Matthew 1:18, God the Son? Part I of IV
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
//In several past blog posts, I introduced the high Christology of John’s Gospel. In that Gospel, Jesus is presented clearly as God. On the other side of the spectrum, however, is Matthew’s Gospel. These two gospels–Matthew and John–build upon some of the same building blocks, but have gone two different directions. Nowhere is this more evident than in their differing Christology.
We’ve discussed John, so over the course of several posts, I’d like to discuss Matthew’s take on who Jesus is. The conclusion, each time, will be that it never crossed Matthew’s mind that Jesus is God.
In preparing for this discussion, I urge you to recognize that all of the Gospels were written anonymously. All were written between 40 and 70 years after Jesus died, by men who had most likely never seen Jesus. All were written in Greek, not Jesus’ native Aramaic tongue. It is important for this study to divorce yourself from the assumption that the authors of Matthew and John sat together at the feet of Jesus, learning the same doctrine.
Let’s begin with Matthew’s greatest contribution to Christian theology. It is this: Jesus is God’s son. Now, this doesn’t sound very astounding at first. Every Gospel writer calls Jesus the Son of God, and so does Paul, the earliest Christian writer. But how might this phrase have been meant by other writers? In the century of Christ, there were two common understandings of how this phrase was meant in the Old Testament:
[1] A minor deity or angel. The “sons of God” procreated with the daughters of men in Genesis, and the “sons of God” traversed the earth in Job.
[2] One ordained by God, such as the kings of Israel.
Matthew rejects both of these meanings, and falls back on legends of gods mating with humans. Such legends were common in the Hellenistic world, and can even be read in the Bible: See Genesis 6:4. To Matthew, “Son of God” means precisely what it sounds like. Matthew quotes from the Septuagint, rather than the original Hebrew, to show that a “virgin” (instead of just a young maiden) will conceive and bear a son. Matthew’s particular contribution here is very important: He is dogmatic that Mary was impregnated not by Joseph, but by God Himself. She was found with child of the Holy Ghost, and that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Now we see just how astounding Matthew’s claim is! Matthew insists that Jesus is more than the expected Messiah. He is–gasp–the very offspring of God! When Matthew uses the phrase “Son of God,” he in no way implies “God the Son.” Contrary to John, Matthew gives no hint that Jesus existed before birth. God, in spirit form, came down from heaven, impregnated Mary, and formed a half-human-half-god offspring. Jesus.
Jesus is God? John says yes. But it never crossed Matthew’s mind.
Got an opinion? 0 commentsBook review: Good Book
by David Plotz
★★★★★
100% recommended! This romp through the Hebrew Bible is much more than just fascinating and funny. It’s also engrossing, mildly irreverent, thought-provoking, disturbing–you’ll love the Good Book whether you’re a believer or not. This is the Bible unveiled in all its grime and greatness. The characters in Genesis are especially unforgettable, from the story of Abimalech lusting after a 90-year-old woman (Sarah, Abraham’s wife) to a diabolical mother-and-son plot to rob the simple-minded Esau of his blessing from an over-trusting father.
Book by book, Plotz takes us through the scripture. If Genesis is the best part, then the appendix runs a close second. There you’ll learn the Bible’s twelve best pick-up lines, the thirteen most spectacular murders, the nine best parties, the best prostitutes, the most hellacious divine punishment, the trippiest dreams, and more.
This is for all you skeptics who think reading the Bible is a waste of time. Plotz apparently thought the same thing before taking on this project. After thirty-nine books, 929 chapters, more than 600,000 words, and just over a year, Plotz admits he’s become “a full-on Bible thumper. Everyone should read it–all of it! In fact, the less you believe, the more you should read.”
Start with this book as an introduction to get the juices flowing. Plotz is more than a good researcher, he’s a great writer. I’m in awe. I could enthusiastically read anything he writes, I’m sure of it. So, when he tackles a topic already fascinating to me (the Bible) it’s pure delight. He’s also unfortunately a Jew, which means we only get the Old Testament in his Good Book. Please, David, can’t you give Billy Graham a listen?
Numbers 5:29-30, Got a Cheating Wife?
This, then, is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray and defiles herself while married to her husband, or when feelings of jealousy come over a man because he suspects his wife. The priest is to have her stand before the LORD and is to apply this entire law to her.
//Here’s a sure-fire solution for all you guys who wonder if your wife has been cheating. It’s called the “Law of Jealousy,” and it comes straight from the mouth of God to Moses, so you know it will work.
