Abstract This paper reviews Russell Aiuto's article, "The Trial of Jesus Christ", about the trial, conviction and execution of Jesus. The reviewer points out that Aiuto's intention was to present his information in the historic context of ancient Judea, ultimately determining who was guilty in causing the death of Jesus. The paper is written from a religious Christian perspective and gives an in-depth examination of the role of the Jews and the Romans in Jesus' death.
From the Paper "For many people, especially those evangelical Christians who know little about the historical and political conditions in ancient Judea, it seems clear that the Jews killed Jesus. While it is certainly true that some Jews played an important role in bringing about the trial and execution of Jesus, it is a gross oversimplification to suggest that there was a vast Jewish conspiracy to kill Jesus. On the contrary, there were three main groups of Jews competing for power during Jesus' time: the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees. Aiuto describes these three groups of Jews as "interchangeable," which is not entirely historically accurate. (Aiuto). In fact, at times these groups competed viciously with one another for control of Jewish civil and religious law. However, they did share a religious and social background that separated them from the Roman population that occupied ancient Judea. Furthermore, all three groups believed that the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah would be fulfilled. (Aiuto). In fact, Jesus was not the first person to be proclaimed the Messiah. Understanding that there was a tremendous amount of strife and competition in the Jewish community is important, because it makes it clear that while some Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus, it can hardly be suggested that all Jews were responsible for Jesus' death. Instead, Jewish involvement in Jesus' death seems explainable by one of the truisms of murder investigation: murders are generally committed by same-sex members of the victims' racial group. Because Jesus was a Jewish male, it should come as no surprise that some Jewish males played a central role in his trial and execution. However, that statement should not be viewed as either anti-Semitic or as an excuse for anti-Semitism. While some Jews played a central role in Jesus' death, his apostles were also widely Jewish, Jesus self-identified as a Jew and had no interest in preaching to Gentiles, and the founders of the Church were Jews who initially preached to a strictly Jewish audience."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts how the gospels of Mark and John describe the character of Jesus. The paper explains how Mark depicts Jesus as a miracle-worker, an exorcist and healer, and as one that spoke to his disciples in parables. The paper then describes the version of Jesus depicted by John as a riddler, who purposely invites misunderstanding, and who uses word puns to confuse outsiders as well as his own disciples.
From the Paper "The gospels of Mark and John are two very unique gospels that characterize Jesus very differently. Their portrayal of his nature, mission, passion narrative (his death), and the human predicament are largely contrary. Johannine Jesus never tells a parable and never casts out a demon in John. He doesn?t try to ?keep his identity a secret or command others to silence. Jesus does not institute the Last Supper in the Gospel, nor does he go to Gethsemane to pray to be released from his fate ? he is not put on trial before the Sanhedrin or found guilty of committing blasphemy,? but instead is found guilty of political insurrection by Roman officials (Ehrman 159). In Mark, Jesus speaks to crowds in parables, and proclaims the imminent appearance of the kingdom of heaven (to be brought about by his death and resurrection). In John, however, he speaks in word puns to certain people, and plainly to those who know him for who he is. All these differences show that the Markan Jesus was chiefly concerned with overcoming the evil age, the rulers of this world, whereas Johannine Jesus came to find and teach the children of light."
Abstract This paper discusses the prophecy about the birth of Jesus found in Isaiah. The paper explains that this prophecy, which tells the story of Jesus' birth to the virgin Mary, is probably the most famous of all the prophecies about Jesus and chronicles the interactions between the prophet Isaiah and King Ahaz.
From the Paper "There are a number of messianic prophecies about Jesus' birth -- prophecies about the location, manner and time of his birth, about his genealogy and about events that were to occur at the time of his birth. Probably the most famous of these prophecies is the prophecy that Jesus would be born to a virgin found in Isaiah. Isaiah chronicles the interactions between the prophet Isaiah and King Ahaz. In Isaiah we read: "Then said the LORD unto Isaiah Go forth now to meet Ahaz..."
Tags: Bible, old and new testament, Isaiah, prophet, god, jesus, immanual, prince of peace, virgin birth
Abstract In this article, the writer uses Pope John Paul II's Encyclical Letter Faith and Reason to show Jesus' beliefs on law. The writer also makes use of passages from the New Testament to convey the intended messages. The writer uses these writings in order to demonstrate Jesus' message about the letter and spirit of the law.
From the Paper "The selections from the New Testament and Pope John Paul's 'Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio Faith and Reason' demonstrate that one of man's fundamental searches is for the truth or law, something that will provided meaning and fulfillment and represent an absolute and inviolable answer. We see in the selections from Matthew Luke and Mark that Jesus was often called upon to answer questions from those seeking truth or the law. As Pope John Paul II writes in Fides ... "
Abstract This paper looks at the eight miracles of Jesus that are signs of his divinity in the gospel of John. The miracles that are mentioned in this paper are the turning of water to wine, healing of the nobleman's son, the healing of the lame man, the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus' walking on water, the healing of the blind man, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, and the miraculous catch of fishes.
