Welcome Creation and Science 13/1 Freedom and pain 20/1 Bible 27/1 Jesus 10/2 (Ash Wednesday) Spirit 17/2 (optional Compline 1830) Life 24/2 (optional Compline 1830) Love and sex 2/3 (optional Compline 1830) Salvation and faith 9/3 (optional Compline 1830) Compline 1830 16/3 Jesus Last week Where is the independent evidence? Really in a stable? A virgin birth? Miracles? Did he have a relationship with Mary Magdalene (as Da Vinci Code suggests)? How can God be Father and Son at the same time? Did he really rise after dying? Why do the gospels tell different stories? Why did Jesus need to happen? What does it mean to call Jesus a 'friend'? The Gospel of Peter The Gospel of Thomas Gospel of Philip Kissing Mary Magdalene Highly connected but rubbish philip1.htm Gnostic Buried around 400AD, discovered in 1945. 1
God is a man-eater. For this reason, men are sacrificed to him. Before men were sacrificed, animals were being sacrificed, since those to whom they were sacrificed were not gods. The Eucharist is Jesus. For he is called in Syriac "Pharisatha," which is "the one who is spread out," for Jesus came to crucify the world. The Lord went into the dye works of Levi. He took seventy-two different colours and threw them into the vat. He took them out all white. And he said, "Even so has the Son of Man come as a dyer." As for the Wisdom who is called "the barren," she is the mother of the angels. And the companion of the [...] Mary Magdalene. [...] loved her more than all the disciples, and used to kiss her often on her mouth. The rest of the disciples [...]. They said to him "Why do you love her more than all of us?" The Saviour answered and said to them, "Why do I not love you like her? When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness." New Testament Eg Luke s historical record. Evidence Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. New Testament Eg Luke s historical record. Evidence In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. Tiberius Ceaser Augustus In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 2
TIBERIEUM (PON)TUS PILATUS JUDI Emperor Roman Procurator 14 37 Tiberius Caligula 26 37 Pilate 4 40 Jewish King 6 Annas 15 18 Caiaphas 4BC Philip the Tetrarch 34 29 AD 36 Herod ANTIPAS Matthew, Mark and Luke Synoptic histories of the 3 years Evidence Mark connected notes, maybe written in Rome Matthew for Jews, traditional, conservative, maybe a tax collector Luke for Gentiles, social reformer, maybe a doctor, member of the Labour Party! For a Roman Governor? John Different, Jesus s holiness, the disciple whom Jesus loved 3
Jesus - did he live at all? Virgin birth? Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day. In Flavius Josephus: Book 18 How much does it matter to you? This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew He was delusional Believed he had power but was wrong Persuaded others But I think that s wrong because Delusional people who claim to be God people do not normally have long-term vast followings (but Hitler, Moon). Personal power is one thing but real healing and other miracles is another. He rose from the dead But I think that s wrong because He wanted power and influence He wanted to upset the status quo He wanted to corrupt the Jewish religion He chose to die, he walked to Jerusalem His followers deserted him, and he knew that would happen He rose from the dead I think that s right because He claimed it Others claimed it about him People know him now His miracles His understanding of God was totally different and wonderful. He rose from the dead. God 32 Miracles Healing the possessed man in Capernaum Feeding the 5000 Healing of Peter's mother-in-law Walking on Water Cleansing of a leper Cure of Syro-Phoenician's Daughter Turning Water to Wine at Cana Healing of Deaf-Mute The Miraculous Catch of Fish Feeding the 4000 Healing of a paralytic Restores Sight to the Blind Man of Cure of the Man with a Withered Hand Bethsaida Healing of Official's Son in Capernaum Healing of a Man Born Blind Healing of Centurion's Servant Healing the possessed epileptic boy Raising of Widow's Son at Nain Healing a possessed stooped woman Calming of the Storm at Sea Healing of A Man with Dropsy Cure of the Gerasene Demoniac Cleansing of Ten Lepers Healing of Paralytic in Bethesda Healing of Blind Bartimaeus of Jericho Cure of Woman afflicted with Hemorrhage Healing of Servant's Ear during Arrest Raising of Jairus' daughter Healing of Two Blind Men at Jericho Healing Two Blind Men The Raising of Lazarus Healing A Possessed Mute 4
