The Person of Jesus Flashcards

Question

Summarise Matthew 27:32-56 The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

Answer 1

.Jesus is put on the cross, after refusing alcohol .He is taunted by the passer byers .When he died lots of weird things happened (resurrections and important curtains ripping)

Answer 2

.When he died, the curtain ripped, holy people that were dead were raised, earthquakes hit, rocks split and tombs broke open

Answer 3

the belief that Jesus rose from the dead, three days after being crucified on the cross

Answer 4

.they are a sign of salvation .the indicate what it would be like to live in a restored world .his healing miracles illustrate Isaiah’s vision of a renewed society where seeing, hearing and walking are also symbols of insight, understanding and acting in the world

Answer 5

‘Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped’

Answer 6

Jesus heals a blind man

Answer 7

.Gives them hope for an afterlife .How Christianity was started .Shows Jesus as Divine and his unique relationship with God

Answer 8

Through Adam’s disobedience, humanity ‘died’, but then through Jesus’ sacrifice we have all been saved.

Answer 9

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Answer 10

'But christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in christ all will be made alive'

Answer 11

God bearer, a title given to Mary, links to annunciation and nativity

Answer 12

Mary getting told he will bear Jesus, Son of God

Answer 13

.Parable of the sheep and goats .Golden rule .Love thy neighbour – the greatest commandment .Parable of the talents .Parable of the good Samaritan .Parable of the prodigal son/lost son .The sermon on the mount (turn the other check, beatitudes, lord’s prayer etc) .Atonement – the temple will be destroyed .Zacchaeus – tax collector .Eating with outcasts – ‘it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick’ .Parable of the rich man and Lazarus .Parable of the unforgiving servant .’Those who live by the sword die by the sword’

Answer 14

In the Synoptic Gospels the title ‘Teacher’ is applied to Jesus 39 times, twelve each in Mark and Matthew, and fifteen in Luke. In the fourth gospel it is used 6 times to designate Jesus. That is 45 times in the four gospels Jesus is called the teacher.