From the Paper "In the Gospel of John in the New Testament there are eight sign miracles that Jesus performs, which are: the turning of water to wine, healing of the nobleman's son, the healing of the lame man, the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus' walking on water, the healing of the blind man, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, and the miraculous catch of fishes. This paper will look at how each of these miracles further reveals the deity of Jesus. The first miracle that John records is the turning of water into wine at the wedding in Cana shortly after Jesus recruits his first few followers. When the wine runs out, Jesus' mother comes and tells him, and he understands that she wants him to do something about it, but tells her it is not time yet."
Abstract This paper presents a comparison and rhetorical analysis of the speeches of Jesus and Stephen which shows that the purpose of both speeches harmonizes, but their structures differ to some degree.
From the Paper "Typical of Greco-Roman literature of the history genre, Luke fills approximately one fourth of his books with speeches. Like other Greco-Roman historians, Luke could not have actually heard the speeches that he recorded, nor could he even accurately know the contents of such speeches, if they occurred. Indeed, Luke writes more than 50 years after the death of Jesus; not only is Luke not contemporary to the events that he records as if he were immediately physically present, but most others contemporary to the event, potential eye-witnesses, are also dead (Ehrman 44). Luke, therefore, contrived the text of the speeches presented in Luke-Acts; in his capacity as a historian, Luke strove for a sense of verisimilitude. Thus, the speeches recorded in Luke-Acts, written to reflect Luke's estimation of the character of the speaker and the occasion, reveal Luke's literary purpose as much as they reveal actual historical information. Jesus? speech in the Nazarene synagogue, as well as Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin, serve to advance Luke's perception of Jesus: the rejected prophet. Luke implicitly compares Stephen to Jesus to validate the mission to the Gentiles, which had become the focus of the Apostles. The speeches of Jesus and Stephen do differ, in certain respects, in structure. However, the purposes of each speech ultimately harmonize; Luke employs different structures for disparate actors to achieve a common function."
Abstract A paper on the crucifixion of Jesus. The paper explores what exactly was done to him and why he chose to die. The paper explains that crucifiction was unanimously considered the most horrible form of death, worse even then burning, since the "cross" precedes "burning" in the law-books.
Abstract This paper compares the lives and deaths of Jesus and Muhammad, providing an overview of their legacies as reflected in religious belief and practice. The paper includes a detailed biographies of each prophet. The paper concludes with a discussion of the impact that their deaths had on their religions.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to compare and contrast the lives of Jesus and Muhammad in relation to their respective religions. The plan of the research will be to put the biographies of Jesus and Muhammad into historical context and then discuss the impact..."
Abstract This paper explains that Caroline Bynum has been long recognized for her exceptional scholarship and stature as a researcher. The author points out that "Jesus As Mother: Studies in the Spirituality of the High Middle Ages" is not simply about feminine images of Christ during the 12th century in Europe. The paper relates that this text is composed of five distinct essays and studies, which taken together are capable of providing readers with a broader understanding of the importance of the spiritual world and the social role it played in this historical context.
From the Paper "Caroline Bynum has been long recognized in the historical halls of academia for her exceptional scholarship and stature as a researcher. This has proved once again to be the case with "Jesus as Mother: Studies in the Spirituality of the High Middle Ages". The subtitle should lead the reader towards the author's subject matter. This text is not simply about feminine images of Christ during the 12th century in Europe. Instead, this text is composed of five distinct essays and studies, which taken together are capable of providing readers with a broader understanding of the importance of the spiritual world and the social role that it played in that historical context. Each essay could be taken alone as an individual study on the varied subject matter."
Abstract This paper is a comparison of the prophetic lives of Jesus, the divine, and Moses, the mediator. It plots the similarities and differences between their careers, the impact they had on the Christian and Jewish traditions respectively. The paper suggests that there are many similarities between the two prophets, but also many differences.
From the Paper "The Prophetic Careers of Moses and Jesus Few personalities have had such a profound impact on world history as Moses and Jesus. Moses is perhaps the primary founder of the Jewish tradition, as well as being a prophet for Jews, Christians and Muslims. Jesus' life and teachings are the basis for the world's largest religion, Christianity. He is the Messiah for Christians and an important prophet for Muslims. The purpose of this paper is to look at the similarities between them, the differences and the impact they have had on the foundation of their respective traditions."
Abstract The question of "who was Jesus" is a question that is both straight forward and at the same time ambiguous. On the one hand, everybody knows who Jesus was. Simply, he is whom Christians believe to be the Son of God. On the other hand, knowing who Jesus is beyond this basic understanding is dependent on who one is asking, as Jesus is something different to every person, including between Christians. At the same time, there is the question between who Jesus was as a historical figure and who Jesus is as a religious figure, which is the main focus of this paper. Furthermore this paper asserts that the only reason that Jesus is Jesus is because of the Pentecost.
From the Paper "According to Johnson, Jesus has become the reason for our patriarchy in society and church and the masculine metaphors used to describe God. However, this is not who Jesus was. It is who he became as a necessity to developing a legitimate Christianity. As at the time of Jesus' death, society (much as it is today) was a masculine society. Jesus' feminine preaching went against this societal way of thinking. It would be impossible for the Apostles to 'sell' Jesus to a following if he was presented in a feminine light. Instead, as a necessity, the Apostles had to frame Jesus to fit into the masculine framework of society. As a result, much of who Jesus was was lost."
