TEACHING ABOUT GOD – The first Gospel shows God in action, taking the initiative in fulfilling the Scriptures about the coming Messiah. It teaches about the Trinity, and it contributes greatly to the Christian understanding of the deity of Christ. Jesus’ constant reference to Himself as the Son of Man plays a key role in understanding Jesus’ earthly mission.
Continue reading CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW ELEMENTS (MATTHEW)
John 8:58-59: Jesus said unto them Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them and so passed by.
This name that Jesus called Himself is the equivalent of the name with which God identified Himself to Moses at the burning bush.
Continue reading NAMES OF GOD (I AM)
LUKE 11:1-4 This model prayer for Jesus’ disciples is similar to the one in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 6:9-13), but much shorter. Apparently, the disciples were motivated to learn to pray by both Jesus’ example and that of John the Baptist and his disciples. It was unusual for Jews to refer to God as Father. Such an address would seem too personal and familiar. Even though Luke emphasized the offer of the kingdom of God (4:43) and the nearness of the kingdom in
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When you ask for someone’s identity, you normally get a name. Names distinguish individuals from other people. Jane differs from Sarah and from Jennifer, who are all women, similar in many ways yet distinct. But God has no similar others; thus God has no name. Continue reading WHAT DID GOD MEAN BY IDENTIFYING HIMSELF TO MOSES AS “I AM WHO I AM”?