The Son of Man in the Old Testament

Abstract

“There is no other subject in the study of the New Testament which is more central to the understanding of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth and which is at the same time subject to more controversy than the "Son of Man". Perhaps more of the work of biblical scholars has been expended on this important topic than on any other one subject, and yet there appears to be as much disagreement as ever on the essential meaning of and the history of the title.

It is this factor which provides the raison d’être for yet another study of this well-worn topic. Though there is at present no consensus among scholars on even certain basic features of this enigmatic title, it is of course hoped that continued research will ultimately yield answers to the problems which at present vex all who study the matter.

Undertaking the present study may be further justified by the difference of approach it follows. The value of taking an approach limited to a certain line of investigation has been demonstrated by Morna Hooker, who limited her study of the Son of Man to Mark's Gospel only. Another such approach is that of Frederick Borsch who, following the History of Religions school, explored the full gamut of Near Eastern religious documents in an attempt to shed light on the N.T. Son or Man.

It has been the approach of this study to examine material closer to hand to the N.T. writers, the early church, and Jesus himself--the Old Testament (and related Jewish apocryphal works). Though the influence of other factors may have helped in the shaping of the Son of Man tradition, the use of the O.T. and its profound influence would seem certain.” – from the Introduction.