Assistant Editor
Jesus, says Rev. Dr. Bruce Chilton, was called "rabbi" in the Gospels more than any other title. In an upcoming talk at Siena College in Loudonville, he'll explain why.
"Rabbi Jesus, A New Perspective," a talk and panel discussion, will be presented Oct. 21-22 through Siena's Hayyim Kieval Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies. Rev. Chilton, a professor of religion at Bard College (in Dutchess County) and an Episcopal priest, will share the podium with Rabbi Shifra Lander of the University of Pennsylvania.
Just as the Apostles didn't dress in red or hold the title of cardinal, the title "rabbi" as it applies to Jesus isn't "in the sense of someone that has a diploma on the wall," said Rev. Chilton. "It's what you call someone with authority."
The speaker, who wrote "Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography," believes Jesus' theological position reflected rabbinic thought in His day.
Since most Jews in the first century were illiterate, Rev. Chilton explained, their theology was framed by oral tradition. Jesus would have been influenced by the mishnah, an early collection of Scriptural writings. Rev. Chilton said that to get his unique perspective on Jesus, he also studied the Dead Sea Scrolls.
It's important to remember that Jesus operated in the context of the theology of His time, said the speaker, because there has been a tendency in recent literature on Jesus to view Him simply as Jewish by background.
"He was committed to [Judaism] culturally," Rev. Chilton noted.
People must "understand Jesus as someone who was zealous for His own point of view."
In his talk, Rev. Chilton plans to cover Jesus' entire life, from His baptism to the Resurrection. He remarked that it's a joy for him to bring together his two roles as priest and academic.
"The lecture really will be given in English!" he promised. "I'm not aiming over anyone's head here."
("Rabbi Jesus, A New Perspective" will be held over a two-day period. Dr. Chilton and Rabbi Lander will give their talks Oct. 21 at 2:30 p.m. in Siena's student union; a panel discussion on "where to go from here" will be held Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. in Serra Hall West. For information, call 783-2361.)