Jesus Christ

Question 1

What did the authority of christianity look like for wittgenstein

Answer 1

Authority lay not in the reward of afterlife but in living life as honestly as possible
—> Jesus authority was as a teacher of wisdom

Question 2

What was the sermon on the mount

Answer 2

Jesus longest discourse on ethics
—> discusses the qualities a christian needs to live morally + moral issues in society

Question 3

Describe the meaning behind parable of the lost son

Answer 3

True forgiveness is hard

Question 4

Jesus on morality

Answer 4

Morality is about developing ones character through analysis of motive

Question 5

What is the significance of the sabbath day

Answer 5

Basis of social justice - everyone is entitled to a day free from labour

Question 6

Jesus’ views on the sabbath + how he combatted this

Answer 6

People were using the sabbath laws as a means of avoiding social responsibilities (good Samaritan)

—> Jesus cured the sick on the sabbath

Question 7

Jesus on moral rules

Answer 7

Morality requires personal responsibility not blind obedience to the rules

Question 8

How can Jesus teaching on the kingdom of god be alternatively viewed

Answer 8

The kingdom of God was not spiritual preparation, but instead a call to change the social structure of society NOW

Question 9

Who were the zealots

Answer 9

First century jewish political group who wanted rid of roman occupation

Question 10

What is the preferential option for the poor

Answer 10

Christian duty to side with the poor and act against injustice

Question 11

S. G. F. Brandon on Jesus

Answer 11

Jesus was a politically freedom fighter
—> but presentations of him in the gospels toned this down

Question 12

Who was Camilo Torres

Answer 12

Catholic priest that became a soldier in the guerrilla war against ther repressive government (Columbia)
—> “if jesus were alive today, he would be a guerrillero”

Question 13

How was Jesus teaching revolutionary

Answer 13

Jesus mixed with “people of the land” / sinners
—> Used ‘sinners’ (prostitutes, servants etc) as examples of the moral life

Question 14

2 Gospel Evidence that Jesus never supported political revolution via violent struggle

Answer 14

1) the authorities didn’t consider Jesus to be a revolutionary otherwise they would have arrested his disciples

2) Jesus resists being called messiah/king

Question 15

What was said at the council of chalcedon

Answer 15

Emphasised the hypostatic union (god as fully god, fully human)

Question 16

What does ‘son of god’ mean in ancient Roman terms

Answer 16

Used to refer to political leaders (e.g emperors)

Question 17

What is “Christology from above/below”

Answer 17

Above: focuses on Jesus divinity

Below: focuses on Jesus teaching

Question 18

“The father and i are one”

Answer 18

John 10:30

Question 19

How do people with a low christology interpret Jesus miracles

Answer 19

In the same way as they interpret parables
—> a means to illustrate his teachings

Question 20

What is docetism

Answer 20

Dismissing the crucifixion (Jesus as fully human)

Jesus was only a human-being as a means for god to communicate with humans (on their level)

Question 21

What was the purpose of “the story of the man born blind”

Answer 21

The inability of those who have physical sight but are blind to the truth of Jesus teaching

Question 22

How did the gospels view jesus’ miracles

Answer 22

DID NOT view them as proof that Jesus was the son of god

Question 23

What is the significance of Jesus uniqueness

Answer 23

If Jesus isn’t unique, then it undermines the significance of the christian message

Question 24

E.P Sanders on Jesus’ uniqueness

Answer 24

Christian claims about the uniqueness of Jesus as the son of god cannot be proven by evidence from history

Question 25

What was Bultmans view on jesus

Answer 25

Jesus should be de-mythologised
—> to fit a post- enlightenment world

Question 26

What is Arianism

Answer 26

Over emphasis that Jesus was a weird human creature thing

Question 27

What is kenosis

Answer 27

Jesus emptied his divinity to fully embrace human suffering etc

Question 28

What is the consubstantial bond

Answer 28

Father + son are equally god

Question 29

What are the Beatitudes

Answer 29

The blessing of those who have particular qualities that may get them into heaven
“Blessed are the meek” (gentle)