Christ, a Rabbi, not a Nuclear Psychiatrist

AM Psalm 119:49-72 • PM Psalm 49, [53]
Gen. 37:25-36 • 1 Cor. 2:1-13 • Mark 1:29-45

In today’s reading Jesus shows frustration with being constantly asked for raisings from the dead, healings of the sick, and exorcisms. Is this discomfort because He no longer cares about the afflicted? No, it is because He wants to be listened to as a teacher, “a rabbi,” not some kind of reality show contestant with a long winning streak.

It is little appreciated that there were many wonder workers in the ancient world, some of whom had reasonably believable biographers (or at least highly creative PR people). Among the best known in the Mediterranean world was Apollonius of Tyana, a historically fairly well documented figure, whose biography by Philostratus was commissioned by the remarkably accomplished and thoroughly anti-Christian Roman Empress Domna. There is substantial evidence through statuary and inscriptions in stone of gratitude for cures granted, that Apollonius had a cult, based on his reputation for medical miracles, that lasted for about a century.

In the Jewish world there was perhaps most notably Honi, the circle drawer, who drew a circle around himself and vowed that he would not stray outside it until God brought the rains to end a drought. His story was included in the Histories of Flavius Josephus, and in the Mishna, which is still required reading in rabbinical schools. While faith traditions tied in with other miracle-workers have persisted, none has thrived quite like Christianity. I think it likely that the teachings of Christ simply resonated more strongly with His followers both then and now.

But I wonder if early Christians unwisely tried to brag. This could have led to often peculiar confabulations. My Lithuanian immigrant father was the janitor of a university Physics building, and when bragging on my brother Joe the clinical psychologist for the Air Force Strategic Air Command, he would seek to end all boasting contests among his fellow janitors on campus—also typically hardworking immigrants proud of their grown up kids—by referring to Joe as the “Nuclear Psychiatrist.”

Written by Tony Stankus

Tony Stankus is a Distinguished Professor and the BioMedical Librarian at the U of A. Today is his 71st birthday.