28th Annual Student Research Conference
A Different Kind of Messiah: Jesus' Messiahship through Two Lenses in Matthew 12
Erin Nyquist
Dr. Jennifer Jesse , Faculty Mentor
The type of messiah the author of Matthew presents is a far cry from the Messiah first century Jews were expecting and equally far off from worship of the Roman Emperor at the same time. In Matthew 12:9-21 the author artfully weaves Jewish and Roman ideology and literary genres, with subtle but important deviations, to compose the message of Jesus' universal messiahship. Through use of the historical critical method, deeper layers of the message are revealed that emphasize the effectiveness of the argument presented, capable of bringing two very different audiences to faith in Jesus. This argument of Jesus as Savior remains pervasive throughout the world today as Christianity continues to be the dominate religion. With careful study of the original message and the power it contained for both audiences, new and fuller understandings of Jesus messiahship can be illuminated for modern readers.
Keywords: Christianity, messiah, Jewish, Roman, historical critical method, first century CE
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 106-1
Location: MG 2050
Time: 8:45