Jesus and Moral authority

Question 1

Teachings of Jesus (The beatitudes, & Sermon in the Mount) as moral authority

Answer 1

• catholics believe jesus provides clear help and support to prevent suffering. help is found through jesus various teachings that are found in the Gospels (biographies of jesus’ life). clearest collection of these teachings in chapter 5 to 7 of mathew’s gospel in a section that is called the ‘Sermon on the Mount’. Sermon begins with a list of blessings, called Beatitudes. Beatitudes are the qualities that jesus expects of his followers. Sermon on the Mount shows the ways in which being a follower of jesus is more demanding than the religious law (Torah) which his listeners have been living by.
  For example, he outlines that murder was wrong but now jesus adds that even anger is unacceptable. Furthermore, adultery was wrong but now even looking at someone lustfully is wrong

sermon on the mount: “You have heard that it was said ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’. But i tell you, If anyone slaps on you the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

Question 2

the actions of jesus as moral authority

Answer 2

• catholics believe he provides clear help and suffering
• help is found through jesus’ actions towards those who suffer. for instance, the gospels include many stories of jesus caring for and healing those who are sick. jesus showed love in the way that he healed the sick (Healing a Leper Matt 8)
• he also made the outcast and sinner welcome (Zacchaeus Luke 19).
• jesus’ teachings and actions on forgiveness are also important sources e.g Jesus teaches a message of forgiveness through his parables of the Rich Man and Lazarus and the Unmerciful servant. He also shows forgiveness when he is crucified

Beatitudes: “Blessed are the peacemakers” “Blessed are the merciful”
Good rule:Matthew “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”

Question 3

jewish sources of moral authority

Answer 3

• orthodox jew swill use the Torah as their man source of authority. Torah is the jewish written law and outlines a variety of actions that jews should perform or avoid. these actions known as the mitzvot and there are 613 of these in total
• by following the torah and the mitzvot jews are fulfilling the covenant that God made with Moses on Mount Sinai. In addition, jews will use the Talmud. Talmud is a commentary on the jewish written law written by important rabbis throughout history. Talmud gives guidance on how jews should best apply the torah and the mitzvot. for example, the Talmud will give guidance on how jews can best follow Sabbath Laws and laws on kosher