Catholic Theology - The Radical Message of Jesus - Essay Example

Using chapter 6 of A Reader, demonstrate using examples from the gospel how Jesus can be understood as a prophet. A prophet can be loosely defined as one who shares the divine word while acting as an intermediary. The person is considered as a 'representative', one who is not acting on their own volition (Hayes, 94). In chapter 6, there were other references made to further define what makes a prophet. These include the following: that they are not scribes, but men of the word; they are messengers; they are men of the present; the prophet is a visionary; the spirit was at work in them; and that they performed actions that shook, aroused, intrigued, and caused people to change (Hayes, 100). It will be demonstrated how Jesus fits into each definition. Jesus is considered a man of the Word. He had a more direct connection to the Word, as he is alluded to in the scriptures as being God, but in human flesh. Jesus was often quoted within the bible saying, "I myself, say unto you". This would lead us to believe that he spoke under his own authority, and on the authority of the Father. Jesus can be thought of as a messenger. In the Old Testament, prophets told the future and truths about God. In viewing a prophet as a messenger of the future, Jesus imparted the news of the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21:20 - 22). Not only could he be considered as a messenger, but he was able to "read events and see them in God's way" (Hayes, 99). This would make him a visionary. Jesus was a man of the present. Through use of his vision, he could be called a social prophet. He challenged the patriarchal, purity, and dominion system that were in place during his time. He violated the purity system by healing those that were no longer recognized or considered unclean. He spoke with women, and considered them part of his group. Jesus utilized an open table fellowship in a time when eating was a political act, and it mattered with who you ate. It could be said that he was advocating for a different social outlook by challenging the current system (Howard). It is upheld that God was present in his divine yet human form as Jesus Christ to discuss with clarity his revelations for a new creation of mankind during his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1 - 2). It is believed by Christians that this served as a commentary for the Ten Commandments. The spirit was at work in Jesus. In saying "I myself, say unto you", brings up the issue of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity is belief in God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. The argument is that God can be spoken of as one person or spoken of as three. Trinity means "three in oneness". So, in speaking of Jesus, you are speaking of not one but three people. It can be said that the spirit was at work in him. Through miracles that he performed, i.e. bringing the dead back to life, (Luke 7:13 - 16), he can be considered as much more than a simple prophet. Jesus performed actions that shook, aroused, intrigued, and caused people to change (Hayes, 100). His actions in the temple were anti-purity acts, which upset the people there to buy and sell to the elite (Mark 11:15 - 19). He aroused the masses through speaking the Word of God to one and all, but in doing so aroused the suspicion and anger among the Pharisees. He inspired vision (Mark 1:14 - 18), enabled others to act (Mark 3:13 - 15), and modeled the way (John 8:3 - 11). In most references within the Bible, Jesus has not spoken anything of prophesy but is being named thus. Jesus was chiefly talked about as if he was a pebble in the pond, and because of his birth, the ripples or effects of what came afterward led to the fulfillment of prophesies from the Old Testament. Jesus and his existence must be looked at from the angle as to how he fulfilled prophecy, if He is to be seen as a prophet in all aspects. In the Old Testament, numerous references to the coming of the Messiah sparked what is called Messianic Prophesy, which lists predictions of the future Messiah of the Jewish people. These predictions have been collected over 1,000 years, were written by many authors, and are found in different books. (All about the Truth) The first in Messianic Prophesy comes from Isaiah when it is predicted that he will be "born of a virgin" (Isaiah, 7:14). This was later fulfilled as seen in Matthew, 1:21 - 23, and has become the traditional telling during the Christmas season by those of many different Christian faiths. Another prophesy that coincides with this is Micah 5:2 where it is discussed that he will be born in Bethlehem. (All about the truth) Other prophesies include: how he will be anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2), that he would perform miracles (Isaiah 35:5 - 6), he would preach good news (Isaiah 61:1), and would enter Jerusalem as a King on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Many of these are listed as fulfilled in the books of Matthew. Prophesies of his death include: being rejected by the Jews (Psalm 118:22), dying a humiliating