Hans Conzelmann
Encyclopedia
Hans Conzelmann was a German
scholar who made many contributions to New Testament
research in the twentieth century. One of his major works was Die Mitte Der Zeit (Tübingen, 1954), literally 'The Middle of Time', which was translated into English under the title, The Theology of St. Luke. This work, which approached Lukan theology by way of Redaction Criticism
, paved the way for much scholarly discussion in the second half of the twentieth century. Conzelmann, along with other post-Bultmannian
scholars, challenged the view that Jesus
was an apocalyptic figure, but rather focused on the message of Christ
as the kingdom of God
breaking into the present. This was a challenge to the portrait of Jesus as expecting an imminent eschaton
.
Conzelmann contends that Jesus' teaching about eschatology
is unconnected to his words about God
and ethics
. These areas of his teaching are, however, linked by Jesus' understanding of himself "as one who opens up immediacy to God in every relationship" (Luke Timothy Johnson, The Writings of The New Testament, p. 127).
and ascension
(a belief in the imminent parousia
) to seeing God at work in history and therefore that the early Christians needed to find ways of living as disciple
s of Christ 'in the long haul' through history. This theological emphasis was called Heilsgeschichte (usually translated into English as salvation history
).
Conzelmann thought that history could be divided into three eras:
1. the Old Testament
period (up to and including John the Baptist)
2. the period of Jesus
' earthly ministry (which Conzelmann said was free from interference from Satan)
3. the era of the Church.
These details have been challenged by later scholars - for example by asking where John the Baptist
most accurately fits and if the life of Jesus really was a 'Satan
free zone'.
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
scholar who made many contributions to New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
research in the twentieth century. One of his major works was Die Mitte Der Zeit (Tübingen, 1954), literally 'The Middle of Time', which was translated into English under the title, The Theology of St. Luke. This work, which approached Lukan theology by way of Redaction Criticism
Redaction criticism
Redaction criticism, also called Redaktionsgeschichte, Kompositionsgeschichte, or Redaktionstheologie, is a critical method for the study of Bible texts. Redaction criticism regards the author of the text as editor of his or her source material...
, paved the way for much scholarly discussion in the second half of the twentieth century. Conzelmann, along with other post-Bultmannian
Rudolf Bultmann
Rudolf Karl Bultmann was a German theologian of Lutheran background, who was for three decades professor of New Testament studies at the University of Marburg...
scholars, challenged the view that Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
was an apocalyptic figure, but rather focused on the message of Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
as the kingdom of God
Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven is a foundational concept in the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.The term "Kingdom of God" is found in all four canonical gospels and in the Pauline epistles...
breaking into the present. This was a challenge to the portrait of Jesus as expecting an imminent eschaton
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
.
Conzelmann contends that Jesus' teaching about eschatology
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
is unconnected to his words about God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
. These areas of his teaching are, however, linked by Jesus' understanding of himself "as one who opens up immediacy to God in every relationship" (Luke Timothy Johnson, The Writings of The New Testament, p. 127).
Salvation History
Perhaps Conzelmann's main contribution to the study of Luke's Gospel was his contention that Luke changed the emphasis in Jesus' teaching from an expectation that he (Jesus) would return shortly after his death, resurrectionResurrection
Resurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
and ascension
Ascension
The Ascension of Jesus is the Christian teaching found in the New Testament when the resurrected Jesus was taken up to heaven in his resurrected body, in the presence of eleven of his apostles, occurring 40 days after the resurrection...
(a belief in the imminent parousia
Parousia
Parousia is an ancient Greek word meaning presence, arrival, or official visit.-Classical usage:# Physical presence, arrival – The main use is the physical presence of a person, which where that person is not already present refers to the prospect of the physical arrival of that person, especially...
) to seeing God at work in history and therefore that the early Christians needed to find ways of living as disciple
Disciple
A disciple is a follower and student of a mentor, teacher, or other wise figure. It can refer to:-Religion:*Disciple , a follower of Jesus Christ**The Twelve Disciples, also referred to as "The Twelve Apostles"...
s of Christ 'in the long haul' through history. This theological emphasis was called Heilsgeschichte (usually translated into English as salvation history
Salvation history
History of salvation is the story that is relevant to a particular religion.The concept of salvation history is originally from the Christian tradition....
).
Conzelmann thought that history could be divided into three eras:
1. the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
period (up to and including John the Baptist)
2. the period of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
' earthly ministry (which Conzelmann said was free from interference from Satan)
3. the era of the Church.
These details have been challenged by later scholars - for example by asking where John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
most accurately fits and if the life of Jesus really was a 'Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
free zone'.