Blog Assignment 12: God’s Communication with Humanity

Revelation: Who is God? How has God acted toward human persons?

                From Genesis to the Passion of the Christ, the way that God has interacted with the people of the Earth has changed drastically. In the story of Adam and Eve, God is seen directly interacting and facing humans. This shifts after the fall from grace. God has communicated to humans in many different ways. In the times of the Israelites God communicates through signs and prophets. God showed himself to Moses through the burning bush, one of the major interactions between God and humanity. Later God spoke through the prophets to the Israelites when warning them about the path their society was taking. A major change was when God communicated to humanity through his son, Jesus Christ.

                Through Jesus, God’s message to humanity was communicated with a direct bridge between the divine and the people of the Earth. Jesus was able to “revamp” many of God’s teachings, and update them to be more effective and align better with God’s plan. When Jesus was crucified, the curtain in the Jewish temple was torn down. This symbolized the barrier between God and humans being broken, and that we were now allowed to communicate more freely with God.

                Through the biblical narrative, God has communicated towards humanity in many different ways. This communication has evolved with the Bible and the times. From creating the world, to the death of Jesus, the ways that God has communicated to humans has kept up with the times.

                

Blog Assignment 11: Of Gods and Men

Why be martyrs? For God? To be heroes? To prove we’re the best?

               The monks in Of Gods and Men are torn whether or not to leave the monastery that they have founded. They have faced pressure from terrorist organizations to give medicinal supplies and to leave the area. However, the monks serve a local village of poor people who rely on their help. The monks must balance where their pride ends, and their duty to God as missionaries begins.

                Ultimately the monks hold their ground in the monastery. This is reflected in the monks values. “If we leave, than we die” says one monk, referring to the fact that if they leave they have failed their mission to God and have failed the people in the area. The monks also accept the fact that they may be killed for their beliefs.

                The line between pride and standing for an ideal is thin. Some of the monks criticize Christian for not accepting protection from the government, citing his pride as a main fault. I agree with their reason to stay because I believe that they were staying for the right reasons, to aid the local village people. IN this, their witness accomplishes God’s will, for people to help one another. 

Blog Post 10: Jesus and his relationship to God the Fater

Suppose I arrived at the Council of Nicea as a bishop without a stance on the question “Is Jesus fully human? Is Jesus fully divine? What exactly is the relationship between God the Father and God’s Son, Jesus Christ?”

To first answer this question, I would first ponder whether I, along with the Council of Nicea would be able and capable of answering such questions. Or, maybe, as humans on the Earth and as the children of God, we are incapable of fully and truly understanding how Jesus fits in as a bridge between humanity and God the Father. 

The argument about the holy trinity pointing to Jesus as fully divine, as well as being the human son of God is very compelling. The trinity implies that God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all unified and one, while also being three separate entities. This allows Jesus to be divine, as he is one with God the Father, but also human, because he is his own separate entity.

Regarding the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son, Jesus is the Son of God while acting as a vessel that God acts through. In conclusion, both arguments have merit, however I would favor Alexander’s argument. 

 

 

Blog Post Nine: Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Martyrdom of Polycarp in some ways imitates the Passion of Christ. When word gets out about his pending arrest, Polycarp does not attempt to flee or leave. Instead he stays in town, and prays for others, just as Jesus did. Polycarp was tempted to renounce God and announce the Emperor as Lord, but Polycarp stays committed to the Lord, God. Polycarp accepts the punishment he is about to endure for his relationship with God. He says to his punisher “Come, do what you wish” (11). In the story, the Jews are made out to be eager to punish a Christian, just as in Christ’s passion.

Early Christians endured tons of persecution from others. In the face of such adversary, it is easy to question beliefs such as, “Why do I believe in Jesus if doing such results in such consequences?” The stories about the martyrs motivate and inspire these early Christians that their beliefs are for a good and just cause. The stories show that if they are forced to die because they claim the Lord their God, they will enjoy a good afterlife. A similar sentiment is in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you , and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven.

In Polycarp’s death, his punishers attempted to burn him alive. However, upon attempting to set him on fire, the fire would not burn Polycarp. An executioner was required to stab Polycarp to death. This sight, which would not be forgotten by anyone in the audience shows the power of God and his martyrs. 

Blog Post 8: The Mark of “One”

                In 381 the Firsct Council of Constantinople added the words “one” and “apostolic” to the Apostles’ Creed. These changes add two more “marks of the church.” This blog post describes how the Church is One.

                What does it mean for the Church to be one? All of us are the brothers and sisters of God and Jesus, the Son of God. From this, we are all part of one Christian family, bonded by our faith in Jesus as Christ. The Christian Church is one as well. “The Church is one body in Christ” and the members of the church are “united by their communion in the body and the blood of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17 via Rausch). In the traditions and celebrations of the church, we are unified.

                Today, the mark of “one” is still relevant to the church. Even with the rise of technology and the changing of the times, we must still remember that we are still one big family. Today the church struggles with unity. Since the rise of Christianity, the churches have been divided into separate denominations through various reforms. This impedes the unity of the church, and distracts the church from focusing on the Word of God.

