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."

Tags:Jesus, Romans, Judea, Christianity, Jews

Abstract
This paper presents evidence through a review of the Bible and claims that Jesus Christ was not an omniscient entity. The paper also contends that even though Jesus was a great teacher and prophet, if not a philosopher, he did not know everything there is to know in the universe and therefore had to rely upon God the Father for spiritual answers and for direction in providing words of encouragement for those Jewish men and women lost in body and soul.

From the Paper
"Before proceeding with our examination, it should be pointed out that if Jesus Christ as the one and only Son of God was omniscient, then he must have known everything in advance before it happened. For example, if Jesus Christ was truly an omniscient being, then he would have known in advance that he was doomed to experience a very horrible death on the cross at the hands of the Romans. There are some references in the New Testament in which Jesus alludes to dying, but there are no clear-cut references proving that Jesus knew in advance of his death by crucifixion. However, at the Last Supper with his twelve disciples, Jesus did in fact state that one of his followers was going to betray him, none other than Judas Iscariot. Whether or not
this prophetic warning to his disciples was omnisciently guided is not known, yet it does bear some resemblance to knowing in advance or at the very least to some form of precognition or premonition. "

Tags:New, Testament, Jesus, Last, Supper, Romans

Abstract
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the Book of Mathew and discusses how it was based upon the Gospel of Mark. The paper also explores the issue of anti-semitism in the Book of Mathew, despite its being the work of a Judeo-Christian community. Jesus's role as temporal and spiritual king is discussed as well. Extensive quotes from the Book of Mathew are included in the paper for analysis.

Table of Contents
The Book of Matthew: origins and sources.
Jesus Christ as Temporal King
Jesus Christ as Spiritual King
The Kingdom of Heaven and New Testament Israelis
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"While this may make Jesus seem very much as a spiritual leader, the evidence from the Gospel of Matthew points in two directions: to Jesus as the heir and successor of previous Kings of Israel, most particularly King David, and Jesus as the 'son of God', who is the King of Heaven. These two aspects of the Christ may seen very different ideals, but they contain within them the Jewish tradition of the Messiah, and that King is both a spiritual leader, and a ruler of the people of Israel here on earth. By looking at both aspects of Jesus as King, it should be possible to bridge the gap between them, and demonstrate how Jesus' Kingdom was perceived at the time of the Gospel of Matthew's writing."

Tags:bible, christianity religion, the gospels, new testament

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at the work "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ" by John Piper. The writer examines the book and maintains that Piper leads the reader to gain a better understanding of the role that Jesus Christ plays in God's love for mankind.

From the Paper
"Imagine the joy of seeing and savoring Jesus Christ in a personal way as described by John Piper in Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. In thirteen chapters of Piper's book, Piper shows the purpose of Jesus Christ being born on earth and how Jesus desires that each person accept him not only as Lord, but also to come to a personal relationship that builds on savoring Jesus Christ. Piper leads the reader to gain a better understanding of the role that Jesus Christ plays in God's love for mankind. Each chapter focuses on the glory of God and how Jesus brings the glory of God to mankind. The purpose of Piper's book is to allow the ..."

Tags:glory

Abstract
This paper compares the religions of Christianity and Hinduism. It specifically examines the similarities between the Vaishnavites' view of Krishna and the Baptist's views of Jesus Christ. The paper briefly discusses the backgrounds of the lives of both Krishna and Jesus Christ and their roles in Hinduism and Christianity, respectively.

From the Paper
"Baptists, a sect of Christianity, worship Jesus Christ as their savior, a divine teacher, and the embodiment of God. Vaishnavites worship Krishna as a spiritual leader on the path of righteousness and the embodiment of God. Hindu's recognize Jesus as being an embodiment of God, appearing again on Earth when mankind is in need of spiritual guidance, just as Krishna was many millennia before Jesus. The lives of both Jesus and Krishna are represented in scared text each religion uses in their religious practices."

Tags:God, leader, belief, worship

Abstract
This paper gives an overview on the differences between the teachings of Islam as explained in the Quran and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The paper first discusses the significance of the presence of Jesus in both Christianity and in Islam. The paper then presents both the Islamic and Christian views of Jesus and highlights the differences in their views.

Table of Contents:
Research Findings
The Bible and Islam
Final Word

From the Paper
"The Quran contains numerous tales about the life and teachings of Jesus. He is regarded as one of the messengers and prophets of Allah. The Quran also believes in the miraculous birth of Jesus, his teachings, the miracles performed by Jesus with Allah's permission, and also his life as one of the respected prophets of Allah. Christians also hold beliefs in all these aspects of the Jesus Christ however with some differences about some of these views. They believe Jesus to be God's son and that he was killed and crucified on the cross. They also believe that Jesus has resurrected many times which is contrary to Quran's teachings of Jesus' return only on the day of Resurrection. Hence, although both Quran and Christianity teach about Jesus Christ and his miracles, they present some differences in their beliefs."

