yahoo post #12

Give a detailed summary of the material presented in this chapter.
Christianity has 3 factions, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism, and Roman Catholicism. All three have a central focus, Jesus Christ. For the Roman Catholics, Christianity is based on the concepts of "Teaching Authority and Sacramental Agent." Teaching Authority to the Roman Catholics is the belief that Jesus was God incarnate and he came to earth to give life lessons that better prepare us for the afterlife. This, in turn, leads to the idea that the Pope is God’s voice on earth and because he is speaking on behalf of God concerning matters of the human soul, he is free of error. In regards to the Sacramental Agent, the Roman Catholic Church piggybacks Teaching Authority in that it acts as the Agent that helps us do what the Pope tells us is best for our soul and salvation. The Roman Catholic Church promotes the seven sacraments of life which are Baptism, Confirmed (confirmation), Holy Matrimony (marriage), Holy Orders, Sacrament of the Sick, Reconciliation (confession), and Mass. Also, the Roman Catholic Church believe that the Holy "Trinity dwells in every Christian soul" and only through prayer and confession can one possibly experience God’s grace.

For Eastern Orthodoxy, although it shares quite a bit with Roman Catholicism, such as the Sacraments and "intent regarding the Teaching Authority", it differs in regards to interpreting scripture and how those interpretations come about. In Eastern Orthodoxy, the "developments’ of doctrine" conducted by the Roman Catholic Church are viewed as "additions" which are a necessity of faith. Also, since Eastern Orthodoxy does not have a Pope to lead their church, any decisions made, anything resembling a final word concerning the human soul, faith, and salvation is left to "the conscience of the Church" or the people of the church. The people are the conscience of the Church because, as Christians, they are a part of the God and Christ and, as a result, are a part of each other. Within Eastern Orthodoxy, salvation is a team effort; the Church and it parishioners are bound by faith. This extends beyond the pews into pulpit. The bound is so great within Eastern Orthodoxy that the parishioners elect church officials and have a voice in the dogmas it practices. Also, Eastern Orthodoxy encourages the active pursuit of God’s grace.

For Protestantism, Christianity is based on the concepts of "Justification by Faith and the Protestant Principle." Justification by Faith is the believing with your entire being. It’s believing with your body, heart, and mind. The Protestants believe that nothing the church has to offer matters unless it moves you to the core. Unless one is touched body, heart, and mind by what is being preached, the teachings amount to "mere mouthings." Why must they be touched body, heart, and mind? Believing body, heart, and mind convinces one that they are experiencing "God’s love" and when one experiences "God’s love" they are compelled to act from the good with genuine volition. In regards to the Protestant Principle, "it warns against idolatry" of any form or nature.

Yet, who is this Jesus that Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism believe in? To answer this, one would have to review the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith. The Jesus of history, was born at or about four B.C. in Palestine and raised in Nazareth. He was baptized by John the Baptist. While in his thirties, Jesus developed a following of disciples due to his abilities to teach and heal. Soon he upset the majority, which included Jews and Romans. He was crucified as a result of his teachings and the message he was spreading. Jesus used the idea of God and the promise of a coming Messiah to "alleviate suffering and seek a new social order." He was able to so by three proclamations, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me," "By the Spirit of God I cast out demons," and "Thy kingdom come, on earth." By proclaiming that the "Spirit of the Lord is upon me," Jesus is stating that he is the fulfillment of a prophecy. He is here to give monotheism a facelift. Man and God, man and the spirit world would no longer be separated. Jesus is stating that he has the power to affect change because he has the Spirit of God within him. By proclaiming "By the Spirit of God I cast out demons," Jesus is stating that he is here to exorcize not just the Jews but all of humanity of its wickedness. This was intended to promote community amongst inhabitants of earth. Finally, by proclaiming "Thy kingdom come, on earth," Jesus is stating that change can come about via civil disobedience. This started by challenging traditional customs and practice amongst the Jews. Jesus did believe that God was strictly for the "Chosen Ones." He believed that God was accessible to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. It must be noted that his was strictly a challenging of the social order and reaffirmation of God’s role in the lives of every human being.

The Jesus of Faith is arriving at via three descriptions, "He went about doing good," "Never spoke man thus," and "We have seen his glory." Jesus is described as going about doing good because he never placed much emphasis on his miraculous deeds. His intentions to make God accessible to everyone and to change the social order allowed for him to travel in many circles with relative ease. Because he was completely unaffected by the social rules of his time, many believed that this is how God would act if he were human. When Jesus is described as speaking unlike any other because he was an excellent orator, he was urgent, quick, vivid, and raw. Most important, though, it was his message that resonated most. Jesus was teaching that God matters and God loved all of humanity, not just the "Chosen Ones." Via his teachings and sermons, Jesus was implicitly encouraging revolution, not just of the social order but of the spiritual order, as well. Finally, to those who were fortunate to have witnessed Jesus in action, they believed they have seen God in the flesh. Jesus walked the walk and talked the talk. He lived as he taught. "From the accounts that we have, his entire life was one of humility, self-giving, and love that sought not its own." Jesus saw himself as the living embodiment of God. The example he lived would be a reflection of God. Jesus was "concerned with what people thought of God." Jesus truly lived according to God’s will.

Jesus’ life as perceived by those who believed in his message kick started a new religion. From the example of Jesus’ life, a feeling of regard for fellow man and the feeling of joy lived and experienced emerged. Amongst those who heeded the message, an understanding of Agape pervaded and the knowledge of the Holy Spirit dwelt inside. As the example and message spread, the growth in believers and converts gave rise to the Church. The Church initially promoted three doctrines, "the doctrine of Incarnation," "the doctrine of the Atonement," and "the Trinity." "The doctrine of Incarnation" proclaims that Jesus was God incarnate. This is important in that what is stated is that God had such a genuine interest into the affairs of man that he was willing to experience human life and suffer as man suffers. Succinctly stated, God was Jesus and Jesus was man, therefore, Jesus the man was God. "The doctrine of the Atonement" proclaims that Jesus’ life and crucifixion freed man from original sin that Jesus’ life and death redeemed humanity. Finally, "the Trinity" proclaims that although God is one being, he encompasses the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What is intended by this proclamation is that God is still this supernatural being but he is also a living example and this living example was moved to remind us all of God’s love for humanity by the Holy Spirit which is accessible to all of us.