"Explain what a study of Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of discipleship"
"Explain what a study of Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of discipleship" By looking at Marks's Gospel we can find out a lot about the nature of Discipleship and the Apostles. The Apostles name's were Simon Peter, Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, John his brother, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the publican who changed his name from Levi to indicate a new life, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Cananite and Judas. The word 'Apostle' means someone chosen out ordinary disciples to become a leader. When a priest/vicar is ordained, this means he is now an Apostle. An Apostle is anyone chosen to Preach. There is some controversy to whether Mary Magdalene is an Apostle, but according to Mark, she is not counted in the final twelve. Catholics would say that Apostles are only male leaders in the church, but in the Church of England they believe that any disciple can become an Apostle, male of female. The word Apostle is from the Greek word 'to send'. A disciple is someone who learns, listens and follows. Anybody can be a disciple and anyone who follows Jesus is a disciple. When Jesus called the Apostles, they were ordinary men with ordinary lives who all wanted something. The four fishermen wanted taxes to change and the tax collector Mathew led a comfortable life, but was lonely. There were two zealots in the group, and their
"Instruction for the Early Church was the Main Purpose of John's Discourses" - Examine and Assess this Statement with Reference to Any Two "I am" Discourses.
3CA 24th November 2003 "Instruction for the Early Church was the Main Purpose of John's Discourses." Examine and Assess this Statement with Reference to Any Two "I am" Discourses Instruction for the Early Church is an important function of the discourses in John's Gospel. Indeed, the scholar Bultmann describes the discourses as sermons because the discourses instruct the Early Church in the beliefs of Christianity. The discourses instruct Early Christians in John's Christology as the divine and human nature of Jesus is emphasised. For example, in the True Vine Discourse, Bultmann points out that Jesus' absolute vine nature links him with the divine; Jesus is not is not like a vine, he is the vine. In the Resurrection and the Life Discourse Jesus points out that through him, and only through him can people access eternal life "he who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." It was important for the Early Church to stress Jesus' divine authority in his relationship with God. In the Resurrection Discourse Jesus is called the "Son of God", in the True Vine Discourse Jesus links directly himself with God: "everything that I have learned from my Father I have made known to you". This is linked to the theme of Jesus being eternally with God, illustrated in the Prologue "The Word (Jesus)
"It is not possible to be a true disciple of Jesus in the modern world" , do you agree, give reasons for your answer, showing you have considered more than one point of view, refer to Christianity in your answer.
A03, DISCIPLESHIP COURSEWORK. QUESTION: "It is not possible to be a true disciple of Jesus in the modern world" , do you agree, give reasons for your answer, showing you have considered more than one point of view, refer to Christianity in your answer. ANSWER: No I do not agree with the statement " It is not possible to be a true disciple of Jesus in the modern world" Discipleship means denying yourself, carrying your cross and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. A disciple is a person who devotes their life and follows the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ .Discipleship involves making material sacrifices. Obviously there are several differences in our world today and the world of Jesus' such modern technology nowadays, such as computers, telephones, mobile phones and so on, whereas in Jesus' day these things were completely unheard of. These differences make our world today completely different to that of which Jesus would have lived in however in my opinion discipleship still exists in our world today. Calling today can be described as 'vocation' . We are all called to continue the good work of Jesus Christ, we as Christians work and pray for the growth of the kingdom of God on earth. Priest and Nuns are also called, they live the values of Jesus in our world today, and from this they give witness to others . Just like the first disciples, we as Christians
"Jesus was a good man, but that is all." Do you agree or disagree?
"Jesus was a good man, but that is all." Do you agree or disagree? I feel that to truly understand the significance of this quotation we should define the real meaning of the word "good." This quotation raises the issues of Jesus simply as a man who was good or that it emphasises the special relationship between Jesus and God. (Jesus was often referred to as the Son of God.) I feel that these are the two main ways that we can interpret the quotation. To look at Jesus as simply a good man who had a philosophy of doing good and showing compassion to others is safe but we already know that Jesus is not a mere man. He is so much more than a man; we can see this by looking at the way the gospel of Mark begins: "This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark Chapter 1 Verse 1) Mark clearly wants to emphasise and concentrate on the special relationship between Jesus and God. We usually see God to be the epitome of "good", by saying this I mean that we as human beings look at God as a role model. We try to be like him and live up to his morals and values every day. By stressing this special bond it also shows that Jesus had a certain amount of authority. Jesus shows kindness and compassion in many of his actions. To a certain extent it is kindness and compassion that provides Jesus a motive to perform miracles. For example when "Jesus Feeds a Great Crowd":
Rap based on the parable of Lazarus.