First, get your wife to a priest. Be sure to bring a half gallon of barley flour as a “jealousy offering.”
The priest will help her stand trial before God. He’ll put some holy water in a clay jar and mix in some dust from the floor. He’ll let her hair down, so she looks the part of a prostitute. While she holds your half gallon of barley flour as an offering to God, the priest will stand in front of her with the dirty water. He’ll put her under oath and promise no harm will come if she has been faithful to you. On the other hand, if she has been unfaithful, a curse will be upon her; her abdomen will swell and her womb will shrivel. As she watches solemnly, the priest will write this curse on a piece of leather, and “wash it off” into the bitter water.
Then, the priest will take your barley flour from her hands and carry it to the altar. A handful of it is burned in sacrifice while your wife drinks the curse.
If she has been faithful, she’ll be unharmed and still be able to have children.
Book review: New Testament Essays
by Raymond E. Brown
★★★★
This is a collection of fourteen early essays by Brown (1928-1998), recently republished. I’m a big fan of Brown’s research, especially in the area of Johannine writings, of which he is considered perhaps the foremost scholar of the 20th century. Brown was a Catholic priest whose critical scholarship of the Bible seemed to only increase his faith in God. By way of introduction to the book, I’ll just list a few of my favorite essays.
Our New Approach to the Bible. Though not so new anymore, Brown discusses archaeological and literary accomplishments of the 20th century that force us to read the Bible differently.
The Eucharist and Baptism in John. There are actually two very good essays about John’s treatment of these two Christian rituals.
The Qumran Scrolls and the Johannine Gospel and Epistles. John’s treatment of dualism was long considered his own invention, until the discovery of the Qumran Scrolls, where many parallels to Johannine thinking can be seen.
The Problem of Historicity in John. Scholars still on occasion categorically reject the historicity of John, without giving proper consideration to the many geographical and political references that have in recent studies been proven accurate.
The Pater Noster as an Eschatological Prayer. Brown takes us sentence by sentence through the most famous prayer in the Bible, explaining its significance as a prayer for an eschatological age.
Exodus 12:40-41, How long was Israel in Egypt?
Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions left Egypt.
//430 years Israel lived in Egypt. To the very day, it says. Sounds pretty precise. Let’s add things up, and see if we agree.
Genesis 46:7-11 starts the story, telling how Jacob took all his family, including grandchildren, into Egypt. One of these grandchildren making the trip was Kohath.
In Exodus 6:18-20, Kohath has a son named Amram, and we learn Kohath lived 133 years. Then Amram has a son named Moses. Amram lived 137 years.
Exodus 7:7 tell us Moses was 80 years old when he confronted Pharoah. They left Egypt shortly thereafter.
Suppose Kohath entered Egypt as a newborn. Suppose further that Kohath conceived Amram from his deathbed, and Amram conceived Moses from his deathbed. That still leaves us with a maximum possible number of years of 133 + 137 + 80 = 350 years that Israel lived in Egypt.
430 years to the day? Anyone see where my math is wrong?
Got an opinion? 4 commentsBook review: Michael’s Reward
by Mario Bernheim
★★★★
Michael’s Reward is an imaginative, modern day retelling of the book of Job in the Bible. You know, that rich dude who lost everything but who stayed true to God, so he got it all back with interest.
Parts of the story must have been difficult for Bernheim to write. Michael’s pain, when he loses his children, his wife, his wealth, his health, is just too vivid. Thankfully, I couldn’t really relate, or the painful half of the story might have been overwhelming. It’s a riches-to-rags-to-riches story in the extreme, with little common ground for us regular guys. I associated with Michael briefly on the way down, and briefly again on the way back up.
This is a good retelling, faithful to the spirit of Job and the conundrum he faces. It’ll bring the biblical story alive for you, I guarantee it. And that, for me, was the problem. I don’t like the book of Job, and I like it even less now. The idea of God playing games with human lives is distasteful. The idea of wealth as a measure of God’s approval is equally distasteful. Didn’t Jesus tell us not to lay up treasure on earth, but in heaven?
Which brings up a point. There is one major difference between the old Job and the new Job, and it’s this: Today’s Job knew his children were in heaven, and knew he would someday be up there with them, and that makes the second half of the story–the rise to riches–seem beside the point. We have since found more realistic ways to imagine a reward for a life faithfully lived. We don’t have to pretend God will swoop in and provide a fairy tale ending on earth, which is a good thing, since real life doesn’t happen that way. It just doesn’t. We haven’t thought that way since the age of the Maccabees, when the harshness of real life forced us to abandon the idea of justice on earth, and we instead became believers that we would be rewarded for faithfulness in the afterlife. For me, the story of Job is obsolete, a product of antiquated religion.
