Jesus Christ Flashcards
What is the Specification for Jesus Christ?
-Son of God
-A teacher of Wisdom
-Liberator
In the yer 451 what was Jesus acknowledged as by mainstream christians?
Fully human and fully Divine.
What did Jews refer to son of God as?
The ‘anointed one’
What is the anointed one in Greek
Christos
What is the anointed one in Hebrew?
Messiah
How did Jews view the ‘Son of God’?
-The individual was chosen by God as a representative
-They believed that he would free the Israelite morally spiritually and politically
How did Gentiles view the ‘Son of God’?
The individual is Divine.
How do Christians today view the ‘Son of God’?
A unique title that identifies Jesus as Divine.
What is the word for Jesus being fully human and fully divine?
Hypo-static Union
The doctrine of the trinity is there were any contrary beliefs what would they be regarded as?
Heresies
What makes Jesus equal to God in a way?
He is God made flesh (incarnate)
What is the heresy about God’s adopted son?
Adoptionism-Jesus was adopted by God at his baptism,but God left him when he died on the cross as a human.
What is the heresy of Fully Divine?
Docetism-Jesus appeared to be human.
What is the heresy of Arianism?
Jesus is more than a human but less important that God
What are the two main creeds drawn by the Church Council after Jesus’s death?
Apostles Creed
Nicene Creed
What in Apostle’s creed indicated that Jesus is the son of God?
‘I believe in Jesus Christ his only begotten son’
What in Nicene creed indicates that Jesus is the son of God?
‘Begotten of the father’
Who’s Gospel emphasises Jesus’s Divinity the most?
John’s
Who’s Gospel was written last?
John’s Gospel
What is a popular suggestion of why John’s Gospel presents Jesus as most Divine?
He was trying to distinguish Christianity more clearly from Judaism.
What are 2 I am statements?
‘i am the light of the world’
‘i am the the way, the truth, the life
What is so special about John’s ‘i am’ statments?
The Greek version of the old testament referred to the unspoken name of God in the same way John writes.
What is an example of God saying i am?
Moses and the burning bush.
What Goes against the I am from John’s Gospel?
He wrote much later on so he may have wanted to match the theology at the time rather than have historical accuracy.
What are three examples of Jesus simply being a human?
-Jesus clearing the temple of merchants,shows he is emotional and angry.
-His death, he was distressed and fearful
-Lacking full knowledge, unaware of who touched his cloak
What are the 3 temptations indicated Jesus could simply be human?
-turning stone into bread
-Jumping off a mounting for a angel to catch him
-Worshipping the devil in exchange for power
How would Christians respond to the examples of perhaps Jesus Christ is Human
Demonstrates only one aspect of Jesus.
What did Jesus refer to himself as?
‘The son of Man’
Did Jesus ever refer to himself as the Son of God?
No however in the new testament God does.
What are 2 reasons as to why Jesus never referred to himself as the ‘Son of God’
-He didn’t want any unwanted attention
-‘Son of God’ was written in later
the ‘synoptic gospels’ wrote similarly however John’s was the only one which differs.
How is Jesus’s relationship with God seen as intimate?
-refer to God as ‘Abba’
>however it is argued this is no different to Christians
-Jesus pleading to God in the Garden of Gethsemane
-referring to the temple as ‘my father’s house’.
What part in John’s Gospel is Jesus referring to himself as God?
‘The father and i are one’
‘Whoever has seen me has seen the father’
What goes against John Gospel of Jesus being God?
-Jesus was simply trying to emphasise his relationship with God.
-Trying to reflect God’s will
-‘The father is greater than i’
What do many theologians believe Jesus was?
Jesus believed himself to be a prophet as he refers to his fulfilment of prophecies many times.
-Also the old testament does not belief the messiah would be divine so why would Jesus
How does Karl Rahner respond to the fact Jesus seemed to lack knowledge?
-Compared to a onion with many layers
-Top layer’s being his human awareness
-Deeper layers as divine consciousness
Why do many scholars believe that the question if Jesus is unique is unhelpful?
The question is ambiguous as there is no point in his life where he is uniquely the son of God.
What did Garard o collins say about Jesus being Unique?
It’s impossible to truly know oneself
What is a miracle?
A extraordinary event that cannot be explained.
What were Jesus’s categories of Miracles?
