...Theology of the Four Gospels The first three gospels are sometimes 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’...
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...This essay will define the theological methodology embodying the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and some key components of how comprehensible his argument that evangelical theology is the ‘drama of gospelizing’. Included are some key areas where the Wesleyan Quadrilateral mirrors to a great extent many similarities of Birds theology and some differences. WESLEYAN QUADRILATERAL The term ‘Wesleyan Quadrilateral’ devised by Albert Outler in the 1960’s, with its fourfold reference, is a good deal more refined and ‘preserves the primacy of Scripture, profits from the wisdom of tradition, accepts the disciplines of critical reason and its stress on the Christian experience of grace, and gives it a pragmatic experience.’ These four sources lead a believer to be a worshiper and to serve God with maturity. (After all, worship is the ultimate goal of God’s Mission.) Primarily, Scripture serves as the primary source for theological reflection and is the foundation and centrepiece for the other three sources. Secondly, Tradition is considered as an experience of the witness of development and growth of faith through the nations and various cultures but notwithstanding the writings of the early church fathers. Wesley also maintained that right reason and interpretation would never result in inconsistency. Oden supports this statement, adding, until one has a right mind set and understanding is attained divine matters cannot be apprehended. Yong and Wesley agree in part on the basic Spirit grounding...
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...relationship between Christianity and African traditional religion. One bone of contention that theologians face is on the relationship between Christians and their dead ancestors. Among the Africans death does not mark the end of the human relationship as they consider those who die to have entered the spirit world. African theology is the key to understanding Christianity in Africa. The saying that it is ill-advised to run randomly in African forests is quite applicable in the case of African theology. It is always advisable to get the guidance of someone who identifies with its paths and the landscape. This essay will, therefore, look into the life of Bediako Kwame as a guide as to understanding African Christian theology. The essay will look into the biographical details and description of historical, social, cultural, economic and political factors within which he lived and worked. Moreover, it will examine the ways in which his work relates to the discussed context and appreciate four of his major themes. Lastly, it will study the contributions of Bediako Kwame to the theology field in general and discuss how his thinking has challenged my understanding of the gospel. Bediako Kwame was born on into a Presbyterian family on 7th July 1945 in the Ghanaian capital Accra. His father...
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...SYNOPSIS OF THE LAST SUPPER ACCOUNTS Student’s Name Date In the New Testament, the Last Supper refers to the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples on the night of his betrayal. This last meal mentioned in different terms in different texts. These terms include the Lord's Supper, Eucharist, communion and mass. The last supper serves as an encouragement and a unifying factor to Christians. It binds them in fellowship of love, trust and mutual acceptance. Sharing of the last supper is one of the orders that Jesus gave to his church. It is ideally Christian’s remembrance of Jesus, acknowledgement of his presence, confident hope in his second coming, fellowship with him and his people, self-examination, thanksgiving and gratitude. 1This paper explores the last supper event as presented by the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and 1st Corinthians. Historical Background of the Last Supper The last supper concept dates back to the early times in the Old Testament where Jews used to celebrate the Passover. The Passover ritual entailed an opening course where the paterfamilias spoke a blessing over the first cup of wine. The preliminary dish comprised green herbs, bitter herbs and a sauce made...
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...Dr. Na Religion 207 Dec 11, 2015 Stilling of the Storm The canonical gospels are a result of the spreading of the news of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, they must be studied when interested in gathering an account of Jesus’ life and death. The synoptic gospels include the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is assumed that the author of the Gospel According to Mark wrote his gospel first and therefore becomes a blueprint for the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Therefore the synoptic gospels have similar events, structure, and timeframes. One major event in all three synoptic gospels is the story of the stilling of the storm. Assuming markan priority, this paper will discuss the Gospel According to Mark’s command that Jesus uses to rebuke the wind and sea: “Peace! Be still!” The stilling of the storm is a triple tradition event, meaning it is found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This event is contained in the passages of Mark 4:35-41, Matt 8:23-27, and Luke 8:22-25. Some similarities throughout this particular event are very evident and can be shown through the main course of events in the pericope. The first similarity is all gospels have Jesus asleep in the boat during a storm. Another similarity is that Jesus rebukes the natural elements and comments on the disciples’ lack of faith. Another important similarity is that the disciples question the authority of Jesus when the wind and water obey him. These three similarities lay out the foundation...