death (Psalm 22), would arise from the dead (Psalm 16:10), ascension into Heaven (Psalm 68:18), and would sit at the right hand of God (Psalm 110:1). (All about the truth) Jesus can be seen as a prophet in many different ways. He was a man of the Word, because he spoke directly as an incarnate. He was a messenger, visionary and man of the present. He sought to make changes and bring heaven to earth. The spirit was truly at work in him, as seen in the Holy Trinity. He shared prophesies with his disciples and was referred to as a prophet in many biblical verses. He fulfilled prophesies from birth to death and beyond. Many prophets within the bible merely spoke of things to come as an agent of God. Jesus was not only an agent, but was considered the human form of God. Through the example of Jesus being a social prophet, we have seen that he worked to change the social system which was a purity system. He was able to read events and see them in God's way. To what extent do you think the later understandings of Jesus articulated in the 'Creed' hide the radical nature of Christ's message from us. The Nicene Creed is a Christian statement of faith, utilized by many churches: Catholic, Methodist, Luthern, Orthodox, Assyrian, Anglican, Protestants, and other Reformed churches. This creed is used as the measuring tool of correct belief. The creed, by either accepting or denying it, is used to root out the believers from the non-believers. The Nicene Creed was adopted by the church, despite controversy in 325 A.D and called the Creed of Nicaea. The wording was modified in 381 A.D and became known as the Nicene Creed approved by the Council of Constantinople. A Libyan preacher by the name of Arius, stated that even though Jesus was considered to be divine, God created him. Therefore there was a time when he was not divine. This was contradictory to the beliefs of the Trinity, and thus made Jesus out to be less than the Father. Another man, Apollinarius, taught that Jesus was a combination of the divine Logos, a sensitive human soul, and human body. He believed that Jesus did not have a human spirit. The true nature of God is not overshadowed by the different arguments of God as one person, or when spoken of as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the doctrine of the Trinity, the Divine persons are lumped together, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, making them equal on all levels. Trinity means "three in oneness". Jesus is described in the Creed as a person of the Trinity - the Son of the Father resurrected. The Creed explains what we believe as Christians, yet does not explain the teachings and healings of the person - Jesus. Jesus' miraculous healings are not included in the Creed. This Holy man was able to take his spit and mix it with dirt, creating a mud or mixture that was placed over a blind man's eyes to make him see. Jesus was able to change the molecular structure of anything, most of all men's hardened hearts. Jesus' teachings are also not expressed within the Creed. When the Pharisees brought before Jesus the woman caught in adultery, they were ready to stone her for her sin. Jesus said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". The men later dropped their stones and walked away. Many state that Jesus took his finger and wrote in the sand between the woman, the Pharisees, and himself. It was said that he was writing down the sins of the Pharisees. But to be true to himself, as he stated "I did not come to condemn, but to seek and save that which is lost". The woman represents all of us who are broken and fall short and the Pharisees represent those who would judge others. In writing in the sand, it can be interpreted that it represents his ability to change a landscape. He is looking to restore and return to wholeness that which was once in men's hearts. The Pharisees only looked to judge and condemn. In conclusion, the radical message of Jesus upset the upset the hearts and minds of those who wanted to control and condemn. Jesus brought change - restoration, wholeness, trust in the Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed does not convey who Jesus is, and expresses him only through the use of the Holy Trinity. Through church hierarchy, the simple messages of Jesus become lost. Jesus' message can be further obscured when it is believed that the visible church is not the bearer of Christ's message, it is considered to be the message. Works cited: Hayes, M. (1998) The Contemporary Catholic Theology; Leominster: Gracewing, 1998. Allabouttruth.org. "Messianic Prophesy - Compelling Predictions". All About the Truth. 2002 -2008. 5/15/08 http://www.allabouttruth.org/messianic-prophesy.htm Howard, Cam. "A Portrait of Jesus: From Galilean Jew to the Face of God". Based on the work of Dr. Marcus Borg. United.edu 1997 - 2005. 5/15/08 http://www.united.edu/portrait/prophet.htm Gospel Communications. "Biblegateway". New King James Version. Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1982. 1995 - 2008. 5/15/08. http://www.biblegateway.com The Nicene Creed. 11/17/97. 5/15/08. http://creeds.net/ancient/nicene.htm Read More