Religion For Leaving Certificate

Section B: Christianity – Origins And Contemporary Expressions

Part 1: The Return To Origins

Chapter 1: The Pattern Of Return

By studying the past, we can learn more about ourselves as individuals, as members of a family, a nation, a religious group, and this in turn helps us to evaluate the present and try to imagine our future.

Founding Vision

The Christian Church Returning To Origins

1. Christian churches have a founding vision which is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

2. Through study and prayer they seek to reflect on how these scriptures speak to them today. This may lead to seeing things in a new way, or to challenging their church from within.

3. Christian throughout the world are drawn to living in small communities in an effort to live as the early Christians lived.

4. Some of the essential qualities are: It is a living ‘cell’. It calls for sharing all aspects of people’s lives. It fits into the vision of church as people of God. Justice, i.e. right relationships with God. Priority is given to promoting the kingdom of God –

harmony rooted deeply in justice.5. The effect these communities have is to breathe new life into the

wider community, through living in a small Christian community, people may challenge the way things are and how people live.

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The Ceili De

1. In the mid 8th Century a reform movement began in Ireland, the leaders of which called themselves ‘ Ceili De ‘ ( servants of God ).

2. They wanted to bring about renewal of the Monastic life in Ireland.

3. The Ceili De was a movement of people who felt a strong calling to put God first in their lives and make themselves true servants of God.

4. It was important to choose God as their ‘ All ‘ in life.5. Maelruain Of Tallaght is the one most associated with the

beginnings of this current of renewal.6. The spirituality and way of life of the Ceili De is best known to us

from 3 related texts: The Monastery of Tallaght text The rule of Tallaght The rule of Ceili De

7. The Ceili De’s spirituality attributed great importance to the word of God. Gospels were read at meal times.

8. The Ceili De set to work to reform the Monastic movement from within.

9. The Ceili De were interested in the general pastoral mission of the Monasteries.

10.They brought a new spirit rather than new structures.11.The Ceili De underlined the importance of following the guidance

of one’s ‘Anam Chara ‘ or ‘ soul friend ‘.12.It was through the context of soul friendship that private

confession took root in the Irish church and later spread throughout Western Christendom.

Exam Questions

1. Outline how returning to the founding vision of Christianity was central to the purpose of one of the following: Ceili De, the Evangelical Movement in early 19th Century, Protestantism, Liberation Theology, Luther’s Reform, The Mendicant Orders, The Second Vatican Council.

2. How is the founding vision of Christianity seen in the ways Christian worship today ?

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3. Discuss the relationship between the founding vision of Christianity and the search for Christian Unity today.

The Mendicant Orders

The Mendicant orders developed an urban form of Monastic life, which was close to the lifestyle of Jesus as revealed in the Gospels. They had three common characteristics:

1. As individuals they held no possessions and they had the right to beg.

2. All members were united, regardless of location.3. Pastoral care was the focus of their training.

St. Francis Of Assisi – Founder Of The Franciscan Order

1. Francis came from a wealthy family in Assisi.2. A number of events prepared him for the discovery of his

vocation in the church: He was injured in a battle between rival cities. One day he met a leper and he gave him all the money he

had. He made a pilgrimage to Rome. He gave all the money he had away and he exchanged his

fine clothes for those of a tattered beggar man.3. Not long after Francis returned from Rome, he was praying and

he heard a voice saying ‘ go Francis and repair my house, which as you can see is falling into ruin ‘.

4. After hearing the words from the Gospel at mass one day ‘ go, possess neither silver nor gold etc. and announce the kingdom of God ‘, his life began to change.

5. Francis took these words very seriously and so began to live out his vocation.

6. The feature of this Franciscan Spirituality was to live the whole Gospel from the perspective of poverty.

7. Poverty was their window into the Gospel.

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Martin Luther

1. After having a near death experience Martin Luther went through a very dry period where he struggled with the issues of his own Salvation.

2. His basic question was, how can I find a merciful God ?3. This dark experience arose from that deep contradiction in all of

us that St. Paul describes in the letter to the Romans : ‘ I do not do good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do ‘. ( Rom. 7 :19 )

4. What Luther saw was that instead of doing the good only out of love and with absolute selflessness, even when we do good, there’s ultimately always a secret tendency in us to do what we’re doing for our own good.

5. At a certain point Luther realised that God is not only a judge but that when you’re at zero point and don’t know what to do, God does not reject you forever, as you might think, but bends down towards your weakness and nothingness and recreates you.

6. He does have this one condition : that you believe, that is, that you abandon yourself to him with complete trust. This was Luther’s great and liberating discovery.

7. Luther went on to emphasise the individual freedom that comes through Faith.

8. For Luther, the Christian is the most free of all creatures and so the most dutiful of all by helping others to become ‘ Christ to one another ‘.

9. Rooted in Christ, the Christian has to become ‘ Christ for his neighbour ‘.

10.There are 3 principles associated with Luther : Sola Scriptura Sola Fide Sola Gratia

11.In 1517 Luther nailed 95 theses or arguments against indulgences and pilgrimages to the door of the castle church at Wittenberg. His intention was not to rebel against the church but merely to open this issue for the theological debate.

12.Luther’s desire was to reform the church.13.He hoped for a general council to resolve the issues.14.He outlined the foundations of his new Theology in 5 treatise: Treatise of good works

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The papacy of Rome Address to the German nobility Babylonian captivity of the church Freedom of a Christian man15.In June 1520 Pope Leo X condemned Luther’s views and ordered

that his books be burned, and he gave him two months to retract his theories or be guilty of heresy.

16.At the Diet of Worms in 1521 Luther refused to retract and was excommunicated.

17.Luther stood firm, and in 1521 he was named a heretic. He fled to the castle of Wartburg in Saxony and there remained under the protection of Frederick the Wise. Thus began the split between the Roman Catholic Church and Luther and his supporters, which gave rise to the Reformation.

The Evangelical Movement In The Early 19 th Century

There are key characteristics of the Evangelical Movements: Scripture is the ultimate guide for spirituality and ethics. There is an emphasis on the saving death of Jesus Christ on the

cross. Personal conversion is important. A concern for sharing of the Christian Faith is extremely

important.

John Wesley ( Founder Of The Methodist Church )

1. John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist Church in close association with his brother Charles.

2. John Wesley became convinced of the need to develop a ‘ living faith ‘ and he emphasised the role of experience in the Christian life.

3. The members of the group promised to observe regular private devotions, daily scripture reading and prayer.

4. With its emphasis on the experiential side of the Christian life and the need for personal conversion, Methodism became part of a religious revival in England in the 19th Century.

5. The need for personal holiness was its most characterised feature.

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6. Methodism places a very strong emphasis on the action. This comes from its understanding of the Gospel as involving both the personal and the social.

7. Another one of it’ main features is a strong emphasis on the role of the laity in its church.

The Second Vatican Council

1. There have been two major events in the 20th Century that have influenced radical reform within the Roman Catholic Church:

The second Vatican Council, 1962 – 65. The Council of Latin American bishops in Medellin, 1968.

2. Pope John XXIII called this Council in 1962.3. This decade saw the birth of the civil rights movement worldwide.4. Vatican II produced 16 documents.5. Lumen Gentium was very important as it encouraged the

Catholic Church to understand itself more as a community of believers than a hierarchically ordered institution.

6. Vatican II called for more active involvement of the laity in the life of the church.

7. It also considered relations between Christians and those of other religions.

8. The council stressed the importance of the social aspect of the Christian Faith and called for Christians to be active in the areas of human rights, race relations and social justice in general.

9. Mass, traditionally said in Latin, would now be celebrated in the language of the country in question, with the priest facing the congregation during the celebration.

10.Rules about religious dress were relaxed.11.The laity was invited to become more involved in the celebration

of the sacraments.

Liberation Theology

1. In the document Gaudium Et Spes, Christian were challenged to look at the world around them and work to correct situations of injustice.

2. Liberation Theology was launched in 1968 at a Congress of Latin American Bishops in Medellin in Columbia.

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3. They declared that from this point on the Church World would be on the side of the poor. They would work to transform the society so that all people could live in dignity and freedom. They called this a ‘ preferential option for the poor ‘.

4. The supporters of liberation theology believed that the message of the Gospel is one of Liberation and that Jesus is the great Liberator.

5. By engaging in a process of working for justice, Christians are truly following the example of Jesus Christ.

6. Some activist suffered torture and others were killed in their struggle to speak out for the poor. Perhaps the most famous of these was Oscar Romero, who was murdered in March 1980.

Oscar Romero

1. Oscar Romero spoke the truth in a country torn apart by social injustice. He stood for human rights during an era of shocking violence and torture. But the brutal dictatorship chose not to listen and he was assassinated for his beliefs.

2. Oscar Romero was born on August 15, 1918.3. On April 4th 1942 Romero was ordained a Catholic priest in

Rome.4. Romero worked for 20 years in San Miguel.5. He promoted various apostolic groups, started an alcoholic

anonymous group, helped in the construction of San Miguel’s Cathedral and supported devotion to the Virgin of the Peace.

6. He was later appointed rector of the inter-diocese seminary in San Salvador.

7. In 1966, he began his public life when chosen to be the secretary of the Episcopal conference for El Salvador.

8. In 1970 he was appointed auxiliary bishop to San Salvador, a move not welcomed by the more progressive members of his priesthood in El Salvador.

9. On the 23rd of February, 1977, he was appointed Archbishop of San Salvador.

10.His appointment was met with surprise and dismay as the Marxist priests feared that his conservative reputation would negatively affect liberation theology’s commitment to the poor.

11.Romero’s spiritual journey included the following characteristics: Love for the Church of Rome.

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Examination of conscience. Sincere piety Mortification and penance through his duties Providing protection for his chastity Spiritual direction Fidelity to the will of God Self – ordering to Jesus Christ.12. On March 12th, a progressive Jesuit priest and personal friend

Rutilio Grande was assassinated.13.His death had a profound impact on Romero who later stated, “

when I looked at Rutilio lying there dead I thought it they have killed him for doing what he did, then I too have to walk the same path “.

14.In response to Fr. Rutilio’s murder, Romero revealed a radicalism that had not been evident earlier.

15.He spoke against poverty, social injustice, assignations and torture.

16.Romero was killed by a shot to the heart on March 24 1980, while celebrating Mass in a small chapel located in a hospital, one day after a sermon where he had called on Salvadorian soldiers, as Christians, to obey God’s higher order and to stop carrying out the government’s repression and violations of basic human rights.

17. During the funeral, a smoke bomb exploded on the Cathedral square and many people were killed by gunfire.

18.As the gunfire continued, the body was buried in a crypt beneath the sanctuary. Even after the burial, people continued to line up to pay homage to their martyred prelate.

Chapter 2: Jesus And His Message In Contemporary Culture

1. Contemporary culture is characterised by a frenzy of images of how to imagine one’s life.

2. People are bombarded and seduced by a variety of messages about what gives meaning to life.

3. We live in a society that is dominated by consumerism. For many, the shopping centre has become the place of worship.

4. In today’s world choosing Gospel values is a demanding choice.

Image Of Jesus In Film

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Passion Of The Christ

1. The film focuses on the final twelve hours of the life of Jesus.2. Gibson made the film after 18 years of neglecting his Catholic

Faith.3. He was suddenly struck with a strong sense that he was personally

saved by Jesus Christ.4. The image of Jesus that Gibson presents is that of the suffering

Saviour; Jesus has taken away our sins through his suffering on the cross. It was this conviction that inspired him to present the redemptive, passionate love of Jesus laying down his life for us.

Exam Questions

1. 2007: O.L (a) Different images of Jesus can be found in today’s culture – music, Art, Film, Literature. Describe one image of Jesus presented on one of the above stated. (b) Explain how the image of Jesus you have described above may affect Christians today. (c) Compare the understanding of Jesus presented in the gospels with the understanding of him presented in an image today.

2. 2007: H.L. (a) Describe one image of Jesus that is expressed in Modern Culture. (b) Examine the understanding of Jesus expressed in the image described above and discuss its relevance for society today.

Part 2: The Vision Of Jesus In Context

Chapter 3: The Impact Of Rome Political System

1. Rome stood for political order in Palestine at the time of Jesus.2. It was a foreign power and most people felt helpless in the face of

this power, with inevitable feelings of hatred.3. Jesus refers to one incident when there was a clash in the temple

in which some Galileans were slaughtered by the Roman soldiery ( Lk.13:1-5 )

4. Political Trial: This took place on Good Friday Morning. Jesus was put in chains and brought before Pilate. The Jewish leaders informed Pilate ‘ we caught this man misleading our people,

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telling them not to pay their taxes to the Emperor and claiming that he himself is the Messiah, a king ‘. When they had finished, Pilate asked Jesus ‘ Are you the king of the Jews ? Jesus answered, ‘ so you say ‘. Pilate did not want to get involved in the religious affairs of the Jews, so he sent Jesus to Herod. Herod only mocked Jesus and sent him back to Pilate. Pilate could find no reason to condemn Jesus to death and told this to the Jewish leaders. Every year it was custom for the Roman Governor to release a prisoner on the feast of the Passover. Pilate offered the people a choice of releasing Jesus or a violent criminal named Barabbas. But the crowd shout ‘ kill him, set Barabbas free ‘. Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus was scourged and condemned to death.

Exam Question

2006 O.L : (a) Outline the main features of either the Roman Political System or the Jewish Religious System in Palestine at the time of Jesus. (b) Describe one example of a situation where Jesus was in conflict with either the Political or the Religious Leaders in Palestine at his time. (c) Explain why Jesus was seen as a threat to either the Political or the Religious leaders in Palestine at his time.2010: Outline two ways in which the Jewish Religious Authorities at the time of Jesus were threatened by his teachings.2011 O.L. : Compare the way in which the Zealots and the Sadducees reacted to Roman Rule in Palestine at the time of Jesus.

Ancient Judaism

Social System

1. The Herodian dynasty had been very unpopular.2. There was a lot of corruption among the Roman administration.3. Taxes were a source of contention.4. All of this led to much social unrest in Palestine at the end of the

time of Jesus.5. The people of Israel resented being ruled by others when they

believed they were God’s chosen people.

Religious System

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Although there were good and devoted religious teachers, many religious authorities of the day had become quite secularised, furthering their own ambitions by obeying the Roman power.

Socio – Political And Religious Groupings In The 1 st Century

There were four main socio – political and religious groupings in the 1st Century :

The Sadducees The Pharisees The Essenes The Zealots

The Sadducees

1. They accepted Roman rule.2. They were wealthy and they dominated the Sanhedrin.3. They adopted a non- Jewish lifestyle.4. They lived out the Torah literally.

The Pharisees

1. They rejected Roman rule.2. The Pharisees believed that the only way to ensure that survival of

the chosen people of God was through the law of Moses.3. They were laymen.4. They were in charge of the local synagogue.5. They lived out the 10 Commandments: Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not commit adultery. Thou shall not covet thy neighbour’s goods. Thou shall not covet thy neighbour’s wife. Hour your father and mother. Keep holy the Sabbath. Thou shall not have false gods. Thou shall not take the Lord’s name in vain. Thou shall not bare false witness against thy neighbour.

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The Essenes

1. The Essenes rejected Roman rule.2. The Essenes were characterised by their withdrawal from the

world.3. They were a Monastic group of people who saw no way forward

through involvement in politics or violence.4. They believed that the only way to be faithful to Yahweh was to

withdraw from the compromised world and live a life of prayer and religious contemplation.

5. They lived lives of strict isolation and waited for the intervention of God to bring about a better world.

6. They felt that their life was being corrupted by the outside forces.

The Zealots

1. The Zealots rejected Roman Rule.2. The Zealots were a radical group who believed that they must

take an active part in the deliverance of God’s chosen people.3. They saw it as their duty to oppose the presence of the Romans

and to struggle against all that was seen to challenge the Jewish Faith / State.

4. The Zealots arose out of a concrete situation of injustice and a deeply felt fear and frustration.

5. They hated the Sadducces.6. They caused huge unrest among the Jews .7. They felt that violence was justified if their religion was being

threatened.

Chapter 4: Evidence For Jesus Of Nazareth

Pliny The Younger

1. Pliny The Younger was a governor of one of the Roman Provinces.

2. He wrote to his emperor, asking advice on what to do with the Christians in his province.

3. The Roman governors would have been concerned about any group or sect that they considered might cause a disturbance.

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4. Pliny mentions Jesus in this context but provides no additional information about him.

Tacitus

1. Tacitus was a Roman Historian and was suspicious of Christianity..

2. He referred to Jesus when he wrote about the burning of Rome in 64CE.

3. The emperor Nero blamed Christians for this burning, even though many historians think Nero himself may have been responsible.

4. Tacitus clearly had no time for the group of people called Christians.

5. Tacitus’ claim that Nero was responsible for the brutal torture and execution of many Christians is not accepted by all historians.

6. Tacitus, as we have seen, was a hostile reporter of Jesus and the movement he founded.

7. He wrote down his beliefs about 80 years after the death of Jesus. Among the things he wrote about were the death of Jesus, how he was sentenced by Pontius Pilate and how Christians got their name from Jesus Christ.

Josephus

1. Josephus was a Jewish historian.2. Josephus defended Galilee against Rome in the great Jewish

rebellion, and shortly after his forces were overrun, he surrendered.

3. Josephus mentioned Jesus towards the end of his life, i.e. around 60 years after the crucifixion.

4. Jesus is mentioned in the context of disturbances caused by the Jews during the reign of Pontius Pilate.

5. It is clear from his writings the Josephus accepted both the historical reality of Jesus and that he had a profound and lasting impact on the people whom he met.

6. Josephus was a Jewish Scholar and wrote a book about the History of the Jews. In this he describes Jesus as a wise man and teacher.

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7. Also, he wrote about the crucifixion of Jesus by Pontius Pilate and his resurrection from the dead three days later.

The Gospels As Sources

1. The Gospels are our principal source for the life and vision of Jesus.

2. They were written by people who believed in the resurrection of Jesus, people who believed him to be the risen Lord.

3. The Gospels are reflections of faith and are a rich insight into both the man and his mission.

4. The writers of the Gospels are known as the evangelists.5. The emergence of the gospels can be divided into three phases:

Phase 1: the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Phase 2: the early disciples taught about Jesus, and in the process they also came to understand the mission of Jesus more fully.