Answer 15

``` .Uses analogies and examples .Good public speaker .Holds authority – many start with ‘I tell you’ .Intelligent – thought about where to teach .Outsmart other religious authorities .Challenged his followers .Educated other scholars .Compassionate to those suffering ```

Answer 16

.Morality .Forgiveness .Inner purity

Answer 17

You need to fulfil the laws .Don’t say the Pharisees are wrong, more often than not they are right .To fulfil them, Jesus says they must tighten up, not relax

Answer 18

Matthew 5:17-20

Answer 19

Morality | .Follow the rules

Answer 20

‘For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’

Answer 21

.Forget the old teachings about forgiveness | .Love everyone, pray for everyone

Answer 22

.Son asks for share of estate .Runs off and wastes all the money .Comes back and begs for forgiveness .A party is thrown and the other son is jealous

Answer 23

.Widow who lives in poverty gives money to the temple when she can’t afford it

Answer 24

Matthew 5:43-48

Answer 25

Luke 5:11-32

Answer 26

Mark 12:41-44

Answer 27

Morality, forgiveness and inner purity

Answer 28

Forgiveness

Answer 29

Inner purity

Answer 30

‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’

Answer 31

‘This brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’

Answer 32

‘This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others’

Answer 33

Set early in the mission of Jesus after he has been baptised by John the Baptist, gathered his first disciples, and had returned from a long fast and contemplation in the Judean Desert where he had been tempted by Satan to renounce his spiritual mission and gain worldly riches.

Answer 34

.You need to fulfil the laws .Don’t say the Pharisees are wrong, more often than not they are right .To fulfil them, Jesus says they must tighten up, not relax .’For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’ Essentially, christians need to follow the rules

Answer 35

.Don’t worship in anger .Don’t be angry .Resolve with peace, not violence .’Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement’ .Essentially, Christians need to be peaceful

Answer 36

.Don’t cheat .Even thinking lustfully about another women is cheating .’If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go to hell’ .Essentially, Christians need to not commit adultery

Answer 37

.Only men can divorce .Women are the victim of divorce, unless they have committed adultery .You can’t marry a divorced women .’Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery .Essentially Christians need to try and not divorce

Answer 38

.Pray with the correct intentions .Pray in private for God, not in public for self-gain .If you do this you will be rewarded .’Your Father knows what you need before you ask him’ .He also gave Christians The Lords Prayer

Answer 39

.Don’t follow the beliefs taught earlier in the bible .Instead of hating your enemies and loving your neighbours, love them both .Pray for those who persecute you .’Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect’ .Essentially Christians need to love everyone

Answer 40

.Russian writer considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time .Experienced a profound moral crisis, followed by what he regarded as an equally profound spiritual awakening

Answer 41

.His literal interpretation if the ethical teachings of Jesus, centring on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him to become a fervent Christian anarchist and pacifist

Answer 42

The Gospel in Brief

Answer 43

outlines the significance of Jesus’ life lies in his moral teaching, which can be summarised as: - Do not be angry - Be at peace with all men - Do not seek delight in sexual gratification - Do not swear anything to anyone - Do not judge

Answer 44

‘The true meaning of Christ’s teaching consists in the recognition of love as the supreme law of life, and therefore not admitting any exceptions’

Answer 45

.Read Gospel in Brief in the trenches Won over by Tolstoy’s representation of Jesus, Wittgenstein believed that Jesus’ teachings on life were the most significant part of the Gospels, rather than his divinity

Answer 46

.Wittgenstein was impressed with Jesus’ commitment to the Truth and his courage to speak out against hypocrisy

Answer 47

.For Wittgenstein, Jesus was not an abstract idea but the ‘Living World’ the embodiment of the external moral and inner spiritual life

Answer 48

humble and meek, the gentle lamb who goes to slaughter on the cross

Answer 49

meekly and without protest accepting suffering

Answer 50

Jesus is see as being angry with the political and religious authority of the time, and instead of being passive and accepting suffering, he is seen as active in seeking out confrontation

Answer 51

A Biblical example of this would be found in Mark 3 where Jesus heals a man with the withered hand on the Sabbath

Answer 52

Jesus had already named himself ‘The Lord of the Sabbath’ in Mark 2, and in Mark 3 he is being closely watched by the Pharisees and Herodian’s, as he makes the man with the withered hand stand in front of everyone as he heals him

Answer 53

Confrontational

Answer 54

a group of Catholic theologians working in the slums of the great cities of South America

Answer 55

They taught that it was clear from the Bible that Jesus did not just accept the Status Quo, but confronted the religious authority (the Pharisees) and political authority (the Herodian’s).

Answer 56

saying that Christianity does not teach that we meekly accept suffering and wait for heaven, but that we try to confront the political authorities and try to change society so it becomes more fair and just.

Answer 57