-Healing the sick
-power over nature
-exorcism
-Rasing the dead
What was seen as Jesus’s Greatest miracle?
His resurrection
‘on the third day he rose’
Sets him apart from miracle workers.
What also makes Jesus Unique other than the resurrection?
-His contraception
-His birth
-Relationship with God
Explain his Unique contraception.
-Mary is a Virgin
-It was a result of the Holy spirit
-She is known as the ‘God-bearer’
Explain Jesus’s Unique birth.
Luke Gospel
‘today as saviour has been born’
-Descendant of King David
-He was born in a stable and 3 wise men travelled far to see him
How is Jesus’s relationship with God Unique?
God appeared in his baptism and transfiguration
Explain how God was present in Jesus’s baptism and transfiguration.
Baptism-he was baptised by John the baptist and he saw heaven open ‘this is my son’
Transfiguration-Voice of God declared Jesus is his son
What is the main reason as to why Jesus’s miracles do not make him divine?
Magicians was a commonplace
From Jesus’s Miracles what Could he be?
A prophet.
What are examples of other prophets miracles?
-Moses parting the red sea.
-Jesus raising widow’s sine from the dead
similar to Elijah in OT
What could counter the belief that Jesus may not be unique in the bases of his miracles?
Christians believe the power came from Jesus directly.
How did his Miracles show he was a liberator of the marginalised?
He healed women lepers and Gentiles.
How does Jesus’s Resurrection show he is divine?
Gospels made and effort to show that Jesus died and was buried.
What supports that Jesus’s resurrection should be taken literally?
-literal truth is absolute requirement in the christian faith.
-Gospels accounts show that the tomb was empty
-‘Doubting thomas’
How does St Paul counter the literal interpretation alone?
He wrote before the Gospels however never mentioned a tomb.
What are reasons as to why Christians should take a symbolic approach?
-Jesus living in a spiritual sense
-Gospel accounts added the part later to emphasise Jesus’s divinity
-Rudolf Bultmen,must demythologise the bible to make it more accessible.
What is the Messianic secret?
Jesus told witnesses of his miracles to not talk about what they saw.
How does the Messianic secret indicate he is divine?
Other magicians would want to seek out a audience.
What are two way which made Jesus’s miracles more significant than a prophet?
-Would heal individual by saying there sins are forgiven.
>something only God could do
-Calming of the storm
>Jews believed only God could calm nature.
What does the Catholic church say to argue miracles make him the son of God?
-Miracles were referred to as ‘signs’
-‘Bear witness that he is the son of God’
How do theologians counter the fact that miracles indicate his divinity?
-special moments of insights of his teachings
-His miracles were referred to as many things e.g ‘wonder’
-Used to illustrate his teachings and understanding of God.
What are the two set text for Jesus is the son of God?
Mark 52- Jesus walks on water and calms the storm
John 41- Jesus heals the man born blind.
Explain the Mark 52 -Son of God
-Boat was in the middle of the lake
-The wind was against the disciples
-Jesus began walking on the lake
-Disciples thought he was a Ghost
-‘take courage it is i , do not be afraid’
-The wind dies down
-They had not understood about the loaves.
What does the line in Mark 52-‘they had not understood about the loaves’ reference too?
His miracles of feeding 5000 people 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.
What are two reasons which counter that Jesus was walking on water?
-It was dark and the disciples were sleepy
>account seems dream like
-Sea of Galilee is foggy and shallow
What in mark 52-indicates Jesus’s divinity?
‘it is i’
What counters Jesus’s divinity in Mark 52?
-‘i am’ statements are only referred to in Johns Gospel not marks
>doesn’t carry meaning
-Jesus spoke Aramaic not Greek
Literacy device.
-Perhaps it is symbolic of how the disciples had difficulty believing
What are the 3 Key point John 41 is trying to show?
-Jesus is the Messiah referred to in the OT
-Jesus’s power comes from God
-Jesus had come to heal spiritual blindness and to put people before the laws
Explains John 41- Son of God
-Disciples ask ‘Rabbi ,who sinned’
-Jesus says ‘this happened so the works of God could be displayed on him’
-After saying ‘i am the light of the world’ he spat on the ground and made mud w saliva and placed it on the man’s eyes
-Told him to wash his eyes in the lake of saleom
-Pharisees questioning , ‘you were steeped in sin at birth how dare you lecture us’.
