...with notable order and clarity, all in an attempt to resolve the fundamental question of Part II: who was Jesus of Nazareth? Stanton launches Part II with a chapter entitled “What do we know about Jesus of Nazareth?” Here, the debate as to whether or not Jesus existed is considered by exploring archaeological evidence from outside the gospels in an effort to establish what is known about Jesus. He cites various non-Christian, Jewish, and Christian sources after opening the chapter with a theory by G.A. Wells which argues that it was not until 100 CE that Jesus was worshipped as a “Savior” figure. Wells maintains that before 150 CE, there is no independent non-Christian support for the existence of Jesus and that the authors of the four New Testament gospels invented their traditions about the life of Jesus. As Stanton argues, this does not entirely make sense, since it is difficult to find signs of the convictions, emphases, and conflicts of the Christians of that period in the canonical gospels. Stanton continues to refer to sources outside of the gospels such as the non-Christian writings of the Roman historian Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, Suetonius, and satirist Lucian of Samosata. He also investigates the writings of Jewish historian Josephus, which alludes to Jesus as “the so-called Christ,” as well as to James, the brother of Jesus. With the exception of Josephus, Jewish writings say little about Jesus....
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...Within scripture and the gospels, Jesus was an incredible teacher and preached the good news of the kingdom of God to those around Him in his ministry. In the Gospels, he is called teacher more than 40 times, which proves that he was truly an influential figure and people hung to every word he spoke. Within his words and teachings, he talks about a variety of topics such as love, forgiveness, and purity. However, the big picture for Jesus as a teacher was speaking truth and pointing people towards the coming of the Kingdom of God. The majority of what he spoke on centered on this idea of kingdom, which showed the many characteristics of the Kingdom. How Jesus Taught The material to which Jesus taught was very impactful, but they way he delivered it and taught was truly unlike any other. Jesus was know for using parables within his lessons because of the audience he dealt with and the resistance he might face. The best way to fight the resistance was to teach in a way that broke through potential hostility within listeners while teaching on dangerous topics (Stein, 1996). The beautiful thing about the way that Jesus taught was before his listeners could resist what he was saying, he already got his point across and it was received because of the parables in which he used. An example of this would be in Luke chapter 13 verse 18 and 19 when he uses the phrase “like a mustard seed” and uses a parable to describe the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is Here and Eternal One of the first...
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...called the 'synoptic' or same view gospels. This is because they each cover teaching and miracles by Jesus that are also covered in another account. The fourth gospel, John, writing later, recounts Jesus' other words and miracles that have a particular spiritual meaning. All four gospels present Jesus as both the Son of God and son of man. In this paper information will be provided that describes the major theological differences between the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Information will also be provided that describes a theological perspective of the gospel of John. Finally, information in this paper will include how ones understanding of the various theological perspectives presented in the four Gospels can be used as an additional tool to facilitate the proclaiming of the Four Gospels. Theological Differences between the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John The Gospel According to Matthew The first three books of the New Testament have been identified as the synoptic gospels. These books are Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The first book of the New Testament is identified as the book of Matthew. Matthew was one of the first twelve disciples of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 9:1; 10:1-4 and therefore an eye-witness. Matthew records more of Jesus' teaching concerning God's heavenly kingdom than the other writers, Mark, Luke, or John. In the first four books of Matthew, the miracle story of Jesus’ birth and the events of His early life are revealed. In other chapters...
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...What are the 25 important things about the New Testament? Address them in relation to society, literature, early Church struggles, Church fathers, and their successes. (1) The New Testament is a collection of twenty seven books about Jesus Christ and the Church by different Authors. The first four books are known as the Gospels. The rest are epistles and letters about self-conduct relationship building, and the operation of the Church. The life of Jesus as portrayed in the Gospels, have a profoundly positive effect on society because of his doctrine of faith, peace, and righteousness. (2) The N.T portrays polarization in society due to the rejection of Christ and his message. . (3) It makes the effort to bridge gaps and heal factionalism between gentiles and Jews through the message of the Gospel. This translates into all facets of societies, from the family system to national and international relations. (4) It depicts the unique relationship between Jesus and His disciples. This has become the model for most management and leadership styles in the world. (5) The miracles of Jesus promoted the early Church, and still holds the candle of hope for today’s Church, as many come to believe in Christ due to the transformational power of the miracles. However, they were pre views of life in the coming kingdom of God that Jesus so eloquently spoke about and died for. (6) The parables of Jesus became an instrument of inclusion to those who understood and complied...
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...at as being more than just a good teacher or prophet debates usually start. The Bible tells us that Jesus was more than just these things. What we know about Jesus is recorded in the Bible by the New Testament writers. Jesus himself clearly tells of his identity in John chapter 10. “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30 NKJV) Jesus’ earthly ministry began when He was thirty years old. The beginning of this ministry is recorded in the book of Matthew when Jesus goes to the Jordan River and presents Himself to John the Baptist for baptism. Jesus didn’t need to be baptized, but He wanted to identify with sinners so that they would know He loved them. According to R. C. Sproul, the baptism of Jesus not only...
