Lesson 5 Flashcards

Question

Conditions of nature (SOG)

Answer 1

-Jesus was able to exercise supernatural authority over the forces of nature. -When the Lord was in a boat with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee, a storm “came down” upon that body of water The waves were crashing over the vessel, covering it, and it began to be filled with water. The disciples, though experienced fishermen, were terrified. They awoke the Lord, who was asleep in the stern Christ “rebuked” both the wind and the sea, and immediately the wind ceased, and there was a “great calm” upon the water -When entering Jerusalem a few days before his death, Christ and his disciples came to a fig tree at the roadside. It was leafed out, but had no fruit; this was strange since fig trees bore the fruit first, then came the leaves. Christ thus spoke to the tree saying, “Be without fruit forever more.” Instantly the tree withered away, beginning from the roots -Jesus’ authority, even over nature, was phenomenal. Once again, these miracles over nature demonstrate Jesus’ status as the Son of God.

Answer 2

-no fewer than nineteen specific cases of miraculous healing performed by Jesus in the three and half years of his ministry. -Modern medical specialists struggle with overcoming a wide variety of ailments that plague the human body. It takes medications, surgical procedures, the healing properties of time, etc., to effect the temporal cures that we so cherish as slowly-dying human beings. -The healing miracles of Jesus involved of a wide variety of ailments, e.g., leprosy, congenital blindness, restoration of a severed ear, deafness and impediment of speech -In this connection it is appropriate to mention that one aspect of the Saviour’s miracles was to establish his authority. -At Capernaum the Lord encountered a man afflicted with palsy, who had been brought to Christ on a stretcher by four friends. Seeing their faith being demonstrated, Jesus said to the crippled man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” -The miracles of Jesus authenticated his claim of being God’s unique Son.

Answer 3

-There were three cases during Christ’s ministry when he raised people from the dead—the daughter of Jairus, a widow’s son , and Lazarus of Bethany -In addition, there is the subtle suggestion that in some way, the Lord was instrumental as well in the resurrection of his own body -It is certainly a great miracle, perhaps the greatest miracle that is performed – such a great demonstration of power underlines Jesus’ status as the Son of God. -Indeed, McGrath suggests that the Resurrection of Jesus plays a key role in Christian theology.

Answer 4

-Demons were evil spirits under the control of Satan. -These were permitted to inhabit the bodies of some people during the earthly days of Christ and his apostles. -Almost certainly this was for the purpose of allowing the Saviour and his men the opportunity of demonstrating the superiority of Christ’s authority over Satan -The New Testament clearly indicates that demons were under the ultimate control of the Savior. -Demons tormented a man who lived in the country of the Gerasenes. When Christ expelled the evil spirits from the unfortunate man, the demons asked the Lord’s permission to enter a herd of swine nearby. Even they acknowledged the Messiah’s authority

Answer 5

-Christians who believe that Jesus authority is human authority are free to interpret and evaluate the teaching according to their experience and judgement. -might think that Jesus really was saying that pacifism is always the right response to violence, because he contrasts pacifism with the old 'law of retribution' in Leviticus 24:19-20, which laid down the punishment of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and so on. In which case, some Christians would say that Jesus was simply wrong it would be cowardly not to defend your family from attack, for example. -another approach to what Jesus is saying here is to ask what kind of speech form he is using, because the form of speech governs meaning.

Answer 6

"You must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." -Clearly this is an impossible demand, since to carry it out humans would have to have all of God's qualities. -Instead, Jesus is probably using hyperbole, which is deliberate exaggeration to achieve an effect. -so Jesus is saying. Don't be satisfied with anything less than the impossible' - it is not the achievement of the impossible that is required, but its attempt.

Answer 7

-A Christian who believes that Jesus is God incarnate reads the text with the assumption that what Jesus says is what God requires them to do, though they might qualify this by saying that what the text says needs be clearly explained and understood. The passage from Matthew's Gospel very clear. Christians must: o do nothing to resist an evil person who attacks them o give freely more than is asked to anyone who makes a demand of them o lend without expectation of being paid back o love their enemies o be perfect.

Answer 8

-These expectations are a challenge to normal human behaviour. -Most people have the urge to defend themselves if attacked, to limit what they give to charity or to those who ask, give loans only if they are likely to paid back, and hate their enemies. -They generally believe that although trying to be a good person is worth doing, no-one can be perfect. Jesus seems to be telling people to go against human nature.

Answer 9

-There are many Christians who are pacifists because they accept the teaching of Jesus as authoritative, so whatever the provocation, they will not resist attack and will try to show love towards those who might be their enemy. -During the First World War, many Christians became conscientious objectors and refused to fight with the enemy. Many were punished for their beliefs by imprisonment. -Others volunteered to provide medical support on the battlefield. -The Religious Society of Friends (more commonly known as Quakers) is a Christian organisation which puts this teaching into practice, by refusing to bear arms or engage in conflict. -does not mean that all Christians are pacifists. Many Christians consider this passage in the light of other teachings of Jesus where he appears to allow or encourage conflict, for example Luke 22:36: "He said to them, "But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag. And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one."