Describe and explain the use of Old Testament Prophesies and allusions in Marks Passion Narrative.
Describe and explain the use of Old Testament Prophesies and allusions in Marks Passion Narrative. Jesus being a teacher and a man born into the Judaic religion and culture would have known the Old Testament passages well. So if and when his life was echoing them Jesus would have known. As it happens through Jesus life ands especially his passion many Old Testament prophesies and allusions arise. Was this coincidence? Or was it fulfilment of prophecy? As soon as the passion starts at Mark 14 there is an Old Testament link with Passover, this link echoes themes of atonement for sin and sacrifice within marks gospel. This soon moves on to the anointing at Bethany where a woman symbolically anoints Jesus with very expensive perfume and the disciples scold her saying she is wasteful. Jesus knows this woman is anointing him as the king (1 Sam 16:13) she believes he is and so Jesus defends her by saying that that action of love was more important than that of financial cost (Mk 14:6-9). This Old Testament allusion of anointing kings turns into a two sided symbol because in Judaism bodies are anointed when they are dead. This passage is also a passion prediction. The narrative then moves on to the Last Supper. Jesus foretells his own betrayal (Mk 14:17-18) as predicted in Ps 49:1. This link with Old Testament scripture shows that Jesus knows his fate and even expects Judas to
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the two-source hypothesis? 'The likenesses and differences between the three Gospels present a problem of almost infinite complexity'
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the two-source hypothesis? 'The likenesses and differences between the three Gospels present a problem of almost infinite complexity'1. The Synoptic Gospels of the New Testament have frequently come under a deal of investigation and scrutiny as to what are their true sources (source criticism), and how these sources may or may not interact with one another. For Christians and Scholars alike it has been a hot-bed of discussion and disagreement, and various theories have arisen to try and solve what is commonly referred to as 'The Synoptic Problem'. The Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all offer accounts of Jesus' life that, on the face of it, seem largely similar. However if one is scratch the surface it soon emerges that of the substance we find in Mark's gospel, 90% are found in Matthew and only 53% occur in Luke. Clearly, therefore, there are some major differences between the three widely predominant Biblical accounts of Jesus' life. For example, there is no mention of the Beatitudes in Mark, or of the Lord's Prayer. Which account is closest to the truth? What exactly do their differences entail - is it purely textual, or does it point to something further fetched; do we indeed have any fundamentally reliable account of Jesus' life? These are important questions for a reader of the New Testament and indeed of the Bible
There is no doctrine in the Christian church more controversial than the doctrine of original sin which has intrigued the scholars of the church for centuries.
There is no doctrine in the Christian church more controversial than the doctrine of original sin which has intrigued the scholars of the church for centuries.1 While we take a look into the writings of the apostolic fathers, we find most of them dealing with the consequence of the fall of Adam. The apologists wrote more elaborately than the apostolic fathers did about the first sin of Adam, correlating it with church sacraments. However, it was not until the period of St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) that the concept of original sin came to be considered as a doctrine. As a result, many contend that Augustine is the innovator of the doctrine of original sin unknown to his predecessors, and reject his thoughts. Conversely, some scholars of the church agree with Augustine's doctrine of original sin, regarding it as a purely biblical teaching. In the exposition of his doctrine, quoting a biblical semblance, the bishop of Hippo made humans responsible for the sin committed by Adam in whom they sinned. He developed a pessimistic view that as a consequence of original sin, the will and reason of human beings were darkened so that humans can no longer do good. Moreover, going to the extreme, he argued that sin is transmitted through the human seed, and is contracted at birth. Hence, according to Augustine, the lot of unbaptized infants is to be condemned eternally in hell. It is the
Identify the distinctive content of Luke's gospel and discuss what is revealed there about the writer's theological perspectiv
Identify the distinctive content of Luke's gospel and discuss what is revealed there about the writer's theological perspective. Luke's gospel as part of the New Testament has been subject to a variety of forms of biblical criticism. In this essay I will attempt to use some of those forms of criticisms to identify the distinctive content of Luke and thus reveal some of his theological standpoint. It is important to note that Luke's gospel forms part of the Canon of the New Testament and was picked because its theological emphasis was in tune with the other books of the New Testament especially the synoptic gospels. Therefore any views we can ascertain from the distinct material in Luke are only part of his whole theological view and not all of it. Another important note to mention before I continue is that the Gospel of Luke is commonly recognized as part of a two-piece work alongside with the Book of Acts, as there style indicates the same author. Consequently I may on occasion refer to the Book of Acts to give a fuller view of the author Luke and his thoughts. The main biblical criticism I will be employing to identify the unique material in Luke will be redaction criticism or redaktionsgeschichte. Redaction criticism aims to reveal the changes the author has made to their sources for example the additions, omissions, modifications, and material that the author includes
Discuss the historicity of the bodily resurrection of Jesus
Discuss the historicity of the bodily resurrection of Jesus The utmost significance of the bodily resurrection of Jesus to the Christian faith has made the careful analysis of the texts and events surrounding the event extremely important. 1 Corinthians 15:14, a passage so often cited in connection with the resurrection, reads, "...and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain," and therefore Christians and historians alike have been searching for proof of Christ's resurrection. The discussion about the historicity of the resurrection centers mainly on the Gospel accounts, and the records of Paul. Some would argue that discrepancies and internal contradictions within these Biblical texts, question the validity of the resurrection record; records upon which the Christian faith so heavily relies on. Therefore this discussion must both assess the historicity of interrelation of these texts, but also must show that these texts are central to Christianity. Furthermore, Willi Marxsen writes that, "Each Gospel depicts a unity, and must not be arbitrarily chopped up into pieces..."1 Therefore it is of fundamental importance to realize that the accounts of the resurrection are tied to the style, thematic signposts and traditions from which the authors wrote their Gospels. However, a 'proof' of the resurrection is impossible
Accidental pregnancy.
