Was Jesus an Historical Figure?

My view is that Jesus is best understood as an eschatological or apocalyptic doomsday prophet who preached an imminent end to the world and the subsequent inauguration of a new era, which is known as the eschaton (from which we get the word eschatology). This view has been the dominant one since at least the time of Albert Schweitzer. In recent times it has been given a robust defense by Christian scholar Dale Allison, and by agnostic scholar Bart D. Ehrman.

 

In the earliest Gospel of Mark we read of Jesus predicting the eschaton in these words: “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.   (Mk 13:24-27). Then Jesus says: “So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. (Mk 13:29-30).

 

It seems obvious the gospel writers have Jesus talking about an imminent return in the sky: “some of those standing here will not taste death until they see the kingdom coming in power” (Matt. 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27); and “I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Matt. 10:23). Speaking to the Sanhedrin during his trial Jesus reportedly said, “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:16). It’s the one thing they all agree on.

 

Jesus’ and the early church’s radical “interim ethic” supports this view. We read where his disciples are to sell all and give to the poor (Luke 12:33 ), and where Jesus said “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” (Matt. 8:22). According to Bart D. Ehrman, Jesus “urged his followers to abandon their homes and forsake families for the sake of the kingdom that was soon to arrive. He didn’t encourage people to pursue fulfilling careers, make a good living, and work for a just society for the long haul; for him, there wasn’t going to be a long haul.”

 

Paul says the same thing: “What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:29 ). In I John ( 2:18 ) and Revelation we read the same thing ( 13:18 ).