YOLB Chapter 10

1. When Jacobs decided to follow civil law to the best of abilities, what were the unintended religious consequences? To what extent do you think these consequences are partially intended as part of being religious or are they just coincidence?

• In my opinion, Jacobs is experiencing some intended and some unintended consequences of following laws. He first talks about the fact that he sees it as a kind of urban Sabbath now. This I don’t think was planned but is a very interesting take on the situation. Someone without such religious consciousness would not recognize it as such, but rather would get annoyed at the waste of time. Jacobs has come to enjoy obeying God’s word and is finding rewards in it too. I am sure there are mental benefits to taking some time out every day to stop and look around. On the other hand, He talks about being free of worry. I think this is a very biblical concept and is very much intended. Part of religion is to make oneself feel like they are living for something, and are working towards a goal. This is exemplified when Jacobs feels good about doing the right thing. The sense of cleanliness that comes along with being organized or following the law helps to free your mind.

2. In what was does Jacobs recognize the many problems with absolute literalism in the Bible in this chapter?

• Jacobs realizes after considering a parable by Jesus that to take the bible literally is not recommended, even in the bible itself. Jesus taught in parables, which have great meaning but are often stories that are not meant to be taken literally. Jacobs lists a series of problematic Bible sections and discusses the fact that literalists are mocked in the bible.

3. What is reconstructionism / dominionism and how does it relate to Christianity?

• Dominionism is a fringe element of Christianity that believes Christians should run the government. They want a theocracy in which Jews are not present. They are extremist Christians in America that have a surprising amount of pull with ‘respectable members of the Christian right.’

4. Describe what you think is the most important thing Jacobs learned on his trip to the snake handlers?

• In my opinion, Jacobs learned that religion makes strange things seem familiar and familiar things seem strange. Religion has brought him to very strange places, but he always identifies with these people now because they have something in common.

Christianity Overview Part 4

1. The Last Supper is important in Judaism because it is a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for humans. Today, it is a ritual in Christian churches to help us remember the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for our sins and so that we may eventually transcend into heaven. It also displays the calm divinity Jesus held just before dying. He neither tried to escape nor fought his persecutors. Rather, Jesus walked straight into death telling his disciples that he would always be with them in the form of the Holy Spirit and the Father.

2.

a. Honest Participants – Jesus’ disciples were made up of commoners and outcasts alike. In the traditional view, any Christian may take the Eucharist, but it is necessary to recognize ones sins and examine ones conscience. This is to say that Jesus sacrificed himself and we must pay respect to this by looking at our own actions and learning from ourselves and the example of Jesus.

b. Washed Feet – Prior to the Last Supper, Jesus cleaned the feet of all of his disciples. This is significant because he is sending his last message to the world. His last act in the world is one of a servant. Jesus is still preaching on the eve of his death to be kind to all in the world, and treat humanity in general as you would yourself. This strikes me personally as truly remarkable and a message of Jesus’ love for humanity.

3. The changing view of the Eucharist – The initial perception of the significance of the Eucharist is that of sacrifice. Until the 16^th century, the Eucharist was to think about the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity. Since then, it has transformed into remembrance of all of Jesus’ acts of compassion and love. It is to remember his life and accomplishments.

Christianity Overview Part 3

1. In my opinion, the most important belief Jesus was his belief that the Lord was one of mercy and compassion. Jesus himself displayed this through his love of all humans, including outcasts. In some regards, this was such a radical idea that if made him an outcast as well, because people really didn’t understand his love and caring for everybody, but eventually Jesus convinced the Jews that this caring was a fundamental part of being a human, and Gods will. It was this acceptance for all separated him from the religious leaders of the time.

2.

a. A very important part of Jesus’ life was his tests during his 40 days and 40 nights of fasting. He wandered into the desert at the beginning of his ministry and fast for 40 days and 40 nights, during which time the devil came to tempt him into sin. He was tempted with hunger, admiration, and power. Jesus refused all offers made by the devil, thus confirming his Holy nature. This is important because it exemplifies the standards Jesus held throughout his entire life. Had he given in once to temptation he would have lost the faith of his followers. This indicates the power of the Lord inside him, as it is remarkable to live sin free for ones entire life.

b. Baptism was an extremely important part of Jesus’ life as well. He went to his cousin, John the Baptist and received the baptism service. Upon his emergence from the water, there was said to be a voice from heaven proclaiming him the Son of God. This is the first time that god actually acknowledges Jesus as his son and an incarnation of himself.

3. The Gospels are made of up four books written by the evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Three of these books are generally just three books about the application of Jesus’ teachings to the lives of early Christians. These three agree on a lot and generally use the same material. The Last book is a more thoughtful reflection on Jesus’ teaching and the Word of God.

Christianity Overview Part 2

1. Incarnation is the Christian belief that Jesus was both completely human and completely divine. He was God in human form, holding all the powers of God himself and one with God. This is significant because it symbolizes Gods power and love of man. He shows himself in the form of Jesus as a savior and messiah.

2. “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.’”
a. This quote is about the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. From the quote it can be deduced that a prediction had been made about the birth of Jesus as the true incarnation and most pure representation of God in his name to spread His word. This is interesting because for much of his early life, Jesus was ordinary despite being predicted as the Son of God himself.

3. The Virgin Mary plays a huge role in Christianity. She conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit when ‘the power of the Most High’ came upon her. She demonstrates the ability of a regular human being who is also very holy. She is not herself an incarnation of God but rather God came to earth through her.

4. The point about King David was quite interesting because it presented the idea that Jesus is a descendent of David, the first King of the Jews. This is in part contradicts the belief that Jesus was not of royalty and that this is in part why he is so significant. It was awesome to some how Jesus, and ordinary child of no distinction from every other poor boy became so wise and was able to read the motives of rich and poor alike. However, if he was the descended of King David, he was royalty after all, in a way degrading his accomplishments and powers as it was often viewed that all Kings or royalty had ‘powers.’

Christianity Overview Part 1

1. Christianity: In Christianity, Jesus was the Father, and the Son. God spoke through Jesus to the Jews. This lead to the basic tenets of Judaism such as Incarnation, Christology, the Trinity, and Atonement, which really separated the Jews from the Christians. Incarnation is that God is ever present in all of Jesus’s life, similar to the Trinity, which is belief that God is present in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christology is the belief that in Christ there were equal parts divine and human. Atonement is the belief that God is merciful, and the forgiveness Jesus provided could be given to everyone who believes.

2. The early Church: Early Christianity started as a small group of devout believers. Their main separation from the Jewish was a belief that the Body of Christ was divine and holy. They also believed in resurrection, something that was hard for Jews to accept. Christianity soon became the religion of the Roman Empire, and was able to take on cultural metaphors and be a more personal religion that traditional Judaism.

3. Divisions: Due in part to this personalization of the religion, Christianity often split into factions. First there was a split between Orthodox and Western or more reform, modern Christianity. Orthodox Christianity was then divided amongst the Greek and Russian Churches. Denominations have formed from the reformist churches of the west such as Lutheran, Baptist, and Methodist.

4. Christian Life: Christian Life manifested in multiple ways. The most devout became monks, and vowed themselves to God through poverty, chastity, and obedience. Many others attended church frequently. Churches quickly became great cultural centers, providing jobs, education, and monastic hospitality. Cities grew around them and communities formed. Religion was a huge part of life. Christians pray, worship, and give to the poor.