Phase 3: Four people living in four different places proclaimed the mission and message of Jesus by recording it in written form.

6. The Gospel of St. Luke: Luke’s gospel helps us to see that Jesus is the Saviour who brings God’s love to all people. He also showed Jesus as someone who brings love and forgiveness to all. His gospel too has a special place for Mary, as the Mother of Jesus. Another important aspect of this gospel is prayer.

7. The Gospel of St. John: John’s Gospel helps us to see Jesus as a real human being as he shared our pain and burdens, and is also there in good times to share our joys. He is the real Son of God.

8. The Gospel of St. Matthew: he saw Jesus as the New Moses,’ the Promised One by God ‘ the Messiah and the ‘Son of David ‘. Matthew taught his followers a new way of living.

9. The Gospel of St. Mark: Mark in his gospel tells us that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah who suffered at the hands of the authorities in Jerusalem. He also informs us that Jesus had feelings like everyone else.

Exam Questions

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1. 2007: O.L.: Compare the understanding of Jesus presented in the gospels with the understanding of him presented in an image today.

2. 2008: O.L : Explain why the writings of one of the following are an important source of evidence for the existence of Jesus of Nazareth: An evangelist _ Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, Saint Paul, Josephus.

3. 2008: There are many sources of evidence for the existence of Jesus of Nazareth. Examine the evidence for the existence of Jesus that can be found in the writings of each of the following : (i) Pliny the Younger (ii) Tacitus

Chapter 5: The Teachings Of Jesus And Their Impact On The Community

The Prophetic Tradition

1. The Prophets commented on the moral and ethical life of the people and called them to repentance.

2. They observed the society and identified dangers to the people’s religious life.

3. These prophets preached repentance and conversion and obedience to the law of God.

4. The failure to respond to this call to repentance and conversion would be punished severely by God’s judgement at the end of time.

5. This concern with the ‘ end of time’ is termed eschatology. It has to do with ‘ last things ‘ – judgement, heaven, hell and the ultimate meaning of life.

Jesus – Teacher, Preacher, Rabbi

1. Jesus was a Jew. 2. He began his public ministry as a teacher, preacher and

wandering rabbi. 3. Jesus’ relationship with John the Baptist was significant.4. Having been a disciple of John, Jesus returned to Galilee

and began preaching.5. He also interpreted the scriptures and used them to teach

and preach to those who would listen.

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6. He challenged both individuals and groups to re-evaluate their behaviour and their relationship with God.

7. Central to the preaching and teaching of Jesus was the Kingdom of God.

N.B. Four Key Characteristics Of The Kingdom Of God As Preached By Jesus

A. The Kingdom Of God In Parables

1. Jesus used parables to communicate with people.2. Through the parables Jesus gave value to the experience of those

who listened.3. The parables often confronted people and asked them to reflect

and examine their own lives.4. In his parables, Jesus calls his listeners to ‘ Metanoia ‘.5. Through his parables Jesus invited people to choose peace over

violence, to include rather than exclude, to share rather than to hoard, and to know God as a loving God.

6. The parables speak of the Kingdom of God as a place where the sick will be healed and the poor will be cared for – a place of justice, compassion and forgiveness. In the Kingdom of God ‘… the last will be first and the first will be last ‘ ( Matthew 20 : 16 )

B. The Kingdom Of God In The Meals Of Jesus

1. Both Jesus’ presence and his actions at particular meals are significant.

2. Christians remember Jesus and worship God through the celebration of the Eucharist.

3. The Eucharist is a sacred meal, where we remember the last supper.

4. In John’s Gospel it is recorded that before eating with his followers Jesus washed their feet as a sign that service is the way of the Lord. He asked them to do this in memory of him ( John 13:1-20 )

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5. He sought to restore the relationship between God and the people. He ate with the poorest of the poor, he shared with them and, in doing so, proclaimed the Kingdom of God.

6. Jesus challenged the accepted connection between wealth and God’s blessings.

C. The Kingdom Of God In The Miracles Of Jesus

1. The miracles of Jesus reminded the followers of how special he was and how God spoke through him, and continued to do so through the early church.

2. The first thing that people discovered about Jesus was the healing power of the Divine Spirit.

3. His very person and presence are depicted in the Gospels as magnets that draw people out of the shadows and corners into which they have been pushed. ‘ That evening at sundown, they brought to him all those who were sick or possessed with demons, and the whole city was gathered together about the door, and he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons ‘ ( Mark 1:32 )

4. These miraculous healings were part of the coming of God’s Kingdom.

5. In the words of Moltmann ‘ The Kingdom of the living God drives out the germs of death and spreads the seeds of life ‘.

D. The Kingdom Of God In The Prayers Of Jesus

1. Jesus claimed a very special and intimate relationship with God. We can best understand this when we look at the term ‘ Abba ‘. Jesus called God ‘ Abba ‘. Such an intimate term of endearment comes from a relationship of love and trust. Every time Jesus used the term it was, in effect, a prayer.

2. He proclaimed a God who was loving, caring and understanding.3. He spoke of a God as being always present.4. God was not harsh or judgemental.5. The prayer most closely associated with Jesus is the one prayer he

taught to his followers – the Lord’s Prayer ( Luke 11:1-4 )

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Exam Questions

1. 2005: Describe the characteristics of the Kingdom of God as preached by Jesus.

2. 2011: O.L. : Describe two ways in which Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God brought him into conflict with the religious leaders in Palestine.

Jesus as Messiah ( Higher Level )

1. Messiah means ‘ Anointed One ‘2. The ‘ Messiah ‘ is chosen by God and recognised by those faithful

to God.3. In Jesus’ teaching, preaching and living he announced the

Kingdom of God and showed his awareness of himself as the Messiah in the sense of the one who heralded this kingdom.

4. People at the time of Jesus expected the Messiah to be Priestly, Davidic and Prophetic.

Priestly

They looked for a Messiah who would herald a great war, where those who were against God would be vanquished and those who were loyal to God ( all those in the sect ) would be vindicated.

The Messiah would be associated with Aaron and the tribe of Levi in the Old Testament.

They were seen as the mediators for entrance into the sphere of the Divine.

People at the time of Jesus expected such a person would help re-establish God’s Kingdom.

Davidic

Jesus was not the Messiah the people of the first century were hoping for or expecting. There was a general expectation that the Messiah would be like a new King David, who would herald a new era in Jewish history. This vision of the Messiah is termed the Davidic messiah.

Such a person was expected to be a descendent of a king who was regarded as the founder of the Israelite monarchy and people at

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the time of Jesus expected a second such king to intervene in their difficult socio-political situation.

Jesus was to bring a new, alternative interpretation of ‘ Messiah ‘ – as one who ushers in the Kingdom of God through a life of love and service and eventual death.

Prophetic

The Pharisees looked forward to a future messiah whom God would send to deliver them from Roman rule and restore the kingdom of God among the people of Israel.

This prophetic messiah would fulfil the scriptures and liberate the people of God from oppression.

Such a person was usually understood as an authoritative messenger and spokesperson of God.

The people expected this person to be powerful like Moses who led the people out of slavery and into freedom. ( Matthew 1 – 17, Luke 3 :23-38 )

There are a number of incidents in the Gospels where Jesus appears to identify himself as Messiah. However, he was very anxious that this was not misunderstood among his followers. We can see this very clearly in Mark 8:31 ‘ then he began to teach them that he the son of man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again ‘. He said all this openly.

Exam Question

2005: 1. Compare Jesus’ words and actions with the expectations of the Messiah at the time of Jesus. 2.(a) At the time of Jesus people had different expectations of the Messiah : Davidic, Priestly, Prophetic. Outline what was involved in two of the above expectations of the Messiah. (b) Describe an example of How Jesus showed an awareness of one of the expectations of the Messiah listed in A above.

Part 3: The Message In Conflict

Chapter 7: Conflict With The Establishment

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Jesus ‘s Challenge To Roman Imperial Values

1. Jesus challenged those in power.2. Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God, in doing this he was

perceived by the Romans as challenging the rule of Caesar.3. In God’s Kingdom, everything would be different: the first would

be last and the last would be first, the poor would be blessed, and those who suffer would rejoice. The Kingdom of God would mean radical changes for those who embraced it.

4. From the Roman point of view he was charged with treason and condemned to death by crucifixion.

The Threat To Jewish Religious Establishment

1. It was during the feast of the Passover and the city would have been busy with crowds of worshippers.

2. There are many indications in the Gospels that Jews were aware of the mounting tension around him and his followers.

3. He had, at this stage come into conflict with the Pharisees more than once.

4. His interpretation of the spirit of the law often conflicted with the very literal interpretation of the law.

5. After three years travelling the countryside Jesus came into the jurisdiction of those whom he had fundamentally challenged.

6. Jesus must have been aware of the political consequences that he faced.

7. By coming to Jerusalem he was challenging both to the Roman authorities and the Jewish authorities.

8. His friend John the Baptist had already been killed because of his teaching.

9. It is probably that by the time Jesus entered Jerusalem his large band of followers had dwindled to the most loyal.

10.They were probably afraid and nervous of what might happen.11.In the last days he entered the temple and overturned the tables

on the money changers.12.He cleared the temple of those who used it for personal economic

gain ( Luke 19:45 ).13.Jesus called for the renewal of the covenant between Yahweh and

the people of God.

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14.Part of this renewal was the restoration of the temple as a place where the covenant was honoured.

15.Jesus was arrested, put on trial and condemned to death in Jerusalem.

16.There is disagreement as to the exact charge laid against him.17.It is clear that he faced Pontius Pilate.18.It seems that Jesus was either charged with Blasphemy or

Treason.19.He was accused of claiming to be the Son of God the Messiah.20.This was not a capital offence within Judaism.21.Jesus himself never claimed the titles ‘Son Of God’ or ‘Messiah ‘.

Rather, he was regarded as such by many of those who heard and saw him, they proclaimed him as their Messiah and their Saviour.

22.Many believed he had come to rescue them from roman occupation and that he was going to lead a revolution.

23.Others saw him as the Messiah promised to them in their scriptures who would lead them into a new age.

24.It is easy for us to see why the Romans may have been nervous of this Rabbi from Galilee who was stirring up such nationalist fervour among the Jews.

25.The other possibility is that Jesus was charged with threatening the destruction of the temple.

26.In Judaism this would be Treason.27.Any challenge to the religion could be seen as an attack on the

temple.

Exam Questions

1. 2010: Explain two reasons why the Roman Political authorities in Palestine were threatened by the teachings of Jesus.

2. 2011: Explain one reason why the Roman Rulers in Palestine saw Jesus of Nazareth as a threat.

Why Jesus Was Put On Trial

Pontius Pilate was the Roman Governor at the time of Jesus. The Jewish leaders wanted the Romans to execute Jesus for them, and so

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had to convince Pilate that Jesus posed a danger to Roman rule over Palestine. Jesus was put on trial because the delegation from the Sanhedrin accused Jesus of Treason which was the most serious political offence. They claimed that:

Jesus had proclaimed himself Messiah and called himself King of the Jews.

He had told the people not to pay their taxes to the emperor. He had disturbed the peace and might soon lead a revolt. We can

see this very clearly in Luke 23:2-5 ‘ and they began to accuse him, saying, we found this fellow corrupting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ, a king’. Then Pilate asked him, saying, ‘ are you the king of the Jews ?’ He answered him and said ‘ it is as you say ‘. So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, ‘ I find no fault in this man ‘. But they were the more fierce, saying ‘ he stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place ‘.

Exam Question

2009 : O.L. : Describe what happened when Jesus was brought for trial before either the Sanhedrin or Pontius Pilate and explain why the trial took place.

Chapter 8: The Death And Resurrection Of Jesus

The Death Of Jesus

1. On the night before he died, prior to his arrest, Jesus celebrated Passover with his followers.

2. In a symbolic act of service Jesus washed the feet of his Disciples and asked that they too would do this in his memory.

3. He shared a meal with his friends and spoke to them of the sacrifice he was preparing to make.

4. There is little doubt that by this time Jesus knew he faced death.5. He asked his Disciples to remember him in word and deed.6. He prepared them for what lay ahead, although this was probably

only clear to them after he died.7. Jesus offered himself in a new covenant between the people of

God.

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8. On the day of his death it must have seemed like the new covenant was ending before it had really begun.

9. Whatever else happened in those hours following the arrest of Jesus, we don’t know fully but we can be sure of two things:

Jesus was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate Jesus was crucified.

10.Death by crucifixion was a humiliating and brutal death. It was also a Roman method of execution.

11.Traditionally flogging or ‘ scourging ‘ came before crucifixion. Jesus was no exception.

12.He like others before him carried his own cross to the place of execution – the hill of Calvary, before suffering a slow and painful death.

13.The Gospel of Mark tells us, ‘ the king of the Jews ‘ ( Mk. 15:26 )14.From the placard it would seem that Jesus was put to death

because of the threat he posed to the Roman rule.

Exam Question

2007: Outline how the first Christians were affected by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

The Resurrection

1. The death of Jesus on the cross must have been deeply shocking for his followers.

2. They were left alone without their leader.3. Some must have run away in terror.4. So many had lost hope and returned from where they had come

from.5. Others were left wondering what it was all about and what were

they going to do now.6. They had believed this man Jesus.7. He had told them he would be with them always and now he was

gone.8. Throughout his life Jesus reminded his followers that they would

face difficult times and that their Faith in him would be tested.9. He promised them his continued presence.10.There were no witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus from the

dead.

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11.The Gospel tells us of an empty tomb, and appearances by the changed but recognisable figure of Jesus.

12.These appearances along with the empty tomb are the only ‘ evidence ‘ of his resurrection.

13.Few today would accept this evidence. Many would argue against its validity.

14.However, belief in the Resurrection of Jesus cannot be based on historical evidence. Belief in the Resurrection is a statement of Faith. What we can say is that the story of Jesus did not end at the cross.

15.Something extraordinary happened after Jesus’ death.16.This is recorded in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ appearances and

in what became of his small band of followers.17.As we can imagine, the men and women who followed Jesus must

have been desolate at his death.18.They must have felt deeply shocked and overcome with grief.19.They possibly did not know what to do or if they could survive

without him.20.Then something extraordinary occurred. Jesus defeated death. He

rose from the dead and appeared to some of his followers.21.Several accounts of Jesus’ appearances are found in the Gospels.

One of the most significant of these Biblical accounts occurs in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians ( 1 Cor. 15:3 – 8 ). Paul clearly tells us that Jesus appeared to many people, including himself. Through these appearances the Disciples were reassured and given instructions as to how to carry on. They were reminded of their mission and focus. The appearances transformed the followers of Jesus. They were moved to act together to continue the work of Jesus and had begun in them before he died.

22.‘ Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you, and remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age ‘. ( Mt. 28:19 )

23.Jesus was once again present among his people. They were no longer alone.

24.The words and seeds of Jesus took on a new significance for his followers in the light of the Resurrection.

25.They knew that they had a mission to carry on the work begun in Jesus and that he would be with them always.

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Exam Questions

1. 2006: Outline the ways in which the resurrection of Jesus influenced his disciples ‘ sense of mission ‘.

2. 2009: Explain how the Resurrection of Jesus influenced the first disciples understanding of Jesus and their sense of community.

3. 2011: Examine two ways in which Jesus’ Resurrection had an impact on the first Christians.

Part 4: The Formation Of The Christian Community

The Community Of Philippi

1. The city of Philippi was a city of great importance within the Roman province of Macedonia.

2. The church of Philippi was convinced of the power of the message of Jesus Christ.

3. Under the guidance of Paul and others, it strove to witness to this message of love. Each community did this through gathering believers together in small groups for prayer, preaching and the breaking of bread.

4. The community at Philippi cared for the weak and needy among them.

5. This self less love and mutual service embodied Jesus’ message of love and God and neighbour.

6. While the community of Philippi worked hard to be true witnesses to the Christian way of life, they did experience some difficulties along the way.

7. They suffered persecution from many non – believing gentiles.8. The characteristics of the community of Philippi are :

It was the first European community. It appears to have been enthusiastic and joyful. It was a generous community. There is some evidence of factions within the community. There is evidence of differing views on adherence to Jewish

law.

The Community Of Corinth

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1. Corinth is a seaport situated at the southern tip of Macedonia.2. The Church at Corinth was struggling to understand itself. The

demands of membership of this radical faith caused great difficulty for many in this community.

3. Christianity called for love, sharing and unity, all of which were difficult to live out in a society so divided economically and culturally.

4. A number of problems arose within the community at Corinth because of the fact that it had emerged from a largely pagan environment. One such problem was the issue of eating meat that had been sacrificed to pagan idols.

5. The celebration of liturgical practices also became a source of division in the Corinthian church.

6. The divisions and difficulties in the everyday lives of Corinthians spilled over into their liturgical assemblies.

There were differences of opinion as to whether or not the same rules applied for men and women regarding the wearing of head-dress at assemblies.

There were divisions between rich and poor at the liturgical gatherings.

The members disagreed on the issues of the ‘ gifts of the spirit ‘.

7. All three difficulties highlight a community struggling with equality and unity – characteristics that were central to the message of Jesus.

8. The community of Corinth also had difficulties with their understanding of the Resurrection of the body. Belief in the Resurrection of Jesus was a requirement of their Faith.

9. The characteristics of the community at Corinth were : The community consisted of a variety of cultures and traditions. Elitism and rivalry were problems in the community. Paul’s authority was questioned by some in the community. There was a tendency to marginalise the poor in Corinth. The liturgical assemblies highlighted the divisions in the

community.

The Community At Thessalonica

1. Thessalonica was situated south of Philippi, in the Roman province of Macedonia.

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2. The greatest problem experienced by the Thessalonian community stemmed from their expectation of the imminent return of Jesus. This expectation had such an impact on the lives of the community that members began to ignore the commandments in the belief that the end of the world was so near, they might as well enjoy themselves. This caused difficulties for a community struggling to live out the message of Christ. Paul addressed this problem by urging members to be in constant state of readiness through their faith, hope and love. He urged them to act justly at all times.

