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
The New Testament.
Introduction: The New Testament includes the four Gospels; the Acts of the Apostles, a history of early Christianity; Epistles, or letters, of Paul and other writers; and an apocalypse, or book of revelation. Some books identified as letters, particularly the Book of Hebrews, are theological treatises. The New Testament is the second of the two chief divisions of the Christian bible consisting of the books dealing with Christ's life and death and the work done by his apostles after his death. Early Christian writers believed that the Gospel according to Matthew is the earliest of the synoptic Gospels (hence its position at the beginning of the New Testament) and attributed it to Saint Matthew, one of the 12 apostles. They believed that he wrote the Gospel in Palestine, just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Although this opinion is still held by some, most scholars consider the Gospel According to Mark the earliest Gospel. They believe, on the basis of both external and internal evidence, that the author of Matthew used Mark as one of his two major sources. This exegesis, whilst interpreting the holy Christian scripture will discuss Jesus' teaching on adultery (Matthew 5. 27-30). Before even beginning to discuss this exegesis, it is essential to ask some significant questions that will serve to illuminate our presuppositions. First, is there such a
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
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
Live in the Then!
Brian Heilman 3.12.2003 Live in the Then! Although the film "Wayne's World" does not deserve a great deal of intellectual merit, it is one of the greatest comedies I have ever seen. I never thought that theologians were such big fans of the film as well. Towards the beginning of the film, Mike Myers' character Wayne Campbell is lusting after a particularly beautiful (yet incredibly expensive) Fender Stratocaster guitar. Garth Algar (played by Dana Carvey) says, "Live in the now, man!" Garth is suggesting that Wayne wake up to the reality in which he lives; he should focus on now and not then. Many modern theologians must be big "Wayne's World" fans because they definitely 'live in the now.' They tend to incorporate their own modern views and opinions into their readings of Scripture. It is good (especially for Wayne) to base life around real, current circumstances. It is not right, however, when interpreting Biblical texts, to ignore the ancient surroundings from which the texts came. Too often, theologians who 'live in the now' misinterpret ancient writings. If we are going to determine how Jews and Christians relate and unearth the genesis of Anti-Judaism, we need to live in the then. The authors of Jesus, Judaism and Christian Anti-Judaism send a powerful message to their colleagues and students that, when attempting exegesis, they should NOT live in the now.
One of the oldest and most unsettled theological debates is the existence of evil and sin
One of the oldest and most unsettled theological debates is the existence of evil and sin. Throughout the monotheistic centuries, religionists have delved deeply into this convoluted problem. How can evil exist in a world that is wholly informed by God, the ultimate Good? What could ever lure man, bestowed with divine qualities, to sin to the incredible extent human history has witnessed? Through the insightful poetic journey into the Christian afterlife and the allegorical meaning it encompasses, Dante, in his Divine Comedy, tackles and resolves with a forceful conclusion this problem of sin. He utilizes the threefold structural division of Mount Purgatory, and its allegorical symbols described therein to reveal his insightful conception of love and freewill, as he exposes the roots of not only good deeds, but sin as well. Through his carefully organized arrangement of the afterlife, Dante brings to light the significance of the halfway point of cantos XVII and XVIII of Purgatory. By placing Virgil's discourse on love and freewill at the midpoint of his own ascent up Mount Purgatory, Dante exposes the concept of freewill in the universe, as he is necessarily positioned at the centre between the Inferno and Paradise. Immediately, Dante opens his Divine Comedy with carefully chosen words to indicate something special regarding his future journey. "Midway this way of life we're
Outline Luther's theological principle of sola scriptura (by the Bible alone), and assess its theological importance
OUTLINE LUTHER'S THEOLOGICAL PRINCIPLE OF SOLA SCRIPTURA (BY THE BIBLE ALONE), AND ASSESS ITS THEOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE In the sixteenth century there was a great deal of variety in theology, more than ever before, with the emergence of humanism and fundamentally due to the Reformation. The cause of the Reformation was the prevailing situation in the Roman Catholic Church, which had been developing during the previous centuries and consisted of discontent with the accumulating wealth and abuses of the hierarchy. The peasants, the majority, were inarticulately anti-clerical and anti-papal, whilst the minority of educated were the Christian Humanists who initiated their own reforms. Many scholars believe Luther not to be the cause of the Reformation, agreeing that this would have occurred sooner or later without him, although many regard him as the 'catalyst' of the Reformation. However, Young contradicts this by identifying Luther as "the father of the European Reformation"1. Regardless, Luther's importance is indubitable when studying scholarly writings regarding him and this is due to the great significance of his theology, such as the principle of sola scriptura. Prior to this the Catholic hierarchy believed itself to have exclusive understanding and knowledge of the Bible thus giving it an infallible status as an essential part of one's search for salvation.