The Orthodox Way
The Crucified Jesus
Reasons For Belief
Mixed
100
What are the three assertions regarding the nature of Christ after the Incarnation? What did the third council state regarding St. Mary? What does this conclusion mean about Christ?
1) Jesus Christ is fully and completely God. 2) Jesus Christ is fully and completely man 3) Jesus Christ is not two persons The third council stated that the virgin Mary is Theotokos, “Mother of God” or “Godbearer” Implicit in this title is an affirmation not primarily about the virgin but about christ: God was born. The Virgin is Mother, not of a human person united to the divine person of the logos, but of a single undivided person who is God and man at once.
100
What is the meaning of the name Golgotha? Give 1 of the 3 reasons why Christ chose this as the site of his crucifixion. You can gain an additional 100 points if you list all 3.
Golgotha means the place of the skull 1) This was because our father Adam was buried there and so the only begotten Son came to abode of our ancestor in order to restore to him eternal life. 2) St Cyril says “ The name the skull is a symbol for Christ who is the head of the church. 3) It was said that this was also the site where criminals were executed and where their skulls were discarded. The Savior desired to restore eternal life to this place of death
100
What are the Contradictory views? What is meant by “Truth”?
+ Truth is what’s true for you (1st question) + Truth is what matches the facts (1st question) + Truth is what matches the facts, what corresponds to reality (2nd question)
100
Explain the two ways the phrase, “He descended into hell” is to be understood. (Orthodox way)
1) That Christ went to preach to the departed spirits during the interval between Great Friday evening and Easter morning. 2) The deeper sense is Hell is a point not in space but in the soul. It is the place where God is not. If Christ truly “descended into hell” that means he descended into the depths of the absence of God.
200
The author points out that man is made, not only in the image of God, but more specifically in the image of God the Trinity. Describe what this means or involves. Support with sayings from the saints and desert fathers.
Since the image of God in man is a Trinitarian image, it follows that man, like God, realizes his true nature through mutual life. The image signifies relationship not only with God but with other men. St Symeon the New theologian says “there is no other way to be saved except through our neighbor” The homilies of St Macarius) “The old men used to say that we should each of look upon our neighbor’s experiences as if they were our own.
200
Describe the Roman custom of scourging and the whips used during this punishment? Also who did Fr. Manasseh say prophesied about Jesus’ scourging.
Part 1 1) Strip the condemned 2) Tie to an arch post and whip them across the back. 3) Roman whips were made of pleated bulls hide, knotted on the ends and within each knot was inserted a piece of bone. Whenever the whip struck the bare back of the condemned it would leave very deep and painful wound. Part 2 1) It was Isaiah the prophet, “From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores: They have not been closed or bound up, or soothed with ointment.
200
The Bible directs us to be ready to defend our faith, so we’re to be able to use facts and good reasoning to support what we believe. What is the exact verse?
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)
200
The author states that underlying the definitions about Christ as God and man are two basic principles concerning our salvation. What are they? What incorrect way did the Arians view Christ? (FYI “St” Leo the Great is not a saint in the Coptic Church)
1) First Only God can save us. A prophet or teacher or righteousness cannot be the redeemer of the world. 2) Second salvation must reach the point of human need. Only if Christ is fully and completely a man as we are can we men share in what he has done for us The Arians thought of Christ as a demi-God in a sintermediate region between humanity and divinity. We are not to think of Jesus Christ as 50% God and 50 % human.
300
One of the master themes throughout the Fathers according to Bishop Kallistos is the quest for the inward kingdom. What do St. Clement of Alexandria and St. Isaac the Syrian say regarding the quest for this inward kingdom? What’s does Orthodox tradition portrait the true self/self-image to be?
St Clement of Alexandria says the greatest of all lessons is to know oneself; for if someone knows himself, he will know God; and if he knows God, he will become like God. St. Isaac the Syrian sys He who knows himself knows everything. From the viewpoint of the orthodox spiritual tradition it should be emphasized that we shall not discover this, our true self “according to the image” except through a death to our false and fallen self “He who loses his life for my sake shall find it Matt 16:25) only the one who sees his false self for what it is and rejects it will be able to discern his true self
300
What affected the emotions of the right thief causing him to reveal his feelings to Jesus and the other thief? Provide 3 examples of others that didn’t have the faith or the hope of the right hand thief?
