(before I could find a topic)
The Historical Task
As Borg mentions the job of historian in vovles several steps and peeling back layers of interpretations. He explains that absolute veritable fact "is beyond the scope" of what any historian can achieve. I disagree with a point he makes concerning science however, he uses science as example of a field that is commonly associated with exactness. In reality history and science are very similiar. Members in both disciplines gather evidence and propose theories to explain that evidence. Scientistific and historical theories alike are not written in stone, both are reevaluated in light of a new archealogical find or the discovery of a new galaxy or element; in order to accomodate the new evidence. This point however is not the focus of his chapter. Borg truly wants to draw attention to the process by which historians articulate and breathe life into bits and peices of writings and scrolls.
Borg likens the work of a historian to that of a detective. Borge explains three distinct stages the "street stage" the "forensic stage" and the "formulation of a hypothesis". Historians have to begin thier work on the ground digging up clues and hints to recreate the world they are attempting to understand. In the case of the Bible, it is especially important to understand the biblical world and the struggles of political and economic forces of the time. Many people know that Rome ruled Israel during Jesus's lifetime. But fewer knew exactly how they governed the country. Fewer know about the role pontious pilot had in ruling the nation or the previous tranfer of power from herod the great to the rule under Rome.
Without more research to uncover a better understanding of the time in which Jesus lived biblical sholars can't hope to recreat the historical Jesus. The best that any historians can hope to come up with is a accurate picture of the jesus the man that lived and died under roman rule.
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