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...Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels Chapter 1: What are the Gospels? | Four Gospels, One Jesus | What are the four Gospels? | * Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each paint a unique portrait of Jesus Christ | | * The Gospels exhibit both unity and diversity, bearing witness to the same Jesus | | (unity) but viewing them from unique perspectives (diversity) | What are the four unique portraits | * Matthew presents Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, the fulfillment of the Old | each Gospel paints of Jesus Christ? | Testament hopes | | * Mark portrays Jesus as the suffering Son of God, who offers himself as a | | sacrifice for sins | | * Luke portrays Jesus as the Savior for all people, who brings salvation to all | | nations and people groups | | * John portrays Jesus as the eternal son of God, the self-revelation of God the | | Father | | * Christology refers to Jesus’ person and work | What is the difference between the | * Mark is more dramatic, it is a powerful and vivid story; Matthew is the most | four Gospels? | structured of the Gospels; Luke is the most thematic, like God’s love for the lost, | | the role of the Spirit, and Jerusalem’s role in God’s plan resurfacing repeatedly; | | John is the most theological of the four, with more explicit statements | | concerning Jesus’ identity and purpose. | What are synoptic Gospels? | * Synoptic Gospels (from the Greek word synopsis...
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...“The Relationship Between John and The Synoptic Gospels: The Person of Christ in Synoptic Theology.” Journal of Evangelical Society Jets 41:2 (June 1998): 201-203. Survey of Theology Marvin T. Roberts May 17, 2015 Contents Page Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….1 Brief Summary…………………………………………………………………………………….1 Critical Interaction………………………… ………………………………..……………...…1-2 Conclusion…………...……………………………………………….…………………………2-3 Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………………4 Introduction The paper of James D. Dvorak deals with the debates of the comparison between John and the synoptic gospels. Its provides information of the relationship of John to the synoptic gospels that has been a recurring problem, not only for two centuries of modern critical scholarship, but for Christian theology and exegesis over a much longer period. Brief Summary In the paper of James Dvorak he uses three (3) theories to discuss the relationship of John to synoptic gospels. Literary Dependence that is discussed to make claims that John was literarily dependent upon one or more of the synoptic. Literary Independence contends that John was not dependent on the Synoptics but that the similarities between the two are due to use of a common tradition. And there is Mediating View in which some scholars believe that there is a possibility fourth gospel can be adequately explained without primary...
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...Apologetics A couple of months ago, being pretty ignorant, I had to ask myself, “what exactly is Apologetics.” After a little research and a few lectures from my Professors, I learned that “it is the defense of Christian faith, usually on intellectual issues.” (Horton 640). There are many arguments that can be used in order to defend the faith, however, I will focus on four arguments, ontological, Natural Theology, accuracy of scriptures, and personal miracles. First is the ontological argument. “Human beings almost universally acknowledge that there is something, or someone, beyond themselves and that in some way, or ways, they are responsible to that something or someone (Railey/Aker 40).” This shows that the human race recognizes the fact that we are not alone in the universe and we are to some extent dependent on something supernatural. Secondly is the appeal of Natural Theology. We can look all around at the beautiful things on this earth and we can see that it must have had divine intervention from some one or thing. “Creation, with its infinite variety, beauty, and order, reflects a God who is infinitely wise and powerful.” (Higgins 69). Thirdly is accuracy of scriptures. “The Bible is internally consistent even though it was written over a period of some 1,500 years, about 1450 bce to 100 ce, over 40 generations by more than 40 different authors.” (Marino bibliology 4.1.1.3.) “Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has...