Tags:prophet, cross, crucifiction, Allah

Abstract
This paper discusses how, by utilizing the best-established facts surrounding this topic, the question as to what really happened after Jesus Christ was crucified at Golgotha can be addressed with some certainty, while allowing room for much speculation. It looks at how a majority of contemporary Christian scholars, who study the Holy Bible and, especially, the New Testament, genuinely believe that the disciples saw the risen Jesus after his crucifixion, whereas the lack of hard data to support this belief leads others to believe that the story is, in fact, a myth.

From the Paper
"In support of the information that Paul, Peter and James supplied about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is clear that the disciples experienced some kind of visual manifestation, for "it is almost impossible to dispute that at the historical roots of Christianity lie some visionary experiences. . . understood as appearances of Jesus, raised by God from the dead" (West, 235). But is it truly as clear as West maintains? Could the apostles have possibly fabricated all the material with the intention that it serve as the basis for their new religion, being Christianity? Logically, any new religion must have converts and the information provided to these converts must be strong and infallible, for without a solid foundation to lie upon, the entire structure will collapse."

Tags:paul, peter, new, testament, crucifixion

Abstract
Both Prophet Amos and Jesus Christ represent a radical demarcation from the Jewish traditional prophecy. This paper discusses how both the prophets criticized the prevailing religious practices and the social order. Jesus and Amos did not belong to a high rank, by profession a carpenter and a sheep herdsman, and never prophesied for money. It explains how, in these two figures, we see a radical stand against rigidity in religion and against traditional beliefs and practices.

From the Paper
"Prophets Amos was one of the first Israelite prophets whose words were recorded on a scroll. Amos is also one of the unorthodox figures in the Jewish history and the lineup of the prophets. Amos was a blue collar prophet and unlike many other prophets did not belong to the aristocratic; he earned his living as a "herdsman and dresser of sycamore figs." [Amos 7:14]. In his scriptures he explicitly tells us that he was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, that is, in the professional sense of that term. In Israel many prophets use to prophesize for money and being a prophet was also a profession. Amos was born and grew up in small town Tekoa which was about twelve miles southeast of Jerusalem and five miles south of Bethlehem. We can thus imagine that to the cultured elite of his day Amos was an outcast" who probably spoke with an accent. Amos had no intention of becoming a prophet but he was called by God to do so and this was a difficult job for a herdsman of a small town. Being from the southern kingdom of Judah, Amos had the unenviable task of speaking God's prophetic word to the northern kingdom of Israel. Amos was an unwelcome outsider and therefore was forced out of town, "Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there." (Amos 7:13?15)."

Tags:judah, israelite, god, prophecy

Abstract
This paper uses ideological criticism to attempt to discover the true ideology behind the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). In order to fully understand the ideology of this religious sect, it dissects it through Neo-Aristotelian and cluster criticism methods which allow the paper to separate specific elements of the speeches and display the full effect that rhetoric has in the FLDS belief system.

Outline
Nature of the Ideology
Research Question
Method
Ideological Criticism
Neo-Aristotelian Criticism
Cluster Criticism
Ideology of the FLDS
Three Artifacts: A Look Behind the Real Ideology
Contribution to Rhetorical Theory

From the Paper
"Through this close analysis of speeches made by Warren Jeffs it is obvious that the FLDS seem to have, in their minds at least, a hegemonic ideology. They believe that they are the chosen ones on earth and that anyone who disagrees with what the Prophet says is deemed unworthy, ultimately placing themselves above every other non-FLDS member person in the world. They abide closely to the Prophet's word and are brought up from a young age embedded with the belief that the Prophet really is a human representation of God on earth. Jeffs uses an intense level of ethos in the beginning of each of his lectures and sermons. By cutting the FLDS members off from the radio, most television stations, and other outside influences, the Prophet is able to mold the minds of these young members from an early age."

Tags:Prophet, warren, jeffs, polygamy, cult

Abstract
This paper, written from a pro-Christian perspective, argues that the only way to gain salvation and a way into heaven is an unquestionable belief in Jesus Christ. The paper uses sources from the scriptures to prove its points. It also looks at how non-Christian believers fit into this argument.

From the Paper
"That key is a belief in, and trust of, Jesus Christ. Of course, there are religions other than the Christian one, and they have a right to their beliefs and customs. But, for a dedicated Christian who believes in the words of the Scriptures and follows and obeys the Ten Commandments, and understands that there is God, his Son and the Holy Spirit, it is this firm belief that man will find salvation through Jesus that keeps him hopeful and confident about his final place in the universe. The belief that Jesus existed and is what he said he was- and what his disciples said he was, makes some historical examinations difficult to rationalize for the true believers."

Tags:Ten, Commandments, Son, of, God, theology, New, Testament