The Unexpected Jesus: The Truth Behind His Biblical Names

by R. C. Sproul

Publisher:

Christian Focus

, 2005

Overview

Jesus evokes the widest polarization of opinion of any historical figure: devotion from some, vitriolic abuse by others and astonishing indifference from many. Today most people just don’t know who he really was, or is. There are always people willing to put forth all sorts of interesting ideas regarding Jesus, his role and his identity with books like The Da Vinci Code and The God Delusion proposing that he was only a man. It seems everyone has an opinion whether it is based on fact or fiction.

Those for and against have often resorted to name-calling, and in the Bible Jesus was both called by, and gave himself, unusual names. Noted theologian R.C. Sproul seeks to enlighten us by investigating what those names actually mean. Then, extrapolating from there, Sproul determines what it was that Jesus set out to accomplish.

Contents

Top Highlights

“In third place, in terms of numerical frequency, is the title ‘Son of Man’. It is used about 80 times. What is striking about the use of the title is this: it is the title that Jesus most frequently used to describe himself. Of all the times that this title is used of Jesus in the New Testament, only two or three times is it used by someone other than Jesus.” (Page 18)

“In the Bible, the title, ‘Son of God’, is ascribed to angels and also to human beings, with specific reference to people who are particularly obedient to God.” (Page 19)

“In Jewish theology, a prophet was singularly endowed and anointed by God to speak the very word of God to people.” (Page 30)

“He performed the miracle so the onlookers would know that he, the Son of Man, had authority to forgive sins. That is not a statement of self-effacing humility, and his contemporaries understood this. When they heard Jesus saying that the Son of Man had the authority to forgive sins on earth, they knew he was claiming to be divine.” (Pages 23–24)

“The Reformers summarised the concept of Messiah by saying it had at least three elements. He would be a prophet, because God said that in the future he would send a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15); a king, because the Messiah was to be from the line of David, and would inherit an everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:7); a priest, for the Messiah was to be a high priest after the order of Melchisedek (Psalm 110:4).” (Page 33)

Product Details

• Title: The Unexpected Jesus: The Truth Behind His Biblical Names
• Author: R. C. Sproul
• Publisher: Christian Focus
• Print Publication Date: 2005
• Logos Release Date: 2010
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Jesus Christ › Knowableness; Jesus Christ › Person and offices; Jesus Christ › Name
• ISBNs: 9781845500375, 1845500377
• Resource ID: LLS:UNEXPCTJESUS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:36:26Z

About R. C. Sproul

R. C. Sproul (1939– 2017) was a respected teacher, theologian, pastor. He was the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries in Orlando FL. He was also first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. His radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online.

Sproul held degrees from Westminster College, Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary, Free University of Amsterdam, and Whitefield Theological Seminary. He taught at several colleges and seminaries including Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary. He served as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, in Sanford, Florida. Sproul’s teaching can be heard daily on the “Renewing Your Mind” radio broadcast which plays in over 40 countries.

Sproul wrote over 70 books and articles including the classic The Holiness of God and several theological articles in Tabletalk magazine.