Nevertheless, while Michael/Job left a sour taste in my mouth, and while I can’t rate the story highly for its inspirational value (no problem: I’m positive many other readers will), it deserves a high rating from me because it made me think. It made me talk about it. It took me out of my comfort zone and held me captive until the final page, and I’m still trying to break free.
Mark 8:6, One Miracle Feeding or Two?
And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
//In my opinion, the story of Jesus feeding the multitude with loaves and fishes has a distinct aura of historicity about it. It is the central “sign” of John’s Gospel, and it relates directly to the anticipation of a Messiah who would initiate an age of plenty. It is mentioned in all four gospels … in fact, in Mark and Matthew, the story is told twice!
Which makes one wonder: Did Jesus feed the multitude twice, or are we reading two different interpretations of the same event? Matthew’s Gospel is recognized as an update of Mark with a new theological direction; 90% of the verses in Mark find their way into Matthew, many almost word for word. So, it’s probably not significant that Matthew sides with Mark about the event happening twice.
Luke also wrote his gospel with the book of Mark open in front of him. But Luke appears to have had more sources of the Christ story available to him than Matthew, and is less concerned about occasionally disagreeing with Mark. Luke presents only one miracle feeding.
John’s Gospel, the most independent of the four, again relates the story only once.
So, then, to determine whether there were one or two miracle feedings, we’re left with analyzing Mark. The two events in Mark (one in chapter 6, the other in chapter 8) have varying details: Jesus feeds 5,000 the first time, 4,000 the second time. He uses five loaves and two fishes the first time, and seven loaves and a few fishes the second time. He gathers twelve baskets of leftovers the first time, seven the second time. But the only fundamental differences in the story are the numbers, which surely derive from some theological significance in both stories, though scholars continue to argue about their meanings.
Would it be helpful to discuss the setting surrounding each story? This is where it gets interesting.
- After both feedings, the meaning is misunderstood.
- After the first feeding, Jesus crosses the sea to Bethsaida. After the second, he crosses to Dalmanutha, and a few verses later moves on to Bethsaida.
- After both feedings, Jesus finds himself in a contest with the Pharisees.
- After the first feeding, Jesus heals a deaf man with spittle. After the second feeding, Jesus heals a blind man with spittle.
What do you think? Are these really two separate events, or two stories Mark has collected of the same event?
Book review: Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife
by Mary Roach
★★★★
I loved this book for its entertainment value, but … Science Tackles the Afterlife? I mean, let’s get real, this is Mary Roach. Author of Stiff. You’re not getting convincing science for your money, you’re buying a colorful ride along the surface and around the edge. Mary touches on reincarnation, electromagnetic fields, where the soul resides physically in the body, mediums in lab studies, haunted houses, and near-death experiences.
Did you know the soul weighs three quarters of an ounce? In 1907 Duncan Macdougall measured how much a dead person’s body weight abruptly drops at the precise moment, it is assumed, that the soul leaves the body. But pursuing the study became difficult. Who would volunteer to die in Macdougall’s lab? Stymied by friction with officials, Macdougall resorted to weighing dogs on a scale he set up in his barn. Owing to the difficulty of finding dogs dying from a disease that rendered them exhausted and motionless, he immobilized and then killed them via injection. Unfortunately, not a single dog showed a drop in weight as it died. Macdougall’s conclusion: Dog’s don’t have souls.
The book’s finest quality is its ability to ride the fence, simultaneously teasing you with dubious but honest-to-God studies of the afterlife while bordering on tongue-in-cheek humor. Occasionally, Mary slips up, as in her explanation of the soul’s weight. “Theory one: Macdougall was a nutter.”
Oh, and the ghostly pictures … I loved them, too.
Can any study or anybody in this book be taken seriously? Oops, gotta go, it’s time for Ghost Hunters on the telly.
Luke 6:20, The Beatitudes in Luke
Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”
//Everyone is familiar with the beatitudes in Matthew, that wonderful collection of “blesseds” from the sermon on the Mount. They provide wonderful encouragement for our spiritual needs.
