Final answer:
The Jesus Seminar is criticized for its subjectivity, use of consensus among a select group of scholars and for potentially disregarding historical contexts. It's noted for creating division on what constitutes truth in early Christian teachings and documents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Jesus Seminar faces criticism for several reasons:
- It primarily relies on the consensus of mostly liberal scholars, which raises questions about the objectivity and representation of a wider range of theological standpoints.
- The methodologies employed by the Jesus Seminar are seen by some critics as overly skeptical, particularly their use of voting to determine the authenticity of Jesus's sayings.
- Historical reliability is a significant issue. Critics argue that the Seminar disregards the historical and cultural contexts of the New Testament texts, leading to potential misinterpretation of ancient documents.
Overall, the Jesus Seminar's approach to determining the historical Jesus is contested due to its potentially subjective nature and the insufficient evidence to adequately support its claims. This creates a landscape where truth becomes relative, and the possibility that traditionally accepted narratives are inaccurate or not universally true causes discomfort or inspiration for reconsideration.