The Meaning of JesusTHEOLOGY: 230-01

* An Ethical (Functional) Eschatology

(Within the Already, Not Yet (proleptic) formulation)

* Metanoia – “A change of mind” conversion/repentance

* The Kingdom of God is meant to bring human and cosmic fulfillment and an answer to the problem of evil.

*The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God

Love of God and love of neighbor are central aspects of this message

God’s love is radical and Indiscriminate (Love your Enemies)

An ethical call to share in God’s perfection through the pursuit of reconciliation and forgiveness

The Law is not dismissed but is interpreted to serve this ethical criteria.

Prayer life and spirituality

Jewish Prayer life

Scripture readings Prayer recitations

Shema 2x Tephila 3x

Jesus’ prayers

Luke 11:2 – Our Father

Matthew 11:25 – Hidden wisdom

Mark 14:36 – Gethsemane prayer

Intimate spirituality

Abba Father – God is seen as a loving parent; generous, merciful and forgiving

We (disciples) are invited to share in that intimate relationship with God

Jesus Teaches

A teacher with a unique (prophetic) authority.

Jesus’ conviction and insights are derived from his own intimate relationship with God

Ethical discourses (Beatitudes, Matthew 25) and parables

PARABLES

• “A metaphor or simile drawn from nature or common life, arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness, leaving the mind in sufficient doubt about its precise application to tease it into active thought.” –C.H. Dodd

• Parables communicate partial information while provoking a dynamic response

Miracles and HealingMiracles were an extraordinary

but not supernatural part of the 1st century experience. Jesus was recognized as a miracle worker and teacher

Jesus’ miracles were demonstrations of God’s power (dynamis) and active testimony of the God’s present reign

Healing and feeding miracles were driven by Jesus’ compassion and justice.

Jesus’ Miracles were often driven by the power of one’s faith.

Jesus did not want the miracles to overshadow his teaching.

Jesus of Nazareth was a human being so close to his God that God’s own creative power flowed out from him in healing waves.

But, most of all, Jesus was a man so charged with God’s own compassion and love that any cry of pain or confusion drew from him an instant response of healing and restoration.

FR. DON SENIOR, REGARDING THE MIRACLES

Community of Disciples• Jesus gathered disciples:

• An inclusive and diverse group that was called by Jesus

• Disciples radically broke from their social and personal ties. And accepted social risks

• They were privy to special instructions

• The Twelve:• Core group of leaders• Symbolize a reconstituted Israel

• Change of Mission:• Mark 7:24, Syrophoenician woman,

Gentiles enter the picture• Mark 8:31, Jesus foresees his own

demise and alters the mission.