We’ve developed a time machine but it only works for half an hour. So everybody gets a half hour with the historical Jesus to ask questions. Reasonably that would be what, 3 to 5 questions? Just you and him. Everybody gets a shot so don’t ask questions you think someone else would expect you to ask. What do you really want to know?
Me first. The aspect of Jesus’ life that has been totally lost to us is the personal. So that’s my focus.
1. What is your earliest childhood memory?
2. What are you doing when you’re the happiest?
3. What is the most beautiful thing you’re ever seen?
4. What person (human being) do you love the most?
5. Describe the most vivid dream you can remember.
A bit touchy feely perhaps but if we knew the answers to these questions we would know a lot more about who Jesus really was.
JAS said
It is a time machine, so you aren’t getting to ask questions post crucifixion. At what point during his lifetime (such as we know it) are you proposing?
I suppose it would depend on what you’re asking. I could see someone only interested in the replies of a younger Jesus. Mine would be best asked of the fully mature Jesus. It’s a thought experiment.
I am not sure that I would know a good question to ask when much could be gained merely by seeing him in action, and hearing what he said, first hand. (Since we are presuming time travel, I guess we are also presuming some means of overcoming the language barrier.) But you have imposed the half hour limitation, so that is a major hindrance. Offhand, any question I might ask would only bear on the record of the NT; it would not answer the big question . . . . unless it was in the negative from him himself.
Right at the top, I’d ask:
1) do you believe you are destined to die a violent death? If so why (both why do you believe this and what do you believe is the point of it)?
2) what do you believe about the son of man (who is he, when will he come)?
3) do you believe you can work miracles?
4) how do you expect the Romans to be driven out of the holy land?
As time permits, I’d work in some of the following:
1) what’s your relationship to Mary Magdalen?
2) what is your relationship to Judas Iscariot?
3) what is your relationship to John the Baptist?
4) what is your relationship to clopas?
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