The Gospel of Jesus Christ II - Essay Example

Assignment -3 1. The First century Jews essentially thought that the new Messiah would be a Jewish political figure. The word “Messiah” was not a well known concept among Jews in that time. For Jewish Men, Messiah would be a King and hence a new person being born as “Son of God “was unusual news. The news of arrival of Jesus was not accepted by the Jews, as the coming of kingdom of God was a paradigm shift for them. For Jews, Kingdom was not a new concept and many were waiting for the New Kingdom but they expected a political king from Jewish state who can save their religious institution and spread harmony among Jewish men. For them, the day of the Lord is the arrival of a divine political figure that could protect their country. For them, Jesus would not offer a Jewish Kingdom. According to (Kereszty 97) “The angry reaction shows that Jesus was indeed known as a normal “ordinary guy” among his townsfolk” Jews did not want a King who was not a political leader because they wanted a geographical liberation from Israelites enemy which Jesus could not offer. When the wise men asked about the whereabouts of the King to Herod he was surprised and questioned his authority. For Jews, the Kingdom of God would come from a divine political figure and accepting a person outside this realm was taken with confusion, fear and despise. According to Kerestzy, the love of Jesus is a forgiving one this means his forgiving nature even to the enemies. But this forgiving love can have terrible consequences as Jesus was tortured and crucified by Jews. 2. Christian theologians had different views when it came to Christ as the systematic theologians believed in explicit theology while the commentators were on the side of the implicit theology. This belief of theologians had been creating a conflict as both had differences in interpreting the values expressed by Jesus Christ. Explicit theology is the public nature of the religion as in how the church practiced its rituals, sermons, mission, values and doctrines. It is more outwardly and identifiable. However the implicit theology is much more subtle and looks at the underlying concept in a religion. However, Balthasmer had a logical attitude towards both explicit and implicit theology as he suggested one cannot chose one to be right and other to be wrong. He was of the opinion that one need to balance on the divine aspects as the general will of God is salvation. He says that, Scriptures and Church tradition of faith can assert the fate of humanity. As per ( Catcheism) “Thus, this Feast lets us see a double movement: in one direction, the movement of God towards the world, towards humanity — the whole of the history of salvation, which culminates in Jesus — and in the other, the movement of men towards God — let us think of religions, of the quest for truth, the journey of the nations toward peace, interior peace, justice, freedom”. He says we need to hope and know which means we can hope for good but nobody knows all men will be saved on day of judgement. According to Kereszky, neither Christ nor the Christology can be placed against each other as both are needed for the human salvation. So they both solved the conflict my commenting that explicit and implicit theology is part of divine and has equal value. 3.Kerestzy says that Jesus’ teaching is not centred on the kingdom but on the impending end of this age. He means by this that, one should not see that Jesus teaching is limited. His teaching is universal and eternal. He has not preached and prophesized only for his immediate time but for the time till the day of judgement. One should not think that the teachings had validity only for the time frame within which he lived in. When he lived, he had spread spiritual teachings among people, but it was not for a short period but was applicable till the doomsday. One need not think that in the present age of future, the teaching of Jesus has no much value. His principles and commandments are eternal ethics and morals of life. He has passed down the divine law of God and it need to be studied and followed till the day of judgement. Only after the day of judgement that is the impending age one can receive the complete salvation. So Keresky means that his teaching was meant for the whole humanity till the end of this age. “The works of power show that Jesus proclamation of the Kingdom is not just words but he is inaugurating the kingdom of God through healing and miracles ( Kereszty 116). 3.2 1. For kerestzy, Christ being the messiah had the divine spirit in him and performed many miracles and healing during his life time. He wanted to prove that the healing and miracles he performed was a sign of him being the son of God. The author wants to convey that the healing power of Jesus is channelled from God and he is definitely the son of God. He also wants to showcase that God can only heal the people and ensure benefit and prosperity to human life. The healing power and miracles performed by Jesus is a tribute to the mercy, kindness and love of God. Kerestzy is trying to prove that God wants the betterment of human race and God definitely has sent down Jesus from heavens. In Christology, Jesus Christ is a messenger of God and was the son of God. His healing and miracles were the giving of eye sight to a blind man, bringing back people to life, curing a person with leprosy and creating multiple bread and fishes out of some loaves bread and fishes and walking on the sea. Such acts were super natural and Christology see it as the nearing of the God’ kingdom. The healing touch of Jesus Christ assures them that Lord is nearing human beings and people would attain salvation when the God’s kingdom is established. “Thus when describing the miracles of Jesus, the Synoptic the Gospels do not refer the term miracle but the heavenly manifestation of divine power” (Kerestzy115) For Christology, the power of God has been working on humans. The holiness is being transmitted to human being through the hands of Jesus Christ. 