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...* Read Luke chapter 5-9. * Video 4A - http://www.cuw.edu/videoserver/fullplayer.cfm?movieid=972 * Notebook Questions: Please submit your answers (4 to 6 sentences per question) in the 4.A drop box provided in the Unit 4 folder. * 4.A.1 As Jesus heals many in chapters 4 and 5, what effect does that have on the crowds and disciples? When reading these chapters, would one expect to see Jesus go to the cross in the end? * 4.A.2 Discuss the Sermon on the Plain, 6:20-49. What value does Jesus place upon poverty, hunger, and sorrow? What danger is there to prosperity, fullness, and joy? How does God work beyond a person's social or economic status? * 4.A.3 How do the verses 6:35-38 show a generosity to God's nature and a chance for us to share in that nature? * 4.A.4 Does 6:37 prohibit all judgment? William Barclay quotes an old saying: "There is so much bad in the best of us and so much good in the worst of us that it ill becomes any of us to find fault with the rest of us" (Barclay, Luke, 81). Is Barclay saying what v. 37 means? See also 6:39-42. * 4.A.5 What is the essential meaning of the good/bad tree comparison of 6:43-45? * You can't hide who you are; your true nature is going to come out. * You can't change who you are; just accept what you are. * You reveal more about yourself than you really should. * Another meaning? * Video 4B - http://www.cuw.edu/videoserver/fullplayer.cfm?movieid=973 ...
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...life and teachings is based largely on biblical texts, particularly the first four books of the New Testament, which are called the gospels. These books seem to have been written around forty to sixty years after Jesus’ death. They are based on the oral transmission of the stories and discourses, which may have been influenced by the growing split between Christians and Jews. The gospels were first written down in Greek and perhaps Aramaic, the everyday language that Jesus spoke, and then copied and translated in many different ways over the centuries. Jesus was probably born a few years before the first year of what is now called the Common Era. Traditionally, Christians have believed that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Jesus’ mother was Mary, who was a virgin when she conceived him by Holy Spirit; her husband was Joseph, a carpenter from Bethlehem. No other stories are told about Jesus’ childhood in Nazareth until he was twelve years old. He accompanied his parents on their yearly trip to Jerusalem for Passover. Left behind by mistake, he was said to have been discovered by his parents in the Temple discussing the Torah with the Rabbis. When scolded, he reportedly replied, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house”. This demonstrated his sense of mission even as a boy, his knowledge of Jewish tradition, and the close personal connection between Jesus and God. The New Testament is silent about the...
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...about a man that that gave his life that we may be able to have a relationship with God brings tears to my eyes. Jesus our savior meaning the one who saved us from our sins and delivered us from hell is the most powerful name this world has ever known. The bible tells us that there is no other name; that man can be saved by, than the name Jesus! The bible also tells us that every knee shall bow and ever tongue shall confess the name Jesus. I found out over my years of studying the word that the whole bible talks about Jesus. From the very beginning to the very end. I found out that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The Old Testament tells us about how a God would make away for His people to come back to Him. How He would provide a Lamb to sacrifice once and for all. Jesus would be that Lamb the Lamb of God. The New Testament reveals that God kept His word. But what’s beautiful about this is the way Jesus was conceived. The blood line of Jesus was preserved. He had to be born thru the blood line and Mary was in that blood line. So God seen Mary being a part of the bloodline she found favor with God to carry His Only begotten Son! It’s amazing how God chose Mary she had never known a man and was betrothed to Joseph. God being the God He is and protecting His Son came to Joseph and told him not to put his wife away and that the seed she was carrying was from Him. God even told him what to name him. Knowing that name...
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...of the Carpocratians or anyone getting their hands on the secret teachings noticeably indicates an immense need for concealment. Professor Smith writes, “Here was new information about Jesus, a new miracle story, a quotation from another secret gospel by Saint Mark, and the information that Mark had written a second, secret gospel, and that Clements’s church, as well as the Carpocratians, had used it!” Close to the end of the letter, the secret teaching of Mark states, Jesus taught him the mystery of the Kingdom of God. Comparatively within the New Testament, the Gospel of Mark states Jesus as saying, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand… (Mark 4:11-12). Concurrently, in the New Testament’s Mark, Jesus could appear to be trying to conceal something also. In brief, the licentious behavior of the Carpocratians and other Gnostic sects emerges as quite extensive. Comparatively, in the book The Gnostic Scriptures, by Bentley Layton, (particularly the chapter titled, Against the Gnostics, also Known as Borborites), renders some of the happenings of “muck” that took place with early groups. Reading this text gives one an understanding of the intense sexual sewage engaged to be dealt with by the beginning Fathers of the Church. Of major importance, the contents indisputably show the enormous problems...
