1) In his essay “The Parallels and Differences Between the Birth Story of Lord Lao and Jesus,” Bidlack compares the similarities between Jesus and Laozi and why they are significant. Bidlack starts his essay by providing some background information about Laozi before discussing the similarities between the birth stories of him and Jesus. Laozi was a philosopher of ancient China and the founder of Daoism. As time went on he became looked as a deity and became known as Lord Lao. There are many similarities in Lord Lao’s and Jesus’ births. First, although Dao is not God, Lord Lao is the figure of Dao just like how Jesus is a figure of God. Dao is known as the creator in Daoism and God is the creator in Christianity. Even though they come from
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Lastly, Bidlack compares Laozi’s and Jesus’ forms. The birth narratives of Laozi and Jesus is the main similarity shared. Both have the same history, time, date, and location. However, with the annunciation, both are conceived in the womb of a woman, but for different importance. In addition, at the time of birth, Lord Lao right away was able to walk and talk whereas when Jesus was born, he was just a small babe. Salvation is also a similarity shared because Lord Lao brings salvation to the Dao Kingdom however, not in the way that Jesus does because Jesus brings salvation to us by redeeming us from our sins. Finally, I believe these similarities are significant because it shows how although there are different religions and more in addition to these two it shows that even though they are different, the similarities connect and bring them together so there is a connection, balance, and unity and a sense of …show more content…
West and Zwane focus on the Parable of the Laborers. The Parable of the Laborers sends the message “the last will be first, and the first will be last.” This meaning teaches us that no matter how long or hard you work, if you believe, eternal life will be given to the same and to all. Thus said, West and Zwane relate this to the unemployed in South Africa because most of the unemployed have some trade or work experience while others have nothing more than just the willingness to work and yet they are still not being hired. Both West and Zwane have taught us that class identity does not matter, yet capitalism is still in the way because “landowners” choose the manner in hiring, paying, and dealing with their laborers. Joy focuses on the Parable of the Talents. The message the Parable of the Talents gives us is that the Lord is telling his people the responsibility they have for His Kingdom. In addition, those who believe and those who are responsible for what the Lord provides our value increases. Thus said, Joy relates this to many interpretations that see has seen. The parable has been misused in relation to “the weak, the vulnerable, the less privileged, and
Lastly, Bidlack compares Laozi’s and Jesus’ forms. The birth narratives of Laozi and Jesus is the main similarity shared. Both have the same history, time, date, and location. However, with the annunciation, both are conceived in the womb of a woman, but for different importance. In addition, at the time of birth, Lord Lao right away was able to walk and talk whereas when Jesus was born, he was just a small babe. Salvation is also a similarity shared because Lord Lao brings salvation to the Dao Kingdom however, not in the way that Jesus does because Jesus brings salvation to us by redeeming us from our sins. Finally, I believe these similarities are significant because it shows how although there are different religions and more in addition to these two it shows that even though they are different, the similarities connect and bring them together so there is a connection, balance, and unity and a sense of …show more content…
West and Zwane focus on the Parable of the Laborers. The Parable of the Laborers sends the message “the last will be first, and the first will be last.” This meaning teaches us that no matter how long or hard you work, if you believe, eternal life will be given to the same and to all. Thus said, West and Zwane relate this to the unemployed in South Africa because most of the unemployed have some trade or work experience while others have nothing more than just the willingness to work and yet they are still not being hired. Both West and Zwane have taught us that class identity does not matter, yet capitalism is still in the way because “landowners” choose the manner in hiring, paying, and dealing with their laborers. Joy focuses on the Parable of the Talents. The message the Parable of the Talents gives us is that the Lord is telling his people the responsibility they have for His Kingdom. In addition, those who believe and those who are responsible for what the Lord provides our value increases. Thus said, Joy relates this to many interpretations that see has seen. The parable has been misused in relation to “the weak, the vulnerable, the less privileged, and