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...REFLECTION PAPER IN THEOLOGY 12: MAN AND MORALITY SUBMITTED BY: CALIMAG, MARRIELL B. AAT-2A SUBMITTED TO: SIR ANTHONY MERENCIANO Moral theology is a term used by the Roman Catholic Church to describe the study of God from a perspective of how man must live in order to attain the presence or favour of God. While dogmatic theology deals with the teaching or official doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, moral theology deals with the goal of life and how it is achieved. So, the goal or purpose of moral theology is, simply stated, to determine how man should live. Moral theology examines such things as freedom, conscience, love, responsibility, and law. Moral theology seeks to set forth general principles to help individuals make the right decisions and deal with the details of everyday living in a way that is in accordance with the Church’s dogmatic theology. Moral theology is essentially the Roman Catholic equivalent to what Protestants usually refer to as Christian Ethics. Moral theology deals with the broad questions in life and attempts to define what it means to live as a Roman Catholic Christian. Moral theology addresses the different methods of moral discernment, the definitions of right and wrong, good and evil, sin and virtue, etc. Morality is the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are "good" (or right) and those that are "bad" (or wrong). It is based on human existence that refers to human experience. Human existence...
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...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Theology of Missions Submitted To Dr. Augusto Rodríguez In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Completion Of GLST 500-D05 global studies survey By Clarence Hudson November 8, 2014 Contents Introduction 1 Old Testament and New Testament Texts Related to Mission 2 The Nature of God Relates to Mission 5 Mission Theology Relates to Other Aspects of Theology 6 Key Themes and Motifs of Mission Theology 8 Mission Theology Related to the Missionary, Church Leaders and Lay People 10 Conclusion 11 Bibliography) 12 Introduction “Mission is what we do.” It describes the specific task of making disciples of all the nations. It also includes your neighbor, church, employment, relatives, friends, across town, or in different states. Mission is not just one of a list of things that the Bible happens to talk about, it is somewhat more urgent than some. Mission is, “what it’s all about. With that said, this paper will visit the Old and New Testament in relations to missions, how the nature of God is reflected in missions, how mission theology relates to other aspects of theology, key motifs found in missions theology, as well as how missions relates to missionaries, church leaders and lay people. Old Testament and New Testament Texts Related to Mission In the beginning God created heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1KJV) He was on a mission to form the world and when he created...
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...THEOLOGY OF MISSIONS PAPER Jonathan Hudgins GLST 500 September 8, 2013 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 OLD TESTAMENT MISSIONS.....................................................................................................2 NEWTESTAMENT MISSIONS.....................................................................................................4 NATURE OF GOD AND MISSSIONS..........................................................................................5 MISSIONS AND THEOLOGY......................................................................................................6 MOTIFS OF MISSION THEOLOGY............................................................................................8 CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................... 9 BIBLIOGRAPHY 11 INTRODUCTION There is evidence from the beginning of the Biblical text starting in Genesis, to the conclusion of the text with Revelation that God desires for man to fulfill His call for missions. The story of missions begins with around four thousand years ago when God calls Abraham. The Scriptures offer a clear explanation of the original calling of Abraham. God commands Abraham, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1 ESV) Genesis 12:1-3 signifies an assurance whose completion extends throughout the Scriptures, it is the original representation...
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...THEOLOGY OF MISSIONS A Paper Presented to Dr. James B. King Liberty Theological Seminary In partial fulfillment Of the requirements of GLST 500 By Linda Priddy-Hundley February 28.2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ii Old Testament Texts Relating to Missions 1 New Testament Texts Relating to Missions 2 The Nature of God and Missions 3 Two Aspects of Missions Theology: Ecclesiology and the Trinity 4 Two Key Motifs of Mission Theology 5 Mission Theology and a Missionary, Church Leaders, and Lay People 6 Bibliography 7 i Introduction What is theology? According to a theological dictionary, it is simply the study of God and His creation. After the fall of Lucifer and his angels and then the fall of mankind, God had a plan in motion for Satan demise and the salvation of man. Theology, etymologically comes two Greek words theos (God) and logos (reason or speech), meaning a rational Study of God.1 The theology of missions is a disciplined study of the nature of God, creation of the world, the church, and the interactions of these three.2 Having an interest in missions came from being in a missions minded church. We have had many “go out” from our parish over the years. This paper is an attempt to show how mission theology relates to Scripture and the nature of God, using...
