What is Albert Schweitzer's argument in Quest for the historical Jesus?

Answer 1

The following explanation is taken from an article written by H. Alan Brehm. I quote him verbatim and take none of these assertions as my own; I only offer them as a succinct explanation of Schweitzer's argument from Brehm's perspective:

"In contrast to the disregard for Jesus' historical context by the main stream of the "Quest of the Historical Jesus," Albert Schweitzer sought to assert an understanding of Jesus based on Jewish apocalyptic eschatology, following the lead of Johannes Weiss. Schweitzer argued that Jesus expected the "Son of Man" to appear during his ministry and establish God's Kingdom on earth. When that did not happen, Jesus determined to provoke the Jewish authorities to execute him, believing that his death would trigger the events leading to God's intervention in history. Although Jesus died sadly mistaken in his apocalyptic notions, his death has impact upon modern Christians by inspiring them to emulate his sacrifice. Thus Schweitzer brought the original "Quest of the Historical Jesus" to a close by moving scholarship closer to an understanding of Jesus in his own cultural milieu, while simultaneously undercutting any substantial relevance of his ministry and message for the modern world" (6).

Work Cited

Brehm, H. Alan. "Will The Real Jesus Please Stand? Evaluating the 'Third Quest of the Historical Jesus.'" Southwestern Journal of Theology 38.3 (1996): 4-18. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials.

Answer 2

Albert Schweitzer argued that the historical Jesus should be understood in the context of his time and not through modern interpretations. He believed that Jesus was a eschatological preacher who expected the imminent end of the world and that this belief shaped his teachings and actions. Schweitzer's work emphasizes the need to approach the study of Jesus with historical rigor and critical analysis.