300 or 600 Prophesies For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. Prophesy Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 9 25 26 Prophesy Prophesy Psalm 22:1,7,8,16,17,18 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 "He trusts in the LORD ; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." 16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. 27 The days come, says Yahweh, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name by which he shall be called: Yahweh our righteousness. Jeremiah 23 28 Prophesy Who killed him? The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of Yahweh s favour, Isaiah 61 29 1. Jewish Authorities: Jewish King Herod Antipas (not the Great) King of the Jews Temple authorities Undermining power of religious leaders Negating rules, upsetting church economy Valuing everyone, not just religious Would have been let alone if he had not had a following 30 5
Who killed him? Why didn t he save himself? Pilate (Roman Procurator) (indirectly) Very anxious to a) Keep the peace b) Cooperative with the locals c) Keep collecting the taxes d) Limit religious extremism, particularly belief systems that could not be incorporated in or controlled by the empire. Because he had to follow it through, it was his destiny. What did he believe about his own death? Some Bible clues 31 32 What was the point? AT ONE MENT with God Atonement 33 AT-ONE-MENT Also what one has to do to be reconciled OT sacrifice Day of atonement Yom Kippur Hebrews 9 v 16 onwards CONTEXT Comparison of day of atonement with sacrifice of Christ Lamb of God 34 Anselm and Abelard 1033-1109 1079-1142 Original sin undermines God s honour and justice Debt of honour is unpayable by us, so slaves to sin God, necessarily, provides redemption through a perfect God-man for an elect to replace fallen angels Only God can pay the debt. The passion of Christ has removed the guilt and punishment incurred by the original sin from humankind as Christ was punished in place of humankind NOT a payment to appease God s wrath 1. Traditional to pay the necessary price for human sinfulness God is just and justice demands some compensation for our failure, a buy-back feature, a redeeming of what is at the pawn brokers. There was no other good enough, To pay the price of sin, He, only, could unlock the gate Of heaven and let us in. Universal, equal-to-all, prevenient grace of faith 36 6
2. Traditional to receive the death penalty due to God s wrath at our sin 3. Cultural - to be a full and final sacrifice for sin All our sin on Jesus laid. PENAL SUBSTITUTION Amos: I don t want your sacrifices. In Christ alone who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones he came to save; till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied for every sin on him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live. 37 See the destined day arise! See a willing sacrifice! Jesus, to redeem our loss, Hangs upon the shameful cross. 38 4. To demonstrate that death is not the end Heaven s morning breaks and earth s vain shadows flee O thou that changest not, Abide with me. God so love the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever should believe in him should not perish but have eternal life. Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. 40 Evidence for risen? Four gospels, disciples, Acts, 500+ People since eg Paul People prepared to die for him. Tradition of the church Own experience of Jesus in life - prayer 41 43 7
5. Death and resurrection truth was the only thing that would stand the test of time God is Love The nature of God is not war and law, but love how else would we know? 6. God needed to confront the image that he was distant but was a sufferingalongside God I shone, warming hearts of the people who saw How the far-away God was distant no more, Instead, in the glow of my starlight above, Lay the baby: a fusion of God, man and love. 44 Our God contracted to a span Incomprehensibly made man Suffering with someone makes you one with them. 45 7. At the end of the most unfair and painful road there is a victory 8. Changing the world Thine be the glory, risen conquering son, Endless is the victory, thou o er death has won. God was changing the world, and change is painful. He chose to bear the pain himself. At the end, faith, hope and love remain, and the greatest is love. Our God reigns! 46 47 9. He died for me Mystery Resonance. All of those reasons are that he died for us each reason is a crucial part of the gospel the good news. Nothing answers it fully. Mystery is left without mystery, glory, sacrifice and love there would be no religion. 48 49 8