Enigmatic Christ
Preeminence surrounds scholar Raymond Brown as the leading authority on Roman Catholic biblical studies. Recognized for his close analytical observations of the epistles, the Gospel of John, and the fluctuation of Christology, Brown applies a critical lens to the New Testament. In his book, An Introduction to New Testament Christology, Brown encourages his audience to grasp and formulate the identity of Jesus. Comprehension for non-specialist readers comes from the three divisions of the book. For Brown separately examines the definition of Christology and methods that characterize its discussion today, Jesus's evaluation of himself, and the evaluation of Jesus by Christians of the New Testament period. However, criticism has arisen surrounding Brown’s theories, simply proliferating the argument of the true identity of Christ.
A major discord is derived from Brown’s close analysis of the dating of New Testament writings, such as the synoptic Gospels, letters from Peter, James and Jude, as well as his total rejection of apostolic authorship of Mathew and John. However, Brown opts not to exclude any texts from his consideration merely on the grounds that they have been influenced by the post-resurrection experience of the early church. For Brown is attempting to glean new understanding from passages not to define Jesus historically, but rather to seek indication of a self-aware Christ. Brown states, "some [Gospel texts] reflect a later insight not yet achieved in the ministry of Jesus”, from this juncture Brown’s intention is to define self-designations of the historical Jesus from tacit self-understandings that may plausibly be assigned to him.
What emerges from Brown’s survey is a Christ who is conscious of his relation to God and ...