What in John 41 indicates Jesus as Divine and perhaps the son of God?
-He asks do you believe in the son of man
-Man says tell me
-Jesus he is the one speaking to you
-Lord i believe you and he then worshipped him
What in John 41 makes him divine?
‘i am the light of the world’
Claiming divinity
in greek ego eimi it is the divine name and how God refers to himself to moses
What does the mud on the eyes represent to some in John 41?
God creating human from dust on the ground-Genesis 2
What in the Man born bling (John 41) indicates that he differs from the prophets and angels?
When the man began to worship him he did not tell him to stop whereas a prophets would and tell them to worship God.
What is wisdom teacher in Greek?
‘Sophia’
What is a wisdom teacher recognised as?
A spiritual occupation, restoring balance to society and has knowledge beyond this realm.
How did Jesus teach?
-Through parables to make a point through symbolism.
-Short memorable sayings
-Actions, agape love
Where does Jesus’s wisdom come from?
-He is God
-Baptism and transfiguration which gave him direct access to God
>making people believe he was completely divine
What are the 4 points indicating that Jesus was simply a teacher of wisdom?
-Supernatural elements should be stripped away and you would be left with a wisdom teacher.
-There is little evidence of Jesus being divine or himself thinking he was
-E.P Sanders,Main aim was to purify Judaism
-Islam accepts this understanding.
What could also make Jesus more than a Teacher of wisdom?
Teaching were political and religious statements.
e.g Samaritan
What are Examples of Jesus teaching Forgiveness?
-Mathew, forgiveness must be excessive
>pray daily for it
>Reconciliation before prayer
-forgive others for God to forgive you
-outcasts must be drawn back to society.
What is the meaning of repentance?
Radical change of mindset
What is repentance in Greek?
Metanoia
How is repentance shown?
In the Prodigal Son
What did Jesus criticise the Pharisees of doing?
Being more concerned about the outward appearance of religion than heart.
e.g Parable of Pharisee and tax collector
Which commandment is the Sabbath?
The 4th
What was the Sabath?
Social justice-Everyone is entitles to a free day of Labour.
What are the 2 set text for Jesus a teacher of wisdom?
-Luke 32 Parable of the lost son
-Mathew 38 Sermon on the Mt
What was Jesus’s view of the Sabbath?
People would often use Sabbath laws and rituals to avoid social responsibility.
What was Jesus’s famous saying regarding the Sabbath?
‘The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath’
Overall What did Jesus believe of the Sabbath?
-laws are there to help not restrict
-purity is what is on the inside
-Morality is personal responsibility no blindly obeying rules.
What are 2 Quotes form the Parable of the Pharisee and tax collector displaying Jesus’s thoughts on inner purity and moral motivation?
‘i fast twice a week and give a tenth of all i get’-humbled
‘God have mercy on me a sinner’-exalted
Explain the Parable of the sheep and Goat.
-‘for i was hungry and you gave me something to eat’
-‘I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink’
-‘i was in prison and you came to visit me’
What is the Parable of the Sheep and Goat showing?
God will judge us on our attitude to other.
Explain the Parable of the rich an in Lazarus.
‘Remember in your lifetime you have received good things’
agony
‘He went through bad things’
comforted
What did both the Parable of the sheep and goat and the Parable of the rich man in Lazarus Challenge?
The belief that the rich would be rewarded in heaven and are favoured by God.
Explain the Prodigal son.
-The young son wanted his inheritance
-He left and spent everything and was in need
-He went to his father and said ‘father i have sinned against heaven and against you’
-and the father forgave him and hugged him and celebrated the fact the young son came back.
-The older brother refused to celebrate as he was angry.
How does the son achieve forgiveness in the Parable of the lost son?
By getting up and going to the father (actions).
How is the Older brother’s response interpreted?
It is a warning from Jesus of forgiveness as no one is superior than another.
What is one reason as to why perhaps Jesus was only a teacher of wisdom?
Perhaps he was there to simply reform Judaism by challenging the Religious leaders at the time.
E.P Sanders
What can completely reject the fact that Jesus may have been a Wisdom teacher alone?
He taught many different things in different ways to be place in a narrow category.
What was the relationship between religion and politics in first century Palestine?
-Religion and Politics were inseparable
-Jesus challenging religious authorities is argued to be a political statement too.