‘A Christology that proclaims Jesus Christ as the liberator seeks to be committed to the economic, social and political liberation of those groups that are oppressed and dominated. It purports to see the theological reverence of the historic revelation of the vast majority of people in our continent’

Answer 58

an understanding of Christ

Answer 59

giving preference, not to the rich and powerful, but instead to the poor and oppressed.

Answer 60

This can be seen in two stories from the New Testament – The Parable of the Good Samaritan and the story of the Healing Woman with a haemorrhage. In both stories an oppressed group (Samaritans and women) are celebrated.

Answer 61

Racially impure | Kindness and humanity

Answer 62

Jesus reacts favourably to a women who is bleeding vaginally. This kind of bleeding was regarded as unclean and it was seen as an act of great impropriety to touch someone. Instead, Jesus acts kindly towards her.

Answer 63

to the moral, religious and political attitudes towards women.

Answer 64

.The idea of being God is too exclusive, it implies that Christianity ought to be regarded by Christians as having a unique status .Hick was in favour of a pluralist approach and saw all the great religions as equally having insight into God .Therefore he wanted Christianity to have a God centred vision rather than a Christo-centric vision .Centring the religion on Jesus means the other religions wouldn’t be treated fairly .Hick did not think of Christianity as special, in fact he titled one of his books ‘The Myth of Christian Uniqueness’

Answer 65

a tale of blind men attempting to describe an elephant. One touching the leg, another the trunk, and the final the side. Each man describes the elephant differently, and although each is accurate, they are all convinced in their own correctness and the mistakenness of the other two.

Answer 66

.According to the pluralist understanding, each religion attempts to describe God from its own point of view, and it is a mistake to inform the other religions of how wrong they are .Hick says that God is beyond full human comprehension, and each religion has part of the truth .We are all climbing the hill up to ultimate reality, but taking different paths .We should be more tolerant of the diversity of great religious traditions and see that they are all valid paths towards the divine .This is called religious pluralism

Answer 67

.Another reason for rejection of the supernatural was embarrassment at the supernatural in religion .Christianity is full of miracles and special divine interaction in the world, many theologians began to think of these as old fashioned and antiquated, they felt science shows these miracles can’t have taken place .The incarnation is just another miracle, so must be rejected .Some of these theologians even began to believe that God did not exist at all, but that religion was just a vibrant expression of humanity’s deepest hopes .One of the most prominent members of this movement, anti-realism, is Don Cupitt .Both Hick and Cupitt reject the incarnation – Jesus is just man who has insight and great wisdom

Answer 68

‘Neither the intense Christological debates of the centuries leading up to the Council of Chalcedon, nor the renewed Christological debates of the 19th and 20th centuries, have succeeded in squaring the circle by making intelligible the claim that one who was genuinely and ambiguously a man was also genuinely and ambiguously God’ (Myth of God Incarnate)

Answer 69

.The Catholic Church argues that God actually exists, and that this can be known naturally without revelation .We also must accept the testimony of the Bible and the tradition of the Church (special revelation) which clearly teaches that Jesus was more than a prophet .He is God’s revelation of himself, he is God who takes on flesh in humanity

Answer 70

.A prominent Catholic theologian .Argued that faithful Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus are all ‘anonymous Christians’ .They would not speak of themselves as Christians, therefore they are anonymous .There faith is valuable even though they have not attained the full truth of the Christian Revelation .Rahner argues that the full truth is found in Christianity because Jesus is the Son of God

Answer 71

.When the Bible talks about Jesus being ‘Son of God’ (mainly in John, but rarely elsewhere) there is a claim to special divinely inspired authority .Brown says ‘It is highly likely that Jesus spoke and thought o himself as ‘the son’ implying a very special relationship to God that is part of his identity and status’ .Brown’s argument is supported in Matthew 11:27 when Jesus says ‘All things have been delivered to me by my father; and no one knows the son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the son and any one whom the Son chooses to reveal him’

Answer 72

.The Nicene Creed shows the churches eventual understanding of Jesus ‘We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God’ .Here the claim is that Jesus is not a son of God but the son of God .He was not made, so is eternal, and shares his identity with God, the Father, and that Jesus was central in the creation of the universe- ‘through him all things were made’ .So they believe that Jesus is not just a divinely inspired prophet like Moses or Isaiah, but has a much higher status, he is infused with divinity and is God in human form

Answer 73

- Healing of the Blind Man - Walking on water The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear that Jesus’ miracles are signs of his divinity. They can help to assure people of the truth of Christianity, and especially Jesus’ status as son of God. This is especially true of the miracles reported in the Gospels. They are signs that Jesus is someone special- someone distinctive. The Catechism says ‘The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent him … so miracles strengthen faith in the one who does his Father’s works; they bear witness that he is the son of God’.

