San Diego, California, United States - First United Methodist Church "Heart of Christianity" Sunday School Lesson's Discussion Questions for Sunday, 16 November 2014

San Diego, California, United States - First United Methodist Church "Heart of Christianity" Sunday School Lesson's Discussion Questions for Sunday, 16 November 2014
Hi Everyone:
Next Sunday's discussion will focus on Chapter 12.  Here are some issues and questions to ponder for the discussion.
1. What does Aslan focus on (his thesis, really), historically, that caused the four gospel writers to go easy on Pontius Pilate, absolving him of all guilt by laying the blame on the Jewish religious authorities?
2. P. 148, top of page, lines 6-10.  What do you think of this portion of text?  Aslan gives the reader an "either/or" situation. Toward which way does Aslan lean?  Why?  For you, does the episode of the trial and crucifixion have an "air of theater to it"? Explain.  (See rest of page 148)
3. P. 149, middle of page.  How do you react to Aslan's explanation of Mark's account of the encounter between Pilate and Jesus?
4. P. 149, lower half of page and continued on P. 150.  What reason does Aslan supply his readers as to the way the gospel writers portray Jesus?  How does Aslan explain the behavior of early Christians (those living at the end of the first century) vis-a-vis the portrayal of Jesus' ministry?
5. P. 151, top portion of text.  Can you detect a slight sarcasm in Aslan's explanation of Pilate's involvement with Jesus?  Explain. (See also the entire page 151 and p. 156, middle two Parags.)
6. P. 152, top of page.  Why does Aslan state that the gospel of John "pushes the conceit of Pilate's innocence...to the extreme"? Explain.  (See also the 2nd Parag.)
7. P. 152, 3rd Parag.  What is your reaction to this paragraph?
8. P. 153, lower half of page and top of P. 154.  What are the so-called "blocks" of material to which Aslan refers?  Explain.  And, please explain the genesis of the "passion narratives" used by the gospel writers.
9. P. 154.  How do you react to the middle paragraph of Aslan's text?
10. P. 156.  What does Aslan conclude as the sole reason why Jesus was executed?
11. P. 157, 1st Parag.  Why does Aslan state that "the problems with this scene [i.e., the trial of Jesus set up by the Sanhedrin before sending Jesus to Pilate] are too numerous to count"?  Explain.
12. P. 157, bottom Parag. and top of P. 158. Why was Jesus crucified instead of being stoned to death in keeping the the Torah (i.e., Jewish law)?
I look forward to seeing all of you next Sunday and engaging in another robust discussion.  Take notes on your reading, bring them to class, and sharing them with us.  Meanwhile, best wishes and hasta domingo, Ben
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