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Prophets. Comunicación y Gerencia. SCTR 19 – Religions of the Book prepared by Felix Just, s.j. with Brian Moon & Sean Hind. Overview. What is a “prophet”? NOT primarily “predicting” the future! How does each religion view prophets? Who are the most important prophets?
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Prophets Comunicación y Gerencia SCTR 19 – Religions of the Bookprepared by Felix Just, s.j.with Brian Moon & Sean Hind
Overview What is a “prophet”? NOT primarily “predicting” the future! How does each religion view prophets? Who are the most important prophets? What are the prophets’ main messages?
What is a Prophet? Judaism – navi (Hebrew) Spokesperson for God; speaks to people Filled with God’s spirit; conveys teachings Christianity – prophetes (Greek) One who “speaks on behalf of” God One who conveys God’s messages to others Islam – nabi & rasul (Arabic) Prophet: assigned a special mission by God Messenger: records God’s message in books
Prophets in Judaism Named Prophets: 55 total in HB : 48 male, 7 female Tradition: 600,000 male & 600,000 female Major Prophets? First & Last in Canon: Moses & Malachi Crucial in Israelite History: Elijah & Ezra Books of Prophets: Former Prophets: Joshua; Judges; Samuel; Kings Latter Prophets: Isaiah; Jeremiah; Ezekiel; The Twelve Can all people be prophets? Num 11:25-29; Deut 18:9-22
Prophets in Christianity Recognize all Prophets of HB, plus: Daniel (moved from HB Khetuvim to OT Prophets) John the Baptist (forerunner of Jesus) Jesus of Nazareth (but also more than a prophet) Greatest Prophets: OT era: Moses & Elijah (cf. Mark 9:2-13) Pre-NT era: John the Baptist (Matt 11:7-15) Leaders of Early Christian Churches: Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Healers, etc. 1 Cor 12:28-29 1 Cor 14:1-40
Prophets in Islam Thousands of Prophets In all ages, to all nations (10:47; 16:36) All considered equal (same divine message) Chain of Prophets: First: Adam (2:30-39); Last: Muhammad Recognize all HB & NT prophets (6:84-90) Roles of Prophets: Nabi = “prophet”; spoken messages Rasul = “messenger”; written books
Judaism: Main Prophet:Moses Greatest of All the Prophets: Leader; Teacher; Law-Giver Received Torah from God on Mt. Sinai Decalogue: Exod 20; Deut 5 Written Torah: Five Books Oral Torah: Rabbinic Traditions (Mishnah/Talmud) No great than Moses: Deut 34:9-12 Other Major Prophets: Isaiah (“called” in 6:1-10; “Spirit” in 61:1-11) Jeremiah (“called” in 1:4-10); Elijah; etc.
Question 1 Acc. to the assigned HB readings and the Judaism 101 web page, what kind of prophet(s) do Jews expect in the future? Another Prophet Like Moses? Deut 18:15-18 Return of the Prophet Elijah? Malachi 3:23
Main Prophet of Christianity: Jesus Christ/Messiah; Son of God (Mark 1:1) Son of Man; Son of David; King of the Jews Many other Christological Titles, including: Great Prophet Mark 6:14-15; 8:27-28 Luke 4:4-30 (quoting Isaiah 61)
Question 2 How do the NT texts selected for todaycompare Jesus with Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and other prophets of ancient Israel? Jesus is More than a Prophet: John 1:1-18 Word made flesh; only-begotten Son Hebrews 1:1-5; 3:1-19 Superior to Angels; greater than Moses
Main Prophet of Islam: Muhammad Last in the long Chain of Prophets Qur’an 33:40 but not divine, not different from other humans Final Messenger through whom the Qur’an was revealed Role Model for Believers Hadith: Sayings of Muhammad Sunna: Traditions of Muhammad
Question 3 Based on the selected readings from the Qur'an, what do Muslims believe about Moses and about Jesus? Sample of Many Texts: Surah 3:42-60 Surah 4:150-173 Surah 5:109-120
Other Views of Moses In Christianity Great prophet; law-giver; leader of Israelites Jesus is like a “new Moses” (esp. in Matthew) Yet Jesus is greater (John; Hebrews; etc.) In Islam Highly esteemed as prophet & messenger Mentioned very often in all the Qur’an
Other Views of Jesus In Judaism Teacher; healer; activist; reformer; rebel? Prophet? or False Prophet? Not the Messiah! Not the Son of God! In Islam A great prophet; but still human, not divine Miraculous birth; but no crucifixion! Surahs 3:42-60; 4:157-159
Other Views of Muhammad In Judaism Not a prophet Jews are still waiting for the Messiah In Christianity Not a prophet No new/more revelation needed after Jesus
Main Message of the Prophets Similarities There is only One God Don’t make or worship idols Social justice; love; forgiveness; peace Differences Moses: Torah (Oral & Written) applied in daily life Jesus: Love God, neighbors, yourself, enemies Muhammad: Total submission to God
Summary Definition of prophet/prophecy? How the three religions view prophets: Role of Prophets? Other Important Figures? Major prophets in the three religions? Moses; Jesus; Muhammad; others? Main message of the prophets Similarities? Differences?