James D. Tabor, a prominent scholar of early Christianity and Second Temple Judaism, has extensively examined the historical Jesus and the development of early Christian beliefs. In his works, Tabor addresses the question of whether Jesus ever claimed to be God, particularly in the earliest Christian texts.
The Earliest Christian Texts and Their Portrayal of Jesus
The earliest Christian texts are generally considered to be the letters of Paul, written between approximately 50 and 60 CE. These letters predate the Gospels and provide insight into the beliefs and practices of early Christian communities. In these writings, Paul refers to Jesus in exalted terms, such as the "Son of God" and "Lord," but does not explicitly claim that Jesus identified himself as God. For instance, in Philippians 2:6–11, Paul speaks of Jesus' pre-existence and his humility in becoming human, but the text does not record Jesus claiming divinity.
The Gospel of Mark, believed to be the earliest Gospel, presents Jesus as a human figure who performs miracles and teaches about the Kingdom of God. While Mark attributes various titles to Jesus, such as "Son of God" and "Messiah," there is no direct statement from Jesus declaring himself to be God. Instead, Mark emphasizes Jesus' relationship with God the Father and his role in God's plan.
The Development of Christological Beliefs
Tabor argues that the belief in Jesus' divinity developed gradually within early Christian communities. Initially, Jesus was viewed as a human figure who was uniquely chosen by God. Over time, as early Christians reflected on Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, they began to attribute to him divine qualities. This process, known as the development of Christology, led to a more explicit identification of Jesus with God.
In his blog post, "Do You Believe Jesus Was the 'Son of God'?", Tabor discusses how terms like "Son of God" and "Lord" were used in the Greco-Roman world to refer to divine or semi-divine figures. He notes that these titles were not unique to Jesus and were applied to other figures of the time. Tabor suggests that the use of such titles for Jesus reflects the evolving understanding of his nature within early Christian communities. TaborBlog
The Ebionites and Their Views on Jesus
The Ebionites were an early Jewish Christian sect that held a low Christology, viewing Jesus as a human prophet and messiah, but not as divine. According to Tabor, the Ebionites believed that Jesus was adopted as God's son at his baptism, a view known as adoptionism. This perspective contrasts with later Christian doctrines that emphasized Jesus' pre-existence and divinity. Tabor's research into the Ebionites highlights the diversity of early Christian beliefs about Jesus' nature and the development of Christological doctrines. Wikipedia TaborBlog
Conclusion
James D. Tabor's scholarship provides valuable insights into the question of whether Jesus ever claimed to be God in the earliest Christian sources. While the earliest texts do not record Jesus making explicit claims to divinity, they reflect an evolving understanding of his nature within early Christian communities. Tabor's work underscores the complexity and diversity of early Christian beliefs and the gradual development of doctrines about Jesus' divinity.
For those interested in exploring this topic further, Tabor's blog post "Do You Believe Jesus Was the 'Son of God'?" offers a detailed examination of early Christian views on Jesus' nature and the development of Christological beliefs. Additionally, his other writings delve into the historical context of early Christianity and the diverse beliefs that characterized its formative years. TaborBlog
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