Passing on the Faith

Discussion Is it possible to/Can you know (define first what you mean by “know”) Jesus today?◦ Two Groups: Yes and No◦End Product: Resolved Issues (Things everyone

agreed with) Unresolved Issues (Things not agreed

on)

What are the three stages of Gospel development? Why do we trust these four Gospels and not the other gospels?

◦ Canon?◦ Criteria for choosing which books to keep

Apostolic Origin, Conformity to the rule of faith, Common use in the churches

Are the Gospels reliable even if they were written two thousand years ago?◦ Written 30 to 60 years after the event◦ The Greek text is a reliable historical document◦ The new testament in our bibles today are directly translated from the

Greek manuscripts. Are the Gospels reliable even if they have internal

inconsistencies?

Questions we are answering (Review)

Are the Gospels reliable even if they have internal inconsistencies?

Court Room Analogy

Three witnesses with the same basic storyline but with some differences in details.

Which group is more reliable?

Which group is more reliable?

Are the Gospels reliable even if they have internal inconsistencies? The Gospels are not

exactly the same because they were written by different authors for a different set of people and they were written at different times.

Are the Gospels reliable even if they have internal inconsistencies? (ref. English Standard Version Study Bible)

Marthew---Many scholars have suggested that the prominent church in Antioch of Syria, whose members included both Jewish and Gentile Christians (cf. Acts 11:19–26; 13:1–3), was the intended audience of Matthew's Gospel.

Are the Gospels reliable even if they have internal inconsistencies? (ref. English Standard Version Study Bible)

Mark.--Though Mark wrote from Rome, the Gospel of Mark was composed for the wider church as the record of the apostolic testimony of Peter. Even during the early Patristic period, Gentile Christians were frequently mentioned as the recipients of this Gospel.

Are the Gospels reliable even if they have internal inconsistencies? (ref. English Standard Version Study Bible)

Luke's broader intended audience consisted primarily of Gentile Christians like Theophilus who had already “been taught” (1:4) about Jesus. But Luke no doubt realized that his recounting of Jesus' life and message would also be useful for evangelism among non-Christians. Luke probably had several goals in writing:

Are the Gospels reliable even if they have internal inconsistencies? (ref. English Standard Version Study Bible)

The Gospel of John was written by the apostle John, the son of Zebedee, a Palestinian Jew and a member of Jesus' inner apostolic circle during his earthly ministry. John's original audience consisted of both Jews and Gentiles living in the larger Greco-Roman world in Ephesus and beyond toward the close of the first century a.d

Are the Gospels reliable even if they have internal inconsistencies?

For writers, evangelist:•Mark•Mathew•Luke •John

Different perspectives!!!

Same Basic Story Line!!

Are the Gospels reliable even if they have internal inconsistencies?

For writers, evangelist:•Mark•Mathew•Luke •John

Different perspectives!!!

Same Basic Story Line!!

Personal Example I wish, when I die, people

remember not how great, powerful, or talented I was, but that I served and spoke for the truth, I gave witness to what is right, I was sincere in all my works and actions, in other words, I loved and I followed Christ. Amen."

Richie Fernando's retreat diary,January 3, 1996

Richard Fernando, SJ1970 --1996

Why do people like Ritchie live such a dedicated life?

What struck you in his story? Can you identify with anything in the story? Is there a message for us today?

Discussion

The End