Passions of the Christ: The Emotional Life of Jesus in the Gospels

by F. Scott Spencer

Overview

Senior New Testament scholar F. Scott Spencer focuses on a neglected area in the study of Jesus and the Gospels: the emotional life of Jesus. This book offers a fresh reading of the Gospels through the lens of Jesus's emotions—anger, grief, disgust, surprise, compassion, and joy. These emotions motivate Jesus's mission and reveal to Gospel readers what matters most to him. Amid his passions, Jesus forges his character as God's incarnate Messiah, wholly embodied and emotionally engaged with others and thoroughly embedded in the surrounding environment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781540961761
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/04/2021
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

F. Scott Spencer (PhD, University of Durham) previously served as professor of New Testament and biblical interpretation at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Virginia. He is the author of numerous books, including Salty Wives, Spirited Mothers, and Savvy Widows and commentaries on Luke, Acts, and the Song of Songs.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Abbreviations xiii

Part 1 Mission Im/Passible: Theory and Theology 1

1 Emotion Theory and the Passional Christ 5

2 The Pathos Logic of Theology and Christology 21

Part 2 The Virtue of Jesus's Vehement Emotions 39

3 That's Enough! The Angry Jesus 43

4 That's Heart Rending! The Anguished Jesus in Ministry 71

5 That's Soul Crushing! The Anguished Jesus at the End 93

6 That's Gross! The Disgusted Jesus 113

Part 3 The Power of Jesus's Positive Emotions 145

7 That's Amazing! The Surprised Jesus 151

8 What's Love Got to Do with It? The Compassionate Jesus and Pastoral Ministry 171

9 What's Love Got to Do with It? The Compassionate Jesus and Discipleship 207

10 That's Good! The Joyous Jesus 229

Epilogue: Final Thoughts about Jesus's Emotions 261

Bibliography 267

Author Index 291

Scripture and Ancient Writings Index 297