Jesus without Christ or Christ without Jesus? Material concerning the so-called “historical Jesus” is widely discussed today. Time and again this discussion has led to a diminishing emphasis on faith in the living Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. The investigation of the life of Jesus has often resulted in isolating the historical Jesus of Nazareth from that which is preached about Christ as God's Messiah. This article positions the current Jesus research within the frame of its historical development. It becomes clear that the results of contemporary research can be traced back to historical-critical research of more than two centuries, as a result of which the diversity of images of Jesus has grown exceedingly. The consequences and inadequacies of such Jesus research are indicated. This article suggests that a valid hermeneutical key for historical research should be taken from the Bible itself. Furthermore, it is argued that the investigation of the earthly life of Jesus can never be isolated from his life and work as Messiah of God as described in the Gospels.
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