Life and Times of Jesus

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the life and times of Jesus, as it maintains that an understanding of Jesus' historical context is extremely helpful, perhaps even essential, to a true understanding of Christianity. It looks at the geographical, political, religious and social environment of Jesus' time period and discusses how these factors contributed to the impact that he had in his time.

From the Paper:

"Because the concept of sacrifice was extremely important during Jesus' time, it follows that the concept of forgiveness was equally important. People could ask for forgiveness, and they did not have to engage in personal suffering or sacrifice in order to receive such forgiveness. Furthermore, because God had the obligation to forgive the repentant, so did fellow Jews in the community. This is an aspect that has been incorporated into modern-day Christianity. In fact, forgiveness is not optional in the Christian church, but is taught as a duty for true Christians. For example, according to John Owen, who outlined the basic tenets for Protestant churches, forgiveness was to be given even to those who were cast out of the church. In fact, such persons had a right "to be forgiven both by those who in an especial manner were offended by him, and by the whole church." (Owen, 66). Moreover, Christians have a duty to make forgiveness an active thing, by applying the promises of the Gospel to the sinner and re-admitting him into the church. (Owen, 66)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Edersheim, Alfred. The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2005. 15 Oct. 2006 <http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edersheim/lifetimes.html>.
• Edersheim, Alfred. Sketches of Jewish Social Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2005. 15 Oct. 2006 <http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edersheim/sketches.toc.html>.
• Edersheim, Alfred. The Temple: Its Ministry and Services. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2005. 15 Oct. 2006 <http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edersheim/sketches.toc.html>.
• Harnack, Adolf. The Mission and Expansion of Christianity in the First Three Centuries. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 2005. 15 Oct. 2006 <http://www.ccel.org/ccel/harnack/mission.html>.
• The Holy Bible. King James Version. New York: American Bible Society: 1999; Bartleby.com, 2000. 15 Oct. 2006 <http://www.bartleby.com/108/>.

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