3. Like the community in Corinth, the Thessalonian community did struggle to hold on to their belief in the hope for the Resurrection of the dead.

4. The characteristics of the community at Thessalonica were: The Christians experienced persecution from outside the

community. The community was preoccupied with the imminent return

of Jesus. The community was inclined to ignore the commandments

regarding daily living.

Exam Questions

1. 2005 O.L.: Choose one of Early Christian Communities listed below and answer the questions that follow: Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica. (a) Describe the way of life of the community you have chosen above. (b) Outline one problem this community had to deal with. (c) Explain how the religious beliefs of the community helped it to deal with such problems.

2. 2009 O.L : Explain why one of the early Christian Communities listed below experienced difficulties in following the teaching of Jesus: Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica. (b) Outline one way in which members of an early Christian Community listed in part (a) above put the teaching of Jesus into practice in their lives.

3. 2010: Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica. Examine the problems faced by the early Christians in one of the above places when the Christian Community was becoming established there.

Chapter 10: Interpreting The Christian Message Today

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1. Our world is a very complex place, and Christians are faced with many conflicting and confusing messages.

2. They are called on to remain faithful to the vision of Jesus Christ, to the kingdom of God of which he spoke.

3. Often in a hostile or indifferent environment, Christians are faced with many different situations of injustice, destruction of the earth, greed, discrimination and violence.

4. The message of Jesus offers those who seek it a way of living that aims to bring about the Kingdom of God.

5. In order to understand a little of how Jesus responded to violence of all kinds, we turn to the New Testament, violence is about power. The desire for power over others or over things dominates our world today.

The violence of oppression, the injustices created by poverty the gap between the rich and the poor

The second stage of rebellion. This may be the rebellion of those who are oppressed or of those who wish to work for a more just world for all. This may be organised rebellion, like the anti-apartheid movement.

This third and final stage is the violence of repression. This type of violence is used to quell the violence of rebellion. The violence of rebellion needs to be met with justice and respect for all involved, or else it will lead to a spiralling of violence within society.

6. There are many biblical texts that show Jesus as tolerant of all, regardless of social class, religious importance, wealth or gender. In fact, Jesus went out of his way to be with the poor, the sick and the marginalised.

7. For Jesus, the truly good person is one who acts justly and for the good of others. This way of living would transform the world and bring about the Kingdom of God.

Exam Questions

1. How would you interpret the Christian Message in today’s world?2. 2008: Outline one way in which work done by a Christian

denomination today carries on the mission of Jesus.

Christian Understanding Of A Just And Inclusive Society

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1. In Christ all are equal, there should be no distinction or discrimination made in terms of race, religion, class or gender.

2. In Christ there is ‘ neither Jew nor Greek ‘. There are no distinctions made between those of differing nationalities or religious beliefs, and no one should suffer because of their creed or race.

3. In New Testament times, slavery was common practice. Jesus challenged a very real injustice when he spoke of slaves and slavery.

4. In the Kingdom of God, there would be no injustice based on Gender – ‘ there is no longer male or female ‘. Women and men would live in mutual harmony and dignity.

5. Jesus went out of his way to involve women in his ministry.6. There is no doubt that Jesus allied himself with the poor, the sick,

the widowed, the alienated and the despised were among those who Jesus kept company.

7. Being a Christian involves working for the Kingdom of God and struggling against injustice and oppression. Christians are called to examine the world in which they live, to identify injustice and suffering and to address it wherever it arises.

Christian Faith And Victory Over Death

1. Faith in the Resurrection is at the heart of Christianity.2. Christianity began with the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.3. The passion and death of Jesus of Nazareth was shocking and

outrageous for his followers.4. The fact that the founder of Christianity died in such a manner

has great significance for Christianity, but it was the raising of Jesus from death that singled him out from all before or since.

5. Death is one of the very few certainties of life.6. Death fills us with fear, awe and curiosity.7. The fact of death, particularly untimely and painful death, does

test one’s faith in a loving, just God.8. Death is part of being human.9. Jesus, like us, faced death. Through Christ, we can look forward

to being victorious over death.10.Because of the Resurrection, we know that death is not the end.

We will share in the Glory of God through God’s son, Jesus Christ.

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11. Christians believe that they are united with Christ and through Christ, they will come into a deeper relationship with God.

12.Resurrection and eternal life are promised to Christians.13.Paul stresses that this Resurrection will involve transformation.14.Death will transform, not end life.15.The promise of eternal life with Christ began in the raising of

Jesus from the dead and will be completed in the future.16.For Christians, death is primarily about relationship with God.17.Death is the way, the means, by which we come to be intimately

present to the love of God.18.Heaven and hell do not enjoy equal status in Christian Faith.19.Through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the possibility

of heaven is stronger.20.Christ showed the way. It must remain possible for the individual

to reject this offer and path to salvation, but all things work to bring the faithful into the presence of God.

21.Heaven may be understood as the fulfilment of what was begun in Christ. The believer will come into the loving presence of God.

22.Hell is best understood as the experience of complete separation from the loving presence of God and is an important part of Christian preaching.

Exam Question

Describe how Jesus is understood and represented in Contemporary Culture. Assess to what extent this representation is true to the historical life of Jesus.

Catholic Church : Christian Community Life Today – Structures And Authority

1. In Catholicism, the role of the church is to carry on the work of Christ in the world.

2. The will of God is revealed through the scriptures and, in a unique way, through the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

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3. The church understands itself as the people of God, united through their common Baptism.

4. The Catholic Church is organised into dioceses. Each dioceses is entrusted to a bishop. The diocese is further divided into parishes, where the parish priest and his fellow priests work with the people of the parish.

5. Catholicism is deeply sacramental.6. The central liturgical celebration of the Eucharist is the central

life-giving event within a vibrant parish. 7. Lay ministers play an important role in the Sacramental life of

their parish.8. The parish community gather together to mark important events

in the lives of individuals and of the community as a whole.

Exam Question

2010: O.L.: Examine how the work of members in one Christian denomination today tries to carry on the mission of Jesus.

Chapter 11: Christian Unity: Trends In Christianity ( Higher Level )

1. Christianity is flourishing in many parts of the world. However, the history of Christianity is not without its dark side.

2. Lives have been lost in the name of religion.3. It has also led to a number of schisms.4. Suspicion and resentment have characterised the relationship

between different denominations.5. Towards the end of the 20th Century, efforts were made to heal the

wounds that had festered between the many Christian denominations. These efforts are known as the Ecumenical Movement.

6. The Ecumenical Movement is one that works towards reconciliation and forgiveness. It seeks to unify all Christians through shared faith in Jesus Christ.

7. The goal of ecumenism is to bring about tolerance and mutual respect among Christians.

8. The work of the world council of churches is ecumenical in nature. The council sees education as a means of working towards unity among all Christians.

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9. Perhaps the most powerful example of ecumenism in action is where different denominations within local communities work and pray together in a spirit of tolerance and respect.

10.Key difficulties : The issue of married clergy. The ordination of women to the priesthood. The understanding of Eucharist and teachings on marriage

are some of the controversial areas of difference between the Christian Churches.

11.Key achievements: New friendships established. Improvement in the understanding and acceptance of

regulations regarding mixed marriages. On-going serious theological dialogue. Lively co-operation in prayer services during the week of

prayer for Christian unity. Active participation by women of all denominations in the

annual women’s world’s day of prayer etc… Educating for peace programmes. Courses in ecumenical studies. Conferences, exhibitions organised jointly.

Exam Question

2006(a) Discuss the relationship between the founding vision of Christianity and the search for Christian Unity Today. (b) How is the founding vision of Christianity seen in the ways Christians worship today ?

Christian Worship as Remembering Jesus

1. It appears that from early in the development of Christian worship, remembering the action of Jesus at the last supper and recalling the significance of his life, death and resurrection were central. This remembering was a call to live as Jesus did.

2. Christians today celebrate the Eucharist in both word and deed. They listen to the word of God through scripture. They break bread and share wine.

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3. For Catholics, Christ is truly present in the bread and wine after consecration, when they become the Body and Blood of Christ. Transubstantiation refers to what occurs in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

4. Christians celebrate the presence and power of Christ at key moments in their lives e.g. baptism. Communion, confirmation etc. At such times they ask for guidance and comfort and recognise the presence of Christ in their lives.

An Introduction To Contemporary Christology

1. Christology seeks to address the question ‘ but who do you say that I am ?’

2. For Christians, Jesus Christ is the decisive, the most significant revelation of God.

3. In and through Jesus we come to know God in a very special way.4. Our continued efforts to understand and know Jesus, and the

implications of his life, death and resurrection, is what we term ‘ Christology ‘.

5. Jesus came first and lived his life in history and eventually was recognised by others as the Christ.

6. The constant in any Christology is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Biblical Christology ( 1st Century ) – this refers to the source and foundation of Christology. Having encountered Jesus and witnessed to his death and resurrection, believers recorded these events, the words and deeds of Jesus, and their belief that he was the Christ.

Conciliar Christology ( 2nd – 7th Century ) – the identity of Jesus and his relationship with God preoccupied many theologians at this time. One of the central questions of this era was around the divinity and humanity of Jesus. If Jesus was truly human, then how could he also be truly divine ?

Medieval Christology ( 11th – 16th Century ) – this period reflects the emergence of universities and great centres of learning.

Post – Tridentine Christology ( 16th – 20th Century ) – the church sought to protect its heritage by organising its Christology into a fixed and unchangeable format e.g. stations of the cross.

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At the brink of the renewal ( 1951 ) – the council of Chalcedon declared Jesus to be truly God and truly human. The question at the heart of Christology – ‘ who do you say that I am ?’ is very much alive today.

7. The mystery of Jesus Christ is the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. However, it does not end there. The understanding of that event and its significance for all believers is also part of the mystery of Jesus Christ, or the ‘ Christ Event ‘.

8. If we do not recognise the humanity of Jesus, we run the risk of not fully appreciating the way in which Jesus became human, one of us. If we fail to recognise the importance of the Divinity of Jesus, then we miss the crucial element of Faith in Christ. The two go together, Jesus – Christ. Dermot lane suggests what he calls a ‘ Low Ascending Christology ‘. This means that he begins his study of the mystery of Christ with looking at the historical reality of Jesus, and from there he moves to understand how Jesus became known as the Lord and the Christ.

Exam Questions

1. Write an account on the development of Christology since the time of Jesus.

2. 2011: Profile the understanding of Jesus that can be seen in the work of two writers of books about Christianity. ( answer – Christology – Dermot Lane – Low Ascending Christology.

SECTION B:

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CHRISTIANITY:

ORIGINS AND

CONTEMPORARY

EXPRESSIONS

Revised Edition 2012 Barbara Cunningham TahenyChristianity : Origins and contemporary expressions

There are four parts to this book

Part 1: The return to origins

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Founding vision: Christian Church- The Ceilí Dé, The Mendicant orders – St. Francis of Assisi. Martin Luther, the Second Vatican Council and Liberation Theology – Oscar Romero. ( make sure you know Ceilí Dé, Martin Luther of Liberation Theology and the Second Vatican Council ).

Jesus and his message in Contemporary Culture – Film – Passion of the Christ.

Part 2: The vision of Jesus in context.

The impact of Rome Political System. Socio – political and religious groupings in the 1st century –

Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes and Zealots. Evidence for Jesus of Nazareth – Pliny the Younger, Tacitus,

Josephus and the Gospels as sources. The teachings of Jesus and their impact on the community – the

Prophetic tradition, Jesus as teacher, four key characteristics of the kingdom of God – parables, meals, miracles and prayers.

N.B. HIGHER LEVEL: Jesus as Messiah – Priestly, Davidic and Prophetic

Part 3: The Message in conflict

Conflict with the establishment :- Jesus’ challenge to Roman Imperial Values, the threat to Jewish religious establishment, why Jesus was put on trial.

The death and resurrection of Jesus.

Part 4: the formation of the Christian community

The community of Philippi, Corinth and Thessalonica ( make sure you know one of these communities really well ).

Interpreting the Christian Message Today. Christian understanding of a Just and Inclusive Society. Christian Faith and victory over death Christian Community life today – structure and authority in the

Catholic Church N.B. HIGHER LEVEL:- Christian unity – trends in Christianity

Unity Christian Worship as remembering Jesus

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Leaving Certificate

Religion

Section B

Christianity

Sample Answers

Section B – Christianity

Sample answers to the following questions in section B

1. How is the founding vision of Christianity seen in the ways Christians worship today. P.41

2. Outline how returning to the founding vision of Christianity was central to the purpose of one of the following: Céili Dé, The

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Evangelical Movement of the early 19th Century Protestantism, Liberation Theology, Luther’s Reform, The Second Vatican Council. P. 42

3. (a) Contemporary music, art, film and literature. Describe one image of Jesus that is expressed in one of the above sources.(b) Examine the inspiration and the relevance of the image described above for culture and society today. P.45

4. Examine the inspiration and the relevance of the image described above for culture and society today.p.46

5. Explain why the writings of Josephus and Tacitus are an important source of evidence for Jesus of Nazareth. P.47

6. Compare the understanding of Jesus presented in the Gospels with the understanding of him presented in an image in today’s society. P. 48

7. Describe the characteristics of the Kingdom of God as preached by Jesus. P.50

8. Evaluate today’s world in terms of the values of the Kingdom of God. P.52

9. Write an essay tracing the events of Calvary from the arrest of Jesus to his resurrection from the dead. Make reference both to the historical events and their religious significance. P.52

10.Explain why the Roman political authorities in Palestine were threatened by the teachings of Jesus. P.54

11.Outline two key achievements and two key difficulties in the search for unity. P.56

12.Compare the understanding of Jesus presented in the Gospels with the understanding of him presented in an image today. P.58

13.Explain why the writings of Josephus and Tacitus are an important source of evidence for Jesus of Nazareth. P.59

14.Examine how the work of members in one Christian denomination today carries on the mission of Jesus. P.59

15.Describe how Jesus is understood and represented in contemporary culture. Assess to what extent this representation is true to the historical life of Jesus. P. 62

16.Compare the way the Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, and Zealots reacted to Roman Rule in Palestine at the time of Jesus. P.65

17.Outline how the first Christians were affected by the death and resurrection of Jesus. P.66

18.Explain why the Roman Political Authorities in Palestine were threatened by the teachings of Jesus. P.67

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19.Describe what happened when Jesus was brought for trial before either the Sanhedrin or Pontius Pilate and explain why the trial took place. P.69

20. A. Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica. Examine the problems faced by the early Christians in one of the above places when the Christian community was becoming established there. B. Outline one way in which the members in early Christian community out the teaching of Jesus into practice in their lives. P.70

21.Discuss the relationship between the founding vision of Christianity and the search for Christian Unity Today. P.71

22.Write a detailed account on the development of Christology since the time of Jesus. P.75

23.How would you interpret the Christian Message Today ? p.7624.Explain the way in which two rites of Christian worship

remember Jesus. P.7825.A. Examine one contemporary understanding of Jesus and name

the writer with which it is associated. B. Outline the understanding of Jesus found in part A and show how it is relevant in today’s society.

26.Explain two reasons why Jesus’ preaching on ‘ right relationship’ is important for Christians today.

27.Describe the messianic expectation of Jesus28.Write an essay tracing the events of Calvary from the arrest of

Jesus to his resurrection from the dead. Make reference to both the historical facts and religious significance.

1. How is the founding vision of Christianity seen in the ways Christians worship today.

Christian Churches have a founding vision which is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Christians are called to be unselfish, not to be quick to judge and not to have any attachments to material things. The founding vision isn’t only based on rituals or prayer, although they are important, but rather in the life they are called to live as Christians.

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One way that the founding vision is expressed by Christians is through pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place and it is of great moral and spiritual significance for Christians in today’s world. People go on pilgrimage to seek inspiration and to show that they are devoted to God. It gives the pilgrims a chance to deepen their relationship with God, seek forgiveness for wrong doing in their lives and seek guidance in their life. Pilgrimage is very useful to Christians for reflection. Reflection helps us to consider how the founding vision speaks to us today. Reflection gives Christians a chance to take some time out and spend it looking at their relationship with God.Christians throughout the world are drawn to living in small communities in an effort to live as early Christians lived. Some of the essential qualities are to share all aspects of people’s lives. This can be seen as part of Christian worship today. Many Christians share what they have with those people who have less than them in today’s world. They also come together as a community and share in the celebration of the Sacraments e.g. Communion, Baptism Eucharist etc…This also fits into the vision of church as people of God. The golden rule in Christianity is ‘ treat other people as you yourself would like to be treated ‘. This is something that can be seen today during Christian celebrations like Christmas. Some Christian families will gather together to celebrate the birth of Jesus together. The celebration of Easter Sunday could also be seen as an expression of the founding vision of Christianity as it celebrates Christ’s death and resurrection.Prayer is an important aspect of Christian worship. It is important that Christians have right relationship with God and this can be achieved through regular prayer. Christians can seek guidance from God on how to live an unselfish life which goes back to the founding vision. In conclusion, there are many ways to see the founding vision of Christianity in the way Christians worship today. Notably, through pilgrimage and prayer, Christians have the ability to perhaps reconnect with God and reflect on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

OR

Christian churches have a founding vision which is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Through study and prayer they seek to reflect on how these scriptures speak to them today. This may lead to seeing things in a new way or to challenging their church from within. This

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founding vision of Christianity is found in worship today e.g. through the sacraments, pilgrimage and prayer.The seven sacraments mark a key moment in the journey of a member of the Christian Faith. One of the sacraments that still holds strong relevance today is reconciliation. Forgiveness was central to Jesus’s life and teaching and ultimately, he died so that all might be free from sin. The Christian celebrates God’s forgiveness in this sacrament, also known as confession. The sacrament includes the Word of God, confession of sins, the giving of penance, the prayer of sorrow and the prayer of absolution. Reconciliation is actively embracing the person who has sinned against us and welcoming them back into our lives. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians ( 2 Corinthians 5:18 ) “ It’s all God’s work, he reconciled us to himself, through Christ and he gave us the ministry of reconciliation.Pilgrimage is another way in which the founding vision of Christianity Worship today. A pilgrimage is a journey to a place that is regarded as sacred because it is associated with a person or event or religious significance. The origins of pilgrimage in Christianity dates back to the days of Jesus, when he made the journey to Jerusalem. Many Christians have been inspired to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land to walk where Jesus walked. Today, many pilgrims have found this contemplative practice appealing for different reasons, all connected to the values that Jesus preached during his time, fellowship, forgiveness, diligence and spiritual growth. The appeal of pilgrimage today is evident in the number of people who make their way to the summit of Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday. Many pilgrims were inspired by St. Patrick who spent 40 days praying, fasting and reflecting there. This conveys the ambition of many pilgrims to keep the founding vision of Christianity flowing through society.Prayer has played a key role in maintaining the appeal of the founding vision of Christianity today. Prayer reflects the human need for a communication with Divine or Spiritual Realities and involves communicating with God. The soul longs for a personal relationship with God because it is loved by God and seeks a relationship with the source of this love. Our relationship with God is nourished through prayer. Christian prayer changes individuals by raising their awareness of the characteristics of being a Christian. It sustains and nourishes Christian’s identity and Christian prayer can lead to a move away from self towards the other, in compassion, charity and a willingness to serve.

