hearts class of The Heart of Christianity Sunday, 5 March 2017 received on Saturday, 4 March 2017 with Lembi Saarmann at The First United Methodist Church in San Diego, California, United States

 hearts class of The Heart of Christianity Sunday, 5 March 2017 received on Saturday, 4 March 2017 with Lembi Saarmann at The First United Methodist Church in San Diego, California, United States
Dear Hearts,
Here are some thoughts for tomorrow's discussion.
Ehrman - Chap 7
p. 257 – John written about 90-95 CE – starts with who Jesus is, but no birth story
P. 258 – divine Hypostases – personal attributes of God. Uses wisdom as an example. God is wise, has wisdom, so wisdom must be something distinct from God.
What did you think of this argument?
Is God separate from her attributes?
p. 259 – the Word [divine hypostases] become human. John sees Jesus as more exalted than the other gospels.
p. 259-260 – people know who Jesus is – starting with the Baptist, then Andrew, Phillip, Nathaniel – all before Jesus begins his ministry.
This is very different from the other gospels.
p. 260-263 – Jesus does not keep his identity secret. Does miracles that correspond to his statements. These miracles are called signs
1. bread of life – feeds 1000’s
2. light of the world – heals blind
3. resurrection and the light – raises dead
4. before Abraham was “I am”
5. I and the Father are one.
Why do you think John, unlike the other gospels, has Jesus not only recognized by others, but proclaiming his own deity?
P. 264-267 – no apocalyptic vision as in other gospels. Jesus preaches about himself. His message is rejected by the Jews.
Story of the blind man whose parents are called in and questioned shows that this could not have been written during Jesus life. Had to be after some Jews “converted” to Jesus followers. They kept talking about Jesus and got thrown out of the synagogue. They became a separate group with an “us vs them” mindset. Had a dualistic understanding but it was vertical, not horizontal. Not this evil world à Jesus comes again à good world. But evil world à believe in Jesus à be born from above into the good world.
Which one works for you? horizontal or vertical?
p. 269 – Gospel of Thomas – author is named Didymus Judas Thomas – thought be some at the time to be the twin of Jesus. Jesus is not called God, just the “living Jesus”; the sayings are hidden. Understanding of the sayings is the way to eternal life.
p. 271…. The sayings are disturbing. The material world is terrible. We were pure spirit once and want to be again. Need to renounce this world- avoid pitfalls of physical pleasure. Highly ascetic life view.
p. 274 – the Thomas community didn’t like Jews or other Christians. It was exclusive, apart, interested only in finding the kingdom within.
Some Christians today preach that we need to be “in this world but not of it” separation from “worldly” life style.
p. 277 – early Christians were not interested in historical accuracy. They used the stories and memories of Jesus to make sense of their world.
Don’t we do the same?
p. 278 – Paul mainly speaks about Jesus death and resurrection.
p. 280 – Q – focused on Jesus teachings.
Matthew covered Jesus life and teachings. Saw Jesus as a Jew, came to the Jews, important to keep the law.
p. 283 – Judas gospel – Jesus told Judas the truth. The betrayal allowed Jesus to return to the spirit realm. Isn’t this like the gospel of Thomas as to our desire to return to pure spirit?
p. 284 – Marcion – his writings are preserved only by his enemies. 2 gods – one created the earth – god of the Jews. No one could keep the law so all are damned. Jesus came for a god above the Jewish god. Not really human, just tricked Jewish god into believing he died.
p. 285 – Theodotus - only one god so Jesus could not be a god. He was human and only human. At his baptism, he was adopted by God. God’s spirit allowed him to do miracles etc.
See you tomorrow.
Lembi
Lembi Saarmann, RN, EdD
Emeritus Faculty
School of Nursing
San Diego State University
Cell: 619-987-1604
Email: Lembis77@gmail.com

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