christian import as preserved in extant manuscripts of the AJ (Ἰουδαϊκὴ Ἀρχαιολογία a.k.a. Antiquitates Judaicae), viz.: AJ, XVIII, 3, 3 / 63 (i.e. the so-called Testimonium Flavianum), AJ, XVIII, 5, 2 / 116 -119 (i.e. the references to John the Baptist) and AJ, XX, 9, 1 / 200 - 203 (i.e. the references to James the brother of Jesus). Within the context of contemporary historicity research outcomes, and employing an interpretist/constructivist episteme, a series of critical analyses was undertaken aimed at verifying to what degree the three passages in question may be deemed to be in any way authentic and/or historically reliable. The result of the investigation proves beyond reasonable doubt that no reliable extra-biblical/scriptural accounts exist to support the historical existence of, inter alia, Jesus of Nazareth, James the Just or John the Baptist. Certainly, no such accounts ever appeared in Josephus’ original texts. Furthermore, and most importantly, the three passages are confirmed to be total forgeries initiated in the first four centuries of the Common Era most likely by Origen and Eusebius respectively. / PhD (Greek), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T13:47:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Geraldo Lopes de Lima Junior.pdf: 613954 bytes, checksum: b975aaace19f4cec7db0d7d1510a30e4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-05-31 / This theis develops a profile of the Messiah as announced by John the Baptist through his words. It also develops a profile of messiah as developed by Jesus through his deeds. The sense of the force of the messianic construct is examined in the first chapter through the history of the Jewish people. With the initiation of the Monarchy elements such as sacred anointing,, the perpetuity of the Davidic dynasty, and the perpetuation of divine blessing were united.. Some popular messianic leaders such as Athronges, Simon bar Giora, Menahem ben Ezechias, besides the messiah at Qumran are portrayed.. The second chapter studies the exegesis of Mt 11,2-6 in order to ascertain the unique model of messianism that Jesus would have developed through his works. The exegesis of the same text studies the messianic model that John the Baptist expected and constructed through his inquiry. The sick, the lame, the lepers are analyzed in the messianic context of Mathew s and Luke s citations of Isaiah. In the third part the previous chapters are retaken in relation to the messiasnic characteristics of both protagonists. John is tempered by elements such as the desert, atonement, and his concept of baptism. In Jesus´ case the elements that temper his ministry are the messianic servant and the miracle worker. Thus one arrives at a profile of messiah as announced by John the Baptist and developed by Jesus. / Esta dissertação desenvolve o perfil do Messias anunciado por João Batista, através de suas palavras, e o perfil messiânico de Jesus, por meio de seus feitos. No primeiro capítulo, faz-se o estudo da força messiânica, através da história do povo Judeu. A partir da instituição da Monarquia, reúnem-se elementos como a unção, dinastia davídica e perpetuação da bênção divina. Expõe alguns líderes populares messiânicos como Atronges, Simão bar Giora e Menahem Ben Ezequias, além do messias na perspectiva de Qumran. No segundo capítulo, é feita a exegese de Mt 11,2-6, para a percepção da idéia do messias desenvolvida tanto por Jesus, a partir de suas obras, como por João Batista, através de sua indagação messiânica. No mesmo contexto messiânico são estudadas a presença dos doentes, cegos, coxos, leprosos, surdos e pobres, tanto no texto de Mateus, como em relação a Lucas e às citações de Isaías. No terceiro capítulo, são retomadas, dos capítulos anteriores, as características messiânicas dos dois personagens, e adicionadas outras como o deserto, o arrependimento e o batismo para João; e o messias servo e curandeiro para Jesus. Configura-se, assim, o perfil do messias anunciado por João Batista e desenvolvido por Jesus.

Thesis (M.L.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 82).

"I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John" (Luke 7:28). Thus the author of Luke-Acts expresses his basic assessment of John the Baptist. The present study aims to understand the role of John the Baptist as he is portrayed in Luke-Acts through a reading that combines social description and narrative-theological analysis in order to gain hermeneutical access to the subject of our investigation. This study seeks to achieve this aim in two ways. In the first instance there is an attempt (through recourse to a combination of the stated critical methodologies) to provide a reading of Luke-Acts that interfaces social description and narrative-theological analysis in order to make possible a rhetorical engagement with the text in a way that provides hermeneutical access to John the Baptist as he is portrayed in Luke-Acts. In his portrayal of John the Baptist as a prophet and witness who plays a unique role in the history of salvation, the author of Luke-Acts weaves a spell over his readers that draws them into his narrative world and into his particular theological perspective. In the second instance, this study also aims to show how Luke-Acts preserves a unique dynamic of John the Baptist which has rather been buried in the other Gospel traditions. Through this dynamic, Luke seeks to transmit his own ideal of the authentic prophet and witness in such a way that his audience may be moved to emulate John's example with conviction and imagination both in living out their Christian ideal as well as in proclaiming the good news. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity International University, 2004. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 272-276).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Trinity International University, 2004. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 272-276).