Ch 3 philosophy

List and briefly explain the three criteria for interpreting Scripture in light of the Spirit

1. Read the specific passages with the content and unity of the entire Bible in mind. 2. Read the Scripture within "the living Tradition of the whole Church" (CCC, 113). 3. Pay attention to the analogy of faith. This is the unity of truths among themselves and the entire plan of Revelation.

Explain the uniqueness of Gospel texts: references to "Abba," the use of "Amen," parables, Jesus' forgiveness of sins.

ABBA: means father Amen: used as introduction, can be translated as certainly Parables: a story that uses easily understood words to teach a lesson Jesus' forgiveness of sins: he forgave sins as a man because he is the son of God

What is the basis for the understanding that Jesus' public ministry lasted for three years? Explain your answer.

According to the Gospel of John, Jesus celebrated three Passovers in Jerusalem after he began his public ministry, indicating a total duration of three years. He is identified as messiah cause he talks about kingdom of God and his Jewish perspective.

List and briefly explain the three stages of Gospel formation

First stage: the public life and teaching of Jesus himself in the years he was on earth Second stage: the years when the good news was shared by the preaching of the apostles and other people in union with them Third stage: period in which the gospels were written

What crime was Jesus accused of under the Jewish law and under the Roman law? Explain your answer.

He was accused of blasphemy. The accusation was that Jesus claimed to be God's son. He was handed over to pontions pilot who sentenced him to crucifixion.

Explain the meaning of the literal and spiritual senses for reading Scripture.

Literal sense: how things actually happened and what words meant at the time. Spiritual sense: refers not only to the text of Scripture itself, but also the realities and events about which it speaks can be signs, it can be divided into 3.

Define the following terms Martyr Gospel

Martyr: means witnesses, designates those who bore witness to their faith by dying for it Gospel: means good news; that god has sent his son to redeem sinners, written as four records of Jesus Christ, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

List and briefly explain four non-Christian sources about the existence of Jesus. Why is it important for Christians that non-Christian sources validate that Jesus really existed?

Pliny the younger, wrote books of letters with references to Christ and Christians/ Lucian of Samosata- he said Christians follow the teaching of "that one", he describes that one as their founder and lawgiver who was crucified. Thallus- wrote about the earthquake and darkness that descended on the land when Jesus died. This strengthens the fact that Jesus often accompanied his words with mighty deeds, wonders and signs. Celsus: He claimed Jesus was illegitimate and that his father was a Roman soldier, but he never denied Jesus didn't exist. So there can be unbiased facts and so it can open the mind of others who are non Christian, it is a a point of contrast

1. What do you consider to be the most significant event in the life of Jesus? Explain your answer.

The birth of Christ because the son of God assumed human nature and became man in order to accomplish salvation for humanity in that same nature. He is one person in two divine natures.

How did the earliest Christian martyrs promote the message of Jesus even further through their suffering and death? Give two examples.

They served as hero's of the faith to others and drew others to the faith, they also taught future Christians to be stronger in their faith.

How should Christians understand the historical evidence for the life of Jesus of Nazareth?

They shouldn't doubt that Jesus of Nazareth existed, Within the Gospels and other writings of the New Testament, there are several historical references to people, dates, and events that can be verified by sources outside of Sacred Scripture.

List and briefly explain the four reasons why the Gospels are the most important part of the New Testament canon?

authentic testimonies of faith in Jesus Christ, inspired writings, written sources, and expressions of the Church's faith in Jesus - They revolve around one person, Jesus Christ , they provide the most valid evidence of his life and message.