I have been on a reading streak of late. I read C E Hill’s book “Who Chose the Gospels”, perhaps the most disingenuous book I have read in a long time.
But a digress. I also reread Ehrman’s book “Jesus: The Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium” together with an old news article concerning a meeting in 1986 where a poll of the Jesus Seminar Scholars voted 9 to 39 that for the proposition that Jesus thought that the end of the world would come in his lifetime. Likewise, a group from the Society of Biblical Literatue thought the evidence in the Gospels favors a non-apocalyptic Jesus. (Los Angeles Times, “Scholars Doubt Apocalyptic View of Jesus” by John Dart, 8 Oct 1986.)
I wanted to know what passages from the Gospels supported the Apocalyptic view and which did not. I also wanted to know if, despite what the Gospels says Jesus says on this issue, whether members of the Jesus Seminar thought the sayings were actually said by Jesus.
I turned to the Artificial Intelligence app, ChatGPT. I thought it would save me some time since I don’t have all the books necessary to answer this question.
I asked the question; “List passages from Bible showing Jesus not an apocalyptic prophet”
This is the response:
1. In Matthew 26:11, Jesus says, “The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.” This statement shows that Jesus did not believe the end of the world was imminent, as an apocalyptic prophet would.
2. In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus says, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” This suggests that Jesus saw the coming of the kingdom of God as a gradual and ongoing process, rather than a sudden and cataclysmic event.
3. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus says, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” This statement implies that Jesus did not know when the end of the world would come, which is inconsistent with the beliefs of an apocalyptic prophet.
4. In Mark 1:15, Jesus proclaims, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” This statement suggests that Jesus believed the kingdom of God was already at hand, rather than something that would only arrive in the future.
5. In John 18:36, Jesus tells Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” This statement shows that Jesus did not see himself as a political or military leader who would establish a kingdom on earth, as some apocalyptic prophets did.
I then asked the computer: “List Bible passages Bible scholars think were said by Jesus that support apocalyptic Jesus?”
This is the response:
While the attribution of specific Bible passages to Jesus can vary among scholars, here are some commonly referenced passages that are considered to support the idea of an apocalyptic Jesus:
1. Mark 13:24-27: “But in those days, following that distress, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.”
2. Matthew 24:29-31: “Immediately after the distress of those days, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
3. Luke 21:25-28: “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
4. Matthew 16:27-28: “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
5. Matthew 10:23: “When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
It’s important to note that interpretations of these passages may vary, and scholars may have different views on their meaning and context. The concept of an apocalyptic Jesus emphasizes his role as a divine figure associated with the end times and the coming of the kingdom of God.
I then asked a slightly different question: “List Bible passages Bible scholars think were not said by Jesus but support apocalyptic Jesus”
This is the response:
While there are varying opinions among Bible scholars regarding which passages were not directly spoken by Jesus but support an apocalyptic understanding of Jesus, here are a few examples often discussed:
1. Mark 13:32: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” This verse, found in the Olivet Discourse, implies a future event of divine judgment and highlights Jesus’ teaching about the coming of the Son of Man.
2. Matthew 24:36: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Similar to the previous verse, this passage in Matthew’s Gospel reflects Jesus’ apocalyptic teachings regarding the uncertain timing of the end times.
3. Matthew 24:29-31: “Immediately after the distress of those days, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” This passage describes the cosmic events and the glorious return of the Son of Man, signifying an apocalyptic context.
4. Matthew 25:31-46: This passage contains the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, in which Jesus describes the final judgment, separating the righteous from the unrighteous. This judgment scene aligns with the apocalyptic theme of divine judgment and eschatological hope.
It’s important to note that while scholars may debate the precise origin of certain passages, the interpretation and understanding of these verses can vary among individuals. The concept of an apocalyptic Jesus involves examining various biblical texts and piecing together a cohesive understanding of Jesus’ teachings on eschatology.
I must say that I thought these machine responses are pretty good. I saved me a lot of time doing research, which I really was not inclined to do.
I wonder what others think?
BTW, here is a machine summary of Ehrman’s book “Jesus: The Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium”
Bart D. Ehrman’s book “Jesus: The Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium” explores the historical figure of Jesus within the context of apocalyptic beliefs and expectations prevalent during his time. The book delves into the idea that Jesus saw himself as an apocalyptic prophet who believed in the imminent arrival of God’s kingdom and the end of the world.
Ehrman examines the various sources available, including the New Testament Gospels and other early Christian writings, to reconstruct Jesus’ teachings and the historical context in which he lived. He argues that Jesus’ primary message centered around the belief that God’s kingdom was at hand, and that this belief shaped his teachings, actions, and expectations.
According to Ehrman, Jesus’ apocalyptic message included the notion of a final judgment, where the righteous would be rewarded and the wicked punished. Jesus believed that the kingdom of God would be established on Earth, bringing an end to evil and inaugurating a new era of peace and justice.
The author also explores how Jesus’ apocalyptic worldview influenced his disciples and followers, shaping their understanding of his teachings and their own expectations. Ehrman discusses the role of the early Christian community in interpreting and reinterpreting Jesus’ apocalyptic message after his death.