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...THEO 100 Midterm Study Guide Theology What is the difference between a ‘Big T’ and ‘little t’ theologian? * Big T means academic theology and little t means the thinking process. What does it mean to ‘do theology’ from a Christian perspective? * With explicit assumption of reality * Have faith of seeking understanding * Fulfill the human design of loving relationship * Ask questions about Jesus What are the goals of Christian theology? With explicit assumption of reality * Have faith of seeking understanding * Fulfill the human design of loving relationship * Ask questions about Jesus What does Christian theology have to do with orthodoxy, orthopraxy, the Bible’s Story? * Orthodoxy means the right idea of reality * Orthopraxy means the right practice of loving people of reality * The reason why they are important is Christian should explicit assumption about the reality if they want to do theology. * Spirituality What can we add to the above definition of spirituality to make it distinctively Christian? * Live a fully and truly human life What is the relationship between spirituality and theology? * Christian spirituality focuses on living fully and truly human life as most filled lived and seen in the life of Jesus Christ. Revelation (揭示) What are the different types of general and special revelation? * General—creation everything that is not creator. * General—conscience...
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...one another in content and expression. As a result they a referred to as the synoptic gospels. The word “synoptic” basically means “to see together with a common view”. This raises the question of why they are similar to one another in these respects. This is known as the synoptic problem. The many similarities between the synoptic gospels have led some to wonder if the gospel authors had a common source, another written account of Christ’s birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection from which they obtained the material for their gospels. Some argue that Matthew, Mark, and Luke are so similar that they must have used each other’s gospels, or another common source. This supposed “source” has been given the title “Q” from the German word “quell” which means “source.” Another problem is that there is no evidence for the “Q” document or even a portion or fragment which has been discovered. “Q” is just the invention of liberal scholars who deny the inspiration of the Bible and they believe it to be nothing more than a work of literature, subject to some criticism given to other works of literature. This in turn renders the source very much unreliable because there is also no evidence for a “Q” document biblically, theologically or historically. If there is no “Q” document, then why are they similar? It is possible that whichever document was written first, most likely Mark, the other Gospels had access to it. Luke in Luke 1:4 say, “Many have undertaken the draw up account of...
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...John 20:30-31 (HCSB) In the Gospel of John there are eight recorded sign miracles that Jesus Christ performed. This paper will briefly describe each miracle and how it reveals the deity of Jesus Christ. Turning of Water into Wine The first miracle Jesus performed was changing water into wine. He and His disciples arrived at a wedding celebration that was already in progress. Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to Him and told Him they had run out of wine, presumably because she knew that He was capable of doing something about the dilemma.[1] Jesus responded by telling her that His hour had not yet come. While scholars disagree on what Jesus meant by this statement, it is obvious that Mary, as a woman of faith, understood enough that she instructed the servants at the wedding to do whatever Jesus asked them to do.[2] Jesus did in fact direct the servants to fill six pots with water, which He then miraculously changed into a fine quality wine. “The changing of water into wine is surely meant to bring out the power of Jesus to bring about new beginnings.”[3] We might parallel the higher quality of wine that Jesus made from the water with the higher quality of life that Jesus made available through His death and resurrection. John shows how Jesus “changes the water of Judaism into the wine of Christianity, the water of Christlessness into the wine of the richness and the fullness of eternal life in Christ, the water of the law into the wine of the gospel.”[4] This miracle points to...
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