Answer 74

The early Christians would have thought something along the lines of – . Only God has the power of life after death . Jesus died then was raised from the dead . Therefore, God approves of Jesus, in fact more than approval, other great men of faith weren’t risen from the dead, perhaps Jesus is more than a great follower of God, perhaps he is God The Catholic Church sees the resurrection as so miraculous and full of meaning that they call is a mystery rather than just a miracle. ‘The resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ’ – CCC. The church does not believe that the resurrection was a sign or a symbol – it actually happened in a specific place at a specific time in Palestine. It is not just a great story. The Church testifies that it is historical fact: ‘The mystery of Christ’s resurrection is a real event’.

Answer 75

In the Gospel of John, Jesus says ‘“Very truly I tell you”, Jesus answered, “Before Abraham was born, I am!”’. Here Jesus uses the divine name ‘I am’. So we might agree with H P Liddon that ‘Jesus unveils consciousness of Eternal Being’. In other words, Jesus is referring to himself as diving.

Answer 76

In Mark 14:62, Jesus is in front of the temple court ‘Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”’

Answer 77

- Healing of the blind man - Walking on water The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear that Miracles are signs of Jesus divinity. They can help to assure people of the truth of Christianity, and especially Jesus’ status as son of God. This is especially true of the miracles in the Gospels. They are signs that Jesus is someone special – someone distinctive. If Jesus performed these miracles then he must’ve thought of himself as divine.

Answer 78

The gospel does not always seem to be a straight forward account of what Jesus said. It seems to be more an interpretation of his words and actions from someone convinced that Jesus was God and knew that he was. In this sense, the words in the gospel more belong to the author than Jesus.

Answer 79

All 3 synoptic gospels give detailed accounts of Christ’s agony here. Some interpret this to show how truly human Jesus was. He seemed afraid of death, which goes against this image of him being divine.

Answer 80

Jesus may only have thought of himself as a teacher of wisdom and morality: - The lost son - The good Samaritan - The widows coin - Teaching on adultery and love of enemies Jesus may only have thought of himself as a political liberator.

Answer 81

base its faith and teachings on the situation of the poor and that bible should be read and experienced from the perspective of the poor. Also the church should be a movement for those who were denied their rights and plunged into such poverty that they were deprived of their status as human beings.

Answer 82

take the example of Jesus and use it to bring about a just society

Answer 83

Social change

Answer 84

The working class

Answer 85

politics and trade unions; while others even aligned themselves with violent revolutionary movements

Answer 86

move from religious houses into poverty stricken areas to share in the living conditions

Answer 87

Initially a social conservative, became an advocate for the poor and oppressed as the security situation in El Salvador deteriorated in the late 1970’s. He was assassinated while saying mass in a cancer hospice in San Salvador on 24th March 1980.

Answer 88

Gustavo Gutierrez

Answer 89

Christianity should be used to make people’s lives better here and now rather than simply offer them hope of rewards in heaven.

Answer 90

Gutierrez’s theology is one that places actions first and reflection second

Answer 91

liberation and salvation became the same thing

Answer 92

the transformation of society: the poor must be freed from economic, political and social oppression. This involves struggle and conflict but Gutierrez does not shy away.

Answer 93

Such willingness to countenance violent actions

Answer 94

‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.’

Answer 95

Social unrest

Answer 96

1. Aslan says that Jesus should be seen as someone who ‘took on the religious and political powers of his day on behalf of the poor and the dispossessed, the marginalized and the weak’

Answer 97

2. Aslan claims the most important part of the gospel is when on Palm Sunday Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the cheers of thousands, then drove the money lenders out of the temple – these two acts were meant to spark a revolution

Answer 98

4. Aslan believes that, after Jesus’ death, Jesus’ followers reinvented him as a gentle spiritual teacher who taught love over revolution, in order to help spread Christianity around the world

Answer 99

5. Critics to Aslan include: .Josh Graves ‘There’s very little evidence that Jesus has radically different teaching than what the early church believed’ .Stephen Prothero, Aslan’s perspective as a Muslim may have influenced his writing .Darrel Gwaltney ‘Even people who were present in the life of Jesus couldn’t make up their minds about who he was’

Answer 100

.Much of Jesus’ adult life, as shown in the gospels, was spent in conflict with Jewish authorities over the application of the law and then finally with the Roman authorities who put him to death on the grounds of rebellion and treason

Answer 101

... call to change the social structures of society

Answer 102

... that the historical Jesus was a politically driven freedom fighter but that later representations of him in the gospels toned this down and rewrote passages to make him a pacifist

Answer 103

