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The Uniqueness of Jesus

galilee. The Uniqueness of Jesus. Workshop Portfolio. Reflect upon and describe your understanding of the Christian message of hope , using biblical references.  Comment on the perspective that it provides on human destiny . Describe the impact that it has upon you personally .  .

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The Uniqueness of Jesus

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  1. galilee The Uniqueness of Jesus

  2. Workshop Portfolio • Reflect upon and describe your understanding of the Christian message of hope, using biblical references.  • Comment on the perspective that it provides on human destiny. • Describe the impact that it has upon you personally.  

  3. Popular understanding • The Christian hope is …. • going to heaven forever when you die • Human destiny is …. • going to heaven or hell forever when you die • Evangelism is …. • changing people’s destiny from hell to heaven • Personally …. • I will go to heaven forever when I die • Do you agree with this? Bible support?

  4. Focus on individual destiny • What happens when I die? • Options: • Nothing (when you’re dead, you’re dead) • Immortality of the soul • Reincarnation • Resurrection • Which (if any) of these are biblical?

  5. Religion is … • Connectedness • Making sense of human experience • Ingredients: • Beliefs • Story • Rituals – festivals, liturgy, rites of passage • Ethics • Spirituality – journey, encounter, formation

  6. The Challenge • Many religious teachers • Common themes • Christians often claim: • Person and teachings of Jesus are unique • Only Christians will be saved • What do we make of it?

  7. Map (1) Is Jesus Unique? Is Christianity Unique? Are Christians Unique?

  8. Faiths, Founders and Followers Is Jesus Unique? Is Christianity Unique? Are Christians Unique?

  9. Looking from inside or outside? Is Jesus Unique? Is Christianity Unique? Are Christians Unique?

  10. Map (2) Salvation Christian Beliefs World Religions Is Jesus Unique? Is Christianity Unique? Are Christians Unique?

  11. The incomparable Christ • Christianity compares with other religions • Beliefs • Story • Rituals • Ethics • Spirituality • Christ differs fundamentally from other founders.

  12. Biblical Claims of supremacy • John 1:14 • John 14:6 • I am the way ……………………. • I am the truth …………………… • I am the life …………………….. • Acts 4:12 • Philippians 2:9-11

  13. Scripture and Tradition Tradition Celebrations Creeds

  14. Celebrations • Christmas • Easter • Eucharist What are these about?

  15. The Apostles’ Creed. I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended to heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

  16. Christian Tradition

  17. person of

  18. Exclusivism • Jesus is God’s unique self-revelation • Jesus’ death makes salvation possible • Those who believe in Jesus will be saved • Usually taken as ‘going to heaven’ • Those who do not believe will be damned • Usually taken as ‘eternal torment in hell’ • The main task of the church is to preach the gospel, so that the lost will be saved.

  19. Map (2) Salvation Christian Beliefs World Religions Is Jesus Unique? Is Christianity Unique? Are Christians Unique?

  20. Problems • Was Abraham saved? • Was David saved? • My own story. • Many who profess conversion seem hardly changed. Can so much depend on so little? • Some people in other faiths appear to have a living relationship with the living God. • What is saving faith?

  21. Alternative Views • Focus on spirituality, and avoid issues of destiny completely • Syncretism • Pluralism • Address issues of destiny differently • Universalism • Conditional immortality • Address issue of exclusivity • Inclusivity

  22. Syncretism

  23. Syncretism • Spirituality is the core behind all religions • Every religion is inadequate • Pick and mix – whatever is helpful

  24. Pluralism • Many faiths in the world • All are human responses to God/spirituality • Each has integrity • Value diversity • Can’t pick and mix • Respect, not rivalry

  25. Comparing Religions

  26. Comparing Religions

  27. Universalism • Jesus is God’s unique self-revelation • Jesus’ death makes salvation possible • Every individual will eventually experience God’s invitation to eternal life • That invitation will be so liberating that everyone will respond to it • The grace of God will triumph, and all the universe will be reconciled to God.

  28. Conditional Immortality • Jesus is God’s unique self-revelation • Jesus’ death makes salvation possible • Eternal life is the free gift of God, not an attribute of human beings • People receive eternal life by faith • This is necessary to have a part in the age to come • Hell is a means of destruction, not torment

  29. Inclusivism • Jesus is God’s unique self-revelation • Jesus’ death makes salvation possible • Salvation includes both a relationship with God now and a future in the age to come • God invites people into salvation in all sorts of ways • The result and evidence of salvation is a living relationship with the living God

  30. Do you fit any of these views?

  31. What about truth? • Spirituality may be the heart of religion • Ordinary language may be inadequate for expressing spiritual realities • A single religion may embrace internal contradictions • Question: Are there doctrines that separate 2 faiths so much that they are irreconcilable?

  32. Day of Judgement Dead will be raised Destiny settled Linear view of time After every death Karma Endless cycle Cyclical view of time Resurrection v Reincarnation

  33. Questions • Are resurrection and reincarnation • fundamentally different, • or just 2 ways of expressing the same thing? • Could someone be a Christian Buddhist? • Is it possible to ‘rejoice in diversity’ without abandoning truth claims?

  34. A charitable view Justice beyond this life Resurrection Immortality Reincarnation BUT Jesus rose from the dead.

  35. Another example • Christians see Jesus as God incarnate • Hindus believe in ‘avatars’ of Vishnu • Parallels and contrasts • One avatar still to come • Question: In talking with a Hindu about Jesus, would you want to stress the parallels or contrasts?

  36. Fulfilment and Confrontation • Simeon: My eyes have seen your salvation • a light for revelation to the Gentiles • and for glory to your people Israel. • Paul: We proclaim Christ crucified • a scandal to the Jews • and an absurdity to the Gentiles.

  37. Echoes

  38. Challenges • Jesus is not just a teacher but the saviour. • God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. • Jesus’ resurrection shows who he is, what he achieved, and settles the ‘life after death’ debate. • Salvation is freely available through God’s grace on the basis of Jesus’ death – an historical event. • The Holy Spirit is poured out on the basis of Jesus’ resurrection.

  39. Where does that leave us?

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