What do Christians generally argue about Jesus being a Political figure?
-They reject that depiction of Jesus as a revolutionary figure
-As if he was then the spiritual purpose behind Jesus’s life and the redemption and salvation would be lost
-Goes against Jesus being a loving and peaceful figure
How has Jesus as a Liberator impacted Christian life?
-Provides a model on how to challenge a unjust world
-It requires Christians to defend the lowly
Explain roman rule over the Jews.
-Jews were heavily taxed leaving them in poverty and suffering
How did the Jews face oppression?
The story of Exodus
God saved Jewish people from the Egyptians through Moses
-This gave Jews hope that God may send another.
What did Jews would happen due to the exodus?
That God would send a military messiah who would lead a rebellion against the roman rule
-This could suggest a political challenge.
What were the Zealots?
A small revolutionary group that wanted to overthrow Roman Rule.
What is Jesus’s view on the Zealots?
He made no conscious effort to show any support.
e.g rode a donkey instead of a war horse.
What did Jesus riding a donkey signify?
It is peaceful perhaps showing he is not the messiah.
How does the Zealots relate to Jesus as a political revolutionary?
-Jesus’s followers carried weapons
-His followers had suspicious names e.g Judas
was called Judas Iscariot
-‘ i did not come to bring peace but a sword’
What is the triumphal entry?
Jesus’s entrance into Jerusalem.
Explain how is entry is significant?
-ride on donkey
-Greeted by croqwd saying ‘Hosanna’ (save us)
-Crowd lay cloaks on crows and wave there branches.
What did Aslan argue about Jesus’s entrance into Jerusalem?
The event was deliberately set up by Jesus and his disciples to send a message that Jesus is the savior.
What is Passover?
A Jewish festival where the Romans would double there troops.
-potentially can lead to a violent revolution.
Explain How Jesus ended up getting crucified.
-Was arrested for a civic crime
-on the grounds of rebellion and treason
How did Jesus promote peace?
‘blessed are the peacemakers’
-He stopped the disciples# from defending him in a violent way
What is argued about Judas’s betraying to Jesus as a revolutionary figure?
That the reason for Judas’s betrayal is because he believed Jesus was not political enough.
What supports the fact that Jesus may have not been a revolutionary figure?
‘Give back Caesar what belong to Caesar’
‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities’
What does this support or refute Jesus as: The Disciples would have been arrested.
Jesus as a revolutionary figure.
What quote does Jesus say indicating he is not concerned of this world?
‘My kingdom is not of this world’
What are the set text for Jesus as a Liberator?
-The parable of the Good Samaritan.Luke 37
-The healing of the woman who bled for 12 years. Mark 34
Explain the story of Mark 34.
-There was a crowd surrounding Jesus
-Within that crowd was a woman who bled for 12 years
-She touched his cloak because she beleived she would be healed
-she felt she was freed from suffering
-Jesus questioned ‘who touched my cloak
-Daughter your faith has healed.
What is believed about bleeding?
-it makes one unclean
-anything she touches is unclean
-she suffered both emotional and spiritual pain from her community.
What makes the woman as an outcast significant?
-Jesus overlooks that she is ritually unclean
-She touched him in theory that makes Jesus unclean
-Jesus responds in love
How does the woman bleeding indicate Jesus is Divine?
-His power from the cloak healed the woman
-He was aware that he had lost his power.
Explain the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Luke 37
-A man was going to Jerichon and was attacked
-he was stripped and beat
-a priest went by and did nothing
-A Levite went by and did nothing
-A Samaritan he bandaged him wounds
-‘God and do likewise’
What would defend the priest and the Levite in the good Samaritan?
The fact that they didn’t help is because then they would become ritually unclean so unable to do their jobs in the Temples.
What is the Jewish view of Samaritans?
-worse than gentiles (betrayal of Jewish roots)
-Jews would avoid Samaritan land
What are the 2 messages of Luck 37?
-Love your enemies,Jesus teaches that all people are equal
-People above laws, The purity laws prevented the Priest and Levite from helping a fellow Jew.
What are 3 examples of things that have been misinterpreted in the Sermon on the mount?
-You were told ‘ thou shall not murder’ but i tell you not to be angry
-Your were told not ‘to commit adultry’ but i tell you those who look at women lustfully has already committed adultry.
-You have heard ‘eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth’ but i tell not to resist evil people
