Re: Why the historical Jesus matters

I’m not sure what to make of this. I’m inclined to say that what you say is perfectly true, but so what? I’m not going to stop looking for a more coherent reading of scripture just because I recognize that it’s only my understanding, reflecting my point of view, my prejudices, my educational background, etc. The fact is, I believe that some interpretations of texts are ‘better’ than others - I don’t buy the argument that clarity is a false hermeneutical objective. Those interpretations are always going to be provisional and open to revision; they always arise out of limited perspectives. But the calling of the church is as much to express or embody truth as it is to express or embody justice or love. We do so in humility and under the banner of grace, we acknowledge the shortcomings of our intellects, we try to understand our biases; but I still think it is incumbent upon us as a believing community to articulate our identity with clarity and conviction.

You are right that scripture can be construed in different ways, that different communities can be formed around those readings. But that only makes sense if we pursue those readings far enough to create coherence and with enough conviction to create community. You are not going to shape a worshipping, missional, convenantal community that proclaims Christ as truth around radical hermeneutical scepticism. I don’t think postmodernism denies me the right to tell this story in a particular way with conviction.