The parable of Lazarus and the rich man The parable of Lazarus and the rich man is often presented as Bible "proof" that good people go to heaven and bad people go to a "hell" where they are tormented by fire. Here is the text of the parable, as found in Luke 16:19-31: There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27. Then he
conflict between Islamic and West
Question 1: Some see the conflict between Islamic and Western societies as being based solely on religious differences. Choose a particular area of conflict between these two societies and evaluate the influence of religion in this issue. The term "Jihad" has been loosely used in recent and past times. This simple term and multiple meanings it holds has evidently caused great conflict between Islamic and Western societies. Some see this conflict of Jihad as being based solely on religious differences. On the other hand, many disagree with this opinion and believe that even though religious differences contribute to this conflict, there are other factors that fuel ongoing clashes between the societies. The following essay will evaluate the influence of religion on the conflict of Jihad as well as examine some other factors affecting the conflict. Before examining the conflict of Jihad between Islam and the west, we first need an understanding of Jihad itself. Despite a bad reputation it actually has positive connotations and is simply defined as the struggle for something greater. It is used frequently in the Islamic holy book, the Quran, as a sense of effort and strength in adversity and not in the sense of war and fighting as believed by many Western societies, such can be seen in the following quote, "Fight for the sake of God those that fight against you, but do not
"Baptising babies is pointless..."
"Baptising babies is pointless..." Some Christians believe that baptising babies is pointless, because they fail to understand the significance of what the Baptism service represents. In other cases, Christians that are against Baptism do not agree with the features involved when being baptised, ie. Promises undertaken by godparents on behalf of the infant. Other Christians believe that baptising babies is essential to a young Christian's life. It magnifies the grace of God. The helplessness and vulnerability of the child is an illustration of our own helplessness before God and inability to save ourselves. Baptism offers a helping hand to save us. Another reason for which some Christians feel so strongly about the Baptism service is the fact that Baptism healthily includes Christian children fully in the life of the church. Most children parents would agree that the ideal is for a child to know and love the Lord Jesus from their earliest years. Many adults who have had a Christian upbringing would say that they have never known the time when they have not believed in Jesus, although of course their knowledge of Jesus and of the implications of following him has grown and matured over the years. It's this concrete evidence which tips the scales in these Christian's favour. Many Christians in all sincerity question the wisdom of baptising babies, even the babies of
"Belief in the resurrection has more to do with wishful thinking than with historical fact" Do you agree?
(iii) "Belief in the resurrection has more to do with wishful thinking than with historical fact" Do you agree? I believe that this statement is correct. The resurrection is very hard to believe nowadays because of modern science and the points of view of many philosophers. A man rising from the dead is very hard to believe as from modern science we know that this is not physically possible. Once you're dead, you're dead and there is no possible way to be resurrected after death. There are also many other reasons why I do not believe these statements to be correct. Points of view from Philosophers such as Sigmund Freud have beliefs which I can relate to very well. Sigmund Freud believes that the reason people are religious is because they need something else to look forward to after death. Also he believes that people, when they are younger, look up to their parents and see them as 'all powerful', as you look up to them, but as you get older you realise that they are just normal people and you need something larger to look up to. Jesus, and God, is something people need to have in order to look up to them and hope that there is something after death. However others may have different points of view. Christians would say that Jesus was the physical God so therefore he would have the power to do the impossible, bring a dead man back to life. As Norman Geisler says in his book
"Belief in the resurrection of Jesus has more to do with wishful thinking that with historical fact."
"Belief in the resurrection of Jesus has more to do with wishful thinking that with historical fact." Do you agree? I agree that belief in the resurrection of Jesus has more to do with wishful thinking that with historical fact. Jesus could not have been resurrected as professional scientists state that dead people do not rise from the dead unless if they are placed into a coma and comas probably existed in Jesus' times but people probably didn't know the difference. Others could say that witnesses could have made the stories up to tell everyone that they had seen Jesus. It was all pure imagination and wishful thinking. However others may disagree with me and say that the resurrection was a historical event because the Christian Church was inspired by the resurrection and without it the Christian faith would not exist and be emptied of its meaning. Other people could say that if the tomb was not empty why did no one ever see Jesus body? Also, if the disciples had stolen the body, is it likely that they were prepared to suffer and die for belief in the resurrection? If the story was made up, why did the disciples use women as witnesses as women were unable to give evidence in a Jewish court? People could say that the resurrection did happen as Jesus' physical state after the resurrection was that he could be touched and he could eat food so he was not a ghost and
"Children can't be disciples so they can't be Christians either" Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers showing that you have considered more than one point of view.
"Children can't be disciples so they can't be Christians either" Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers showing that you have considered more than one point of view. From my perspective, I do not agree with this statement. Jesus preached to a variety of people and even his disciples consisted of those who sinned and were hated by the society. So why can't children be part of God's family? The Christian vocation is to spread the gospel to all and to seek to challenge people's belief and behaviour. "And they invite people of every era to enter into the joy of their communion with Christ" Catechism 425 There are many passages in Mark's gospel, which focuses on children. They are brought by their parents, blocked by the disciples, called and welcomed by Jesus. They are simply obedient and humble participants. Jesus said that of all the people involved, we should be like them. We should go where the Father wills, trusting in his love, blessing, and wisdom. Without this attitude it is impossible to receive the kingdom. "Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" Mark 10:14 What is a disciple? A disciple is one who learns from another so even though children don't understand everything, they can be taught about the kingdom of God. By learning about discipleship at a young age, children will grow to have a closer