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In conclusion, these three ways of Christian worship demonstrates the belief among members of the faith to maintain the values of the founding vision of Christianity. The effect Christian communities have is to breathe new life into the wider community, through living in a small Christian community people may challenge the way things are and how people live.

2. Outline how returning to the founding vision of Christianity was central to the purpose of one of the following : Céili Dé, The evangelical movement of the early 19th century Protestantism, liberation theology, Luther’s reform, the second Vatican Council.

Céili Dé

The Founding vision of the Christian Church is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Céili Dé, the Mendicant orders and Martin Luther attempted to return to this founding vision by initiating reform in the Catholic Church. These reform movements paved the way for the reformation in the Christian Church. Returning to the founding vision of Christianity was central to the purpose of Céili Dé.In the Mid- 8th Century a reform movement began in Ireland. The leaders were called Maelruian and Dudlittir and they called themselves the Céili Dé which means servants of God. They wanted to bring about renewal of the monastic life in Ireland.The Céili Dé was a movement of people who felt a strong calling to put God first in their lives and make themselves true servants of God. It was important to choose God as their ‘ All in life’.The spirituality and way of life of the Céili Dé is best known to us from 3 related texts:

The Monastery of Tallaght Text The Rule of Tallaght The rule of Céili Dé

The Céili Dé set to work to reform the monastic movement from within. They proposed that monastic reform would come about by re-emphasising the importance of prayer, labour and study. The Céili Dé were interested in the general pastoral mission of the Monasteries. They brought a new spirit rather than new structures to the monastic life.The Céili Dé underlined the importance of following the guidance of one’s ‘Anam Chara’ or soul friend. It was through the context of soul

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friendship that private confession took root in the Irish Church and later spread throughout Western Christendom. Reform began in the monastic system in Ireland due to the effect of the reform movement of the Céili Dé.In conclusion, the work of the CeíliDé is considered to be very important in the development of the Monastic Systems in Ireland through time. It reflects the key values of Christianity’s founding vision, as the members proved that by challenging the church and seeing things in a new light, it could lead to a successful change in an aspect of the Faith.

The Mendicant Order

The Mendicant orders developed on urban form of monastic life, which was close to the lifestyle of Jesus as revealed in the Gospels. They had three common characteristics:

As individuals they held no possessions and had the right to beg. All members of a Mendicant order were united, regardless of

location. Pastoral care was the focus of their training

One mendicant order that contributed to the reform of the Church was the Franciscan Order which was founded by Francis of Assisi.Francis came from a wealthy family in Assisi. A number of events prepared him for the discovery of his vocation in the church.

He was injured in a battle between rival cities. One day he met a leper and he gave him all the money he had. He made a pilgrimage to Rome He gave all the money he had away and he exchanged his fine

clothes for those of a beggar man.Not long after Francis returned from Rome, he was praying and he heard a voice saying ‘go Francis and repair my house, which as you can see is falling into ruin’.After hearing the words from the Gospels at mass one day ‘go, possess neither silver nor gold and announce the Kingdom of God’, his life began to change. Francis took these words very seriously and so began to live out his vocation.The feature of this Franciscan Spirituality was to live the whole Gospel from the perspective of poverty. Poverty was their window in the gospel.

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This reform movement was smaller in scale but still helped initiate reform in the church.

Martin Luther

The most major and significant reform movement was that of Martin Luther. This movement contributed greatly to the reformation of the Church.Martin Luther was a German Augustinian Priest who became conscious of the great gap between the life of the early church and the lifestyle displayed by the church leaders of the time.After a near death experience, Martin Luther went through a very dry period where he struggled with the issues of his own salvation. His basic question was, how can I find a merciful God ?This dark experience arose from that deep contradiction in all of us that St. Paul describes in the letter to the Romans: ‘ I do not do good I want, but the evil I do not want to do I do ‘. ( Rom. 7:19 )What Luther saw was that instead of doing the good only out of love and absolute selfishness, even when we do good, there’s ultimately always a secret tendency in us to do what we are doing for our own good.In 1515 Luther had a personal breakthrough, ‘ the one who is righteous will live by faith ‘ ( Romans.1:17 ) Luther began to believe that this meant that the love of God is available to us as a gift if we have faith and that God’s forgiveness is a gift given to those who have faith in Jesus. He does have this one condition, that you believe, that is, that you abandon yourself to him with complete trust. This was Luther’s great and liberating discovery.Luther went on to emphasise the individual freedom that comes through faith. For Luther, the Christian is the most free of all creatures and so the most dutiful of all by helping others to become ‘ Christ to one another ‘. Rooted in Christ, the Christian has to become ‘ Christ for his neighbour.There are three principles associated with Luther:

Sola Scriptura Sola Fide Sola Gratia

In 1517 Luther nailed 95 theses against indulgences and pilgrimages to the door of the Castle Church at Wittenburg. His intention was not to

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rebel against the Church but merely to open this issue for the theological debate. Luther’s desire was to reform the church.He outlined the foundations of his new theology in five treatise:

1. Treatise of good works2. The papacy of Rome3. Address to the German nobility4. Babylonian captivity of the church5. Freedom of a Christian manIn June 1520 Pope Leo X condemned Luther’s views and ordered that his books be burned and he gave him two months to retreat his theories or be guilty of heresy. At the Diet of Worms in 1521 Luther refused to retreat and was excommunicated.Luther stood firm, and in 1521 he was named a heretic. He fled to the castle of Warburg in Saxony and there remained under the protection of Frederick the Wise. Thus began the split between the Roman Catholic Church and Luther and his supporters, which gave rise to the reformation.

Liberation TheologyThe founding vision of Christianity refers to the life death and resurrection of Jesus and that through study and prayer early Christians seek to reflect on how these scriptures speak to them today. This may lead to seeing things in a new way, or to challenging their church from within. This founding vision is a crucial part of the central purpose of Liberation Theology, a movement that believed in standing up for the poor and transforming society.In the document Gaudium et Spes, Christians were challenged to look at the world around them and work to correct situations of injustice. Liberation theology was launched in 1968 at a congress of Latin American Bishops in Medellin in Columbia. They declared that from this point on the church world would be on the side of the poor. They would work to transform the society so that all people could live in dignity and freedom. They called this a ‘preferential option for the poor’. The supporters of Liberation Theology believed that the message of the Gospel is one of Liberation and that Jesus is the great Liberator. By engaging in the process of working for justice, Christians are truly following in the example of Jesus Christ, just like early Christians who live out their interpretation of the founding vision of Christianity. Some activists suffered torture and others were killed in their struggle to

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speak out for the poor. Perhaps the most famous of these were Oscar Romero who was murdered in March 1980.Oscar Romero spoke the truth in a country torn apart by social injustice. He stood for human rights during an era of shocking injustice, violence and torture. However, the brutal dictatorship chose not to listen and he was assassinated for his beliefs. Oscar Romero was born in August 1918 and in 1942 he was ordained a Catholic Priest in Rome. He worked for 20 years in San Miguel. Romero promoted various Apostolic groups, started an alcoholic anonymous group, helped in the construction of Sam Miguel’s Cathedral and supported devotion to the Virgin of the peace.In 1977, he was appointed Archbishop of San Salvador. His appointment was met with surprise and dismay as Marxist priests feared that his conservative reputation would negatively affect liberation theology’s commitment to the poor. Romero’s spiritual journey included characteristics such as love for the Church of Rome, examination of conscience, sincere pity and spiritual direction. On March 12th, a progressive Jesuit priest and personal friend Rutilio Grande was assassinated. In response to his death Romero revealed a radicalism that had not been evident earlier as he spoke against poverty, social justice and assassinations. Romero was killed by a shot to the heart on March 1980. During the funeral, a smoke bomb exploded on the Cathedral square and many people were killed by gunfire. As the gunfire continued, the body was buried in a crypt beneath the sanctuary. Even after the burial, people continued to line up to pay homage to their martyred prelate.In conclusion, the work of Oscar Romero exemplifies how someone who sees the value of the founding vision of Christianity can have a profound effect on the faith of people around him and take an idea like Liberation Theology and put it into fruition. Liberation Theology allows people to challenge the church and see things in a new way, just like Christianity’s founding vision.

3. A. Contemporary music, art, film and literature. Describe one

image of Jesus that is expressed in one of the above sources.

The image of Jesus that I have selected is the image of suffering Christ through the medium of film in ‘The Passion of the Christ ‘. This film truly emphasises the incredible suffering Jesus endured in

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order to save the souls of the human race. The film also portrays the loving, forgiving and understanding character of Jesus Christ.The image most prevalent in the film ‘The Passion of the Christ ‘ is the image of the suffering Christ. We see Jesus suffered both physically and mentally throughout the entire course of the film. Jesus is accused of loving a false prophet, a heretic and is punished accordingly. One aspect of the suffering inflicted on Jesus is the fact that they do not understand the true intention of Jesus, to spread the word of God, that is, a message of love, respect and honour and the fact that he is not treated humanely. In the film we see Satan undermine the magnificent powers of Jesus by trying to interfere with his intellect. ‘ do you really believe that one man can bear the full burden of sin, no one man can carry this burden, I tell you. It is far too heavy. Saving their souls is too costly ‘. However one thing that Jesus possesses away from the relentless suffering is his relationship and faith in God ‘shelter me Lord, I trust in you. In you I take my refuge’. Another aspect of Jesus’ suffering and the one that is most visual is the physical violence he endures. The harshness of the world and the people that inhabited it were blind to the love and kindness of Jesus’ presence and message. Caiaphas the Jewish high priests put Jesus on trial and declared him a blasphemer. The physical hardship that followed and ultimately led to his death was a true testament to the courage and loyalty Jesus upheld as he at no point turned his back on God in order to save himself. This trial seen is extremely hostile. Caiaphas: They say you’re a king. Where is this kingdom of yours ? What type of kings do you descend from ? Speak up ! You’re just the son of some obscure carpenter, no ? Some say you’re Elijah, but he was carried off to heaven in a chariot ! Why don’t you say something ? You’ve been brought here as a blasphemer, what do you say to that ? Defend yourself. Jesus replies by saying ‘ I have spoken openly to everyone. I’ve taught in the temple where we all gathered. Ask those who have heard what I have to say. The temple guard declares ‘ Is that how you address the high priest, with arrogance ?’ and hits Jesus. Jesus states ‘ If I have spoken evil, tell me what evil I have said, but if not, why do you hit me ?.This trial scene demonstrates clearly the hardship and suffering inflicted on Jesus.

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It is clear from the examination of this film that Jesus suffered severe punishment undeserved and was ultimately rejected by those in power at the time. It was the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus had to undertake in order for the nonbelievers to finally understand what his message was. This sacrifice revealed the true characteristics of humanity that must be promoted in order for the race as a whole to progress.

B. Examine the understanding of Jesus expressed in the image described above and discuss its relevance for society today.

There is a profound understanding of the image of Jesus conveyed in Mel Gibson’s film ‘ The passion of the Christ ‘ that of a suffering Christ, which holds extreme relevance today for believers. The themes explored in the film such as love, forgiveness, and sacrifice, hold crucial importance in contemporary society, where there values are required to maintain a peaceful world.The image most prevalent in ‘ The Passion of the Christ’ is the image of the suffering Christ. We see how Jesus suffered both physically and mentally throughout the entire course of the film. Jesus is accused of loving a false prophet, a heretic and is punished accordingly.Christians gain huge strength in the fact that even if a person has to endure extreme suffering in their life, they will be ultimately be delivered to happiness and fulfilment in life and the afterlife. This experience in modern society could only be achieved by Jesus through his demonstration of loyalty and courage to his beliefs to God and to the whole of humanity. Jesus conveys the characteristics that we all strive to achieve and through his suffering and courage we learn what it takes to live a good life.Jesus’ sacrifices and suffering can also be used as an excellent teaching tool for morals in contemporary culture. Combined with modern law, Jesus’ message presents the greatest and most complete guidance of how to live a moral life. Not only does the inspiration of Jesus positively affect believers, it also has a profound effect on those who hold little religious belief or none whatsoever. Everyone can empathise with harsh challenges in life and Jesus’ suffering and victory after death, although an extreme one, fulfils this journey and is a true inspiration to all throughout the informed world. They also

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have a substantial positive effect on a large proportion of Jesus’ message of love, respect, loyalty and faith.In conclusion, the themes that Mel Gibson explores in his film ‘ The Passion of the Christ’ hold great relevance to everyone in the world today. It is a film that emphasises the value of sacrifice and forgiveness as no matter how powerful that sacrifice maybe, ultimately the greater good is crucial and must be willing to accept severe suffering as they will eventually be rewarded.

OR

The image that I will examine as described above is the image of a suffering Christ through the medium of the film ‘ The Passion of the Christ’. The understanding of Jesus in this film truly emphasises the incredible suffering of Jesus endured in order to save the souls of the human race. This film also portrays the loving, forgiving and understanding character of Jesus Christ.The image most prevalent in the film ‘ The Passion of the Christ’ is the image of the suffering Christ. We see Jesus suffered both mentally and physically throughout the film. Jesus is accused of loving a false prophet, a heretic and is punished accordingly.One aspect of the suffering inflicted on Jesus is the fact that they do not understand the true intention of Jesus to spread the word of God that is a message of love, respect and honour and the fact that he is not treated humanely. In the film we see Satan undermine the magnificent powers of Jesus by trying to interfere with his intellect ‘ do you really believe that one man can bear the full burden of sin, no one man can carry this burden. I tell you, it’s far too heavy. Saving their souls is far too costly’.However, one thing that Jesus possesses away from his relentless suffering is his relationship and faith in God. ‘ shelter me God I trust in you, in you I take my refuge.Another aspect of Jesus’ suffering and one that is most visual is the physical violence he endures. The harshness of the world and the people that inhibited it were blind to the love and kindness of Jesus’ message and presence. Caiphais, the Jewish high priest declared Jesus a blasphemer and put him on trial. The physical hardship that followed that ultimately led to his death was a true testament to the courage and loyalty Jesus upheld as at no point did he turn his back on God in order to save himself. This trial is seen as extremely

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hostile. Caiphas: They say you’re a King. Where is this kingdom of yours ? What type of King do you descend from ? You’re just the Son of some obscure carpenter no ? some say you’re Elijah but he was carried off to heaven in a chariot. You’ve been brought here as a blasphemer, what do you say to that ? defend yourself ! Jesus replies by saying ‘ I have spoken openly to everyone. I’ve taught in the temples where we all gathered. Ask those who have heard what I have had to say. The temple guard declares, ‘ is that how you address the high priest with arrogance ?’ and hits Jesus. Jesus says ‘ If I have spoken evil, but if not why do you hit me ? this trial scene demonstrates clearly the hardship and suffering inflicted on Jesus.

It’s clear from this examination of this film Jesus suffered severe punishment undeserved and was ultimately rejected by those in power at the time. It was the ultimate sacrifice Jesus had to make in order for the non-believers to finally to understand what his message was. This sacrifice revealed true characteristics of humanity that must be promoted in order for the race as a whole to progress.This understanding of Jesus has relevance in today’s society and has a profound effect on both believers and non-believers throughout the world. Christians gain huge strength in the fact that even if a person has to endure extreme suffering in their life they will ultimately be delivered to happiness and fulfilment in life, and the afterlife. This strength experience in modern society could only be achieved by Jesus through the demonstration of loyalty and courage to his beliefs to God and to the whole of humanity. Jesus conveys the characteristics that we will strive to achieve and through his suffering and courage we learn what it takes to live a good life and to be true to oneself but also the great achievement and values gained through these sacrifices. Jesus’ sacrifices and suffering can also be used as an excellent teaching tool for morals in contemporary culture. Combined with modern law Jesus’ message presents the greatest and most complete guidance on how to live a moral life.Not only does the inspiration of Jesus positively affect believers it also has a profound effect on those who hold little or no religious beliefs. Everyone can empathise with harsh challenges in life and Jesus suffering and victory after death although an extreme case fulfils this journey that every human at some point undertakes or is subjected to Jesus’ journey through life is indeed a true inspiration to all throughout the informed world and has a substantial positive

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effect on a large proportion of the human race resulting in the proposition of his message of love, respect, loyalty and faith.In conclusion, the themes that Mel Gibson explores in his film ‘ The Passion of the Christ’ hold great relevance to everyone in the world today. It is a film that emphasises the value of sacrifice and forgiveness, as no matter how powerful that sacrifice maybe, ultimately the greater good is crucial and one must be willing to accept severe suffering as they will eventually be rewarded.

