Abstract This paper discusses how Jaroslav Pelikan, in his book, "Jesus through the Centuries", investigates the enormous impact Jesus has had on the evolution of Western culture. The paper notes that, although Pelikan never manages to break free from the Christian worldview, his book does offer a rich and scholastic chronology of the role Jesus played in Western social, political, economic, philosophic, and artistic histories. The paper describes "Jesus through the Centuries" as an ambitious undertaking which treats Jesus as a symbolic figure and historical force, and which mentions theology only when necessary to substantiate Pelikan's main ideas.
From the Paper "The introduction to Jesus through the Centuries describes the conceptual framework for the book as evoking "The Good, the True, and the Beautiful." Chapter One, "The Rabbi," elucidates some of the problems with literal interpretations of the New Testament in understanding Jesus' life and times. Here Pelikan emphasizes the time lag between the actual birth and life of Jesus and the historical legacy he left. The New Testament, according to Pelikan, "resembles a set of paintings more closely than it does a photograph," (p. 9). The author therefore differentiates between early Christian tradition and the Christian scriptures which evolved later. Similarly, Pelikan notes how different and sometimes conflicting translations of scripture affected the titles given to Jesus of Nazareth. "
Abstract This paper strives to confront some of the challenges and claims set forth by many skeptics regarding the resurrection of Jesus, which often hinder many Christians from attaining an absolute belief in Christianity and all that it embodies. Skepticism in the resurrection of Jesus is not strictly contemporary and such doubts surrounding it are believed to have started surfacing directly proceeding the event itself. The paper briefly examines the history of this skepticism's placement in modern context (from the twentieth century and onwards), presents a retrospective reflection upon the world we live in, scrutinizes the presuppositions of scientific thought - of the world functioning strictly under naturalistic laws, interpretations of pagan myths, and analyzes a comparison of the literal and metaphorical-allegorical interpretations of the resurrection (for e.g. was the resurrection of Jesus bodily or metaphorical?).
From the Paper "The most recent of "scholarly" criticism of the resurrection and of the very historicity of Jesus is that of Tom Harpur's The Pagan Christ: Recovering the Lost Light. Tom Harpur makes some radical claims on the very historical existence of Jesus of Nazareth: "can we say with any authority that Jesus of Nazareth actually existed as a historical person? I have very grave doubts we can." He believes that Christianity took a wrong turn in the fourth century C.E., he then asserts that there are many parallels with the Jesus of the New Testament including his resurrection and pagan myths: "by the antecedent careers of such world saviours as Dionysus, Osiris, Horus, ... Zoraster, Krishna" . Despite the fact that if there is no historical Jesus there is no literal resurrection or any resurrection at all and quite simply no true Christianity, Harpur still argues he is a Christian, but in a new cosmic sense just as pagans were thousands of years ago. "
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 This paper discusses four fundamental reasons for researching the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth, and why this is particularly important today. The author explains from a Christian viewpoint that the ways Christians think, worship, and practice must be explicitly related to the Jesus of Nazareth who actually lived in Palestine. The author provides the historical background for the ongoing controversy about Jesus' life, and suggests that Christians need to use all available tools for historical analysis in order to actualize Jesus for the Church and its opponents today.
From the Paper "In the post-modern world of today, much of humanity demands factuality that is based upon empirically-corroborated and observed scientific theory. Over the last few centuries, scientific thought and method have fundamentally altered humankind's understanding of our surroundings by demonstrating that everything around us is governed by certain naturalistic and physical laws. Such fundamental changes in our understanding of reality have come into direct conflict with many previous notions inherent within Christian doctrines and teachings."
Abstract This paper explains that, as the Second Adam, Jesus re-enacted the scene in the Garden of Eden and reversed the choice of the First Adam through perfect obedience to God, the Father, who came into the world without the curse of sin, which has passed from Adam down to the last mortal, by being conceived of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Divine Trinity and born of a virgin, Mary of Nazareth. The author points out that Jesus speaks of God, the Father, as His Father in a most distinct way. God is the Father of others in that He is of the same nature as His Father, His divine sonship being clearly recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. The paper relates that every mortal is confronted with a choice to accept or reject the offer of salvation by Jesus Christ, who claims to be the Son of God and God the Son; the choice involves everlasting happiness or everlasting punishment, and it is not a mere option that can be rationalized.
From the Paper "In the company of His first disciples, Jesus walked on the sea, calmed the storm and cast out demons (Mark 6:47-50, Mark 1:23-28, 4:35-41). After 40 days and 40 nights of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the devil to prove that He is the Son of God by turning stones into bread and hurling Himself down from the top of a temple (Matt 4:4-6). He preached that men should come to God trustingly as little children, "for such is the kingdom of God (Mark 10:13-16)." He taught obedience to God the Father from His own example of perfect obedience, even to the point of dying on the cross (Philippians 2:8), as His part in the divine plan, for which alone He became flesh."
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