The condition of our savior has touched his hear, changed his disposition and enlightened his mind. In addition when Jesus uttered the words “Father forgive them” had the greater part to play in drawing his heart closer to this crucified One Whose heart is empty of all hatred toward His enemies. He must have believed that He who forgives His killers could not possibly have committed any offence warranting death and so he said to the other theif “ And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deed but this man has done nothing wrong (LK 23:41) 1) Peter denies his master before a servent girl while the thief declares his faith openly 2) The disciples on the way to Emmaus say “but we had hoped that he was the one “ while the thief says with a firm hope “remember me” 3) Thomas cried out saying “unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hands into his side I will not believe. While the thief confess him to be a king while on the cross
300
What are some challenges that come from schoolteachers, college professors, commentators, writers—seemingly from every walk of life?
1. There is no God 2. The New Testament is unreliable. Through it may have some good moral teaching, it contains fables and errors. 3. If Jesus existed at all, he was not God; he certainly did not rise from the dead. 4. The Bible is no different from any other religious book. All religions have their own truth. 5. Many paths lead to God; Jesus is not the only way. Being good and being sincere about what you believe is what matters.
400
Part 1) in regards to the gift of the Paraclete on the day of Pentecost three aspects are mentioned. What are they? Part 2) How does our personal Pentecost similar and differ from the Apostles Pentecost in Acts? Does the Holy Spirit withdraw in our lifetime in times of sins and negligent? Can we live in the fullness of realization and fellowship with the Holy Spirit like the Apostles? Hint: We are to become what we are
Part 1 answer 1) It is a gift to all God’s people “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit” Acts(2:4) 2) It is a gift of unity “They were all with one accord in one place” Acts (2:1) The spirit brings unity and mutual comprehension allowing us to speak with one voice. 3) The Holy Spirit is a gift of diversity. Not only does the Holy Spirit make us one, but He makes us all different. Part 2 answer Apostles Pentecost- The Spirit descended visibly upon the Apostles in tongues of fire- Personal Pentecost Descended upon every one of us invisibly during baptism through chrismation of our forehead eyes nostril mouth ears breast hands and feet. Similarities- The Holy spirit fills us the same way it filled the apostles on Pentecost. Each becomes an “anointed one” a “Christ” after the likeness of Jesus. Yes The Pentecostal spark of the Spirit, existing in each one of us from baptism, is to be kindled into a living flame.
400
Give 6 comparisons between Jesus led to crucifixion and Isaac as he is being led as a burnt offering.
1) Issac Carried the wood away in isolated routes away from strangers who would ridicule him. Jesus Carried the wood in the centre of Jerusalem, trumpets before Him, drums beside him crowds following him 2) Issac was compelled by a compassionate father. Jesus was compelled by people that had no pity in their hearts 3)Issac carried the wood a short distance while being lamented by his father. Jesus carried his cross a long distance while being kicked and slapped by the multitudes 4) Issac did not meet his mother Sarah on the way up the hill. Jesus encountered his mother on the way to Golgotha, which added to his suffering 5) Issac did not carry his bundle while he was exhausted from lack of sleep or suffering.Jesus both suffered from lack of sleep and suffering when he was carrying his cross 6) Issac was not aware of what was about to befall him. Jesus our Deliverer and our Savior, knew all and fulfilled all.
400
What are the four common worldviews? Describe them.
1. Atheism: The universe is eternal. There is not God and no miracles. 2. Deism: The God who created the universe is absent and inactive. There are no miracles. 3. Pantheism: God made the universe out of himself. There are no miracles, since God is in all; all is part of God. 4. Theism: God created everything that is by speaking it into existence; he is an active God who has done, can do, and will do miracles.
400
Give 3 examples with proof of saints who lived the verse “being reviled we bless; Being persecuted, we endure”. What is the reference for the verse?
