unit i chris and culture intro

Time• History is full of men who have clamed History is full of men who have clamed

to be Godto be God– Can you name a few?– Each has a right to be heard– Two test to give them substance; Reason and

History• Reason because everyone had it, even without Faith • History because everyone lives in it and should

know something a bout it

Jesus• Who was Jesus Historically?Who was Jesus Historically?

• How do we know Jesus How do we know Jesus Existed?Existed?

• Why Jesus?Why Jesus?

Had the biggest Had the biggest impact on history impact on history

more than any more than any other manother man

Jesus of HistoryJesus of History

3 Things That Separate Christ

1.1. First has was expectedFirst has was expected

2.2. He struck history with such an impact He struck history with such an impact he split it in two.he split it in two.

3.3. Everyone else came into this work to Everyone else came into this work to live he came into the world to die. live he came into the world to die.

Infancy NarrativesInfancy Narratives

• to understand the awesomeness of the to understand the awesomeness of the incarnation Jesus’ birth is only in 2 incarnation Jesus’ birth is only in 2 GospelsGospels

• Account differentAccount different – Matthew Chapter 1 says Jesus was born Matthew Chapter 1 says Jesus was born

in a house (2: 1-12)in a house (2: 1-12)

– Luke says in a manger (2:1-20)Luke says in a manger (2:1-20)

Love and MarriageLove and Marriage

• Mary was found with a child Mary was found with a child from the Holy Spritfrom the Holy Sprit

• LukeLuke–Gabriel goes to MaryGabriel goes to Mary

Salvation HistorySalvation History

• God’s plan to save God’s plan to save us us

• Jesus is human and Jesus is human and divinedivine

IncarnationIncarnation

• God becoming fleshGod becoming flesh

• Messiah must be: Messiah must be: –male, born of a virgin, must be from male, born of a virgin, must be from

King DavidKing David

• Jesus came into the world for one Jesus came into the world for one purpose: purpose: – to save us by death and resurrectionto save us by death and resurrection

WorthyWorthy

• Jesus is able to balance or pay Jesus is able to balance or pay for our sinsfor our sins

• From the beginning of time, God From the beginning of time, God had a plan already to save us.had a plan already to save us.

• Jesus is part of his plan Jesus is part of his plan because he chose to bebecause he chose to be..

Jesus takes responsibility for the Jesus takes responsibility for the sins of the worldsins of the world

• Only a perfect human could be the Only a perfect human could be the sacrificial lamb for us. sacrificial lamb for us.

MatthewMatthew

• Holy Spirit came to JosephHoly Spirit came to Joseph

• Magi saw star to see the Magi saw star to see the MessiahMessiah

• Herod tries to kill the Herod tries to kill the Prophetical Messiah Prophetical Messiah

The magiThe magi• The wise menThe wise men• Magi shows he is the King Magi shows he is the King

of all peopleof all people

 Parables

- Short story to prove a point told Short story to prove a point told by Jesus; extended metaphorsby Jesus; extended metaphors

• Jesus doesn’t give a direct Jesus doesn’t give a direct answer when asked a questionanswer when asked a question

Do two thingsDo two things

• Mirrors & WindowsMirrors & Windows

• Mirrors: reflect yourselfMirrors: reflect yourself– (wise and foolish builders; Lk 6: 47-49)(wise and foolish builders; Lk 6: 47-49)

• Windows: see through God and Heaven Windows: see through God and Heaven – (Mk. 4: 30-34)(Mk. 4: 30-34)– King of Heaven is like a mustard seed that King of Heaven is like a mustard seed that

becomes a huge tree to provide shelter for becomes a huge tree to provide shelter for allall

Miracles of Jesus

•4 Categories4 Categories

4 Categories4 Categories

– Raising people Raising people from the deadfrom the dead• John 11:17-44John 11:17-44

4 Categories4 Categories

–Physical HealingPhysical Healing

•Matthew 9:1-7Matthew 9:1-7

4 Categories4 Categories

–ExorcismExorcism•Luke 4:31-37Luke 4:31-37

4 Categories4 Categories

–NatureNature•Mark 4:33-41Mark 4:33-41

Ultimate SacrificeUltimate Sacrifice

Jesus on the CrossJesus on the Cross

• ProofProof–Proof of faithProof of faith

–Disciples believed that could do Disciples believed that could do itit• They couldThey could

–THEY DIDTHEY DID

Resurrection

• Concurred DeathConcurred Death

• Gave us new lifeGave us new life

• Made all things NEW againMade all things NEW again

How do we know Jesus existed? (Historically)

TacitusTacitus• (pagan testimony)(pagan testimony)• Quoted “People were generally persuaded in the faith Quoted “People were generally persuaded in the faith

of the ancient prophecies, the east was to prevail, and of the ancient prophecies, the east was to prevail, and that from Judea was to come the master and rules of that from Judea was to come the master and rules of the world.”Famous writing Annals in 115 ADthe world.”Famous writing Annals in 115 AD

• Fire broke out in Roman under NeroFire broke out in Roman under Nero• To suppress the rumor that that he started the fire he To suppress the rumor that that he started the fire he

blames the Christiansblames the Christians• Speaks in the writings about Jesus being crucified Speaks in the writings about Jesus being crucified

under Pontius Pilateunder Pontius Pilate– He had to check the recordHe had to check the record

• Tacitus verified that Jesus’ public life took place Tacitus verified that Jesus’ public life took place during Emperor Tiberius’s reignduring Emperor Tiberius’s reign– Luke 3:1-2Luke 3:1-2

Flavious Josephus: Jewish Historical

• Non believer of Christ

• Speaks of him in a writing so one could infer it must have been a historical point

• Was originally taking a bout a disturbance caused by the Jews. Speaks of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ

• Only problem is was it true or just myth handed down

Babylonian Talmud

– Commentary on Jewish lawCommentary on Jewish law– 3rd century3rd century– Mentions Yeshu (jesus) who practiced Mentions Yeshu (jesus) who practiced

magic and led Israel away from the Jewish magic and led Israel away from the Jewish worship.worship.

– Mentions disciples and that he was Mentions disciples and that he was hanged on the eve of Passoverhanged on the eve of Passover

Suetonius (120 CE)Suetonius (120 CE)

• The Roman historian and lawyer compiled The Roman historian and lawyer compiled biographies of several Roman emperorsbiographies of several Roman emperors

• Talks about the Emperor ClaudiusTalks about the Emperor Claudius• Says he expelled the Jews from Roman Says he expelled the Jews from Roman

because of riots they were constantly because of riots they were constantly causing “on the instigation of Chrestus”causing “on the instigation of Chrestus”

• Some debate but many historians agree Some debate but many historians agree Chrestus to beChrestus to be Christ Christ

For ChristiansFor Christians

• Scripture is our record of Jesus and his life

ScriptureScripture

• Is Both

–InspiredInspired

–WrittenWritten

Study of the Bible Study of the Bible involvesinvolves

•HistoryHistory•LiteratureLiterature•Theology Theology •Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

•FAITHFAITH

Holy SpiritHoly Spirit• Guided the Authors

•God wants us to write itGod wants us to write it

•It is related to

GOD!GOD!

The Study of The Study of The Holy The Holy ScripturesScriptures

• What connections Do we see between Jesus Christ, The Scriptures and Truth in our lives?

Eyewitness of Jesus

• Had to Keep the Stories of Had to Keep the Stories of Jesus alive!!!Jesus alive!!!

• The only way to keep them The only way to keep them alive is by writing them alive is by writing them down.down.

Why Jesus?Why Jesus?

FaithFaith

Hope

LoveLove