The Bible and Beyond Podcast Episode
How Jesus’s Followers Made Sense of His Death by Crucifixion
An Interview with Dr. Arthur Dewey
Dr. Arthur Dewey, photo by Greg Rust
In this podcast, Professor Arthur Dewey explains why Christians felt so differently about Jesus’s crucifixion long after the event than his immediate followers did. Jesus had taught the presence of God and how to live that, but the shock of his death caused re-thinking and re-evaluating of this shame-inducing passion experience for many decades and centuries. Jesus’s counter-cultural message brought hope to members of the Roman-occupied community, but his crucifixion strengthened their memory and faith.
Dr. Dewey is an award-winning and honors recipient Professor of Theology at Xavier University and has been a long-time chair of the Department of Theology. He is a specialist on the historical Jesus and the Gospels, and he has taught extensively on Paul and a number of extracanonical works. He is a scholar with great depth and experience in the world of early Christian texts. He is also a poet and becomes involved in places where the media gets wrapped up in religion. His most recent book, Inventing the Passion (2017), is the focus of this Bible and Beyond podcast interview.
Wow! What amazing content and historical background information which enlightens us to better understand the context of Jesus’ crucifixion in the Roman and Hebrew cultures. I, and the world, are blessed by Dr. Dewey’s research and sharing. Thank you so much!!
I am interested that he speaks so much about the crucifixion but hardly at all about the resurrection. I wouldn’t wear a crucifix because I choose to celebrate Jesus resurrection which to me is the important part of his story. Why would we leave him on the cross when he himself returned to show what really happened to him, that he didnt ultimately die but was resurrected to life and continued to teach his disciples the greatest lessons they had not yet fully absorbed from following Jesus up to that time. I guess I don’t understand why Arthur thinks Paul would scorn those who had a meal in Jesus honor if he understood they were honoring his resurrection and not his crucifixion. Was he referring to the Paul from before his conversion? I wasn’t sure. Really enjoy these conversations. They stretch ones understanding and send me back to read again what is there in the Bible.
It is wonderful to learn more about what the culture was like just before and several centuries after Jesus’ time. We definitely have different viewpoints in this 21st Century about “facts” and History and how to interpret main ideas. I appreciated the Jewish perspective that God is present, so what is there to fear? I’ll try more to relax and take a deep breath (pneuma – breath of Spirit, God) to respond and not react while being more flexible. Many thanks for this sharing podcast. Shelley October 8, 2020