Theology Final Exam Study Guide Questions And Answers

Theology Final Exam Study Guide Questions And Answers • Why does Jesus make the decision to exercise a ministry to and be in solidarity with the poor, the sick, and the sinner? - Compassion: esplagchnon (Greek) Gut wrenching pity, mercy or compassion for those who suffer. It is the motivating factor of all that God does and is. The Kingdom of God: God's mission for creation. It is a new order in society rooted in compassion, justice, peace, and right-relationship between God and all of God's creation. It is the primary mission of Jesus and by continuation, the mission of the church and the Christian believer. St. Thomas Aquinas on Justice vs. Charity: Justice is giving what is due (one's surplus) to the poor [those who need our surplus to survive]. Charity is giving to the poor part of what we are left with [that which we need] after having been just. In other words, you must first be just before you can be charitable. What is the instrument that Jesus uses to heal? On what does Jesus depend on to heal? - Faith. In this context, faith is the existential conviction in the goodness and love of God. How does Jesus forgive the sinner? How does he communicate God's love and forgiveness to the sinner? - He ate and drank with sinners. The act was scandalous because Jesus was eating with the dregs of society. In doing so, he communicates that God's love is unconditional. Forgiveness is for all, especially for the sinner. What was the charge upon which Jesus was tried, sentenced and executed? - King of the Jews = Revolutionary What were the two tribunals that existed in First Century Palestine and who presided over them? - Sanhedrin-Jewish court Roman court In which court was Jesus tried? - Roman court Was an armed rebellion the only threat to Roman rule? Explain your answer. - No. Any popular movement—especially if it was religiously motivated What does Nolan say that Pilate must have known about Jesus before his trial? - That he was an influential leader and the man responsible for the riot at the temple ("The Cleansing of the Temple") Who arrested Jesus? - Jewish guards and Roman soldiers Who appointed Caiaphas, the high priest of the temple, and controlled his religious functions? - The Romans Did Jesus defend himself? - no Who is ultimately responsible for the death of Jesus? - The powerful—both Jews and Romans—but ultimately the Romans who tried, convicted, and executed Jesus. According to Sachs, what is the heart of the Gospel message and the foundation of the Christian Faith? - The resurrection of the Crucified Jesus What is the meaning of the word "parousia"? - The imminent coming—second coming How was the general resurrection seen within the Pharisaic tradition? - It was eventually seen as the ground of hope not only for Israel's vindication, but for the apocalyptic revelation of God's mercy upon all nations. For Jesus, is the resurrection merely connected with the idea of a just retribution? Why or why not? - No. It is connected with God's faithful love How do the Gospel narratives present the death and resurrection of Jesus? - They present Jesus' death and resurrection, not as a personal privilege of Jesus, but as the culmination of God's action for us and for our salvation. What is "divine life" all about? - Life unto death for others is what divine life is all about. Sachs states that "it is the same Jesus, who died and was buried" who was now alive after the resurrection. He also holds that the resurrected Jesus was not the same. What does this m