Crossan's Historical Jesus as Healer, Exorcist and Miracle Worker

Opsomming

No single Jesus profile in the last decade has generated more scholarly discussion and public interest than that of John Dominic Crossan. It is, however, not generally emphasised, that in his construction Jesus was also a healer, exorcist and miracle worker. This study consists of a critical discussion of the evidence, method and interpretive framework employed by Crossan. From an alternative construction of cross-cultural interpretation by means of medical anthropology, it is argued that on the basis of Crossan's evidence, it is impossible to conclude that Jesus was a healer or exorcist. However, such research provides a framework for appreciating the historicity of the type of healing, exorcistic and miracle stories ascribed to Jesus.