John Dominic Crossan: podcast appearances and interviews

John Dominic Crossan, born on 17 February 1934, is an Irish-American scholar specializing in the New Testament and the history of early Christianity. He is a former Catholic priest and has served as an emeritus professor at DePaul University. Crossan was a prominent member of the Jesus Seminar and is known for his research on the historical Jesus, the theology of noncanonical gospels, and the application of postmodern hermeneutical approaches to biblical studies. His work often challenges traditional interpretations, including views that portray the Second Coming as a late corruption of Jesus' message and that see Jesus' divinity as metaphorical. Crossan emphasizes understanding Jesus and his followers within their historical context, focusing on the social and cultural milieu immediately after Jesus's death. His interpretation of Jesus' ministry highlights themes of free healing and communal meals that undermine social hierarchies present in Jewish culture and the Roman Empire. Crossan and Burton Mack are known for their advocacy of a non-eschatological perspective of Jesus, presenting a view that departs from the more common portrayal of Jesus as an apocalyptic preacher. His scholarship has significantly contributed to debates on the historical Jesus and continues to influence the field of biblical studies.