From Jesus to the New Testament

This monograph examines the historical and theological processes through which early Christian communities transformed their memories and experiences of Jesus into the canonical New Testament texts. Schröter, a prominent German New Testament scholar, employs a sophisticated methodology combining historical-critical analysis with reception theory and memory studies to trace how the figure of Jesus became textualized and eventually canonized within emerging Christian communities.

The work argues that the New Testament should not be understood as a direct historical record of Jesus's life and teachings, but rather as the product of complex interpretive processes within early Christian communities. Schröter demonstrates how oral traditions, liturgical practices, and theological reflections shaped the written gospels and epistles over several decades. He particularly emphasizes how each gospel writer constructed their narrative according to specific theological agendas and community needs, resulting in diverse yet complementary portraits of Jesus.

Central to Schröter's analysis is the concept of "productive reception," whereby early Christians actively reinterpreted Jesus traditions in light of their post-resurrection faith and evolving circumstances. He traces how Christological developments, particularly claims about Jesus's divine status and salvific role, emerged through this interpretive process rather than being simply preserved from Jesus's own self-understanding. The monograph carefully examines how Paul's letters, written before the gospels, already reflect sophisticated theological interpretations that would influence subsequent New Testament writings.

Schröter engages critically with both conservative scholars who argue for substantial continuity between the historical Jesus and New Testament portrayals, and radical critics who posit complete discontinuity. His position acknowledges creative theological development while maintaining that authentic memories of Jesus constrained and shaped this process. The work demonstrates how early Christians understood themselves as authorized interpreters of Jesus traditions, not merely passive transmitters.

The monograph's significance for discussions about God lies in its careful documentation of how early Christian theological claims, including assertions about Jesus's relationship to God, developed through human interpretive processes. While Schröter does not directly address the validity of religious claims, his historical analysis raises important questions about the relationship between historical events, communal interpretation, and theological truth claims. His work provides essential context for understanding how the New Testament's witness to God emerged through particular historical and social processes.