8/29: First Class: The Question, Texts, 3 Worlds, Jesus movies, homework

It was a great first class today.
1)We introduced the question of the class "Who is Jesus
(in Matthew)?" .]\

Remember  Julio?

I met him on a mission trip to Paraguay.
The Julio of the toothless grin who broke my heart, and taught me how to pray.


He (photo, on left) had latched on to me, as I spoke Spanish to him...and was a big
kid myself .





"What are you building here?," he asked.




"A church."




"What's a church?"




"A place where people can worship Jesus."


Of course, I know now...well, knew then (but didn't take time for theological distinctions) that is deecidedly the wrong answer: church as a place, edifice complex, etc...)





I gulped. I was guessing, dreading/hoping what his next question would be.


It's one thing to hear that billions around the world have never even heard of Jesus, but I had just met my first.

Yep, he said it:

"Who's Jesus?"

           It's the  question we all have.

And remember these videos, "Misconceptions of Jesus?"  Sometimes we need to ask, "Who/waht  is Jesus NOT?"

Jesus Video 1: Jesus doesn't have time for Peter

Jesus Video 2: Jesus gives rules for First Christian Church, and confronts a follower for missing prayer meeting for the Super Bowl:



The rest of these can be found on the tap at the top of the page "Misunderstandings of Jesus"(:

2)We talked about TEXTS (see the Introductory post from yesterday here)

3)We talked about THREE WORLDS (see the Introductory post from yesterday here)
--

HOMEWORK HELP:

>>Remember: By this Wed., read through or listen to (audio downloads and several trranslation choices found by clicking the tab at the top of page that says..The Gospel of Matthew,

If you turn in a one-page sheet of notes, where you simply make note of any observations, feelings,

repeated words/ideas,  list of questions that arise....and a simple outline (traditional outline or chart), you can skip the first quiz and get full credit for it.  Informal, may be hand written, if legible

>>Next Wed, your first official assignment is due:"Who is Jesus to Me?" Be sure to read the syllabus carefully, and note that you must make an appointment in the ASC to have this paper reviewed, so get started early.