4. Examine the inspiration and the relevance of the image described above for culture and society today

The image of Jesus suffering has huge relevance to culture and society today and has a profound effect on both believers and nonbelievers throughout the world.Christians gain huge strength in the fact that even if a person has to endure extreme suffering in their life they will ultimately be delivered to happiness and fulfilment in life, and the afterlife. This strength experience in modern society could only be achieved by Jesus through his demonstration of loyalty and courage to his beliefs to God and to the whole of humanity. Jesus conveys the characteristics that we all strive to achieve and through his suffering and courage we learn what it takes to live a good life and to be true to oneself but also the great achievement and values gained through these sacrifices. Jesus’ sacrifices and suffering can also be used as an excellent teaching tool for morals in contemporary culture. Combined with modern law Jesus’ message presents the greatest and most complete guidance on how to live a moral life.Not only does the inspiration of Jesus positively affect believers it also has a profound effect on those who hold little or no religious beliefs. Everyone can empathise with harsh challenges in life and Jesus suffering and victory after death although an extreme case fulfils this journey that every human at some point undertakes or is subjected to Jesus’ journey through life is indeed a true inspiration to all throughout the informed world and has a substantial positive effect on a large proportion of the human race resulting in the proposition of his message of love, respect, loyalty and faith.

5. Explain why the writings of Josephus and Tacitus are an important source of evidence for Jesus of Nazareth.

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The writings of Josephs and Tacitus are an important source of evidence for Jesus of Nazareth as they provide historical evidence of his teaching and work.Josephus was a Jewish scholar who fought against the Romans in Galilee but surrendered after he was overrun. He wrote about Jesus towards the end of his life, about 60 years after the execution. He recorded Jesus’ presence in terms of Jewish disturbances during the reign of Pontius Pilate. Josephus recognised Jesus’ historical importance as well as his significant contribution to the people he met. Josephus noted that Jesus was a wise man and teacher and wrote about this political trial under Pilate, his execution and his resurrection.Tacitus was a Roman Historian suspicious of Christianity. He first wrote about Jesus after the burning of Rome in 64CE. He wrote that Nero blamed the Christians for the fire but many historians doubt this fact. They also doubt Tacitus’ claim that Nero burnt and executed thousands of Christians. He did not like the Christians and was suspicious of Jesus and the movement behind him. Tacitus wrote about Jesus’ execution and how Christians got their names. The fact that both Tacitus and Josephus, two historians wrote about Jesus proves that, at least in historical terms, Jesus existed.

6. Compare the understanding of Jesus presented in the Gospels with the understanding of him presented in an image in today’s society.

The understanding of Jesus presented in the Gospels and the understanding of him presented in an image in today’s society have huge similarities and some differences.The Gospels tell us about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.According to Matthew’s Gospel Jesus can be seen as a new Moses, ‘ the Messiah, the ‘ anointed one and the ‘son of David ‘. He also showed them a new way of living.The Gospel of Mark describes Jesus as a true Messiah who suffered at the hands of the authorities in Jerusalem. He also showed that Jesus had true feelings like any other human being.

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The Gospel of Luke shows us that Jesus is the Saviour and that he is all loving and forgiving. He has a special place for Mary the mother of Jesus in his Gospel. Prayer also has a very large part to play in his Gospel and prayer played a huge role in the life of Jesus.The Gospel of John shows us that Jesus is a real human being. He identifies with our pains and sorrows and he also identifies with our joys. Jesus is truly the Son of God.Certain interpretations of religion have changed drastically over time. Looking at Christianity specifically, the understanding of Jesus has changed on a broader level. Christianity itself had a much greater impact on society than it does today. In times of hardship, more people looked to the church for inspiration and guidance. The advances and improvements in science over the years have contributed to the decline of the power of Christianity in Ireland. More and more people look to science for answers. They seek the ‘how’ not the ‘why’ are things done.As a result of Christianity’ decline of the understanding of Jesus has changed. However, there are some aspects of the image of Jesus that have not changed as Jesus is described as powerful, loving and forgiving in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John mentioned above. Jesus performed miracles and had the ability to lead a crowd. This has not changed. Christians today still consider Jesus as powerful, loving and forgiving. They still study Jesus’ miracles and his parables today. In modern society less and less people find time to attend mass. So this perception that Jesus is ‘ always there’ is increasingly popular. This was also described in the Gospels. We know that Jesus always took time out to listen to others, and he was always there for people, even those shunned from society. I think this is a very nice aspect of Jesus’ personality and one which we continue to see embraced by modern Christians. People like to know that Jesus is always there.I think the vision of an almighty Jesus has not changed. Jesus, Son of God, was always referred to as almighty in the Gospels and it is something that has continued into modern society. Jesus was also referred to as generous. He sacrificed his own life for the sins of humanity and this is very much upheld today. Even in prayer, Christians will reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and be grateful for it.When we look at contrasting understandings of Jesus we are faced with the issue that more people are atheists or agnostics these days. Many people simply do not believe in Jesus and many others are just unsure. I think that this in itself creates a contrast between modern Jesus and the Jesus described in the Gospels. Christians today have to overcome the

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questions posed by non-believers. Jesus as described in the Gospels was incredibly faithful.I also think that there are certain issues that face the understanding of Jesus when we consider him accepting some people namely gay people who very often feel excluded or not accepted by the church today because of their lifestyle. However, Jesus was known to be accepting of all people in the Gospels so this could create some tension.In conclusion, the understanding of Jesus presented in the Gospels and in modern times has changed due to the changing status of Christianity etc… There are absolutely similarities between the image of Jesus in the Gospels and in modern times, such as his powerful, almighty and caring personality. However, there are contrasts which pose challenges to modern Christian in society today.

OrThe understanding of Jesus is presented in the gospels. The gospels consist of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The gospels tell us about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.The Gospel of St. Matthew tell us that Jesus is the New Moses, ‘ the Messiah’, the ‘ Son of David’ and the ‘ anointed one ‘. Matthew also taught his followers a new way of living.The gospel of St. Mark tells us that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah who suffered at the hands of the authorities in Jerusalem. He informs us that Jesus has feelings like all human beings.The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus is the Saviour who brings God’s love to all people. He also showed Jesus as someone who brings love and forgiveness to all. His gospel has a special place for Mary the mother of Jesus. Another aspect that is very important in this gospel is prayer.The gospel of St. John helps us to see Jesus as a real human being and that our pain and burdens are shared. Also our joys and good times are shared. It also shows Jesus as the real Son of God.The understanding of Jesus presented in an image today is the image of a loving and forgiving God. Today sin is more common due to the world we live in, lies, stealing etc… are more common especially with the recession and people being more materialistic than spiritual and the financial burden placed on people, leading to more benefit fraud etc… but people know that God is loving and forgiving God and when their material things are gone the void inside awaiting to be filled can sometimes bring people back to their religion. Knowing God will forgive them for them losing their way, they repent and realise that material

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items were not as important as they thought but the relationship between God and themselves is the most important thing. Similarly to materialism, agnosticism is a problem in modern society today. With increasing knowledge in science people’s beliefs are expanding and no longer put religion before science, leading to decreasing numbers of church goers. Agnosticism is not atheism. It’s not the disbelief in God but the belief in maybe there is a God. An agnostic person often find it difficult to pray but if someone is sick or they need guidance they will often find themselves praying because deep down they know God loves them no matter what.As said above the image of God being a loving and forgiving God as in the Gospel of Luke is related to the world today because with all the wars and horror in the world it is nice to feel connected to something of goodness, which is what God is.

7. Describe the characteristics of the Kingdom of God as preached by Jesus

There are four main characteristics of the Kingdom of God as preached by Jesus. They are the Kingdom of God in prayers, miracles, parables and the meals of Jesus.One of the characteristics of the Kingdom of God is prayers. Jesus was a deviant Jew. He told people clearly what he saw as the heart of the law: ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.Jesus claimed a very special and intimate relationship with God. We can best understand this when we look at the term ‘ Abba ‘. He proclaimed a God who was loving, caring and understanding. He spoke of God as being always present. God was not distant, harsh or judgemental. The prayer most closely associated with Jesus is the Lord’s prayer.Another characteristic of the Kingdom of God is Miracle. The miracles of Jesus reminded the followers of how special he was and how God spoke through him, and continued to do so through the early church. The first thing that people discovered about Jesus was the healing power of the divine spirit. His very person and presence are depicted in the gospels as magnets that draw people out of the shadows and corners into which they have been pushed. ‘ that evening at sundown, they brought to him all those who were sick or possessed demons, and the whole city was gathered together about the door, and he healed many

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who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons ‘. Those miraculous healings were part of the coming of God’s kingdom. In the words of Moltmann ‘The Kingdom of the loving God drives out the germs of death and spreads the seeds of life ‘.Another characteristic of the Kingdom of God is Parables. A parable is a story with a meaning. A parable must draw from the lived experience of those listening. It seeks a change in the thinking of the listeners and asks them to question their behaviour. Jesus used parables regularly as a teaching tool and as a way of communicating with those who would listen. Through the parables, Jesus gave value to the experience of those who listened. The parables often confronted those who heard them with strange realities, requiring them to reflect and examine their own lives. In his parables, Jesus calls his listeners to Metanoia. Through his parables Jesus invited people to choose peace over violence, to include rather than exclude, to share rather than to hoard, and to know God as a loving God. The parable speaks of the kingdom of God as a place where the sick will be healed and the poor will be cared for – a place of justice, compassion and forgiveness. ‘In the Kingdom of God … the last will be first and the first will be last ‘.The final characteristic of the Kingdom of God is the meals of Jesus. Both Jesus’ presence and his actions at particular meals are significant. Christians remember Jesus and worship God through the celebration of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is a sacred meal, where we remember the last supper. In John’s gospel it is recorded that before eating with his followers Jesus washed their feet as a sign that service is the way of the Lord. He asked them to do this in memory of Him. The kingdom of God would be inclusive, forgiving, loving, just a place where the poor and the sick would find peace. Jesus challenged people to renew and restore their relationship with God. In his vision, the poor, the orphan, the widow, the sick would all share equally in the blessings of God. He sought to restore the relationship between God and the people. He ate with the poorest of the poor. He shared with them and, in doing so, proclaimed the Kingdom of God. Jesus challenged the accepted connection with wealth and God’s blessings.

8. Evaluate today’s world in terms of the values of the Kingdom of God.

In today’s culture religion has been pushed to one side for the most part. Today the focus is on money and material possessions.

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In the present climate, religion, for some people is no longer the centre of people’s lives. They only go to church occasionally for Christmas and Easter or turn to God in prayer when a family member is ill, or to seek guidance and strength from a God they once knew and now neglect.This decrease in attendance in church and the neglecting of religion is mainly to do with the society we live in. We live in a society that is dominated by consumerism and materialism. For many, the shopping centre has become the place of worship. Many people care more about materialistic objects than God. In today’s world choosing gospel values is a demanding choice.

9. Write an essay tracing the events of Calvary from the arrest of Jesus to his resurrection from the dead. Make reference both to the historical events and their religious significance.

The events of Calvary from the arrest of Jesus to his resurrection from the dead, is hugely significant for us to having a full understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Throughout his life Jesus challenged those in power. He proclaimed the Kingdom of God. In doing this he was perceived by the Romans as challenging the rule of Ceasar. In God’s Kingdom, everything would be different ‘the first would be last and the last would be first ‘. The kingdom of God would mean radical changes for those who embraced it. From the Roman point of view he was charged with treason and condemned to death by crucifixion.There are many indications in the Gospels that there was mounting tension around Jesus and his followers as he had come into conflict with the Pharisees more than once. After three years travelling the countryside Jesus came into the jurisdiction of those whom he had fundamentally challenged. By coming to Jerusalem he was challenging both to the Roman authorities and the Jewish authorities.In the last days Jesus entered the temple and overturned the tables on the money changers. He cleansed the temple of those who used it for personal economic gain. Jesus called for the renewal of the covenant between Yahweh and the people of God. Part of this renewal was the restoration of the temple as a place where the covenant was honoured.On the Thursday evening before the great feast of Passover, Jesus shared a private meal with his closest friends. It was held in a room loaned to them by a follower in Jerusalem. This event is known as the Last Supper. At the end of the meal Jesus said a prayer of thanksgiving

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to God for the meal they had shared. He then took the bread, blessed and broke it, gave some to his friends and said : this is my body given for you, do this in memory of me ( Luke 22:19 )After the last Supper, Jesus and his disciples went outside the city to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It was at this point that Judas arrived with a contingent of temple guards to arrest Jesus. Judas had told the guards the one who I kiss is Jesus. He went up to Jesus and kissed him. The disciples of Jesus were prepared to fight for him but Jesus stopped it.There is disagreement as to the exact charge they had against Jesus. It is clear that he faced Pontius Pilate. It seems that Jesus was either charged with Blasphemy or Treason. He was accused of claiming to be the Son of God the Messiah. The other possibility is that Jesus was charged with the threatening of the destruction of the temple.The Jewish leaders wanted the Romans to execute Jesus for them, and so had to convince Pilate that Jesus posed a danger to Roman rule. Jesus was put on trial because the delegation from the Sanhedrin accused Jesus of Treason which was the most serious political offence.During the trial of Jesus Pilate tried to save Jesus from death so he came up with what he thought was a monster strike. He offered the crowd to set free Jesus or a violent criminal called Barabbas. Pilate was surprised when the crowd shouted for Barabbas to be set free. Pilate was forced to set Barabbas free in order to avoid a riot. Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion.Jesus then carried the cross through the streets of Jerusalem with a crown of thorns made by mocking soldiers on his head. He was nailed to the cross and soon died. His body was placed in a tomb with a big bolder outside.A few days after his death, on what is known to Christians as Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead. He made appearances to his disciples and told them to spread the message of his Resurrection and he then ascended into heaven.The gospels tell us of the empty tomb, and appearances by the changed but recognisable figure of Jesus. These appearances along with the empty tomb are the only evidence of his resurrection. Few people today would accept this evidence. Many would argue against its validity. However, belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ cannot be based on historical evidence. Belief of the resurrection is a statement of faith. What we can say is that the story of Jesus did not end at the cross. Something extraordinary happened after Jesus’ death.

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It is clear from the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus that there are many historical and religious events. The historical events are mainly based on facts while the religious events are based on faith and belief. But what we do know is that these few days of events helped in the development of Christianity. Today the death and resurrection of Jesus is the centre of the Christian religion.

10.Explain why the Roman political authorities in Palestine were threatened by the teaching of Jesus.

There are many reasons why the Roman political authorities in Palestine at the time of Jesus were threatened by his teachings. This is very evident from the preaching and teaching during the three years and then returning to Jerusalem. It was during the feast of the Passover and the city would have been busy with crowds of worshippers. Jesus threatened Roman Power as he proclaimed the Kingdom of God. He was perceived by Romans as challenging the rule of Caesar. As in God’s Kingdom everything would be different, the first will be last and the last will be first, the poor will be blessed and the suffering would rejoice. The Kingdom of God would bring radical changes for those who would embrace it.There are many indications in the Gospels that Jews were aware of the mounting tension around him and his followers. He had, at this stage come into conflict with the Pharisees more than once because his interpretation of the Spirit of the law often conflicted with the very literal interpretation of the law.By arriving to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday greeted by the masses waving palm branches and singing Hosanna instilled fear into the authorities, even though his large band of followers had dwindled to the most loyal and afraid and nervous of what might happen, they were still large enough to challenge power.On Monday of Holy Week Jesus entered the Temple and overturned the tables on the money changers, cleansing the temple of those who used it for personal gain, stating it was a place of worship. This threatened the authorities as source of income came from the money changers.On Tuesday of Holy Week Jesus returned to the temple to preach for the renewal of the covenant between Yahweh and his people, where the restoration of the temple was a place where the covenant was honoured, the Sanhedrin, fearing loss of control wished to catch Jesus out for either treason or blasphemy. They asked him ‘ who do you pay your

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takes to ?’ to which Jesus replied ‘ pay God what belongs to God and pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar ‘.On the Wednesday of Holy week Judas, the betrayer, met in secret with the Sanhedrin, claiming he would sell Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver, a deal the authorities took and on Holy Thursday evening in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus was arrested, put to trial and condemned to death by crucifixion.Jesus was sentenced to death because the authorities were ignorant and feared his message. Many believed he had come to save them from Roman Rule, which would make a foreign power nervous seeing Jesus’ Word being spread throughout occupied territory.In conclusion, it’s easy to see why the Romans feared the Rabbi of Galilee who was spreading messages of peace and freedom and would have to act swiftly and decisively to end any attempt to revolt whether it was peaceful or otherwise.

11.Outline two key achievements and two key difficulties in the search for Christian unity

Christianity is flourishing in many parts of the world. However the history of Christianity is not without its dark side. Lives have been lost in the name of religion. It has also led to a number of schisms. Suspicion and resentments have characterised the relationships between different denominations. It is clear from the examination of Christianity that efforts have been made in order to mend the broken relationships between the different denominations. Two achievements in the search for this unity are the world council of Churches and also in Catholic Orthodox dialogue. Two difficulties in the search for Christian unity are the issue of same sex marriages and the ordination of women to priesthood.The efforts for trying to achieve greater unity between the multiple Christian denominations ultimately results in ecumenism. It seeks to create unity, respect and understanding among all Christian religions. The works of the WCC is ecumenical in nature. The council sees education as a means of working towards unity among Christians. The council seeks to focus on what Christian denominations share in common and from there tries to develop a greater bond between the churches. They highlight the common and most important factor of Christianity that faith in Jesus Christ. The WCC faith order commission has been succeeded in working

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towards consensus on Baptism, Eucharist, Ministry, on the date of Easter, on the nature and purpose of the church and on ecumenical hermeneutics.Another aspect of ecumenism where significant achievements have been achieved is Catholic Orthodox dialogue. In the year 2506 there was a resumption of a series of meetings for the logical dialogue between representatives of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches suspended because of the failure, each again on like questions of the Eastern Catholic Churches, a question exacerbated by disputes over churches and other proposals that the communist authorities once assigned to the Orthodox Church but whose restoration of these churches have been obtained from the authority. In other areas around the world such as in the Catholic and Orthodox churches the bishops in North America are engaged in on - going dialogue.Both the World Council of Churches and Catholic Orthodox Churches dialogue has resulted in greater understanding to all Christians such as lively co-operation in prayer services during the week of prayer foe Christian Unity, education of peace programmes and courses in ecumenical studies.Even though there have been many great achievements in the search for Christian unity there is significant difficulties that have also arose which highlights the differences between Christian denomination on the issue of same sex marriages and the ordination of women.Contemporary developments in mainline Protestant Churches have dealt a serious blow to ecumenism and Christianity. The decision by the U.S. Episcopal Church to ordain Gene Robinson a practising homosexual who accolades some same sex blessings as bishops, led the Russian Orthodox Church to suspend its co-operation with the ‘ Episcopal Church’ , where the church of Sweden decided to bless same sex marriages, the Russian Patriarchal severed all relations with the church noting that ‘ Approving the same sex marriages is a serious blow to the entire system of European Spiritual and moral values influenced by Christians.Another area of difficulty between Christian churches is the ordination of women. In the Catholic Church under the Holy Cannon Law only baptised men can validly be consecrated in ordination. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that this requirement is a matter that during the law in 2007 the Vatican issued a decree saying that the ordination of women would result in

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automatic excommunication for the women and the priests trying to ordain them. While Catholic Churches are completely against the ordination of women the Protestant churches such as the Methodist church allow the ordination of women. Today over half of all American priests are ordained women but there are some restrictions to those ordained women.It is clear that there have been both great achievements and also great difficulties in the search for Christian unity. Working on these achievements and difficulties will continue well into the future and as long as there is dialogue progress will be made.