23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” 27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Answer 104

The Pharisees know that the Sabbath is meant to be a gift not a hassle Jesus is reinstating his authority as Lord This recalls the story from 1 Samuel 21:6, in which the Priest gives David the bread to eat, Jesus believes that this shows the bigger picture, that certain demands of the law are rightly set aside in favour of pursuing greater values or meeting greater needs The Pharisees strictly adhered to religious law, Exodus 20:8, ‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy’, they are concerned that Jesus is not keeping it holy by travelling and neglecting the commandment to observe the Sabbath

Answer 105

3 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodian’s how they might kill Jesus.

Answer 106

The Pharisees strictly adhered to religious law, ‘Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy’ Exodus 20:8 The Pharisees know that religious law teaches the example: ‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbours life’ Leviticus 19:16 The only option to remove the threat of Jesus is to kill him A healing miracle occurs (seem as a creative act) Jesus wanted all people to see his act of healing ‘Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God.’’ Leviticus 21:17 The Pharisees saw Jesus as a threat to their religious authority, they had no problem with him healing the man, but took issue on whether he would do it on the Sabbath and wilfully disregard the law of God ‘Saving life overrules the Sabbath’, according to ancient Rabbinic Tradition The man was not dying, but the effect of fixing his hand ripples and he can now work again, and so can provide for his family again – it was not merely a fixing of something gone wrong but a restoration of his life

Answer 107

.Jesus was a threat politically .At the time, Rome occupied Judea and civil unrest was stirring .Many people were unhappy with paying taxes to Rome and being oppressed in their own land .The Pharisees wanted to ensure innocent lives were not lost in massacres, since the Romans used force to stop uprisings .Pharisees disagreed with Roman rule but lived in hopes of seeing the restoration of the Kingdom of David .The Herodian’s, those faithful to Herod, endured the Roman rule but wanted Herod to remain in power independent of Roman support

Answer 108

11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna![a]” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b] 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Answer 109

Bethphage and Bethany are small villages outside of Jerusalem A colt is a Donkey, a sign of his humility and peace, Zechariah’s prophecy saw the Messiah as the Prince of Peace, so when the disciples saw him doing this it was as if he was fulfilling the prophecy Jesus’ disciples want to honour him by throwing their cloaks down David, as in King David, the Messiah is said to be his descendent Entering into a city on a horse was a sign of victory Went back to Bethany where he was anointed by a woman Hosanna means ‘save us’, people believed Jesus was the Messiah People offered sacrifices to Jesus – show of Divinity Reinforcing his divine authority by referring to himself as the Lord ‘Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey’ Zechariah 9:9 Palm leaves are a national symbol for Israel, Palm branches, praise, hymns, and songs are associated with the liberation of the Jews in 1 Maccabees 13-51 – ‘and entered into it … with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps, and cymbals, and with viols, and songs.’ Marks story also speaks of Jesus’ sacrifice, as Jesus travelled to Jerusalem via Bethphage, Bethphage is the town where the Passover Lamb would be taken from and delivered to the temple, this indicated that Jesus knows he is going to die for his cause and is prepared to do so

Answer 110

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’[a]? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’[b]” 18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

Answer 111

Use of force by ‘driving out’? Reinforcing his authority by saying he ‘would not allow’ Isaiah 56:7 ‘Then my house will be known as a house of worship for all nations’ The religious authorities feared Jesus would be too much of an influence on the Jewish nation ‘They feared him’ – the Romans would massacre innocent civilians if they believed there could be an uprising People were making a great profit and it was loud and not focused on God The Jewish leaders allowed the court of Gentiles to be used as a market place Jerusalem was packed with Jews who had travelled for Passover, the number of pilgrims between 300,000 and 400,000 The sellers were disrupting the outer courts of the temple, and therefore a holy place of prayer, as this was the only place that Gentiles could come and pray Jesus accused the temple authorities of thieving, making pilgrims purchase ‘approved’ goods at an inflated price Jesus put an embargo on people carrying any merchandise though the temple – a sanction that would have disrupted all trade

Answer 112

Jesus is defying the usual practice of the Jew’s, but is showing that in doing so he is not committing a bad act through the use of reference to a story

Answer 113

Jesus is defying the usual practice of the Jew’s, but is showing that in doing so he is not committing a bad act, through asking the question ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath … to save life or to kill?’

Answer 114

Jesus is being praised as Messiah, he is being loved by many and people are asking him to save them, to liberate them?

Answer 115

Jesus protests the workings of the temple in a loud way, a different style to the Prince of Peace we had just seen entering Jerusalem, he is not happy in the way his Father’