2. Jesus has proposed “solidarity among sinners” which makes him a true model of divine personality. Jesus had a purpose to visit earth and he fulfilled his divine purpose by connecting with men from all spheres of life. Jesus did not segregate men on the basis of wealth, class or status. He worked for the betterment of poor as well as sinners. He healed person with leprosy, beggars and even blessed a prostitute which showed the epitome of his mercy and kindness. According to ( Kerestzy127) “ Indeed, the more god’s forgiving love is revealed in the ministry of Jesus, the more terrible the consequences of its rejections appears” The “Servant songs of Isaiah” is a message to the common men about the golden passion of Jesus for sinners. The song indicates that Jesus has a mission of giving salvation to the sinners who repent. He even guided the sinners to move on a righteous path. His mission on earth was to serve men and bring peace and harmony among people. He knew that every person has divine nature in him being the creation of God. So he wanted to rid the evil out of sinners and when they repented he blessed them lead a righteous life with faith in Holy Spirit. The song depicts that Jesus is servant of God and his mission is to establish justice on earth. According to the song, the Heavenly Father has employed Jesus to restore peace and love on earth. So his solidarity among sinners implies that he loved all men unlike human who divide men on many attributes. The servant song of Isaiah implies he would love human the same way God loves them and hence the songs talks on many acts he has done which promote justice and love for all human beings. 3. The multiplication of loaves in the Jesus ministry has many connotations and it has a prominent meaning of divine power of Jesus Christ. The multiplication of loaves was a turning point in Jesus career as people started to recognize his power and acclaimed him as a King from God. The passion for Jesus increased and people marched to Jerusalem which enhanced Jesus popularity of being divine. The people wanted to make Jesus the king and people started to accept him as the Messiah of God. The multiplication of the loaves by Jesus is the only miracle which is mentioned in all the four gospels of God. This event marks the laying of God’s kingdom by Jesus Christ. The people understood that Jesus was indeed God send and he had the power somewhat like God and had a purpose to bestow prosperity on humanity. It is a sign of prosperity coming to the people with the grace of God. As per (Catechism) “And here today another most auspicious and most divine sign is offered to our sight, to wit the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with a Cross set above it shining with most resplendent brightness in the midst of flames. Herein must all hopes be set, from hence must the salvation of men be sought and expected." By this miraculous action, Jesus proved to his people he is the Prophet send by God. He is supposed to have fed the people not only physical food but “spiritual food”. Jesus was superior to Moses and gave “bread of life” to his people and proved to be the true messenger of God. However, this event made people to force Jesus to become King from which Jesus fled. As at that tiem they did not understand he was spiritual king and not a military king. Discussion Ten implicit and explicit Christology has various interpretations to Brown even though it was related to Jesus Christ. The implicit and explicit Christology has some common characteristics as both the concept is related to Jesus Christ. Also both these concept is related to a historical period and is discussed about a historical figure and is solely connected to spirituality. Both the idea is illustrating who Jesus was and what is his connection with God. However the implicit and explicit ideologies had its differences. In the explicit theology he Jesus is seen as son of God. While in implicit Christology the real identity of Jesus as God is understood by his actions and teachings. In explicit Christology Jesus is like and angel while in the latter concept Jesus is equal to God due to his attitude In explicit theology, Jesus is born divine, while implicit concept sees Jesus’ performance as a divine person . In implicit Christology, Jesus is the first born of all creation as a divine being which is not considered by the other ideology. As per ( Brown 112)“ This is a Christology that places emphasis on the present, namely on, who Jesus is, with the resurrection as the moment that gives expression to that reality “. In explicit Christology Jesus himself added divinity to him through his miracles and healing whereas in implicit Christology. In implicit Christology NT writes added the title of divinity because of his implied divine power. Read More