Overview of the Journey

As you read this chapter, note the following transitions:

• A strict “Calvinist” home
• Studies in Europe
• Breaking monopolies
• Negative side of ancient culture
• Positive side of ancient culture
• The faith of Jesus
• Trusting God

Discussion Questions — printout

1. How did a strict “Calvinist” home influence Robinson?
2. What role did his European education play in shaping his ideas?
3. What were some things commonly believed in the ancient world?  How do these ideas seem to you?
4. Why does Robinson think that Christians today should not be expected to believe the ancient Christian creeds?  Do you agree?
5. What does it mean to “demythologize” the miracles of Jesus?
6. What did the ancient writers try to do with “myth” according to Robinson?
7. Why does Robinson say that in the early sayings gospel Q Jesus continued to speak after the crucifixion?
8. Why does Robinson think that Jesus’ behavior was “selfless”?
9. Why does Robinson think that trusting in God, like Jesus did, means not believing in ancient Christian doctrine.

Class Exercises

• Have the group draw up a list of the popular beliefs of antiquity and consider how they are related to the creeds of the fourth and fifth centuries.  Which aspects of popular belief does the group think are out of date and which are still current?
• Have each member of the group complete the following sentence: “The miracles attributed to Jesus in the Gospels...." Take up the papers, read them to the group, and discuss them.

Theological Terms for Consideration — handout

• demythologize
• kerygma
• form criticism
• existentialism
• hermeneutic

Religious Thinkers for Consideration — handout

• Karl Barth (1886–1968)
• Rudolf Bultmann (1884–1976)
• Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965)
• David Friedrich Strauss 1808–1874)
• Robert W. Funk (1926–2005)

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