The Psychology of Jesus; A Study of the Development of His Self-Consciousness

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1907. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II THE THEOLOGY OF THE JEWS Whatever the facts may be as to the person and the development of Jesus we cannot understand him or his teachings until we form some conception of the thought-forms and instruments of expression current in the world into which he came and to the use of which he was of necessity confined. An exhaustive study of Hebrew thought is neither necessary nor possible in pursuing the task of this book. But the Jewish theology, especially its Messianic conceptions, in so far as it seems to condition at least the expression, if not the form, of the Christian consciousness, must be known to the student of the mind of Christ. Two dominant principles controlled Jewish religious thought throughout the period formative for the New Testament. They sprang from the popular attitude toward the Law and the popular need of a Deliverer; and thus they represent the ancient schools of the priests and the prophets. A new conception of God which governed the religious attitude of Judaism became almost universal. The emphasis upon the Law, itself springing from and intended to carry out the national idea of God's supremacy, soon began to draw attention to the Law itself and away from God. The means superseded the end, the channel the source. An absence of great spirits to inspire and point the nation to God as King, the difficulties and oppression experienced in the State, the disheartening strife within their own numbers, where the more religious lost control and the very place and instruments of worship were in impious hands, resulted in a practical substitution of the Law for the living presence of God.1 He was always the Creator, to the Jews. He was ever exalted. But the old prophets and poets of Israel had brought him near, into daily life. Now there...