Life of Jesus

Question 1

Meaning of the resurrection

Answer 1

The literal truth of the resurrection was an absolute requirement for the Christian faith.

Question 2

What did the resurrection confirm?

Answer 2

It was absolute confirmation that Jesus was more than simply another human- offers a promise to humans of an eternal life.

Question 3

What do the Gospels show of Jesus’ resurrection

Answer 3

Highlights the continuity from Jesus who died to the raised Christ.

Question 4

Hypostatic union

Answer 4

Jesus was identified as fully God and fully human.
This gave him clear authority beyond that of a radical teacher.

Question 5

‘He wept ,didn’t know who touched him during a miracle, was tempted by the devil and prayed not to have to undergo death’

Answer 5

Jesus seemed to ne more human than divine.

Question 6

What did miracles do?

Answer 6

Displayed God’s power working through Jesus to help humanity.

Question 7

Was Jesus viewed as a miracle worker?

Answer 7

He was viewed as a miracle worker but her was not the only one at the time- magicians were mentioned in the new testament.

Question 8

Efforts of the gospel- Jesus as a miracle worker.

Answer 8

The Gospels make a real effort to distinguish Jesus from magicians.

Question 9

Miracles of Jesus did not discriminate

Answer 9

Jesus healed outcasts; women and foreigners as well as Jews; his ministry is for all. Perhaps this is the level on which the miracles need to be understood.

Question 10

Jesus approach to inclusivism

Answer 10

Through his miracles it showed to importance of not discriminating against someone for a certain characteristic as everyone is treated the same by God.

Question 11

How did Jesus’ miracles show his connection to God?

Answer 11

They often included the forgiveness of sins, which was something that was thought only God could do.

Question 12

Jesus thinks he is divine example 1

Answer 12

Jesus is lost in the temple as a child and says to his parents ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house’.

Question 13

Jesus thinks he is divine example 2

Answer 13

Paul’s letters indicates an assumption that Jesus was divine.

Question 14

Jesus thinks he is divine example 3

Answer 14

‘Messianic secret’- Jesus was not keen to overwhelm his audience so he kept his divine actions a secret especially at the start of his ministry.

Question 15

Jesus didn’t think he was divine example 1

Answer 15

We cannot use the gospel as evidence of his divinity: the stories are stories of a human being a radical preacher.

Question 16

Jesus didn’t think he was divine example 2

Answer 16

The clearest claim of Jesus’ divinity comes from John’s gospel which may of been exaggerated as it was written as late as 100 AD.

Question 17

Jesus didn’t think he was divine example 3

Answer 17

Jesus clearly understood himself as a prophet- the old testament does not suggest the Messiah would be divine so why should jesus think that of himself.

Question 18

Jesus with politics and religion

Answer 18

For Jesus at the time politics and religion overlapped- daily life revolved around the synagogue. There were multiple different authorities at the time.

Question 19

Political figures at the time- Scribes

Answer 19

Usually members of the pharisee group but experts in the interpretations of the law.

Question 20

Political figures at the time- Romans

Answer 20

The conquering nation who controlled the holy land but gave Jews control in order to keep the peace.
Jesus seemed to not mind their presence as long as they left spiritual matters to individuals.

Question 21

Political figures at the time- Pharisees

Answer 21

They represented the majority of the Jews who were criticised by Jesus for following the old testament law too literally.

Question 22

Political figures at the time- Sadducees

Answer 22

Aristocratic group who controlled the Temple and also the Jewish council.
They only accepted the first five books of the old testament so they were at odds with Jesus’ teachings.

Question 23

Political figures at the time- Zealots

Answer 23

A small revolutionary group that wanted to overthrow the Romans by force.
Jesus was sometimes hoped to be one of them but seemed careful to distance himself.

Question 24

Example of Jesus distancing himself from Zealots

Answer 24

He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, not a war horse.

Question 25

How did Jesus challenge religious authority on the Sabbath.

Answer 25

Criticised for healing on the Sabbath, Jesus illustrated his change in focus by pointing out that the pharisees had lost sight of God’s message- to do good before all else.

Question 26

How did Jesus challenge political authority.

Answer 26

He preached about the kingdom of God- a future time when God will rule which was seen as a political statement.
Suggested that power would be taken from those in charge.

Question 27

What did Jesus teach about the rule of God?

Answer 27

It would become central to society and God’s ways would be understood, not as a set of laws to obey but based on the rule of love.

Question 28

Example of Jesus exercising his political authority.

Answer 28

He turned the tables over in the Temple, challenging the fact that the Temple had lost all spiritual focus.

Question 29

Meaning of the turning of the Tables

Answer 29

It indicates that Jesus was comfortable with challenging political authority on its own.
When asked if it was lawful to pay taxes Jesus said; ‘give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s’.

Question 30

How did people refer to Jesus when he came to Jerusalem.

Answer 30

The revolutionary Messiah who was the crucified as a political troublemaker by the Romans.