Tags:jesus, christians, historical, religious, understanding, society
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the place of Jesus as a religious icon and the central figure of one of the largest religious movements in the world is secure, but the role, meaning, and even existence of the historical Jesus is more problematic. The writer discusses that this figure is explored by Mark Allan Powell in his book "Jesus as a Figure in History," where the author considers how historians have treated the question of the historical Jesus, facts of his life that can be verified and similar issues separate from faith. The writer notes that different contemporary visions of Jesus are filled out even more as Powell discusses the six different contemporary accounts he features in his book. The writer concludes that Powell does a good job of bringing these different elements together and showing how the search for the historical Jesus relates to these questions, utilizes these questions, and leaves even more questions to be answered.
Outline:
Introduction
History of Jesus Conclusion
From the Paper "Hierophanies of the sacred are found as things or persons in which the sacred is manifested. Hierophanies are, metaphorically speaking, windows through which the believer apprehend the holy. Hierophanies might also be called sacraments, points of contact between the divine and the human. There are innumerable hierophanies. They are themselves treated reverently and sometimes fearfully, for they are the loci through which the divine power is mediated. Sacred power is seen as dangerous in all religions, and so these loci of power are considered dangerous as well.
"Different conceptions may be used as hierophanies. Time as hierophany shows that the holy is manifested in time or revealed in time. Sacred time is fulfilled time, or a moment in which the death that life might be simply one pointless, directionless series of events is transcended. There are different ways of conceiving of time, but many are cyclical and repetitive and rhythmic, suggesting a dimension to existence that is continuous and unbroken. In the Christian conception, time is linear and unique."
Abstract In various places in the Book of Matthew Jesus is demonstrated as being different from Jesus in the Books of Mark and John. Comparison of the accounts of Jesus in the Book of Matthew is different than the versions of Mark and John. Who is Jesus in Matthew? Why are the versions of the accounts in Matthew different from either John or Mark? How are they different? What makes the difference between these accounts? Throughout the versions of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John they each see Jesus differently. Each of these versions has been written for a different audience. Each writer has a different version due to his or her own personalities. This essay compares Jesus in Matthew compared to Mark and Luke using specific examples in the Scriptures illustrating their version of Jesus.
Abstract This paper explains that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, sometime between 8 BC and 29 AD, of virgin birth; whereas, Mohammed was born in a well-to-do family in Mecca (in present-day Saudi Arabia) in 570 AD and was raised by his uncle Abu Talib,the leader of the Hashim clan of the Quraish tribe. The author points out that the death of Jesus and Mohammed did not impede the growth of their religions mainly due to the efforts of their disciples. The paper relates that, although moderate Muslims emphasize the peaceful character of the religion, the extremist elements among the Muslims emphasize the aspects of Mohammed's teachings relating to "Jihad" and his military conquests; however, Jesus' message is purely non-violent and stresses the infinite love of God for humanity.
Table of Contents:
Tracing the Lives of Jesus and Mohammed
Jesus Mohammed
Impact of the Deaths of Jesus and Mohammed on their Religions
How the Messages of Jesus and Mohammed Being Carried out in the World Today
From the Paper "Most Christians believe that Jesus is divine and a member of the Holy Trinity, i.e., one of the three divine persons who are God (the other two being the Father and the Holy Spirit). They believe that he is the Son of God and the Messiah. Hence all those Christians who consider Jesus as divine consider it appropriate to worship him. They do so by singing his praises in hymns, psalms and spiritual songs and by praying to him in the Church. They also quote passages in the Gospel in which the faithful are commanded to worship God (Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10; 22:9) and point out that Jesus never objected to his own worship."
Abstract In this article the writer discusses that 'Living Jesus: Learning the Heart of the Gospel' offers a deeply personal insight into approaching the meaning of Jesus Christ within an admirably scholastic framework. The writer notes that the author's primary goal and objective in writing 'Living Jesus' may be to stimulate new modes of thinking about Gospel and to renew or initiate appreciation of the resurrected, living, omnipresent Jesus Christ. The writer concludes that the title of 'Living Jesus' offers readers a double-meaning to contemplate. The writer explains that Jesus is at once living, fully alive and omnipresent and that the title also refers to an active incorporation of Christianity into one's personal life: living Jesus, living as a Christian.
From the Paper "Being a Christian, according to the author requires a heartfelt confession in the immanence of Jesus: His divine presence in the world. Johnson's emphasis is on action and process, rather than on historical analysis. While the author does not discount the relevance of historical examinations of the life and times of Jesus Christ, he denounces such historical investigations as missing the point. The historian's Jesus is dead, whereas the faithful Christian's Jesus is alive. The mystery of the resurrection is the central motif by which Christians can ponder the living Jesus and His role in the world. Moreover, the resurrection forms the actual inception of the Christian faith, because the cult of Jesus began with the moment of the resurrection."