Throughout the book, Ehrman engages with scholarly debates surrounding Jesus’ apocalyptic beliefs, challenging traditional interpretations and presenting his own perspective. He argues that Jesus’ apocalyptic vision provides a key to understanding his life and teachings, highlighting the significance of eschatology (the study of the end times) in shaping Jesus’ identity and message.
In summary, “Jesus: The Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millennium” by Bart D. Ehrman offers an exploration of Jesus’ role as an apocalyptic prophet, examining the historical context and sources to present a comprehensive analysis of his teachings and their apocalyptic implications.
Legalbits, welcome aboard.
Pretty impressive but it does reveal the limitations of ChatGPT. This is the worst subject for quote mining. For example, read the entire Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’s teachings make perfect sense looked at from an apocalyptic perspective but as prescriptions for long term social change they are completely bonkers. Also, in the New Testament there is a trajectory away from an apocalyptic viewpoint as the delay of the end became more and more apparent. John the Baptist is characterized as an apocalypticist. The axe is at the root! Paul is a thoroughgoing apocalypticist in his authentic letters. So John who probably mentored Jesus was, and Paul who followed him was, but Jesus himself wasn’t? But all of this is in Ehrman’s book.
My point of view is that Schweitzer was correct, non-apocalyptic views of Jesus are attempts to create a Jesus in one’s own image, a search for relevance almost completely anachronistic. The historical Jesus was a weird figure who thought in a way almost completely alien to moderns. If he appeared today preaching the way he did back then I suspect he would be considered crazy.
I agree that one would not get a good grade for the above response – my guess would be a C. But remember that I asked the program to simply list the biblical passages to support the proposition. At least the list included a description of what the quotes say with respect to the subject. But you are also correct in that the response misses the nuance of the sermon on the mount as it relates to the issue queried.
As another example, I asked chatGPS to answer one of the questions on one of Ehrman’s exams. I asked:
“Choose one of Paul’s undisputed letters (with the exception of Romans) and discuss the following issues: how was the church to which the letter is addressed founded, what problems have emerged since Paul left the community, and how does Paul deal with the problems? Brownie points for specific details.”
The Answer:
“I would be happy to discuss one of Paul’s undisputed letters. Let’s take a look at the letter of 1 Corinthians.
The Church in Corinth was founded by Paul during his second missionary journey, likely around 50 AD. Corinth was a bustling commercial center and a melting pot of cultures and religions, which made it an important city for Paul to establish a Christian community. Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth, during which time he founded the Church and taught the gospel. After he left, he received reports about problems that had arisen in the community.
One of the major problems in the Corinthian Church was division and conflict. The community was divided over issues such as leadership, spiritual gifts, and the role of women. Some members of the community were claiming to follow certain leaders, while others were saying that they followed Christ alone. There were also disagreements over the use of spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, and some members were using their gifts to show off rather than to build up the community. Additionally, there were issues regarding sexual immorality, lawsuits among believers, and questions about marriage and singleness.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses these issues head-on. He urges the community to unite and to focus on Christ rather than on individual leaders. He emphasizes the importance of using spiritual gifts to build up the community rather than for personal gain, and he provides guidelines for how spiritual gifts should be used in the Church. He also addresses issues of sexual immorality, lawsuits, and marriage and singleness, providing guidance on how believers should behave in these areas.
Throughout the letter, Paul reminds the Corinthians of their identity as a community of believers, urging them to work together and to love one another. He also emphasizes the centrality of Christ and the importance of the resurrection, reminding the community of the gospel message that he had preached to them.
In summary, the Church in Corinth was founded by Paul during his second missionary journey, but problems emerged after he left, including division, conflict, and issues regarding spiritual gifts, sexual immorality, lawsuits, and marriage and singleness. In his letter, Paul addresses these issues head-on, urging the community to unite and to focus on Christ, and providing guidance on how believers should behave in these areas.
NOTICE: The system did show some ability to form an intent – at least to make a choice – in that it did choose one of the undisputed letters. It is been a 50 years since I took an exam in college. I suspect, however, that the grade would be a C for an undergraduate-level course at a sophomore level. The response needs more detail and analysis to bring the grade up.
I wonder how Ehrman would grade this answer.
Legalbits I suspect it picked I Cor because the question excluded Romans and I Cor is next in the NT order of books. And that’s the problem. These responses seem cursory. It comes off as a synopsis of the book which in many cases of course might be just exactly what you want. But here I think Ehrman wants evidence that the student has thought about it. The AI is not wrong, it’s actually pretty good, but it’s not enough.
I’ve worked in the IT field for most of my career although my educational background is anything but. I’m not nearly as frightened by the idea of AI as many seem to be. If we ever destroy ourselves it will be we who have done it. Not Hal 9000 or an army of Terminators. It will not be because AI is smart but because we’re stupid.
Actually if the AI could just compile a usable index and bibliography for non-fiction books it will have justified its expense.
Agreed.
It does occur to me that the AI here is pretty good and will get much better very fast. Indeed, merely asking these questions helps the system to learn.
It may be, too, that because this is a public beta that there is a limit to how long the responses can be, thus limiting the details.
BDEhrman
FreedomBen
evgendob
Robert
1 Guest(s)