Jesus and the Origins of the Gentile Mission
Jesus and the Origins of the Gentile Mission

Jesus and the Origins of the Gentile Mission

in Library of New Testament Studies

by Michael F. Bird

Pages 226
Publisher T&T Clark
Published 2007
ISBN-13 9780567044730
Bird argues that Jesus was attempting to achieve and enact the restoration of Israel, and in continuity with other strands of Jewish belief, Jesus conceived of the restoration of Israel as resulting in the salvation of the gentiles.

Jesus' mission was Israel-centric, but he espoused a view of restoration that was indebted to certain strands of Israel's sacred traditions where the gentiles are implicit beneficiaries of Israel's salvation. Since this restoration was already being partially realized in Jesus' ministry, it was becoming possible for gentiles to begin sharing in Israel's salvation in the present.

Additionally, Jesus understood himself and his followers to be the new temple and the vanguard of the restored Israel who would appropriate for themselves the role of Israel and the temple in being a light to the nations. Thus, a gentile mission has its germinal roots in the aims and intentions of Jesus and was developed in a transformed situation by adherents of the early Christian movement.

  • Table of Contents
  • Chapter 1 - Introduction: Jesus and the Gentiles
  • Chapter 2 - "A Light to the Nations": Proselytizing in Second-Temple Judaism
  • Chapter 3 - "Restore the Kingdom to Israel": Jesus, the Gentiles and the Restoration of Israel
  • CHAPTER 4 - "NO CRUMBS FOR THE DOGS": NEGATIVE REMARKS ABOUT GENTILES AND RESTRICTIONS OF JESUS' MISSION TO ISRAEL
  • Chapter 5 - "A Kingdom for the Birds": Sayings Material About Gentiles
  • Chapter 6 - "I Have Not Found Such Faith in Israel": Narrative Material About Gentiles
  • Chapter 7 - A Light and a House for All Nations: The Rationale for the Salvation of the Gentiles in Jesus' Mission
  • Chapter 8 - Conclusion

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