Jesus is the Christ
Subtitle: the Messianic testimony of the Gospels
By: Michael F. Bird
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Downers Grove, Ill
Language: eng
Number of pages: 207
ISBN-13: 9780830828234
Subjects: Bible; Messiahship; Criticism, interpretation; Messiahship of Jesus Christ; Biblical teaching; Messiah
Description: The title and role of "Messiah" ascribed to Jesus in the Gospels has long been regarded as a late add on, a fabricated claim or an insignificant feature. Michael Bird, however, argues that the Gospels' messianic claims are the most significant feature of their portrayal of Jesus. Bird describes how each Evangelist portrays Jesus as the Messiah of Israel, what they think is at stake in that claim, and how the claim that "Jesus is the Messiah" drives the purpose and shape of the Gospels. Emphasizing that Christianity was a messianic movement rooted in its Jewish context, Bird points toward the profound theological implication of Jesus' identity: that Jesus' messiahship is the "mother of all Christology."--Publisher.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 148-165) and index.
Table of contents: title: When did Jesus become the Messiah?; title: Gospel of Mark: the crucified Messiah; title: Gospel of Matthew: the Davidic Messiah; title: Gospel of Luke (and Acts): the prophetic Messiah; title: Gospel of John: the elusive Messiah; title: Believing in the Messiah.