A: I am not sure that the United Methodist Church has a specific view on this controversial issue. I am sure that the church, as well as myself, tries very hard to not oppose knowledge at any level, be it scientific or otherwise. I did address this at some length in another entry in this series, but for now, suffice it to say that I believe that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1.1). It is up to God to determine how to create it.
Q: What was Jesus' full name?
A: Jesus was named after the Old Testament hero, Joshua. Joshua's name, which in Hebrew means deliverer, was adapted to the Aramaic of Galilee and Jesus was called Y'shua. There was no surname, or family name. If Jesus was called by any other names they would have been similar to what everyone else was called.
- Jesus of Nazareth- People from a town would be identified as such in regular greetings and address.
- Jesus Bar-Joseph- The prefix Bar (or sometimes Ben) means son of. This would be a little problematic for Christians because Mary was a virgin. Joseph was not Jesus' father.
- Jesus Bar-abbas- The criminal released at the trial of Jesus, Barabbas, was named Son of the Father. Jesus referred to God as abba, Father.
- Jesus Christ- Christ is the title meaning chosen or anointed one. Christ is the English version of the Greek word, christos. It is roughly equivalent to the Hebrew, messiah.
Q: If God could not be tempted, how could Jesus be tempted?
A: This is one of the great paradoxical mysteries of the Christian faith. The simple answer is that at the incarnation, Jesus became completely human. Although he maintained his rights and status as God, he voluntarily relinquished them. He was completely human, just as you and I are. Therefore, when Satan sought to tempt Jesus, he was truly tempted.
It is important to notice that at every temptation Jesus succeeded in resisting by turning to prayer and his knowledge of Scripture. You and I should prepare ourselves for temptations in the same way. Our hopes to resist will be enhanced as we rely on God. Hebrews 4.15 assures us that Jesus endured the temptation without stumbling. We should do everything in our power to do the same.
Q: Why did God make the earth and the universe?
A: The simplest answer is that God made the universe- and everything else- because he was lonely, or rather because he desired companionship. The ultimate goal of the creation was for God to have fellowship with humanity. You and I are what Jesus was shooting for.
Q: Why do "good" people get taken away, when "bad" are still here?
A: The Bible teaches that all people are sinners in the sight of God. This means that the designations, good and bad, are somewhat artificial. We tend to call people good or bad based on whether or not we like them. Remember that all people- good or bad- are subject to judgment after their deaths. Ultimately, all people, will die. Everyone will be taken away.
All of this is a consequence of the fall of man. Bad things happen because there is sin in the world. I believe that God's original will was for people to live in holiness and fellowship with him forever. However, sin caused us to be separated from God, and eliminated the possibility of eternal life in this world.
Q: The God of the Old Testament seems wrathful and vindictive. In the New Testament God is more loving and caring. What role does Jesus play in this change? Is this view realistic?
A: I believe that God reveals himself to humans in ways that they can understand. During the times of the patriarchs, prophets and kings (the Old Testament), God was vengeful and violent. He ordered his people to behave in the same ways as their contemporaries. He did so to ensure the survival of Israel, because this was how their enemies were behaving and because this was consistent with the experience and expectation of the people. God's response is always appropriate to the occasion.
Jesus does play a significant role in the way we view and experience God in the New Testament and following. He comes with a message of grace, forgiveness, love and openness to all people. Although we are to see God always as just, we know that he has love for all. It is also important to notice that Jesus is careful to not discount or supersede the teachings of the Old Testament. The revelation of God in the New Testament and the person of Jesus are not a replacement of the Old, but a continuation or fulfillment of the work started thousands of years ago.
No comments:
Post a Comment