...my attention to Jesus and to his words and ways for my life today? Friend or Foe, act towards everyone in the same way you’d like them to act towards you–give to all as you would like to receive from God. // How will I put others before myself today? Get your life back on track—do the good you know to do, stop ignoring the truth, courageously make the right decisions. // What is something I can change for the better in my life today? Don't embellish your promises and so deceive yourself and others into thinking you are more sincere. Simply keep your word and keep it simple. // What promises can I keep today? Don’t want to be picked apart? Then don’t...
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...An Analysis of "Is Jesus the Only Savior?" By: Ronald H. Nash By: Gregory Baize, Sr. Student #23344343 May 9, 2012 THEO 313-D03 Prof. Chuck Tabor An Analysis of "Is Jesus the Only Savior?" Part II Inclusivism Nash started his work with an in depth analysis of pluralism, the beliefs and arguments developing his thesis as well as developing a strong case against pluralism. Now in the second part of the book “Is Jesus the Only Savior?” Nash leads us in a study of inclusivism. Defined as or the belief that “The work of Jesus is ontologically necessary for salvation (in other words no one would be saved without it) Nash indicates not epistemologically necessary (in other words a person need not be aware of the work in order to benefit from it).” [1] One must keep in mind that Exclusivism is in disagreement with any second proposition. Strength of his Argument As you read through Nash’s work you find that Nash quotes a number of Inclusivists extensively. He also notes that one has sufficient evidence of their view points and the many arguments made by their own writings. This author displays great integrity in that he identifies even the elements of disagreement between inclusivists. Those of the Inclusivists thought believe that a general revelation is sufficient to bring an individual unto salvation. As Nash began to look into scripture he found Romans chapters 1-3 supported his ideology that a person’s broad revelation is not quite...
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...Jesus demonstrates setting healthy boundaries when he takes time from ministering to the people to pray and rest. Jesus often withdrew from the crowds and His disciples to be alone. These solitary moments are a significant illustration of Jesus setting boundaries. Everywhere He went there were crowds of people who sought His attention. Jesus recognized that in order to accomplish His mission here on earth time alone was necessary. Jesus made it a priority to go to an isolated area where no one else was. He needed to draw strength from His Father to be strong spiritually and mentally. These times are also important for us as Christians. Our lives have become exceedingly hectic and it is essential to slow down, and replenish ourselves....
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...Jesus’ Upside-Down Kingdom The Upside-Down Kingdom is a different perspective that Jesus delivers and an overturned outlook that He shares. Jesus did not view life like the religious people, but He brought a new order of things. Jesus showed us a different viewpoint of the way we should be living. Jesus taught and gave a deeper understanding, which was usually different than the way most understood. Through Jesus’ teachings and parables He showed an upside-down kingdom. Jesus was not concerned with the rules and regulations of the Pharisees but was more concerned with living by the true laws of God and not the laws of man. Throughout time the religious had added so many rules to the written Torah, they had made an oral Torah filled with...
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...After reading the except from “Under the Feet of Jesus” by Helena Maria Viramontes, multiple times one realizes that through the tone and figurative speech, how Estrella character develops a positive change in her life. In the beginning of the excerpt, Estrella was very angry to see Perfecto’s red tool chest at the door, she was very confused. “the iron bars and things with handles, the funny-shaped objects, seemed as confusing and foreign as the alphabet she could not decipher” (Viramontes). This use of metaphor goes to show that Estrella is in fact mad and confused because she doesn’t understand the tools just like how she doesn’t understand the alphabet. Much of Estrella’s frustration seems to come from the fact that she wants to learn but...
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...Carroll College | Exegesis of Luke 5:27-32 | Biblical Exegesis Paper | | | | Jennifer Hess | 4/25/2010 Exegesis of Luke 5:27-32 Overview The passage that was chosen was Luke 5:27-32, or the calling of Levi. This passage presents Jesus telling Levi, a tax collector, to follow him. Levi does follow Jesus, and soon after they are having a banquet dinner with other tax collectors. Jesus is asked why he chooses to eat with them, and he simply responds with “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Levi is chosen to emphasize that he is of the worst sinners. The dinner with the sinners is a part of Jesus’ mission of this passage. The sinners were considered unclean and profane, yet Jesus is there to be their physician. He is there to pursue the faith in them (Just 96). Historical Analysis The Gospel of Luke was originally written in Koine Greek (McKenzie 525). The intended audience is Greek-speaking, meaning Christianity was an international religion. The Gospels of Luke, Mark and Matthew have many of the same stories, but sometimes in different words or order. One of the problems of these Synoptic Gospels is the synoptic problem. The synoptic problem is the interrelationship of the three of them and the similarity in content (Mueller 75,77). One solution is that Matthew used information from only Mark, and Luke wrote last, using both of the gospels before him (McKenzie...
