Jesus Flashcards
What are ways Jesus can be recognised
Teacher of wisdom: moral example and teaching living morally
Liberator: challenges political and religions authorities at the time
Son of god: intimate relationship with god and have him authority to carry out gods will on earth and ultimately bring salvation
What did Jesus teach about forgiveness and repentance
Gave many examples such as Zacchaeus the tax guy
Parable of lost son “seventy times seven” (Mathew 18)
What did Jesus teach about personal responsibility
Morality requires personal responsibility
Religious practices are there to serve human needs
Being holy is not achieved simply by carrying out external rituals but by purity of mind
Is Jesus just a teacher of wisdom? Yes
Other scholars e.g. John Hick advocate for away “supernatural Christ” leaving the authentic Jesus - just a teacher. Christianity is not the only way to truth and wisdom supporting pluralism.
John Hick: teacher of wisdom ‘gift to the world”
Jesus’ miracles should just be seen as symbols of his close relationship with God for inter-faith dialogue BUT if this is true, it is not clear how Jesus would get his authority if he was just ordinary
Is Jesus just a teacher of wisdom NO
If Jesus teaching is based on others then there is no novelty of it and therefore no reason for treating it less than any other teaching
therefore Jesus teachings must have been special
Examples of Jesus liberating the poor and marginalised
- Luke 10: good samirtain, Jesus touches on shitfting
prejudices, not much shifting change - Leviticus 15: women period unclean. Jesus
challenges this and sees good - Luke 10: Love your neighbour as yourself
Is Jesus just a liberator YES:
- Jesus often sided with the poor, the outcasts and marginalised where the
Gospels depict him in conflict with those in authority
he sided with those known as sinners such as the Samaritans who were
considered religiously impure. His parable of the Good Samaritan is provocative because he chose a Samaritan as the hero of the story
He taught women and treated them with respect in defiance of
Jesus was merely a political liberator is
convincing because:
Jesus wanted to liberate people from oppressive religious and political exploitation
Presenting Jesus as merely a teacher of inner purity is not enough;
Jesus’ teaching is about action and transformation of society
His political actions eventually led to his death because he was too much of a rebel and was stirring up popular feeling against religious oppression
Matthew 26: scolds disciple for drawing his sword
How may someone argue that Jesus wasn’t a political liberator
Jesus himself resisted being seen as a political leader. He denied being a king and he advised obedience to the political authorities
There is no convincing evidence that he was part of the Zealot movement
His treatment of religious minorities, outcasts and women was not politically motivated. His concern was to overcome prejudice and to treat all people with respect
What is Christology
Son of God
the area of Christian theology concerned with the nature of Jesus relationship with God
How is Jesus role better as teacher as wisdom?
Son of God
Jesus’ role is better described as a teacher of wisdom and as the Sermon on the Mount illustrates, someone who was concerned with each individual’s moral and spiritual transformation.
Quote that Jesus saw himself as son of God. John 14
Son of God
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”
Quote that Jesus saw himself as son of God. John 14:10
Son of God
The father and i are one
What do high and low Christology’s agree that Jesus miracles are (Son of God)
indicate what it would be like to live in a world restored. Signs of salvation
What is an allegory for the blind man (john 9)
Son of God
Not that Jesus helps him literally see again but that the blind man sees Jesus as the bringer of salvation.