Answer 116

... religion can have a negative effect on politics. Traditionally, countries have one religion in the majority, this means that many minority groups and marginalised/discriminated against. Religion should be a focus of private, not public, life

Answer 117

... A religious conviction will influence you regardless of if you try and limit its impact. An example of someone who has used their Christianity in a positive way is Martin Luther King. It was his faith that enabled him to have the courage and moral reasoning to fight for civil rights in America

Answer 118

• Some Christians may argue that God is the ultimate authority and therefore may regard his teachings as superior to that of the law

Answer 119

.Bishop of the Catholic Church in El Salvador who served as the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador .Spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations, and torture amid a growing war between left wing and right wing forces

Answer 120

1. Was murdered during mass 2. His sermons were broadcast nationwide and for some were the only way to access the truth 3. He condemned the repression and challenged those in power 4. Was initially put in that position as he was seen as a pair of safe hands 5. Received death threats 6. ‘The word of God is like the light of the son, it illuminates beautiful things but also things which we would rather not see.’ 7. After his friend, Rutilio Grande, died he began to speak out 8. He died for the people

Answer 121

* Ordinary people did not receive an education, they could not read or write so they could not stand up for their writes – if your illiterate you can’t even read the instructions on a medicine bottle for your child * Women were treated as second class citizens, they worked hard but were never consulted about things that affected their lives * Most people had no say in who ran El Salvador, they could not elect new leaders as the elections were not run fairly * People were put in prison just because they criticized the government * The rich were very rich, and the poor had very little money * Fourteen powerful families ruled El Salvador * The two sides in the civil war were fighting and many innocent people were dying, war was hurting everyone in El Salvador

Answer 122

‘We know that every effort to improve society, above all when society is so full of injustice and sin, is an effort that God blesses; that God wants; that God demands of us’

Answer 123

Explores the relationship between Christian theology (especially Catholic) and far-left political activism, especially in relation to economic justice, poverty, and human rights

Answer 124

If Jesus was politically motivated, then Christians should surely work in the world to restore political systems today. Many scholars agree that Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom of God was not just spiritual preparation for the age to come, but a call to reform political structures of society now. Liberation theologians believe that Jesus’ preference towards the poor sets an example and an agenda for Christians in every historical age.

Answer 125

found inspiration in the Zealot-type presentations of Jesus

Answer 126

Oscar Romero never publically declared he was a liberation theologian and was sceptical of the politics it employed – DO NOT REFER TO HIM AS ONE – he did however, argue it was a Christians duty to live in the example of Christ.

Answer 127

For Liberation theologians, Jesus had too long been portrayed as a neutral character who preached spiritual values without wanting to make change to unjust social structures. Liberation theologians saw Jesus’ actions a favour towards the poor and exploited – those who are described as occupying the ‘underside of history’. By thinking of Jesus as Liberator the Church ensures that Christ is fully engaged with the affairs of the world.

Answer 128

Peruvian philosopher, theologian, and Dominican priest regarded as one of the founders of liberation theology.

Answer 129

Political/social liberation to free them from the laws that entrap them. Human liberation/emancipation to restore their dignity and release them from the bonds of social sin. Liberation from selfishness and sin to restore relationships with God and others

Answer 130

This would be liberation from structural sin. This would be achieved through praxis (real political change) and engagement with political/economic issues

Answer 131

This would be achieved through conscientisation and a preferential option for the poor (putting the needs of the poor first)

Answer 132

This would include a more traditional understanding of freeing people and their own personal sin.

Answer 133

Christians should work to restore political systems as it is following the work, life of example and Jesus

Answer 134

The ‘underside of history’ is those poor and exploited throughout history

Answer 135

Liberation theologians say that by the Kingdom of God, Jesus meant to call for a reform of the political structures of society now

Answer 136

Political liberation, human liberation and self liberation

Answer 137

The main concern, especially for those who lived in the oppression of communism, was the influence Marxism had on the movement.

Answer 138

Pope John Paul II

Answer 139