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...mix of teachings, miracles and parables. Luke’s parables included males and females and displayed skills in elaborate storytelling. Luke structured the first half of his compositions just as Mark did, and scattered teaching throughout his gospel in small units. The purpose of this was to impress, and gain the readers attention from the beginning . Luke's creative writing style alone gives insight to who he was as a Man. In examining the literary work in The Acts of the Apostles, it quickly becomes evident that Luke addresses various major themes. Some of the prominent themes are the Holy...
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...A2 Religious Studies Revision Booklet To be used alongside the textbook and your classnotes. Contents G581: Philosophy of Religion Religious Language......................................................………p.1 Religious Experience........................................................…...p.7 Miracles..................................................................…………...p.12 Nature of God............................................................………...p.16 Life and Death.........................................................…………..p.20 G582: Religious Ethics Meta-ethics...........................…………………………………….p.25 Free Will and Determinism………………………………….……p.28 Conscience.......................…………………………………….…p.32 Virtue Ethics………………………………………………………..p.36 Sexual Ethics…………………………………………………...….p.40 Environment and Business Ethics……………………………….p.44 Religious Language Introduction The problems of religious language: • If we use language univocally about God, then we are limiting him / making him like a human • If we use language equivocally about God, we cannot be sure what the word means when applied to God • Are statements about God supposed to be cognitive – if so, what evidence proves / disproves them? • Are statements about God supposed to be non-cognitive – if so, do they have any meaning? The Verification...
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...is the only reality and the body is unreal. * Dualism is the view that the mind and body both exist and are linked in some way. Plato Review Plato’s distinction between body and soul in the foundation unit so that you can make comparisons with the thinking of Hick and of Dawkins. John Hick Philosophy of Religion (1973); Death and Eternal Life (1976) * The soul is a name for the moral, spiritual self formed by the interaction of genes and environment. The human is a psychophysical person with a divine purpose. * The person shall be resurrected through a divine act of recreation or reconstitution in resurrection, rather than reincarnation as Plato would have it, through God’s creative love. * The new body is not the old one brought back to life but a spiritual body inhabiting a spiritual world just as the physical body inhabited a physical world. * Hick conducts a thought experiment with a hypothetical person called John Smith. Smith disappears from the USA and reappears in Calcutta, India. He is physically...
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...is the only reality and the body is unreal. * Dualism is the view that the mind and body both exist and are linked in some way. Plato Review Plato’s distinction between body and soul in the foundation unit so that you can make comparisons with the thinking of Hick and of Dawkins. John Hick Philosophy of Religion (1973); Death and Eternal Life (1976) * The soul is a name for the moral, spiritual self formed by the interaction of genes and environment. The human is a psychophysical person with a divine purpose. * The person shall be resurrected through a divine act of recreation or reconstitution in resurrection, rather than reincarnation as Plato would have it, through God’s creative love. * The new body is not the old one brought back to life but a spiritual body inhabiting a spiritual world just as the physical body inhabited a physical world. * Hick conducts a thought experiment with a hypothetical person called John Smith. Smith disappears from the USA and reappears in Calcutta, India. He is physically...
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...together and how faith and religion brought Pi to the person he is today. These 3 religions play an important role in Pi’s life as Pi refers to God many times throughout his devastating journey on the lifeboat. The novel, The Life of Pi, by Yann Martel offers and gives the reader the most accurate definition of religion, which is incorporated by simply and basically having faith. At the beginning of the novel Francis Adirubasamy states that Pi’s story of survival is “…a story that will make you believe in God” (Martel. 21). This story makes you believe the ideology of religion and notion of God due to the fact that Pi’s devotion to God helps him obtain freedom from this horrific incident, that God gave Pi strength, and that God performed miracles to help Pi survive and continue living on his journey. The main character Pi Patel dedicates himself to the religions of Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. Pi brings himself closer to the deities of each religion by following specific religious customs, festivals, and...
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...Position Paper #1 Michael Picardi Liberty University July 30, 2013 In this modern era of rapidly advancing medical technology, ethical and moral boundaries are continually being pushed, particularly from a Christian viewpoint. Christian health professionals are being challenged daily with issues that arise from the clash between modern medicine and Christian ethics. On the surface, this practice seems to be unselfish and kind-hearted, with the idea of sacrificing oneself to help another. To that point, 90% of Americans support organ donation. ("Statistics," 2013) When viewed from a Christian perspective, however, many complex issues arise. The following paper will describe these issues and where their complexity lies, what Scripture has to say on the issue, and how a Christian health professional should deal with them. Two major issues with this seemingly virtuous practice is the difficulty in differentiating between replaceable tissues and solid organs. Replaceable tissues, such as blood and bone marrow, can easily be given by a live donor, while organs can only be harvested once the donor is deceased, which brings about the debate about the criteria for determining death. Another major issue involves the question of who should give consent, and how to fairly allocate where these organs go. From a Christian perspective, however, a multitude of more critical Biblical issues are present. The first of these has to do with the Principle of Totality, which is to say that each...
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