12.Compare the understanding of Jesus presented in the Gospels with the understanding of him presented in an image today.

Certain interpretations of religion have changed drastically over time. Looking at Christianity specifically, the understanding of Jesus has changed on a broader level. Christianity itself had a much greater impact on society than it does today. In times of hardship, more people looked to the church for inspiration and guidance. The advances and improvements in science over the years have contributed to the decline of the power of Christianity in Ireland. More and more people look to science for answers. They seek the ‘how’ not the ‘why’ are things done.As a result of Christianity’s decline, the understanding of Jesus has changed. Jesus is described as powerful in the gospels. He created miracles and had the ability to lead a crowd. This has not changed. Christians today still consider Jesus as powerful. They still study Jesus’ miracles and his parable today.In modern society less and less people find time to attend mass. So this perception that Jesus is ‘ always there ‘ is increasingly popular. This was also described in the Gospels. We know that Jesus always took time out to listen to others, and he was always there for people, even those shunned from society. I think this is a very nice aspect of Jesus personality and one which we continue to see embraced by modern Christians. People like to know that Jesus is always there.I think the vision of an almighty Jesus has not changed. Jesus, Son of God, was always referred to as almighty in the gospels and it is something that has continued into modern society. Jesus was also referred to as generous. He sacrificed his own life for the sins of humanity and this is very much upheld today. Even in prayer, Christians will reflect on Jesus sacrifice and be grateful for it.

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When we look at contrasting understandings of Jesus we are faced with the issue that more people are atheists or agnostics these days. Many people simply do not believe in Jesus and many others are just unsure. I think that this in itself creates a contrast between modern Jesus and the Jesus described in the gospels. Christians today have to overcome the questions posed by non- believers. Jesus as described in the gospels was incredibly faithful.I also think that there are certain issues that face the understanding of Jesus when we consider him accepting some people namely gay people feel excluded or not accepted by the church today because of their lifestyle. However Jesus was known to be accepting of all people in the gospels so this could create some tension.In conclusion, the understanding of Jesus presented in the gospels and in modern times has changed due to the changing status of Christianity etc… there are absolutely similarities between the image of Jesus in the gospels and in modern times, such as his powerful, almighty and caring personality. However, there are contrasts which pose challenges to modern Christians in society today.

13.Explain why the writings of Josephus and Tacitus are an important source of evidence for Jesus of Nazareth.

The writings of Josephus and Tacitus are important sources of evidence for Jesus of Nazareth as they provide historical evidence of his teaching and work.Josephus was a Jewish scholar who fought against the Romans in Galilee but surrendered after he was over run. He wrote about Jesus towards the end of his life, about 60 years after the execution. He recorded Jesus’ presence in terms of Jewish disturbance during the reign of Pontius Pilate. Josephus recognised Jesus’ historical importance as well as his significant contribution to the people he met. Josephus noted that Jesus was a wise man and teacher and wrote about this political trial under Pilate, his execution and his resurrection.Tacitus was a Roman Historian suspicious of Christianity. He first wrote about Jesus after the Burning of Rome in 64CE. He wrote that Nero blamed the Christians for the fire but many historians doubt this fact. They also doubt Tacitus’ claim that Nero burnt and executed thousands of Christians. He did not like the Christians and was suspicious of Jesus and the movement behind him. Tacitus wrote about Jesus’ execution and how Christians got their names. The fact that both

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Tacitus and Josephus, two historians, wrote about Jesus proves that, at least in historical terms, Jesus existed.

14. Examine how the work of members in one Christian

denomination today carries on the mission of Jesus.

I believe that the members of the Salvation Army try to carry out the Mission of Jesus Christ in today’s world. The Salvation Army is a unique Christian Denomination with its belief rooted in Methodist Traditions. The main message of Jesus was to help others, to lend a hand to those shunned from society. The Salvation Army is known worldwide for its necessary work to the poor and victims of disasters. They battle against poverty, addiction and homelessness in the name of Jesus Christ. They do lots of work including feeding the poor, aids recovery from natural disasters and help the sick.They also do much work for both the young and old in society. They are responsible for setting up various kids club in disadvantage areas and run tutoring programmes for teenagers who leave school early. The Salvation Army also do work worldwide. Its members run H.I.V / Aids clinics in Africa, homeless services, and homes for abandoned and orphaned children in Mexico.For the members of the Salvation Army, the driving force for all this good work is the Christian Message. The Bible is their sacred Text and by helping the disadvantaged in society, they are truly living out the Gospel Message. In their work, Salvationists don’t criticise or judge other denominations or non- Christian religions, but work co-operatively towards common goals. This also embodies Jesus’ message. Although they do not practice sacraments in their church, they believe that one’s whole life is a sacrament, in dedication to Christ.In conclusion, the message of Jesus Christ was to give a voice to the voiceless in society. He was non-judgemental and helpful to those who were sick or poor. One Christian denomination that lives out this message is the Salvation Army. The members of this denomination do lots of work both at home and abroad for those who are in need. They are not judgemental and hold the message of Jesus Christ as their driving force for work.

OR

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Outline one way in which work done by a Christian denomination today carries out the work of Jesus.

One way in which work done by a Christian denomination today carries on the mission of Jesus can be seen very clearly through the WCC the world council of churches. Jesus invited people to choose peace over violence, to include rather than exclude, to share rather than to hoard, and to know God as a loving God.The WCC is one that works towards reconciliation and forgiveness. These were central to the teachings of Jesus. The goal of ecumenism is to bring about tolerance and mutual respect among Christians. The work of the world council of churches is ecumenical in nature. It aims to bring about peace and understanding between different faiths. The WCC has a special team that deals with relations between different religions. It promotes contact between Christians and people from other faiths. It aims to build trust and for people to find solutions to common challenges through dialogue. The council sees education as a means of working towards unity among all Christians. Perhaps the most powerful example of ecumenism in action is where different denominations within local communities work and pray together in a spirit of tolerance and respect. The path to Christian unity is not always smooth. Christian denominations differ in their understanding and interpretation of a variety of social and religious issues. This can lead to some difficulties; for example:

The issue of married clergy The ordination of women to the priesthood The understanding of Eucharist and teachings on marriage are

some of the controversial areas of difference between the Christian churches.However, despite the difficulties there are many key achievements that have come about:

New friendships established Improvement in the understanding and acceptance of regulations

regarding mixed marriages On- going serious theological dialogue Lively co-operation in prayer services during the week of prayer

for Christian unity. Active participation by women of all denominations in the annual

women’s world’s day of prayer etc…

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Educating for peace programmes Courses in ecumenical studies Conferences, exhibitions organised jointly.

In conclusion, the ecumenical movement carries on the mission of Jesus today. The council produced a document on ecumenism, in which the Catholic Church recognised the work of the Holy Spirit in the other Christian churches. It is neither likely nor desirable that the many Christian Churches will unify into one homogeneous Church. Diversity and multiplicity are recognised as creative expressions of Christianity in our world. The goal of ecumenism is to bring about tolerance and mutual respect among Christians. ‘ In Christ all are equal; there should be no distinction or discrimination made in terms of religion. In Christ there is neither ‘Jew nor Greek’. There are no distinctions made between those of differing religious beliefs and no one should suffer because of their beliefs ‘.

15. Describe how Jesus is understood and represented in contemporary culture. Assess to what extent this representation is true to the historical life of Jesus.

In today’s contemporary culture Jesus is represented and understood in many different forms for we are in a period of Christological ferment unmatched since the first century when he first appeared. Like the first century church reflected in the New Testament we once again have the pluralism of Christologies or different ways of understanding Christ’s significance and identity while remaining united in the confession of our faith. Like the Christians of the first century, we too are being called to write the good news in an idiom suitable to our time and place.In today’s culture Jesus is seen as the ‘ Cosmic Christ ‘ and Saviour figure, after all, what is it that human beings need saving from ? In answer to this question, we can then ask in what way does Jesus Christ fulfil this criteria today ? In earlier times, the answers seemed so simple: people felt the need to be ‘ saved ‘ from the devil of sin. It was understood that this was why Jesus came into the world. However, this seems to us today, at best, a partial response to people’s existential concerns. It may well be argued that people need to rekindle their sense of sin and guilt in order to appreciate the saving role of Christ. Nevertheless, it may be more helpful to admit that people today need to relate to Jesus in terms of their own experience of the world and life today. This is the transcendental representation of Christ.

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Political representation also begins with reflection on human experience, but, rather, than focus on the ‘ transcendental longings ‘ of human beings, they point to the dark realities of suffering and oppression, that inscribe our earthly existence. The real world in which Christians live, it is suggested, is a world marked by torture and death – camps, ecological crisis of starving peoples, the experience of the holocaust and the threat of nuclear war, the exploitation of women and the near extermination of entire cultures, gross misuse of political power and sheer capitalistic greed. These forces of negativity and corruption – the forces of evil – impoverish whole societies of human beings and threaten our very planet with extinction. Consequently, political understanding has no difficulty in admitting that the world stands in need of ‘salvation’. Their question is not whether human beings are in search of a saving figure but given our evident need to be saved and liberated, how does Jesus Christ fulfil this role ? how does the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazereth, enable us to transform this situation of ‘ death ‘ into a situation of ‘life’ ? and there is a sense of urgency in their questioning and understanding.The representation of Jesus as a liberator is most poignant in third –world countries where poverty, corruption and all forms of human, injustice reign supreme. The specific image of Jesus the liberator arose in small base-community churches of Latin America in response to the extreme violence which seemed to be the fruit of some hundred years of ‘ Christian Colonization ‘. Just as 1968 was the year of peace marches and anti-war demonstrations in wealthy, capitalist ‘ Northern Nations ‘ it was also a time of raised hope and consciousness in the peoples of the poor, dependent ‘ nations of the south ‘, the Catholic Bishops of Latin America met in Medellin Columbia and produced a challenging document on the situation of poverty and injustice that was all throughout the continent. Specifically the Medellin Document recognised the intimate link between ‘ liberation’ and ‘redemption ‘ they proclaimed that ‘ all liberation is an anticipation of the complete redemption brought by Christ ‘. The bishops also spoke of the priority of ‘ option for the poor ‘, which marked Jesus’ own earthly life and should therefore be central to Christian life and ministry.In conclusion, today’s understanding and representation of Jesus Christ can find its roots in the historical truth of Jesus’ life from the understanding of him being a Saviour, a liberator or as a metaphor of political reality each concept holds truth somewhere within his life.

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In this essay I will compare the contemporary understanding of Jesus with his historical life.Out world is a very complex place and Christians are faced with many conflicting and confusing messages. They are called on to remain faithful to the vision of Jesus Christ to the Kingdom of God of which he spoke. The Kingdom of God is a basic way of living based on Jesus’ teaching of justice, truth, peace and love. Often in a hostile or indifferent environment, Christians are faced with many different situations of injustice, destruction of the earth, greed, discrimination and violence. The message of Jesus offers those who seek it, a way of living that aims to bring about the Kingdom of God. In order to understand a little of how Jesus responded to violence of all kinds, we turn to the New Testament and we see there how violence is about power. The desire for power over others or over things dominate our world today. The violence of oppression, the injustices created by poverty and the gap between the rich and the poor. The second stage is of rebellion. This may be the rebellion of those who are opposed or of those who wish to work for a more just world for all. This may be organised rebellion, like the anti-apartheid movement. This third and final stage is the violence of repression. This type of violence is used to quell the violence of rebellion. The violence of rebellion needs to be met with justice and respect for all involved or else it will lead to a spiralling of violence within society. Throughout the historical life of Jesus there are many biblical texts that show Jesus as tolerant of all, regardless of social classes, religious importance, wealth or gender. In fact Jesus went out of his way to be with the poor, the sick, and the marginalised. For Jesus, the truly good person is someone who acts justly, loves tenderly, and walks humbly with their God for the good of others. This way of living would transform the world and bring about the Kingdom of God.

16. Compare the way the Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes and Zealots reacted to Roman Rule in Palestine at the time of Jesus.

The four main socio-political groups in Palestine at the time of Jesus – The Sadducees, The Pharisees, The Essenes, and The Zealots all reacted differently to the Roman Rule.The Sadducees were the most influential group in terms of wealth and power. They were very wealthy and dominated the Sanhedrin. They

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accepted Roman Rule, and were satisfied with the Political system in place at the time. They adopted a non-Jewish lifestyle and lived out the Torah literally. In contrast to this the Pharisees rejected Roman Rule. They were laymen. They were in charge of the local synagogues. They were expecting the Messiah to come and free them from Roman rule and establish a New Kingdom. They felt that the only way to ensure the survival of God’s chosen people was to follow the law of Moses. They lived out the 10 commandments:

1. Thou shalt not kill.2. They shalt not steal.3. Thou shalt not commit adultery.4. Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain.5. Thou shalt not have false Gods.6. Thou shalt not cove thy neighbour’s wife.7. Thou shalt not covet your neighbour’s goods.8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.9. Keep Holy the Sabbath.10.Hour your father and mother.

Also rejecting Roman Rule was the essences. They were a community of monks, who lived strict, simple, isolated lives. They also felt that they were being corrupted by outside forces.Finally there was the radical group known as the Zealots. They rejected Roman Rule. They hated the Sadducees for working with the Romans. They felt that they could use violence if their religion was being threatened. They caused huge unrest among the Jewish people.In conclusion, out of the 4 socio-political groups at the time of Jesus only one saw fit to accept Roman Rule while the other three were against it. Some saw to reject it by waiting to be freed, to isolate themselves from its reach or even to fight its control because they saw Rome as a foreign body trying to impose its will on a people who didn’t necessarily want or need it.

17.Outline how the first Christians were affected by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The First Christians were affected by the death and Resurrection of Jesus. Many lost hope and felt desolate inside, hollow. Many ran away fearing prosecution for a new hopeless cause and many more were left wondering what it had all been about. Their leader was dead, the man

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who had said he would always be beside them, had seemingly failed in that promise, he had died and with his death, so too did his message die. However, with the Resurrection of Jesus they were filled with hope and reaffirmed in their faith, setting forth to spread the Lord’s work. There is no physical evidence of the Resurrection, only an empty tomb and appearances by a changed but recognisable Jesus.Many Critics would claim there is no proof to validate the story, however the belief in the Resurrection is a matter of faith and for the early Christians Faith was all they had needed and this in clear in the letters to the Corinthians, 15:3-8 Paul wrote about how he was visited by a changed Jesus and given the task of continuing his work. ‘ Go forth and baptise all nations in the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit ‘ and to remember that Jesus would always be with them.In rising from the dead, Jesus defeated death itself and was reborn anew showing he was truly the Son of God, solidifying his followers faith in him and that he would lead them to Salvation, never leaving their side.In conclusion, early Christians must have been confused and upset with Jesus’ death, feeling they had lost all hope, but in his Resurrection they learned a valuable lesson, that through pain and suffering one would be born anew in the next life, that you must endure all pain in order to truly be free.

18.Explain why the Roman Political Authorities in Palestine were threatened by the teachings of Jesus.

There are many reasons why the Roman Political Authorities in Palestine at the time of Jesus were threatened by his teachings. This is very evident from the preaching and teaching during the three years and then returning to Jerusalem at the end of his life. It was during the feast of the Passover and the city would have been busy with crowds of worshippers. Jesus threatened Roman Power as he proclaimed the Kingdom of God, perceived by Romans as challenging the rule of Caesar. As in God’s Kingdom everything would be different, the first last and the last first, the poor blessed and the suffering would rejoice, the Kingdom of God would bring radical changes for those who embraced it.There are many indications in the Gospels that Jews were aware of the mounting tension around him and his followers. He had, at this stage come into conflict with the Pharisees more than once because his

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interpretation of the Spirit of the law often conflicted with the very literal interpretation of the law.By arriving in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday Jesus was greeted by masses of people waving palm tree branches rejoicing ‘ Hosanna ‘. This instilled fear into the authorities, even though his large band of followers had divided to the most loyal and afraid and nervous of what might happen. They were still large enough to challenge their power.On Monday of Holy Week Jesus entered the temple and over turned the tables on the money changers, cleansing the temple of those who used it for personal gain, stating it was a place of worship, thus threatened the authorities as some of their income came from the money changers.On Tuesday of Holy Week Jesus returned to the temple to preach for the renewal of the covenant between Yahweh and his people, where the restoration of the temple was a place where the covenant was honoured, the Sanhedrin, fearing loss of control wished to catch Jesus out and have him arrested for treason or blasphemy. So he asked Jesus ‘ who do you pay your taxes to ?’ To which Jesus replied ‘ pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar and pay God what belongs to God.On the Wednesday of Holy Week Judas, the betrayer, met in secret with the Sanhedrin, claiming he would sell Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver, a deal the authorities took and so on Holy Thursday at the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus was arrested, put on trial and condemned to death by crucifixion. Jesus was sentenced to death because the authorities were ignorant and feared his message. Many believed he had come to save them from Roman Rule, which would make a foreign power nervous when a nationalist freely spreads through occupied territory.In conclusion, it’s easy to see why the Romans feared the Rabbi of Galilee who was spreading messages of peace and freedom would act simply and decisively to end any attempt to revolt whether it was peaceful or otherwise.