Blog Assignment 7: Appearance on the Road to Emmaus

                In Luke 24:13-35 two of Jesus’ disciples unknowingly encounter a disguised form of the ascended Jesus Christ. When Jesus asks them about the events that just took place, the disciples answer, again not knowing that they are speaking to Jesus himself. The disciples first are amazed that he does not know what has happen and then begin to say that Jesus was sentenced to death. They also say that “we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel” Luke 24:21. Jesus responds telling the men that Jesus himself said  that this would happen, and that Jesus death was necessary. This falls inline with how the Messiah is reject by his own people. Jesus states what he must do when he is alive, but his own disciples reject this idea and demand that Jesus stay. This is not the will of the scripture and the scripture must be fulfilled. Later, the disciples eventually realize that they have been talking to Jesus the whole time, and Jesus disappears. Early followers of Jesus must have incorporated components of this encounter. In their gatherings, early followers incorporate the blessing of the bread, this makes the followers realize that Jesus is always with us, whether his presence is recognizable or not. 

Blog Assignment 6: Comparing the Gospels of Mark and John

Similarities and Differences in Jesus’ death and events immediately after

            In the gospels of Mark and John, the authors of both gospels focus on different elements during the Passion narrative. Regarding Jesus’ death and events that immediately followed, Mark 15:33-41 and John 19:28-37 contain many similarities and differences.

            In the gospel of Mark, Jesus yells “Eloi Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which translates to “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” In this case, even Jesus, the son of God, believes that God has given up on him and is questioning God’s plan. No such sentiment is shown in the gospel of John. Jesus just says simply “It is finished” and dies. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus actually questions God, this gives Jesus a more human-like quality. In the gospel of John, Jesus just gives up his spirit.

            In the events following Jesus’ death, both gospels have the Roman soldiers verify Jesus stature in the scriptures as the son of God. In the gospel of Mark, the centurion said himself, “Surely this man is the Son of God.” In the gospel of John, they do not break the legs of Jesus when attempting to remove him from the cross. “Instead one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing flow of blood and water” John 19:35. This is in fulfillment of the scriptures. In both of these events Jesus’ divine nature is verified. In the gospel of Mark, it was stated, in the gospel of John, it was proven.

            Both the gospel of Mark and gospel of John tell the same overall story regarding the Death of Jesus. However, the gospels tell it in different ways. The gospel of Mark shows that Jesus questioned God’s motives during his crucifixion, while the gospel of John omits this. The gospel of Mark also states that Jesus is the Son of God while the gospel of John shows it as the fulfillment of the scriptures.

            

Blog Assignment 5: Matthew’s Gospel regarding expectations

            In the Gospel of Matthew, Matthew’s attitude toward Jewish law is to improve and update the laws given by Moses. This sentiment is characterized in chapter five of the gospel, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” Matthew 5:17. Throughout the gospel, and especially in chapters 5 through 7, Matthew addresses many points regarding how people should live their lives.

            The differences between standards established by the Law of Moses and Jesus’ expectations for his followers are shown mainly in the Beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:3. This line means that those who are humble, people who are not overtly pompous or showy, live their life according to how Jesus wants them to. Humility is important to Jesus, and is not as explicitly stated in the Laws of Moses. Jesus also gives his commandment, the Golden Rule to “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” Matthew 5:12. This is another update on the Laws of Moses.

            Matthew’s attitude toward Jewish law is that it needs to be updated with the coming of Jesus. Within the gospel of Matthew, Matthew states his updates and improvements to Jewish law. Jesus’ expectations differ then the standards established by the laws of Moses. Jesus wants his followers to be humble and to treat others as they would want to be treated. 

Blog Assignment 4: The Gospel of Mark

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 1 begins with “Behold I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.” Mark 1:2. This statement, written by Isaiah the prophet is referring to the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, Son of God. Within the Gospel, Jesus does many acts to prove that he is indeed the Messiah and the Son of God.

Jesus commits many miracles within the Gospel of Mark. Jesus heals many people in the Gospel. Jesus heals those who are paralyzed, blind, deaf, and sick. In Chapter 6, Jesus walks on water. Another popular story, is when Jesus fed thousands of people with only seven loaves of bread and seven baskets of fish. Through these miracles, Jesus shows that he is indeed, more than just a man. His miracles show that he is the Messiah.

Jesus proves as well that he is the Son of God. After the crucifixion of Jesus, and his burial, he is resurrected and ascends into Heaven. During his crucifixion, as Jesus died the Gospel of Mark says “The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When he centurion who stood facing saw how he breathed his last he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” Mark 17:38-39. In Chapter 17, “So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God” Mark 19:19.  In these chapters, Jesus proves to everyone that he indeed is the Son of God.

In conclusion, the Gospel of Mark shows in many ways that Jesus is the Messiah and son of God. Through the many miracles in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus proves himself as the Messiah. In his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus shows to the world that he is the Son of God, by ascending into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God. 

Blog Assignment 3: Book of Amos

In the book of Amos, a man named Amos was a prophet of God. In chapter one of Amos God is judging all of Israel’s neighbor states, he later judges Israel itself. God gave him messages about God’s judgment on Israel. Amos spoke of God’s justice, God intended to judge those who were no longer following his teachings, and were on faithful. The people of Israel were not honoring God. God reminds the Israelites that he can do to them, what he did to the Egyptians. This was the Israeli’s “wake-up” call from God, through Amos. Amos 5:14 states, Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. God does not want to use his power to destroy Israel, but will if need be.

                In Amos, God is compared to many real world objects. Amos compares god to a great King, who instead of ruling a kingdom, controls the entire world. God rules over the Israelis as a King. In chapter one God is judging all of Israel’s neighbor states, he later judges Israel itself. In this book, the relationship between God and the world is that God can govern anything and everything that happens on the Earth. All peoples must face God’s wrath.