.Karl Heinrich Marx was born on 5 May 1818 in Trier in Western Germany .He was a revolutionary communist, collaborating with Friedrich Engels .After being expelled from Paris he moved to Brussels and co-authored the pamphlet ‘The Communist Manifesto’ which was published in 1848 .’The Communist Manifesto’ asserted that all human history had been based on class struggles, but that these would ultimately disappear with the victory of the proletariat (working class) .In 1849, Marx moved to London where he spent the remainder of his life .For a number of years, his family lived in poverty but the wealthier Engels managed to support him .Gradually, Marx emerged from his political and spiritual isolation and produced his most important body of work ‘Das Kaptial’ .The first volume of this ‘Bible of the Working Class’ was published in his lifetime, while the remaining volumes were edited by Engels after his friends death .Marx did not live to see his ideas carried out in his own lifetime, but his writings formed the theoretical base for modern international communism

Answer 140

.Marx’s opinion is that religion is an illusion that provides reasons and excuses to keep society functioning in a certain way .He suggested that religion, in the face of real oppression on Earth, offered spiritual blessings in heaven .People would put up with their suffering now in hope of a spiritual reward – like a drug to ease the pain of their situation .Religion creates illusory fantasies for the poor .Economic realities prevent them from finding happiness in this life, so religion tells them this is acceptable because they will find true happiness in the next life .Religion does not fix the causes of pain and suffering, it helps them forget about the pain and suffering as they look forward to an imaginary future when the pain will cease instead of working to change circumstances now .Even worse, this ‘drug’ is being administered by the oppressors who are responsible for pain and suffering

Answer 141

‘The sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of the heartless world, and the soul of the soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. The people cannot really be happy until it has been deprived of illusory happiness by the abolition of religion.’

Answer 142

.Communism .The poor and working class needed to rise up and demand better .Class struggles needed abolishing, and this would occur with the victory of the proletariat (working class) .Religion is a drug that blinds people from saving themselves in the present due to hope of an imaginary future that holds no suffering, even worse it is administered by those who oppress and cause the suffering

Answer 143

Because Marx condemned religion as something bad, so by liberation theology taking on the views and influences of Marx, it was taking on the views and influences of someone against religion, so the church denounced it

Answer 144

‘When people think they possess the secret of a perfect social organisation which makes evil impossible, they also think they can use any means, including violence and deceit, in order to bring that organization into being.’ ‘Politics then becomes a ‘secular religion’ which operates under the illusion of creating paradise in this world.’ Meaning – when people think they know how to perfect the political system to get rid of evil, they also think that they can do whatever they want to make it happen (including violence and lying). When this happens, politics then becomes a belief system without a God which works under the illusion that they are creating a paradise through what they do

Answer 145

.Another founding member of the Liberation Theology movement .Argues that Christianity, like Marxism, does not teach that we meekly accept suffering and wait for heaven, but that we try and confront the political authority and try to change society, so it becomes fair and just

Answer 146

‘… A Christology that proclaims Jesus Christ as liberator’

Answer 147

.Boff is arguing that Christianity should engage with Marxism as it is a good tool or instrument for theology .Leonardo stressed that liberation theology is not the same as Marxism .’Marx is a useful ‘companion on the way’, there is only one teacher, Jesus Christ.’ .If the Christian message of Jesus remains the main priority then Marxism should be engaged with

Answer 148

.Columbian Catholic Priest .Tried to reconcile Marxism with Christianity .Argued that liberation theologians needed to engage with Marxism more and said that words without action are empty and if this meant revolution, even violence, then it was a sign of faith to be involved .Joined the communist guerrilla group ELN in their active resistance against the government .He was killed in his first combat experience, when the ELN ambushed a Columbian military patrol

Answer 149

‘ … the mental process of Marxists appears to be so useful for revolutionary methods’

Answer 150

... A totally double life: “I am very Catholic, I always go to Mass, I belong to this association and that one; but my life is not Christian, I don’t pay my workers a just wage, I exploit people, I am dirty in my business, I launder money …” A double life.’

Answer 151

... – “but to be a Catholic like that, it’s better to be an atheist.”’

Answer 152

... Don’t you remember all the offerings I made?” “Yes, I remember. The offerings, I remember them: All dirty. All stolen from the poor. I don’t know you.” That will be Jesus’ response to these scandalous people who live a double life.’

Answer 153

... the poor, to exploited women, to children exploited for labour; it has to ask forgiveness for having blessed many weapons’

Answer 154

... not looking out for our own interests, but carrying the burdens of the weakest and poorest among us’

Answer 155

‘If Jesus was alive today, He would be a guerrillero.’

Answer 156

... If Jesus Christ were on Earth today, he would be a Marxist revolutionary

Answer 157

‘So the last will be first, and the first will be last’ Matthew 20:16 ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame’ Luke 14:21 ‘Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”’ Matthew 19:21

Answer 158

‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.’ Matthew 5:38-39 ‘”Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”’ Matthew 26:52 ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ Mark 12:17

Answer 159

The temple, flipping the tables Here he gets angry in God’s temple, liberation theologians take this as a sign of revolution Talking about the kingdom of God as a real future state, some scholars believe this is what he meant, which then suggests he was urging the oppressed to fight for freedom from oppression – to bring this kingdom to Earth Constantly undermining Jewish authority and the rules – for example in the fields on the Sabbath picking food

Answer 160

Dying on the cross for our sins This was his main purpose, and many scholars think this (as well as the majority of Christians) Set an example of how to live (golden rule etc.) – these rules were not always for liberation from oppression, some were for self-development and help Taught how to love God and how to enter heaven, for example the sheep and goats story

Answer 161

To an extent, he taught to live charitably and to help the poor but he did not display any level of revolutionary power that should be taken as an indicator to fight for the oppressed freedom – he taught mainly to help the oppressed not fight the oppressors ‘”Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”’ Matthew 26:52

Answer 162

.Gospel of John: ‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ .Here Jesus uses the divine name ‘I am’ from Exodus .Theologian H.P.Liddon believed that ‘Jesus unveils a consciousness of Eternal Being.’ (Jesus is referring to himself as divine)

Answer 163

.Catholic Church believes that God is real and we must accept the testimony of the Bible and the tradition of the Church which clearly teaches that Jesus is more than a prophet – he is God’s revelation of himself who takes on flesh and humanity .This understanding developed into the Nicene Creed, ‘We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.’

Answer 164

.Catholic Theologian Raymond Brown argued there is a claim to special divinely inspired authority .’It is highly likely that Jesus spoke and thought of himself as ‘the Son’ implying a very special relationship to God that is part of his identity and status.’ .Supported by Matthew 11:27, ‘All things have been delivered to me by my Father.’

Answer 165

.Catholic Church sees the resurrection as so miraculous and full of meaning that they call it a mystery rather than just a miracle .They believe that it’s not just a symbol but that it really happened . ‘… the mystery of Christ’s resurrection is a real event.’ (CCC 489) .How the disciples died demonstrate their faith in the resurrection, they would not have martyred themselves unless this was a unique event

Answer 166

.Fulfilment of many prophecies .His healing miracles illustrate Isiah’s vision of a renewed society where seeing, hearing and walking are also symbols of new insight, understanding and acting in the world .’Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.’

Answer 167

.The Gospel of John does not always seem to be a straight forward, historical account of what Jesus said .Many New Testament Scholars, like E.P. Sanders, would regard the writing within John not to be a historical account, but a theological discussion .In this sense, the words of the Gospel belong more to John than Jesus

Answer 168

.John Hick was in favour of a pluralist approach and saw all the great religions as equally having insight into God .So he wanted Christianity to have a God centred vision rather than a Christo-centric one .Hick didn’t believe Christianity was special, one of his books was even titles ‘The Myth of Christian Uniqueness’ .In his book ‘Myth of God Incarnate’ Hick says that the idea of incarnation just makes no sense and refers to the idea of a man being human and divine as like ‘squaring a circle’

Answer 169

.Don Cupitt, a philosopher of Religion, argued that God, Christ, and Miracles are all just metaphysical concepts .He rejects the incarnation, saying that Jesus is just a man with great insight and wisdom .Cupitt argues that the original Jesus was just an eschatological prophet who preached love .According to Cupitt, Jesus’ original message was, in Cupitt’s words ‘completely rewritten’ by the early church

Answer 170

.Reza Aslan also believes that Jesus’ followers reinvented him as a gentle spiritual teacher who taught love not revolution .He says most of the biblical accounts are not historically accurate, and were only changed to help spread Christianity .’His words and his teachings have been stripped of their context and transformed into abstract ethical principles that all people can abide by.’ .Jesus was merely a teacher, not the son of God

Answer 171

.All three synoptic gospels use a detailed account of Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane .Some interpret this event to show just how truly human Jesus was .He seemed afraid of death, which goes against the image of him being divine

Answer 172

H.P. Liddon

Answer 173

Catholic Church

Answer 174

Nicene Creed

Answer 175

Raymond Brown

Answer 176

Resurrection

Answer 177

E.P. Sanders

Answer 178

Don Cupitt

Answer 179

Reza Aslan

Answer 180

Garden of Gethsemane

Answer 181

New Testament

Answer 182

Liberation Theology

Answer 183

South America

Answer 184

Jesus primary role is Logos – wisdom | Jesus = incarnation of God’s wisdom

Answer 185

- Wrote ‘Catholicism’ - Jesus had a role as liberator - Many instances in the gospel - Three main areas: o Jesus’ concern with human progress o Jesus touching the political life of people, both nationally and internationally o Jesus leading the way in delivering people from bondage with a religious revolution with obvious social and political implications