ORThe Roman Political Authorities in Palestine were threatened by the teachings of Jesus for many reasons. At this time the Sanhedrin were the ruling Jewish Council and were allowed to have their own temple guards, work in a court of law and punish Jews who broke the law. They were made up of two rival groups the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The Sadducees accepted Roman rule, they were wealthy and dominated the Sanhedrin , they adopted a non-Jewish lifestyle and they

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lived out the Torah literally. The Pharisees rejected Roman rule, they were in charge of the local synagogues, and they were awaiting the Messiah to come to free them from Roman rule and to establish a new Kingdom and they lived out the 10 commandments.On Palm Sunday Jesus arrived in Jerusalem greeted by his devout followers. They were waving branches and singing Hosanna. This gained the attention of the authorities as Jesus had a large enough band of followers to challenge their authority and upset the status quo.They were first threatened by Jesus on Monday of Holy Week when Jesus went into the temple and upturned all the tables telling the people that the temple was a place of worship and not a place for trading. The authorities had given the people permission to trade and then Jesus comes along and questions their authority by sending the traders out of the temple. What Jesus did in the temple really infuriated the authorities as he had overruled their judgement in allowing those people to occupy the temple in exchange for a percentage of the profit made. It also gave them cause as Jesus could be the architect of their fall.Another reason Jesus’ teachings threatened the Sanhedrin was on Tuesday of Holy Week, adding insult to injury Jesus returned to the temple to preach and gained the attention of quite a crowd, amongst them were the Sanhedrin, who fearing his words sought to catch him out either for blasphemy or treason and so asked Jesus ‘ who do you pay your taxes to ?’ to which Jesus replied ‘ pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar and pay God what belongs to God. His reply showed that he was ready for any attack aimed at him and further proved to the Sanhedrin that he had to be removed before he could cause any more damage.In conclusion, Jesus’ teachings proved threatening to the political authorities of Palestine as they shone a light on their corruption and upset their political security and dominance. Jesus was the wild card that could make or break the game and the Sanhedrin sought to put him out of commission before he could be drawn.

19. Describe what happened when Jesus was brought for trial before either the Sanhedrin or Pontius Pilate and explain why the trial took place.

On Good Friday Morning Jesus was brought for trial before Pontius Pilate, because the Jewish Council bound by law could not sentence Jesus to death, however, Pilate the Roman Governor at the time of Jesus could and so they brought Jesus before him, but first, they had to prove

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Jesus was a threat to the wellbeing of Pilate’s rule and so they claimed he had proclaimed himself the Messiah, the Son of God, and the King of the Jews. They also relayed to Pilate that Jesus had preached to the people not to pay their taxes to Caesar. Finally they claimed that Jesus was indeed a threat that would possibly end in revolt. This can be seen in Luke: 23, 2 – 5 : ‘ we found this fellow corrupting the nation, forbidding people to pay taxes to Caesar, saying himself is Christ the King ‘ Pilate asked him ‘ Are you the King of the Jews ?’ Jesus said ‘ It is as you say ‘ finding no fault Pilate said ‘ I find no fault in this man ‘. But they were the more fierce, saying ‘ he stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place ‘.However, Pilate could not find Jesus guilty of the crimes presented against him and as it was the custom on the day of the Passover, one criminal would be set free. Pilate symbolically washed his hands of the situation and gave control over to the crowd with a choice to either set Jesus free or a criminal called Barabbas. The crowd chanted ‘ Set Barabbas Free’ and in doing so sealed Jesus fate, he was to be sent to execution by crucifixion on the hill of Calvary after being flogged.In conclusion, Jesus was brought to trial because those who fought against him wished his death and to achieve this he had to be charged with treason.

20.A. Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica. Examine the problems faced by the early Christians in one of the above places when the Christian community was becoming established there.

B. Outline one way in which the members in early Christian community out the teaching of Jesus into practice in their lives.

a. Philippi Community: the early Christians faced a lot of problems while the community was being established. The city of Philippi was of great importance in the Roman Province of Macedonia. The community believed greatly in the power of the message of Jesus Christ. They wanted to spread the message and did this by gathering together into small groups to pray, preach and break bread together. The community wanted to live a Christian life. In doing this they helped the weak and needy in their community. This selfless love and mutual service embodied Jesus’ message of love and service to neighbours. The characteristics of the community were:

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They were the first European community. They were joyful and happy. They were generous. They often split into many factions. Their views differed on the adherence to the Jewish law.

While the community was joyful and tried to embody Jesus’ message of love they also experienced many difficulties such as they suffered persecution from non-believers. This was the biggest threat to any Christian community at that time due to the extent of the persecution Jesus himself received having been condemned to his death by crucifixion. This fear of persecution was overcome by Jesus’ resurrection which caused many believers to feel his presence to guide them through all of the problems the community was to face from early Christianity and even now in modern Christian communities.

B. The teaching of Jesus was central to the lives of the members of the Philippi community. The Philippi community believed greatly in the power of the message of Jesus. Jesus’ main message was to love others and to treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. The Philippi community lived out this message and they did this by the same way Jesus did, prayer, preaching, teaching and helping others.The members of the Philippi community got together into small groups and regularly prayed. Prayer was thought by Jesus to betters one’s relationship with God. Prayer is having a conversation with God. Members of the Philippi community would have prayed for many reasons, such as to ask for guidance as the community was only starting off and was the 1st in Europe. This means they would have faced a lot of difficulties in Daily Life facing processions by non-believers, they would have prayed for strength to help them get through this difficult time.Another way the community of Philippi showed how the teaching of Jesus was central to them was to help the weak and needy in their community just as Jesus did. His whole life he travelled helping others. When they gathered together into small groups to break bread, this embodied the teaching of Jesus. At the last supper Jesus broke bread, gave it to his disciples and said, take this all of you and eat it, this is my body which has been given up for you. This regular breaking of bread shows respect for the wishes of Jesus.This Christian way of life which consisted of regular prayer, preaching and breaking of bread was central to the Philippi community and embodied the teaching of Jesus. The most important teaching of Jesus

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was to help others and treat everyone as you would like to be treated yourself. This message of Jesus was seen as central to the Philippi community in their helping of the weak and needy in their community.

21.Discuss the relationship between the founding vision of Christianity and the search for Christian unity today.

The relationship between the founding vision of Christianity and the search for Christian unity can be seen very clearly today. The founding vision of Christianity is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. By means of prayer and reflection Christian people seek to apply the scriptural and biblical values to the search for Christian unity. By doing so, the founding vision of Christianity can be very much seen as observed as the way of achieving Christian unity.Throughout the world, there are small communities of Christians, living as Christian people did in early Christianity. They believe that to be truly Christian and a good Christian they must see the church as a living cell and that we believe what it is to be a human Christian. They understand that to truly live like the first Christians, we must sacrifice and accept it as part of life. One of the most basic requirements of Christianity is to follow its rule e.g. The 10 commandments in order to gain a right relationship with God. Living by the Kingdom of God is also a must as it is a way of a pure life and it is a way of living based on Jesus’ teachings of justice, truth, peace and love.Although we must listen to the teachings of God, we must also challenge our church from within. After all, if we do not believe something to be good and right, we must listen to our conscience, a voice which sounds deep in the heart. On this note, two main events occurred and have challenged what the Catholic Church is about. The first was the second Vatican council ( 1962-65) and the council of Latin American Bishops in Medelin in 1968. Vatican II led to a major reform within the Catholic Church. It was called by Pope John XXIII in a decade where the civil rights movement was taking place. The council released 16 documents in total. Lumen Gentium encouraged the laity to see the church as a community of believers and also encouraged them to become actively involved in Church. This became easier with the decision to say mass in the vernacular. Religious dress requirements were also relaxed and relations with other religions were encouraged. Vatican II really

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changed the face of the Catholic Church and brought it into the 21st century.Like most things in life, Christianity has a history and an experience with evil. Lives have been lost in the name of God and there have been many schisms. In the late 20th century the church continued its reformation in an effort to right the relationships which had been wronged. The ecumenical movement works for forgiveness and seeks a unity, rooted in mutual love for Jesus. The world council of churches is an example of an organization. It is ecumenical in nature. They believe that education is key in working towards unity among all Christians. They have faced many difficulties in their search for unity as has the church as a whole. For example, the issues of married clergy and of women in the priesthood have caused much contention. We can see in our fellow Christian church ( Anglican ) that women’s involvement in the church isn’t a bad thing. But the church has also gained friendship and became a more understanding body. In conclusion, as we see the Christian Church we know today has expanded and evolved. The recollection of the founding vision is central. It shows the importance of the relationship between the Faith based decisions and the founding vision of Christianity. Thus, it is clear to see that the search for Christian unity is nothing without a founding vision.

Christian churches have a founding vision which is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Christians are called to be unselfish, not to be quick to judge and not to be attached to material things. The founding vision is not necessarily based on ritual or prayer, although they are important, but rather in the life they are called to live which is a life in Christ. The Taize community is an example of the search for Christian unity today. It’s composed of 100 brothers from over 30 countries worldwide. It is devoted to peace and justice through living a life of peace and meditation. It’s also a site of pilgrimage where 100,000 young people from around the world get together for prayer, bible study, sharing and communal work. Through the communities’ ecumenical outlook, they are encouraged to live in the spirit of kindness, simplicity and reconciliation.Taize is just one example of ecumenism. Ecumenism refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian Unity and co-operation. An example of ecumenism bringing about unity between Christian denominations is truly a development of the Christian flag. This relates back to the founding vision which is to be unselfish and non-judgemental.

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In conclusion, the relationship between the founding vision of Christianity and the search for Christian unity can be seen in the Taize Community and the search for ecumenism. OR

The relationship between the founding vision of Christianity and the search for Christian unity today is seen in many ways. Christian Churches have a founding vision which is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Through study and prayer they seek to reflect on how these scriptures speak to them today. God loves everyone and his basic rule is ‘ love one another as I have loved you ‘. We see God’s message through stories in the Bible and parables. Study and prayer may lead to seeing things in a new way, or to challenge their church from within. Christians throughout the world are drawn to living in small communities in an effort to live as the early Christians lived. We are all human and we understand what it means to be Christian. We understand that in order to live like the early Christians did we have to have sacrifices in our life. It calls for sharing all aspects of people’s lives. It fits into the vision of the church as people of God. We must follow God’s vision and rules / guidelines in order to be good Christians. We must seek justice and in so doing will strive to live a right relationship with God. The soul longs for a relationship with God. Priority is given to promoting the Kingdom of God with harmony rooted deeply in justice. As Christians we should spread the word of God. We must tell people about the kingdom of God. The effect these communities have is to breathe new life into the wider community, through living in a small Christian community. People may challenge the way things are and how people live. There have been two major events in the 20th century that have influenced radical reform within the Roman Catholic Church, the Second Vatican Council ( 1962-65 ) and the Council of Latin American Bishops in Medellin, 1968. In 1962 Pope John XXIII called this council. This decade saw the birth of the civil rights movement worldwide. The Second Vatican Council produced 16 documents. Lumen Gentium was very important as it encouraged the Catholic Church to understand itself more as a community of believers than a hierarchically ordered institution. Vatican II called for a more active involvement of the laity in the life of the Church. It also considered relations between Christians and those of other religions. The Council stressed the importance of the

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social justice in general. Mass, traditionally said in Latin, would now be celebrated in the language of the country in question, with the priest facing the congregation during the celebration. Rules about religious dress were relaxed. The laity was invited to become more involved in the celebration of the sacraments.The relationship between the founding vision and Christianity in many parts of the world is deeply profound. However, the history of Christianity is not without its dark side. Lives have been lost in the name of religion and it has also led to a number of schisms. Suspicion and resentment have characterised the relationship between different denominations.Towards the end of the 20th century efforts were made to heal the wounds that had festered between the many Christian denominations. These efforts are known as the Ecumenical Movement. The ecumenical movement is one that works towards reconciliation and forgiveness. It seeks to unify all Christians through shared faith in Jesus Christ. The goal of ecumenism is to bring about tolerance and mutual respect among Christians. The work of the World Council of Churches is ecumenical in nature. The council sees education as a means of working towards unity among all Christians. Perhaps the most powerful example of ecumenism in action is where different denominations within local communities work and pray together in a spirit of tolerance and respect. There are many key difficulties in Christian unity, such as, the issue of married clergy, the ordination of women to the priesthood and the understanding of Eucharist and teachings on marriage are some of the controversial areas of difference between the Christian Churches. The Christian Churches have also had achievements like, new friendships established, improvements in the understanding and acceptance of regulations on mixed marriages and education for peace programmes.

22. Write a detailed account on the development of Christology since the time of Jesus.

Christology seeks to address the question ‘ but who do you say that I am ?’ For Christians, Jesus Christ is the decisive, the most significant revelation of God. In and through Jesus we come to know God in a very special way. Our continued efforts to understand and know Jesus and the implications of his life, death and resurrection, is what we term ‘ Christology ‘. Jesus came first and lived his life in history and

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eventually was recognised by others as the Christ. The constant in any Christology is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Biblical Christology ( 1st Century ) – this refers to the source and foundation of Christology. Having encountered Jesus and witnessed to his death and resurrection believers recorded these events, words and deeds of Jesus and their belief that he was the Christ. Concilliar Christology ( 2nd – 7th Century ) – the identity of Jesus and his relationship with God preoccupied many theologians at this time. One of the central questions of this era was around the divinity and humanity of Jesus. If Jesus was truly human, how could he be truly divine ? Medieval Christology ( 11th – 16th Century ) – this period reflects the emergence of universities and great centres of learning. Post – Tridentine Christology ( 16th – 20th Century ) – the church sought to protect its heritage by organising it’s Christology into a fixed and unchangeable format e.g. the stations of the cross. At the brink of the renewal ( 1951 ) the council of Chalcedon declared Jesus to be truly God and truly human. The question at the heart of Christology ‘ who do you say that I am ?’ is very much alive today. The mystery of Jesus Christ is the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. However, it does not end there. The understanding of the event and its significance for all believers, is also part of the mystery of Jesus Christ or the ‘ Christ Event ‘. If we do not recognise the humanity of Jesus, we run the risk of not fully appreciating the way in which Jesus became human, and one of us. If we fail to recognise the importance of the divinity of Jesus, than we miss the crucial element of Faith in Christ. Dermot Lane suggests what we call this a ‘ low ascending Christology’, this means that he begins his study of the mystery of Christ with looking at the historical reality of Jesus and from there he moves to understand how Jesus became known as the Lord and the Christ.

23.How would you interpret the Christian Message Today ?

In today’s world there are many interpretations of the Christian message. But first, one must ask themselves: what is love, sharing, unity and faith in God ? There are many ways to interpret this message, many are beneficial, while others take a radical view and as Christians they are faced with many conflicting and confusing messages. However, at the core they are called on to remain faithful to the vision of Jesus Christ, to the Kingdom of God of which he spoke.

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One group that interpreted the Christian message for the benefit of others is St. Vincent De Paul. They interpreted the message as to help those in need by looking after the needy.Groups such as these often find themselves interpreting the message in a hostile or indifferent environment. Christians are faced with many different situations of injustice, destruction of the earth, greed, discrimination and violence.In order to understand a little of how Jesus responded to violence of all kinds, Christians turn to the New Testament, violence is about power. The desire for power over others or over things dominates our world today, the violence of oppression, the injustices created by poverty, the gap between the rich and the poor. Trocaire, an organisation set up to prevent poverty in the third world answered the message of Christianity, in their own way, seeing it as calling them to work where they were most needed.Christianity’s message is also found in many biblical texts that show Jesus as tolerant of all, regardless of social class, religious importance, wealth or gender. For Jesus, the truly good person is one who acts justly and for the good of others. This way of living would transform the world and bring about the Kingdom of God.However, there are many people who are agnostics in their view of the Christian message, leading a moral life because they choose to, not because they are told to or some do ‘ just in case ‘, reasoning for their understanding of the Christian Message.Yet, you also have the extreme ends of the spectrum, those who fanatically believe in their interpretation of the message as correct and will go to any length to protect it. To atheists who don’t care for such ‘ superstitions ‘ while each group hold some truth, we should defend our faith, but at the same time not take it too serious.In conclusion, the interpretation of the message of Christianity is one that no one person can fully grasp, only can be enlightened by a glimmer, but this glimmer can set forth in motion the founding for change in one’s life, so while the interpretation of the message will never be fully universal, each man can find some solace in it.

OR Trying to interpret the Christian message in today’s society is difficult but there are times in which it gets easier. Our world is a very complex place, and Christians are faced with many conflicting and confusing

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messages. It is sometimes very hard for Christians, as they are called on to remain faithful to the vision of Jesus Christ, to the Kingdom of God of which he spoke. This can be very hard for Christians as in today’s society as many people reject and don’t want to listen to what Christians want to say.Often, in hostile or indifferent environment, Christians are faced with many different situations of injustice, destruction of the earth, greed, discrimination and violence. One of the main difficulties Christians face is the rejection of people and people not believing the message they bring. What people don’t realise is the message of Jesus offers those who seek it, a way of living that aims to bring about the Kingdom of God. Even though Christians face many difficulties in the outside world, they still feel in peace and love when their community gather together. What also makes them stronger is when they look at how there are many biblical text that show Jesus as tolerant of all, regardless of social class, religious importance, wealth or gender. In fact, Jesus went out of his way to be with the poor, the sick, and the marginalised. This would give the Christian great strength, to go out and try convert and make people believe in the message of love. Jesus Christ is given to us and the result is that some will accept and interpret the Catholic way into that life and those of others.In order to understand how Jesus dealt with rejection and violence we turn to the New Testament as violence is about power and the desire for power ( even in today’s society ) over others or over things that dominate our world today. This is probably the main reason the Catholic Church and the Christian are not recognised, because other forces who crave for power have pushed us behind them.It is clear to say that Christian face many difficulties trying to interpret the message of love, in today’s society. But what Christians remember when facing difficult situations is, that, for Jesus the truly good person is one who acts justly and for the good of others. This way of living will transform the world and bring about the Kingdom of God. Christians remember that they have been chosen by God to live out truth and love, to live by his example and even though we face difficulties, in interpreting Jesus’s message in today’s society we will be the ones who will live in peace and love.

