San Diego, California, United States - The First United Methodist Church "Heart of Christianity" Sunday School Lesson Questions for Sunday, 2 November 2014

San Diego, California, United States - The First United Methodist Church "Heart of Christianity" Sunday School Lesson Questions for Sunday, 2 November 2014
Hi, Everyone in the "Hearts of Christianity" class and friends:
Next Sunday we'll discuss some aspects of Chapters 9 and 10 of Reza Aslan's book, Zealot.  Here are some issues and questions to ponder in preparation for the discussion.
Chapter 9
1. Pp. 103-107.  Aslan writes about Jesus' penchant for performing miracles and charging no money for his services.  He writes: "All of Jesus's* miracle stories were embellished with the passage of time and convoluted with Christological significance, and thus none of them can be historically validated."  But, "...all peoples in the ancient Near East viewed magic and miracle as a standard facet of their world." (p. 107)  Your thoughts about this topic?
2. Pp. 108-109.  Aslan writes that miracles and magic acts are not the same.  "...early Christians...argue that Jesus was not a magician."  However, "...more than a few contemporary biblical scholars have openly labeled Jesus a magician."  Your thoughts about the unusual acts that Jesus performed and the time and place in which he performed them?
3. Pp. 109-110.  While the Gospel of Mark recounts the story of the hemorrhaging woman, including an incident of a seemingly magical event, the Gospel of Matthew recounts the same story, but without the magic.  Your comments?
4. Pp. 111-112.  Aslan writes that Matthew and Luke connect Jesus' words to the prophet Isaiah: "If by the finger of God I cast out demons, then surely the Kingdom of God has come upon you."  How has Aslan made this quote so significant in the chapter?
5. Pp. 112-114.  Aslan argues that Jesus' number one opponent are Caiaphas and the temple priests.  The story about the leper that Jesus healed is the focal point for Jesus to preach that the Kingdom of God is near.  The temple priests become the context for the storytelling.  Comment on the scholarly care Aslan takes to make his case.
Chapter 10
6. P. 125. Aslan asks: "What, then, is the Kingdom of God in Jesus's teachings?"  After reading this chapter, what is your belief about the "Kingdom of God"?  Is your belief that the Kingdom of God (aka Heaven) is inherited after death or while still living?  Please explain.
7. P. 122, 1st and 2nd full Parags.  Aslan writes that Jesus was solely concerned with the Jewish nation, when Jesus said to love your neighbors and your enemies.  I believe the first paragraph to be an extreme position for Aslan to argue for.  Can you shed light on this issue for the class?
8. P. 126, 2nd Parag.  Aslan writes: "...it was Jesus's healings and exorcisms that were bringing the Kingdom of God to fruition...Jesus himself was ushering in the Kingdom of God and establishing God's dominion through his miraculous actions.  He was, in effect, the Kingdom of God personified."  Your thoughts about this fundamental issue?
9. P. 126, last Parag.  Finally, I believe Aslan has written a stunning and poignant paragraph to end this chapter.  What do you think about this paragraph?
* The author uses the plural 'apostrophe s' ('s) in the possessive form in names ending in 's' (e.g. Jesus's words, Caiaphas's actions, etc.).  I use the more recent convention of no final 's' (e.g. Jesus' words, Caiaphas' actions)
I look forward eagerly to next Sunday's discussion.  Meanwhile, stay safe and read carefully.  Best wishes and hasta domingo,  Ben
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