Lesson 9 Flashcards
- Based on Luke’s structure, what do Jesus and John the Baptist have in common? In what ways is Jesus “greater” than John?
b. Similarities in the prophecies about John and Jesus
i. Gabriel was sent to both (1:19; 1:26)
ii. Zechariah and Mary both “troubled” (1:12; 1:29)
iii. Gabriel said, “do not be afraid” (1:13; 1:30)
iv. Gabriel furnished the names of John and Jesus (1:13; 1:31)
v. Both will hold an office (1:14-17; 1:32-33)
vi. Zechariah and Mary both questioned pregnancy (1:18; 1:34)
vii. Both births are miraculous (1:18; 1:34)
viii. Lineage of parents is given for both (1:5; 1:27)
ix. Both mention “he will be great” (1:15; 1:32)
c. Jesus is superior to John
i. Descendant of Aaron vs Descendant of David (1:5; 1:32)
ii. Barren birth vs Virgin birth (1:18; 1:34)
iii. Prophet vs Son of the Most High (1:14-17; 1:32-33)
iv. Elizabeth good vs Mary better (1:42)
v. Neighbors shared in birth vs angels shared in birth (1:58; 2:14)
vi. John makes ready a people vs Jesus ruling over a people(1:17; 1:33)
vii. John’s office is temporary vs Jesus’ office is eternal (1:16-17; 1:33)
- How is the Christian understanding of Jesus’ virgin birth unique compared to other miraculous birth stories? Why is the Virgin Birth important and foundational for Christian doctrine?
Important:
1. It confirms the scriptures. Both Matt and Luke affirm the virgin birth.
2. Fulfills OT prophasies: Isaiah 7:14.
3. Theological significance. Born of a woman but not in the line of Adam. he is not from an ordinary descent from Adam, he is not part of the curse and the sin that is passed down from Adam
- Discuss the various options for interpreting parables.
**i. Allegorical Method: **
Individual figures/elements of the parable symbolically stand for something outside the parable. Thus, a parable can be read on “two levels”: the literal level and symbolic level.
1. Issues with Allegorizing:
a. Excessive Allegorizing – Every thing in the Allegory stands for something.
b. Redemptive Historical Allegorizing – Parables retelling the history of God’s people (all of OT) instead of an individual story teaching a specific lesson.
**ii. One Point Approach: **Each parable has one main overall moral lesson to be taught. Thus, the individual figures/elements of the parable do not have a symbolic meaning. Parables are more like metaphors than allegories.
b. The case for Allegorical Interpretation
i. OT Background: The Hebrew word for parable refers to many different types of figurative speech including proverbs, riddles, and complex allegories: 1 Sam 24:13; Ps 49:4; Prov 1:1; Isa 14:3-4; Ezek 17:2; Mic 2:4
1. Nathans rebuke of King David stealing Bathsheba (1 Sam 24)
ii. Rabbinic Parables
1. Mishnah
iii. Jesus’s own interpretation (e.g., Mark 4:1-20)
1. Parable of the Sower (Mark 4)
al does not mean every detail means something.
v. Many parables have more than one point (e.g., Parable of the Prodigal Son [Luke 15:11-32])
vi. The allegorical method fits with the mysterious nature of Christ’s teachings (Mark 4:11-12)
1. Parables are meant to conceal truth as much as to reveal truth.
2. They separate the wheat from the chaff.
3. Jesus meant them to veil understanding (Slowing down – Is)
- How does the Lord’s Supper both look back and forward?
**1. Lord’s Supper **
a. Both retrospective – past – as well as future
b. Looks back at what God has done - passover and exodus of the Lords people.
c. I would argue that there is a present reality to the Lord’s Supper - Looking at what the Lord is doing today (present) - saving His people from their sins. An exodus of His people from the bongage of sin.
d. Anticipating the coming of the Wedding Feast of the Lamb of God.
- What are the various views on the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the Church? How do the parables support the Reformed view of the relationship?
e. The Kingdom of God and the Church
i. Different views
1. Augustinian View – Kingdom of God = Church
2. Dispensational View – Kingdom of God <> Church
3. Reformed View Kingdom of God interacts / Builds the Church
a. The Kingdom creates the church
i. As the reign of Christ spreads, so does the Gospel, and so does the saving of sinners.
b. The Kingdom works through the church
i. Church is the means by which the Kingdom spreads
c. The church witnesses to the Kingdom
i. The preaching of the King, witnesses to the Kingdom.
d. The church holds the keys to the Kingdom (Matt 16:18)
i. Matt 16 – Embassy of the King in a dark land.
e. Kingdom activity can be broader than Church activity
f. The Kingdom of God and Parables (Matt 13:1-52)
The Kingdom of God comes but not like you think.
It comes slowly over time.
i. Parable of the Sower
1. The KoG grows the way people respond to the message.
2. Starts and stops over time. Progress over time.
ii. Parable of the Weeds
1. The KoG grows among its enemies
iii. Parable of the Mustard Seed
1. The KoG starts tiny and grows to something grand
iv. Parable of the Yeast
1. The KoG starts our small but, like yeast, works its way through the entire earth
v. Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl
1. The KoG grows as people see and respond to the value of the KoG
vi. Parable of the Net
1. The KoG grows among the good and bad.
2. There will be a final sorting of the good fish and bad fish (Saved / sinner)
