San Diego, California, United States - The First United Methodist Church "Heart of Christianity" Lesson Discussion Questions for Sunday, 9 November 2014

San Diego, California, United States - The First United Methodist Church "Heart of Christianity" Lesson Discussion Questions for Sunday, 9 November 2014
Hi to All:
We'll discuss Chapter 11 of Aslan's book, ZEALOT.  Here are some issues and questions to ponder for the discussion.
1. Pp. 128-132.  Jesus is compared to John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or other prophets.  Jesus asks the question: "Who do you say I am?"  Peter answers: "You are messiah."  Then the event on the mountain occurs, where Jesus is transfigured and God pronounces: "This is my beloved son."  The gospel text gives Jesus the same title that God gave to King David: "Beloved."  There were just three people who witnessed this event -- the anointing of Jesus of Nazareth, as the messiah, the King of the Jews. But instead of heralding this event to his followers, Jesus wanted to keep it a secret.  What is the "messianic secret"?  Why?  Your thoughts?
2. Pp. 132-134.  Can the "messianic secret" be traced to the historical Jesus?  What does Aslan say about this issue?  Please explain.
3. Pp. 134-135.  Aslan writes that there are three different views about what the messiah would do.  What are the three views?  Why didn't Jesus fit any of the three views?  What did the early church do to rectify this apparent anomaly?
4. Pp. 136-138.  Jesus called himself cryptically "the Son of Man."  Why?  What does Aslan [wearing his scholarly hat] say about the origins of that phrase?
5. Pp. 139-141.  What evidence does Aslan give us that the phrase, "the Son of Man", is likely linked to the Book of Daniel and not to the two apocryphal books, 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra?
6. Pp. 141-142.  Why is the short dialogue between Caiaphas and Jesus such an enigma?
7. Pp. 142-143. Aslan states: "And here is where one can come closest to discovering who Jesus thought he was."  Please explain Aslan's assertions about this statement.
8. P. 144.  What does Aslan assert was Jesus' only weapon with which to push the Roman empire out of Jerusalem?  Was this weapon enough to do the job?  Please explain.
Come prepared to join in the discussion.  The discussion last Sunday was absolutely scintillating!  As Marla says, "We had a sparkle hour." Thank you for your participation.  Meanwhile, best wishes and hasta domingo, Ben
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