The most significant thing I learned during the Biblical Perspectives course came when I read the Gospel of Luke in its entirety. I was familiar with the stories, but when I read the book in sequence it took on a different meaning for me. The best way I can describe this difference would be to say that reading the book in sequence and reflecting on the meaning of the book made me realize that a serious decision concerning Jesus’ claims was necessary. I am familiar with the writings of C.S. Lewis, especially his book Mere Christianity, where Lewis made the following statement:
I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t …show more content…
First, as far as the Gospel of Luke supporting that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, I found that the story of Jesus at the temple as a child to be enlightening. Mary and Joseph were concerned when they realized Jesus was missing and later when they found him at the temple Jesus responded that, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Indeed, what other meaning could this have. Some might argue that the words were not in fact Jesus’, but only added by the author of the text to create Jesus’ messianic fulfillment. Another example of Jesus making the claim to be the Son of God came when he asked some of the disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”, after the disciples answered Jesus, he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”, with Peter responding, “The Messiah of God.” Again, some might argue that the words do not belong to Jesus and that the author added it to the text for the effect of claiming the messianic prophecy being …show more content…
I do not pretend to know who is right and wrong when it comes to who will receive salvation. I have been raised and believe in the spirit of whosoever will. I am reminded of Frodo in the Return of the King, where he approaches Mount Doom to cast the ring into the fire and destroy it, but he is unable to. Only, Gollum comes along and bites off Frodo’s finger with the ring and later falls to his death and the destruction of the ring into the fire of Mount Doom. For me, this is an allegory of the grace of God. No matter how strong and determined we are to do well and earn our salvation, ultimately it is the grace of God that will save
I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t …show more content…
First, as far as the Gospel of Luke supporting that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, I found that the story of Jesus at the temple as a child to be enlightening. Mary and Joseph were concerned when they realized Jesus was missing and later when they found him at the temple Jesus responded that, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Indeed, what other meaning could this have. Some might argue that the words were not in fact Jesus’, but only added by the author of the text to create Jesus’ messianic fulfillment. Another example of Jesus making the claim to be the Son of God came when he asked some of the disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”, after the disciples answered Jesus, he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”, with Peter responding, “The Messiah of God.” Again, some might argue that the words do not belong to Jesus and that the author added it to the text for the effect of claiming the messianic prophecy being …show more content…
I do not pretend to know who is right and wrong when it comes to who will receive salvation. I have been raised and believe in the spirit of whosoever will. I am reminded of Frodo in the Return of the King, where he approaches Mount Doom to cast the ring into the fire and destroy it, but he is unable to. Only, Gollum comes along and bites off Frodo’s finger with the ring and later falls to his death and the destruction of the ring into the fire of Mount Doom. For me, this is an allegory of the grace of God. No matter how strong and determined we are to do well and earn our salvation, ultimately it is the grace of God that will save