24.Explain the way in which two rites of Christian worship remember Jesus.

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Two rites that remember Jesus are the rites of Baptism and Eucharist. It appears that from early in the development of Christian worship that remembering the action of Jesus at the Last Supper and recalling the significance of his life, death and resurrection were central. This remembering was a call to live as Jesus did. In this answer I will be discussing the relevance of Jesus’ remembrance in the practice of Religious Rites through Baptism and Eucharist. When a child is baptised, they become a member of God’s family. This sacrament shows deeply how we remember Jesus. The child is presented for baptism by his/her parents. Also present are specifically chosen godparents who promise to help the parents bring up the child in the faith. The priest then blesses the child and there is a short extract read from the New Testament followed by a brief homily which explains baptism. The child is then anointed with the oil of Catechumen. The parents and godparents renew their own baptismal promises and make a commitment to make the Christian faith known to the child as he/she is growing up. The water that has been blessed is poured over the baby’s head. He/she is now formally named. Next the baby is anointed with the oil of Chrism. A white shawl is then wrapped around the child. The parents bring with them a candle, which is then lit from a large paschal candle in the sanctuary. The ceremony is concluded with the Our Father and a blessing. Baptism is a clear remembrance of Jesus as through it we are asking for guidance and comfort from God.

The rite of the Eucharist as part of Christian worship remembers Jesus in a very significant way. The Eucharist is the source of the Christian Life. The Eucharist is a memorial of the sacrifice that Jesus offered on the cross. The Eucharist is the greatest act of worship for Catholics. The word Eucharist means thanksgiving. We are thankful for him having given us life for our creation. Jesus’ death on the cross meant that each one of us could be saved from sin. At the Eucharist Jesus is present and so is his sacrifice on the cross, because they are one and the same thing. Christians today celebrate the Eucharist in both word and deed. They listen to the word of God through Scripture. They break bread and share wine. During the celebration of the Eucharist Jesus is truly present. The bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ and we too are changed when we are told to go forth and spread the good news and to love and serve God. By doing this, we too have to make sacrifices. For Catholics, Christ is truly present in the bread and wine after consecration when they become the Body and Blood of

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Christ. Transubstantiation refers to the changing of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. In the Eucharist Jesus is referred to as ‘ the lamb of God ‘. The Hebrews were freed by the blood of the lamb on Passover night, just as Christians were freed from sin and death by Jesus’ blood on the cross. In conclusion it is plain to see that both Baptism and Eucharist are rites of Christian worship and they truly remember Jesus. Through symbolic and ritualistic practices, Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are mirrored in Catholic practice today.

25.A. Examine one contemporary understanding of Jesus and name the writer with which it is associated.

One of the great challenges facing Christianity as it enters the third millennium is the split that has come about between the Gospel and culture, between faith and its expression in the everyday lives of people. This is true also in the realm of the arts in general. Be that as it may, images of Jesus are not lacking in the contemporary culture of literature.

One contemporary understanding of Jesus that I have studied is found in the novel Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. In this novel a young girl begins a correspondence course with a mysterious stranger. In this course she learns about philosophy and religion. early in her studies , her teacher tells her a little about Jesus.Why, Sophie ? Why did Socrates have to die ? People have been asking this question for 2400 years. However, he was not the only person in history to have seen things through to the bitter end and suffered death for the sake of their convictions.I have mentioned Jesus already, and in fact there are several striking parallels between them.Both Jesus and Socrates were enigmatic personalities, also to their contemporaries. Neither of them wrote down their teachings, so we are forced to rely on the picture we have of them from their disciples. However, we do know that they were both masters of the art of discourse. They both spoke with a characteristic self-assuredness that could fascinate as well as exasperate. And not least, they both believed that they spoke on behalf of something greater than themselves. They challenged the power of the community by criticising all forms of injustice and corruption. Finally, their activities cost them their lives.

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The trials of Jesus and Socrates also exhibit clear parallels. They could certainly both have saved themselves by appealing for mercy, but they both felt they had a mission that would have been betrayed unless they kept faith to the bitter end. By meeting their deaths so bravely, they commanded an enormous following, even after they had died.I do not mean to suggest that Jesus and Socrates were a like, I am merely drawing attention to the fact that they both had a message that was inseparably linked to their personal courage.In conclusion, the contemporary understanding of Jesus in the Novel Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder shows us a clear message that t both Jesus and Socrates challenged the power of the community by criticising all forms of injustice and corruption and they had personal courage and kept their faith to the bitter end.

B. Examine the understanding of Jesus expressed in the image described in A above and discuss its relevance for society today.

The understanding of Jesus that is expressed in the image of the novel Sophie’s world is one of love, forgiveness and compassion which is perfection. The perfection of the human person is in ‘being’ of the image and likeness of the God of love. In life there is always the temptation to retaliate evil as indeed expressed in the Old Testament ‘ an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth’ ( Leviticus 14:20 ) The perfection of the law is forgiveness which should come from deep within, spelt out by Jesus’ ‘ new commandment of love’. In this novel Joestin says ‘ we are closest to God in our soul’. We are to imitate our Lord in his love and compassion and soar to great heights of holiness and perfection. Our faith tells us the prime mover was God, who is relationship, compassion and love.This image has huge relevance for society today. We are called as Christians to live in the image and likeness of God today. We are called to live out the kingdom of God which is a way of living based on Jesus’ teachings of justice, truth, peace and love. We are called to be part of bringing the Kingdom of God about by :

Creating a society which is just and fair Creating a peaceful society so that people can feel safe and live in

harmony with one another. People trying to be truthful to themselves, God and others in life. Seeking to live out the greatest commandment that Jesus gave us

which is ‘ love one another as I have loved you’.

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In life today, there are so many temptations, but we are called to be strong, and fight against these evils and with the graces that we receive from God, we will do the right thing.I believe if we live in the image and likeness of God we will receive the graces that we need to fight temptations when they come our way.Through the trials of Jesus he could have saved himself by appealing for mercy, but he felt he had a mission that would have been betrayed unless he kept the faith to the bitter end. By meeting his death so bravely he commanded an enormous following. He showed great courage. This point which is demonstrated in the novel Sophie’s World has huge relevance in society today as there are times in life where we need to have courage to keep going forward and have faith and belief that all will be well.Another point that is very relevant in todays’ society is forgiveness. ‘ The perfection of the law is forgiveness which should come from deep within, spelt by Jesus’ New Commandment of Love ‘. I believe if we don’t forgive people or ourselves for wrong doing we are ultimately damaging ourselves and our relationship with God..In conclusion, the understanding of Jesus in the novel Sophie’s World can be described as love, compassion and forgiveness. They have huge relevance for people in today’s society as we are called to live our lives lovingly, compassionately and be all forgiving and thus seeking to live in the image and likeness of God.

26.Explain two reasons why Jesus’ preaching on ‘ right relationship’ is important for Christians today.

In my opinion Jesus’ teachings and preaching on ‘ right relationship’ is extremely important for Christians for a number of reasons. In the eyes of the Christian church ‘right relationship’ is between ourselves, God and those around us. All three aspects of the right relationship are equally important. Jesus, through his preaching on ‘ right relationship’ shows Christians today that love of God cannot be separated from love of neighbour. This idea of ‘love of neighbour’ is extremely important for Christians in today’s society as it is the basis for our moral law. Essentially Jesus’ preaching on the right relationship could guide a person about what is right and what is wrong about the way in which they relate to others in their everyday lives. Examples of Christians in

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today’s society fulfilling Jesus’ preaching on the ‘right relationship’ would be those responding to the needs of the hungry, lonely, the deprived and so on. This aspect of caring relationship with those around us is an excellent example of how Jesus’ teachings on the right relationship affects and is important in the lives of Christians today. One example from the biblical text which would suggest the importance of caring for those around us is to be seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the Good Samaritan a man on the side of the street is helped by a stranger after being passed by three high priests, suggesting to us that help can often come from the most unlikely sources. The parable itself is reflective of how according to Jesus’ preaching, the approach taken in making a moral decision is that something is good if one is enabled by it to live in right relationships with others, God and ourselves. All of which is emphasised and highlighted throughout the parable of the Good Samaritan.One other example of how Jesus’ preaching on ‘right relationship’ have affected the lives of Christians today revolves around the concept of stewardship. Throughout Jesus’ preaching he interlinks not only the right relationship with people but also with our environment around us. As Christians it is our duty to care for and look after the environment.In conclusion, two reasons why Jesus’ preaching on ‘right relationship’ is important for Christians today is that it is the basis on which our morality towards others is built. But also it gives Christians an idealism of stewardship, love of our planet and a desire to care for it.

27.A. At the time of Jesus people had different expectations of the Messiah: Davidic, Priestly, Prophetic. Outline what was involved in two of the above expectations of the Messiah.

In Jesus’ teaching, preaching and living he announced the Kingdom of God and showed his awareness of himself as the Messiah in the sense of the one who heralded this Kingdom. People at the time of Jesus expected the Messiah to be Davidic, Priestly and Prophetic.

Davidic: Jesus was not the Messiah the people of the 1st Century were hoping for or expecting. There was a general expectation that the Messiah would be like a New King David, who would herald a new era in Jewish History. This vision of the Messiah is termed the Davidic Messiah. As the Jewish people were living under the domination of the Romans, the Messiah had taken on the image of a mighty warrior-king,

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a great military leader who would overthrow the Romans. Such a person was expected to be a descendent of o king who was regarded as the founder of the Israelite monarchy and people at the time of Jesus expected a second such king to intervene in their difficult socio – political situation. Jesus was to bring a new, alternative interpretation of ‘ Messiah ‘ – as one who ushers in the Kingdom of God through a life of love and service and eventual death.

Prophetic: The Pharisees looked forward to a future Messiah whom God would send to deliver them from Roman rule and restore the Kingdom of God among the people of Israel. This prophetic Messiah would fulfil the scriptures and liberate the people of God from oppression. Such a person was usually understood as an authoritative messenger and spokesperson of God. The people expected this person to be powerful like Moses who led the people out of slavery and into freedom ( Matthew 1 – 17 ). There are a number of incidents in the Gospels where Jesus appears to identify himself as Messiah. However, he was very anxious that this was not misunderstood among his followers. We can see this very clearly in Mark 8:31 ‘ then he began to teach them that he the son of man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again’. He said all this openly.In Conclusion, at the time of Jesus people had different expectations of the Messiah and the Davidic Expectation was that Jesus was to bring a new alternative interpretation of the Messiah – as one who ushers in the kingdom of God through a life of love and service and eventual death and the prophetic expectation would fulfil the scriptures and liberate the people of God from oppression.

B. Describe an example of how Jesus showed an awareness of one of the expectations of the Messiah listed in A above.

Messiah as Prophetic

The baptism of Jesus and his going forth with a mission is characteristic of a prophetic call. The crowds refer to Jesus as a prophet and claim: ‘ God has visited his people ‘ ( Luke 9:19 ) Jesus’ mission was to show an awareness of the expectation of the Messiah as Prophetic and he as a Prophet continuously challenged the system and threatened people’s security. He had no regard for

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popularity and, instead repeatedly said the unpopular thing. He hung around the outcast and the sinners and mocked the self-righteous. The religious leaders despised sinners, and so, for Jesus, as prophet of God, to deliberately welcome sinners was an absolute scandal. Jesus disturbed the leaders’ selfish and elitist existence and his words made them squirm in their seats. He insulted them, proclaiming: ‘ I came not to call the righteous, but sinners’, and they despised him for it. In turn they blackened his name, calling him a friend of tax collectors and sinners’.In one particular story, Jesus heals a paralysed man, an outcast and sinner, and infuriates the Pharisees. ‘ One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near- by, and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just then some men came, carrying a paralysed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up to the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said ‘ Friend, your sins are forgiven you ‘. Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, ‘ Who is this who is speaking blasphemies ? who can forgive sins but God alone ? When Jesus heard their questions, he answered them, ‘ Why do you raise such questions in your hearts ? Which is easier, to say, ‘ Your sins are forgiven you’, or to say ‘ Stand up and walk ?’ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’ – he said to the one who was paralysed – ‘ I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go home.’ immediately he stood up before them took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe saying, ‘ We have seen strange things today’. ( Luke 5: 17 – 26 )The Pharisees would have condemned the sinner and seen his illness as just punishment for his wrongdoings. They would have refused God’s compassion and forgiveness. For this they provoked the wrath of the Father’s Son.As prophet, Jesus challenged, disturbed, unsettled and provoked all that he saw wrong and unjust in his society. Jesus was not weak but was courageous and outspoken. He was not harmless but challenged the authorities to their core, and was even branded a blasphemer. Jesus was a champion of the little people but for this he was condemned as

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outrageous and a troublemaker. His outspokenness would have a price and he would pay for it with his life.In conclusion, Jesus showed an awareness of the expectation of the Messiah as Prophetic. Jesus was full of compassion and love for the sinner and the outcast. Yet Jesus was not afraid to challenge the comfortable world-views of his day. His love had an edge to it, and that edge was especially sharpened for his critics. There are many different titles given to Jesus, but in his own time he was best understood as a prophet.

28. Outline the main features of either the Roman Political System or the Jewish Religious System in Palestine in the time of Jesus.

There are many main features of the Roman Political System in Palestine at the time of Jesus. When Jesus was born, the political rulers were the Romans. People didn’t like that because it meant they were paying their taxes to a foreign emperor and to Rome. That is why they didn’t like tax collectors.The Romans decided that they would rule Palestine through co-operation with the powerful Jews at the time. Yet they were still very wary of any group or person who might in some way be a threat to their rule, hence the heavy – handed tactics against Jesus and the early Christians. This meant that the region was extremely tense and volatile. As the Romans decided to rule through co-operation, it meant that they allowed the Jews to hold onto their religious structures, namely the Temple in Jerusalem.Rome stood for Political order in Palestine at the time of Jesus. It was a foreign power and most people felt helpless in the face of this power, with inevitable feelings of hatred. Jesus refers to one incident when there was a clash in the temple in which some Galileans were slaughtered by the Roman soldiery (lk.13:1-5)One of the main features of the Roman Political System at the time of Jesus was the Political Trial that took place on Good Friday morning. Jesus was put in chains and brought before Pilate. The Jewish leaders informed Pilate ‘ we caught this man misleading our people, telling them not to pay their taxes to the Emperor and claiming that he himself is the Messiah, a king’. When they had finished, Pilate asked Jesus ‘ Are you the king of the Jews ? Jesus answered, ‘ so you say’. Pilate did not want to get involved in the religious affairs of the Jews, so he sent Jesus to Herod. Herod only mocked Jesus and sent him back to Pilate. Pilate

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could find no reason to condemn Jesus to death and told this to the Jewish leaders. Every year it was custom for the Roman Governor to release a prisoner on the feast of the Passover. Pilate offered the people a choice of releasing Jesus or a violent criminal named Barabbas. But the crowd shout ‘ kill him, set Barabbas free’. Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus was scourged and condemned to death.In conclusion, there were many features of the Roman Political System in Palestine at the time of Jesus which had a huge impact on the people. Since Rome stood for Political order at the time of Jesus it gave rise to a power where most people felt helpless with inevitable feelings of hatred.

29. Assess the evidence for the existence of Jesus of Nazareth presented in the writings of two of the following: Josephus, Pliny the Younger, Tacitus , St. Paul.

The writings of Josephus and Tacitus are important sources of evidence for Jesus of Nazareth as they provide historical evidence of his teaching and work. Josephus was a Jewish historian. He defended Galilee against Rome in the great Jewish rebellion, and shortly after his forces were overrun, he surrendered. Josephus mentioned Jesus towards the end of his life, around 60 years after the crucifixion. Jesus is mentioned in the context of disturbances caused by the Jews during the reign of Pontius Pilate. It is clear from his writings that Josephus accepted both the historical reality of Jesus and that he had a profound and lasting impact on the people whom he met. He was a Jewish Scholar and wrote a book about the History of the Jews. In this he describes Jesus as a wise man and teacher. He also wrote about the crucifixion of Jesus by Pontius Pilate and his resurrection from the dead three days later.Another great historian was Tacitus and his writings also show evidence of the existence of Jesus of Nazareth. He was a Roman historian and was suspicious of Christianity. He referred to Jesus when he wrote about the burning of Rome in 64CE. The emperor Nero blamed Christians for this burning, even though many historians think Nero himself may have been responsible. Tacitus clearly had no time for the group of people called Christians. Tacitus’ claim that Nero was responsible for the brutal torture and execution of many Christians however, it is not accepted by all historians. Tacitus, as we have seen, was a hostile reporter of Jesus and the movement he founded. He wrote down his beliefs about 80 years after the death of Jesus. Among the

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things he wrote about were the death of Jesus, how he was sentenced by Pontius Pilate and how Christians got their name from Jesus Christ.In conclusion, the fact that both Tacitus and Josephus, two historians, wrote about Jesus proves that, at least in historical terms, Jesus existed.

30. What was the Jewish understanding of the Kingdom of God at the time of Jesus?

The Kingdom of God has its roots in the early political history of Israel. The people of Israel believed that since God was transcendent, created everything and sustained the Jewish nation, he was the one and only king of Israel. But as time went on they felt they needed an earthly King who would rule them with God’s justice and be his representative among the people. King David was the very best of Israel’s Kings, but even he had his shortcomings. Around David’s time there was a belief that one day a Son of David would be raised up who would let God rule and bring God’s peace to the land. At the time of Jesus the rabbis taught the people that they ought to live as though the kingdom of God had already come so that their quality of life would change.The kingdom of God was seen as a coming with the Messiah of an age of true religion and universal peace and prosperity as the blessing of God spread with his dominions.In conclusion, most Jews envisioned a political, Jewish Kingdom as the context for all the blessings prophesied. The Messiah would be the literal King of a Jewish state Institute religious reforms usher in blessing and restoration, stand as a defender of Israel from foreign domination, and then eventually extend his dominion over the whole earth.

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