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...Jesus: Fact from Fiction Christianity is currently the largest religion in the world with approximately 2.1 billion people identifying themselves as Christians. Jesus is the central focus of attention and worship in Christianity, and is held by most Christians to be the Messiah, foretold in the Hebrew Bible or “Old Testament”. They believe him to be the savior of mankind, and the son of God. However, in modern times, the use of critical scholarship in analysis of the Bible and to the New Testament Gospels in particular, has lead to an accelerating rate of disintegration in the traditional Christian belief system. The term "scholarship" implies the application of the scientific method of the evaluating evidence on the basis of objective standards unhindered from any personal involvement or biases. The main source of information on Jesus is from the Christian Gospels. Some scholars claim that the sources on which the Gospels are based were written within the living memory of Jesus' lifetime. There are four such Gospels the earliest being Mark (68-73 AD), followed by Matthew (70-100 AD), Luke (80-100 AD), and John (90-110 AD). Many conservative Christians accept these writings as evidence for a historical Jesus and as an account of his life and death. According to the Christian Gospels, Jesus was born in Bethlehem between 6 BC and 6 AD. The Gospel Mark, reports that Jesus was "the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon" he also states that Jesus had sisters. Nothing of Jesus...
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...Liberty University Book Review: Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament Submitted to Dr. Gary Schnittjer in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for OBST 515 Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary by CURTIS TERRY Lynchburg, Virginia Tuesday February 18, 2014 Table of Contents Introduction 3 Summary 3 Critical Interaction5 Conclusion8 Bibliography9 Introduction Dr. Christopher J.H. Wright love for Hebrew scripture played a major role in his decision to write Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament. Dr. Wright wrote that he was saddened that so many Christians love Jesus but know so little about who he thought he was and what he had come to do. Dr. Wright background is one of Anglican descent born in Belfast, North Ireland during World War II. He is the son of missionaries and a graduate of Cambridge. Dr. Wright was ordained by the Anglican Church of England in 1977 and has served in the capacities of high school teacher, associate pastor, Old Testament scholar. Dr. Wright has served at Union Biblical Seminary in India as seminary professor and served as Principal of All Nations Christian College from 1993-2001. Dr. Wright has authored numerous books and currently serves as the International Director for Langham Partnership International. This paper will provide a review of Dr. Wright’s Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament by providing a summarization of the work and provide an analysis of various theological topic discussed by Dr. Wright...
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...regarding the artwork. It was created in the mid fourteenth century, making it a quattrocento, and utilizes the styles of renascence art. The group of three men in the foreground contains the main theme of the painting that is the Christian acceptance and Jewish rejection of Jesus as the messiah and how that created a divide in theological beliefs between the two groups. Through a visual analysis it is apparent that this image is unlike almost any other Christian depiction of the life of Jesus. In this representation of the Flagellation Jesus is not the main focus; rather he is confined to the background of the image. This is an unprecedented reversal of Jesus and surrounding figures in Christian artwork. The main focus is of a group of three men in the foreground. This is apparent due to their location relative to the location of Jesus. It is easily seen that the group of three men are in the foreground due to the artist’s clear lines on the floor that creates a three-dimensional scene. Although there is distance between the groups, there is a clear connection between them. Jesus and his group of tormentors reflect the first triad. This is further supported by the similarities between the posture of Jesus and the middle youth in the foreground. The fact that the two groups are connected shows that Piero’s main point lies in the foreground, but is heavily supported by the flagellation. The three men composing the foreground appear to be somewhat prominent due to their colorful...
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...The Christian World View used to be universal to the idea that Jesus was the only way to salvation but this has been under attack by those who would believe that there are many ways to be saved, they would be known as Pluralist. Ronald Nash confronts these claims and defends the orthodox Christian beliefs in his book “Is Jesus the only Savior?” An analysis of the first six chapters of the book “Is Jesus the only Savior?” by Ronald Nash will be given by the author in two parts, the first will analysis the arguments given by Nash on the topic of Religious Pluralism, and the second part will be a personal conclusion on the topic. Ronald Nash served as a professor for over forty years in the areas of theology, apologetics, ethics, world view and history. Nash had a doctorate in Philosophy with a Christian world view. Book Analysis In the first six chapters of the book “Is Jesus the only Savior?” Nash defends Christian Exclusivism and argues against “Religious Pluralism” specifically John Hicks modern view on the topic. Nash in his logical arguments never strays away from fundamental biblical foundations and presents a clear and logical defense of his view and rebuttal towards Hicks and Religious Pluralism on a whole. Nash starts the book with a very clear and concise definition for Christian Exclusivism, “Christian exclusivism can be defined as a belief that (1) Jesus is the only Savior and (2) explicit faith in Jesus is necessary for salvation.” As Nash argues against Pluralism...