1) St. Stephan – cries out with a loud voice “lord do not charge them with the sin” 2) St. Paul - Is the one who says the verse and lived what he said 3) St. Cyprian – when condemned to death to die by the sword, ordered twenty-five pieces of gold to be given the execution who administered the sentence with trembling hand. 4) The reference is Acts 7: 59,60
500
Explain the Orthodox tradition in terms of the “Spirit-bearing” elder. What does Dostoevsky and Fr. Zachariah’s disciples say about their spiritual elders. What are the qualities or gifts of a spiritual elder (please be specific here there are 3 pages describing his/her qualities)? What do to if none is present?
Qualities and gifts of a spiritual elder 1) He elder is not necessarily old in years. But he is wise in his experience of divine truth 2) Blessed with the grace of “fatherhood in the spirit” 3) He offers to his spiritual children a personal relationship not a rule of life. 4) The holy spirit has given him the fruit of his prayer and self-denial 5) The gift of discernment or discrimination, enabling him to read the secrets of men’s hearts 6) Gift of spiritual healing not only through his words of counsel but also through his very presence 7) He prays for his children constantly, he accepts their joys and sorrows as his own, by taking on his shoulders the burden of their guilt or anxiety 8) The elder is a priest usually his ministry of spiritual direction is closely linked with the sacrament of confession. What happens is simply that the Holy spirit, speaking directly to the hearts of the Christian people makes it plain that this or that person has been blessed by God with eh grace to guide and heal others. In this sense he is a prophetic figure not an institutional official 9) He seeks to transmit the unique will of God specifically for this one person 10) He does not aim at eliciting a mechanical obedience, but leads his children to the point of spiritual maturity where they can decide for themselves. 11) Because the relationship is always personal a particular starets cannot help everyone equally he can help only those who are specifically sent to him by the spirit. That why na disciple should not say my priest is better than all the others he should only say my priest is the best for me 12) In guiding others, the spiritual father waits upon the will and voice of the Holy Spirit. Part 2 We can learn from books whether or not we have a priest we look to the bible for constant guidance. In addition there is also a spiritual brotherhood or sisterhood the help that is given to us, not by teachers in God but by our fellow disciples. Also we should make every effort to find a father in the Holy Spirit
500
Fr. Manasseh references 3 paintings depicting the stages of a soul’s response to the crucifixion. Describe them.
1) A man stands before the crucified Christ meditating and questioning without realizing the mystery for which God allowed the blameless to die 2) Shows the same man kneeling before the cross having understood the words of Isaiah “The chastisement four our peace was upon Him, And by his stripes we are healed (Isa 53:5) and with a thankful heart deeming Jesus to be his Lord and Redeemer 3) In the last we see him beneath the cross, having dedicated his life to the service of his savior
500
What are the three arguments for God’s Existence?
1. Science provides us with evidence that the universe had a beginning. Therefore, Someone, or Something, must have brought it into existence; that is, began it. 2. Science also provides ample evidence that the universe was designed. Only a personal being, or a designer, can design something. 3. There’s evidence too for the existence of a universal moral law.
500
1. The death of Judas. Matthew 27:5 says he “hanged himself.” Acts 1:18 says he “fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.” Answer: Judas hanged himself on a tree. Later, when the rope broke, his body fell from the tree and burst open. The rope may have broken when someone tried to cut down the body; it may have broken naturally; there are several possibilities. It does not pose a contradiction. 2. The number of angles at the tomb of Jesus. Matthew 28:5 refers to one. John 20:12 says Mary saw two. Answer: Matthew doesn’t say there was only one angel—he only refers to one, and whenever there are two, there is always one. That there are difficult passages in scripture should not cause us to conclude that the Bible is wrong. Whatever the problem is, it is with us—we’ve not yet understood the possible solutions or grasped what’s actually being said. The more we study the Bible and the evidence for it, the more we eliminate claims of contradictions.
There are many apparent contradictions in the New Testament. What are the two examples the book used? What are the defending answers?
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