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A Prophet like Elijah or according to Isaiah? Rethinking the Identity of Jesus

Hägerland, Tobias LU (2014) p.70-86
Abstract
According to John Meier, the identity of the historical Jesus was shaped by early Jewish understandings of the prophet Elijah. This article assesses five points of alleged similarity between Jesus and Elijah and draws attention to two neglected distinctions: the distinction between the earthly Elijah and the eschatological one, and the distinction between the formative and interpretative functions of the figure of Elijah. Meier’s construal of the intention and identity of Jesus is put into question. Whereas it is possible to take Jesus’ election of the Twelve as an indication of his intention to play the role of Elijah, the present article argues instead for an Isaianic

background of the key saying Q 22:30b. The role according to... (More)
According to John Meier, the identity of the historical Jesus was shaped by early Jewish understandings of the prophet Elijah. This article assesses five points of alleged similarity between Jesus and Elijah and draws attention to two neglected distinctions: the distinction between the earthly Elijah and the eschatological one, and the distinction between the formative and interpretative functions of the figure of Elijah. Meier’s construal of the intention and identity of Jesus is put into question. Whereas it is possible to take Jesus’ election of the Twelve as an indication of his intention to play the role of Elijah, the present article argues instead for an Isaianic

background of the key saying Q 22:30b. The role according to which Jesus shaped his identity was that of Isaiah’s anointed prophet, whose task was also to begin the restoration of Israel by appointing those who would soon be “judging” the twelve tribes. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Elijah, historical Jesus, Isaiah, Messiah, prophets, restoration of Israel, the Twelve
host publication
The Identity of Jesus: Nordic Voices
editor
Byrskog, Samuel ; Holmén, Tom and Kankaanniemi, Matti
pages
70 - 86
publisher
Mohr Siebeck
ISBN
9783161522048
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Centre for Theology and Religious Studies (015017000)
id
f7625307-5745-49eb-9b05-5f674e3db4a0 (old id 4464151)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 10:34:00
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:59:30
@inbook{f7625307-5745-49eb-9b05-5f674e3db4a0,
  abstract     = {{According to John Meier, the identity of the historical Jesus was shaped by early Jewish understandings of the prophet Elijah. This article assesses five points of alleged similarity between Jesus and Elijah and draws attention to two neglected distinctions: the distinction between the earthly Elijah and the eschatological one, and the distinction between the formative and interpretative functions of the figure of Elijah. Meier’s construal of the intention and identity of Jesus is put into question. Whereas it is possible to take Jesus’ election of the Twelve as an indication of his intention to play the role of Elijah, the present article argues instead for an Isaianic<br/><br>
background of the key saying Q 22:30b. The role according to which Jesus shaped his identity was that of Isaiah’s anointed prophet, whose task was also to begin the restoration of Israel by appointing those who would soon be “judging” the twelve tribes.}},
  author       = {{Hägerland, Tobias}},
  booktitle    = {{The Identity of Jesus: Nordic Voices}},
  editor       = {{Byrskog, Samuel and Holmén, Tom and Kankaanniemi, Matti}},
  isbn         = {{9783161522048}},
  keywords     = {{Elijah; historical Jesus; Isaiah; Messiah; prophets; restoration of Israel; the Twelve}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{70--86}},
  publisher    = {{Mohr Siebeck}},
  title        = {{A Prophet like Elijah or according to Isaiah? Rethinking the Identity of Jesus}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}