Women of all different ages, educational levels, racial and ethnic groups, social and economic classes and religions find it necessary to have an abortion when faced with accidental pregnancy. Almost half of all U.S. women will have an abortion at some point throughout their lives. While abortion rates among young, unmarried, poor and minority women are the highest, rates among those of religious, racial and ethnic groups thought to oppose abortion are high as well. Surprisingly, Catholic women have an abortion rate 29% higher than Protestant women. About 58% of women having abortions are using some sort of contraception during the month they become pregnant, the condom being the method most commonly used. The proportion of women using a condom has increased dramatically among all groups of women having abortions; most of the increased usage replaced reliance on other barrier methods or usage of no method. Among the 42% of women who do not use any types of contraceptive methods when they become pregnant, three-quarters have used one at some point; the majority of these had most recently relied on either the pill or the condom. Fifty-three percent of prior pill users and 76% of prior condom users became pregnant within three months of stopping use. The proportion of abortion patients who have never used any contraceptive method is highest among women who are younger than
Christian denominations and birth control. The Lambeth Conference of the Church of England decided to deviate from the prohibition of artificial contraception, by advocating their use when abstinence was deemed impracticable.
All Christian denominations share the belief that sexual intercourse is not a casual act between strangers but an intimate act between a man and a woman in a committed relationship. Before the 1930s all Christian denominations were united in their firm rejection of contraceptives. O'Grady traces the history of the church and artificial birth control, in her article, starting in 1930 when a division between Christian denominations developed over the use of artificial birth control. The Lambeth Conference of the Church of England decided to deviate from the prohibition of artificial contraception, by advocating their use when abstinence was deemed impracticable. In 1931, The Federal Council of Churches adopted the policy of conservative promotion for artificial birth control methods. By 1961, the National Council of Churches declared a liberal policy on contraceptive use, subject to mutual consent between couples.1 Protestant denominations including Anglicans, Presbyterians, Reformed, and Episcopalians allow artificial birth control. Most Protestants view birth control within marriage as an acceptable way of regulating the size of one's family. Historically, Orthodox Christians opposed birth control and although some still follow this belief, many hold the position that sexual intercourse also constitutes an expression of love within a marriage and is not limited to procreation.
Woman and Ordination. In this paper we will look at three women and their views on ordination of women
WOMAN AND ORDINATION Gregory Keels Reading The New Testament December 9, 2012 Woman and ordination is one of the most talked about things in the church. There are so many books, articles, sermons, and personal opinions on this subject. In this paper we will look at three women and their views on ordination of women. Along with their views we will also look at the issues they see surrounding ordination. Each woman will be divided into questions so that we can get a better understanding of their views. The questions we will look at with each Woman are: ) What is the main question to be answered or issue to be resolved according to each scholar? Is the question or problem at hand presented with clarity and relevance? 2) What arguments are advanced by each author in the course of her discussion? Provide clear evidence and evaluate the merit of their positions fairly. 3) To what sources of authority does each author appeal (e.g. Scripture, experience, science, tradition, etc.) and to what degree? Provide clear evidence. 4) What assumptions are being made by each author in the course of the discussion (even in the way the argument is framed)? Does a point of view contain contradictions, is it based on misleading analogies and metaphors, or is there merit to the position presented? Give examples from the article. 5) How fully is the scriptural evidence treated (both
The Catholic Church in Lebanon - A.W.
The Catholic Church in Lebanon ________________ -A.W. The Lebanese Republic is located in the Middle East, and is bordered on the north and east by Syria, on the southeast by the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, on the south by Israel and on the west by the Mediterranean Sea. Two Mountain ranges dominate the region, separated by the fertile Al Biqa’ valley. In medieval times the mountains served as a refuge for religious minorities, such as the Maronites in the north and the Druzes in the south, as well as for political dissidents, their rugged heights discouraging communication with the East while the sea invited contact with the West. In antiquity the slopes of Mt. Lebanon provided fir, pine, cedar and other hard-wood trees sought by Egyptian pharaohs and Assyrian emperors for building palaces, temples and boats in their treeless lands. The offshore waters of Tyre and Sidon yielded murex, the source of the precious purple dye that gave the Phoenicians (‘‘purple red’’) their Greek name. Gaining its political independence from the French in 1943 under a mandate from the League of Nations, Lebanon maintained social and political stability during the mid-20th century. In 1975 the region was engulfed by civil war, which continued for 16 years before ending in 1991 with the Ta’if Accord. While Israel, Syria and Damascus continued to maintain a military presence in
Without the City: Pachomius
The Institute for Global Outreach Development International Genesis Without the City: The Challenge of Pachomius Finding God in People Submitted To: Professor Shaun Galford By: Geoff Hartnell Date: November 17th, 2011 Table of contents: Introduction & Thesis.....................................................................................................................................3 The Beginnings……………………………………...............................................................................................3 The Roman Empire…………….………………………………………………….................................................3-4 The Vocation of Pachomius…………………………………..........................................................................5-6 A Different Way………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6-7 Conclusion............................................................................................................................................................7 Bibliography………………………………............................................................................................................8 Introduction and Thesis "Let us live and die with this man and he will lead us