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...Shawn Andrews Summer 2014 Theology 313-D05 LUO Student #23805109 Analysis In the second half of the book Is Jesus the Only Savior?, author Robert Nash goes into great detail in explaining the views and positions held by inclusivists. Inclusivism is the affirmation that Jesus Christ is, in fact, the only savior; however it declines the notion that a person must first know and then subsequently accept the gospel message. Nash writes, “While pluralists believe that sincere followers of non-Christian religions can experience salvation through those religions, inclusivists insist that devout believers in other religions will be saved, but only on the basis of Christ’s atoning work,” (p. 104). Simplified, inclusivism maintains that Jesus Christ is the only savior and that the simple reality of his death is sufficient for the achievement of eternal life, regardless of what religion people belong to. It claims that Buddhists, Hindus, or Muslims have the same end result of salvation as Christians. Jesus died for all, and through his death all people are saved. Unlike the first half of the book addressing pluralism, Nash begins his discussion of inclusivism with an introduction to its claims. This is helpful and provides a better playing field to dispute inclusivism’s validity than his analysis of exclusivism. When he addresses pluralism, Nash starts by focusing on Hick’s beliefs and how he attempts to support them. With inclusivism, he first addresses inclusivism as a whole, then...
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...takes the discussion of the resurrection of Christ that most have over complicated and he simplifies it. He did an outstanding job at pointing the reader to why the resurrection event that glorifies God still to this day and hereafter and how it changed the course of world history. Strengths: As Dr. Wallace gives different lines of thought on the resurrection of Christ, he remains focused on keeping his thoughts in line with the Word of God. His article captures the deity of Christ as well as the very person of Christ as seen through the resurrection. Dr. Wallace is able to present a complete, clear, and detailed analysis of the resurrection and shares it in nine areas which are; 1. The Ultimate Apologetic: Validation of the Miracles of the Bible. 2. Proof that God is the God of the Living and is a Living God 3. Fulfillment of Jesus’ Predictions and of Scripture 4. An Essential Part of the Gospel 5. Implicit Demonstrations of Christ’s Deity 6. Guarantee of Believers Resurrection 7. Balanced Perspective on the Spiritual Status of the Human Body 8. The Indwelling of the Spirit and Resurrection Power 9. Forgiveness of Sins As Dr. Wallace writes on these nine different sections concerning the resurrection his theology is found to be well balanced on each of the topics. The topics that Dr. Wallace brings out in his discussion of the resurrection, points the reader towards the love, grace, and God’s plan of salvation for our redemption...
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...I have selected “Buddy Christ” from the movie Dogma for my analysis on an image. The “Buddy Christ” image is one of the images listed that gives a new, much different, meaning to a picture of Jesus than earlier pictures of Jesus. The movie Dogma was a film released in 1999. The film and image created a lot of controversy for the Catholic church through the movies depiction. The image itself is of a statue of Jesus, winking and giving a thumbs up to its viewers. At first glance this is all you may see; however, through critical thinking, there is much more to the image than what the image depicts visually. “Buddy Christ” is an image which comes with a variety of responses. Some see it as a positive image of Jesus and a reminder of his everlasting love and his positive impact in their life. Others find it demeaning to the seriousness of Jesus and his importance to certain religions. Not being religious, affects almost all of my response to how I view this image because I do not have a distinct relationship like others who may have one themselves. The one aspect that doesn’t matter what you believe is the interpretation of Jesus’s looks. Jesus is...
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...The Evolution of John the Baptist in Christianity John the Baptist is one of a few recognized prophets in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. John lived by the Jordan River in Perea as an Essene Jew, around the time of Jesus’ ministry. Many know John as a non-divine apocalyptic preacher who claimed baptism would help one get into heaven, and it would be disadvantageous to ignore baptism. John is relevant to understanding historical Jesus not only because he baptized Jesus but because of their conflicting similarities. John and Jesus were both apocalyptic preachers, in the Essene Jewish sub-group, and popular during antiquity. Many scholars actually believe John was more popular in antiquity. Because of his greater popularity, many argue who kick started Christianity John or Jesus? One can see this argument through artistic paintings of John. Art was an important media for communication during antiquity. As Professor Boccaccini mentioned in lecture, most people in antiquity could not read; therefore, they used paintings to communicate. Painters use symbolic elements in their paintings to portray a message. These symbolic elements, such as red for matador, acted as stories or religious instruction (Boccaccini). Just as a written source, one can extract information from these paintings to find out about the historical character John. The first popular painting of John the Baptist originated in the 12th Century, right after the fourth crusade. During this time, medieval...
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...systematic account of events and time relating human race. Therefore Quest for historical Jesus is the attempt made by a number of people to discover who Jesus was and is. Before the period of enlightenment, the church had only one image of Jesus Christ. He was unanimously and harmoniously accepted as presented by the gospels, the church doctrines and traditions and the liturgy. However, the emergences of the enlightenment period in the 18th century twisted events, minds and the faith of the people. Enlightenment was a period of philosophical movement characterized by belief in the power of the human reason and by innovations in political, religious and educational doctrines. Hence, human reason was the most appealing phenomenon. Everything was subjected to critical analysis and assessment by the intellect and those that were found plausible were treasured and the non-plausible rejected or considered as myth. In the light of this, to ascertain the truth regarding the what the gospels, the doctrines of the church and traditions taught Jesus they began questioning their faith so as to know what is truth and what is false, what to belief and what not to belief. As a result, many things which were not very clear to the mind about Jesus came up and as such the need for scientific rediscovery of the historical Jesus. Examples of such issues among others were the true historical identity of Jesus, his suffering and death on the cross, his miraculous deeds and Angel demons. Although...
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