But did you know that Luke preserves a record of the beatitudes as well? Bible scholars sometimes call Luke 6:17-49 the Sermon on the Plain. It’s basically the same scene and drawn from the same source as Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. But in Luke’s version, the sayings are very down to earth, not meant in a spiritual way at all. In Luke, we’re not dealing with the poor in spirit, we’re dealing with the poor. We’re not dealing with those who hunger after justice, but with those who are truly hungry. It’s not about those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, but simply all who are persecuted. Luke is not about spiritual needs, but about real life. In Luke, Jesus is concerned about those with empty stomachs, the real have-nots, the people who are weeping now.
Luke’s Gospel has a different flavor from the beginning. Consider the parable of Lazarus, the poor beggar sitting outside the gates of the rich man. This is not a story about right and wrong, but about haves and have-nots. The have-nots will be rewarded in the age to come, while the haves already have their reward. According to Luke, the only proper use of wealth is to give it to the poor. Where Matthew says, “do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth,” Luke is very specific in relating the same passage: “Sell your possessions and give alms.”
Is the Lukan version a more original peek into the true humanitarian ministry of Jesus? Here are Luke’s beatitudes:
Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate and persecute you … for behold, your reward is great in heaven.
Got an opinion? 4 commentsBook review: The Lost Gospel Q
by Marcus Borg
★★★★
From the introduction by Thomas Moore: “The haunting, inspiring and challenging words of Jesus have now been with us for two thousand years. During all that time they have been used to moralize, instruct, defend and condemn as well as to lead and guide. As scholars have pointed out for over a century, the four Gospels are riddled with the interpretations, biases and agendas of their editors. Amid the clutter of age-old conflicting readings, it often seems difficult to hear an original voice and to take to heart the wisdom of one of the world’s greatest teachers.”
If you’re unfamiliar with Q, here’s the idea: Matthew and Luke were written with the book of Mark open in front of them. 50% of Mark is repeated in Luke, and 90% is repeated in Matthew. But there are enough other commonalities between Matthew and Luke to determine that they shared another source, and this source appears to be a “sayings” Gospel. Just the words that Jesus taught. No such book has ever been found, so scholars have named this hypothetical book “Q,” meaning “Source.”
Written in the 50’s only a couple decades after Jesus’ death, presumably by his contemporaries, this is as close as we can get to Jesus’ original teachings, away from the supernaturalism and moralizing of later Gospels. Q is the sacred “soul” of the Gospel message. Most of its sayings are about how to live “the way” that Jesus taught. Q is the Gospel for Liberal Christians.
Once past the introductory sections, Borg’s book provides just one saying per page, sometimes with a bit of historical commentary. This is a short little book that you can read in a couple hours. Or, if you prefer reading one saying per day, the book would provide daily inspiration for three months.
Fantasy Football, Anyone?
Put on the whole uniform of the Team, that ye may be able to stand against the blitz of oncoming linebackers. Don the hip pads of truth, the shoulder pads of righteousness, the cleats of preparation. Don’t forget the facemask of faith and the helmet of salvation. Then clutch the pigskin with much Spirit, for that is what the Play Book of your Coach in Heaven demands.The River of Life
Twice before Lee Harmon has written about Christian topics, once on the gospel of John and once on the book of Revelation. But the question people keep asking him is this: As a liberal Christian, why do you care so much about the Bible? Others wonder whether he is truly a Christian at all.
The Way It Happened
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| Revelation: A love story gone awry. | The Gospel: A love story set aright. |
What really happened 2,000 years ago? How did a persecuted minority of end-time believers known as Christians, with their dreams of Armageddon and a conquering Messiah named Jesus, evolve into the largest religion in the world? Author Lee Harmon explores the period in which the New Testament was written in his books about John's Gospel and Revelation.
(Bloggers: you may be eligible for a free review copy! Just contact us.)
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The God Show
Lee Harmon interviewed on The God Show about the History Channel's miniseries The Bible and Lee's latest book, John's Gospel: The Way It Happened.
About Lee
Hello! I'm an author, historical Jesus scholar, book reviewer, and liberal Christian, which means I appreciate and attempt to exercise the humanitarian teachings of Jesus without getting hung up on any particular supernatural or religious beliefs.
The Bible is a magnificent book that has inspired and spiritually fed generations for thousands of years, and each new century seems to bring a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. This is true of not only Christianity; through the years, our age-old religions are slowly transforming from superstitious rituals into humanitarian philosophies. In short, we are growing up, and I am thrilled to be riding the wave.
I avidly read all thought-provoking religion titles. New authors: I'd love to read and review your book!
Contact me here.
About Leslie
Hi! While Lee writes the articles and reviews the books, I edit, organize, and maintain the blog. The views expressed here are Lee's but I'm his biggest supporter! :-)
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