This week at our Young adult Bible Study we are beginning our new study on They Like Jesus but Not the Church. I am excited about the conversation that will come from the study.
This week we are going to be talking about Who we say Jesus is. Through out scripture Jesus is referred to as the “Son of God” and the “Son of Man.” Both are important and both give us very different understandings as to who Jesus is.
If you have a minute let me know your thoughts on one or both of the titles. It might make for some good conversation on Thursday evening when we talk it out and then I can get back to you with what the small group thought.
What does it mean for you to say Jesus is the Son of God?
What about when you say He is the Son of Man?
How are they the same or different?
2 Responses
So I’ve been reading this book “Jesus For President” by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw about how Jesus was political in his message and how he taught. Too often we as modern day Christians forget about the politics of the time and the culture in which Jesus lived and taught as we try to understand Scripture. The history of the Jews and Jesus’ time are areas that I have been trying to gain a better understanding of lately and this book has indeed enlightened me.
My answers to the aforementioned questions can be expounded with a little knowledge of history now. Although Jesus was seen as opposing Caesar it was not necessarily in the ways we often think of. Yes, his kingdom was a much different one that he set out to establish, but his teaching was definitely of the times. “Son of God” was a popular title given to kings and emperors. These were thought to be appointed by God(god)to rule. While, we know Jesus was without a doubt sent by God to rule a different kingdom the Jews and Romans didn’t get that yet. Jesus was very clever at using the imagery of the times to establish his kingdom all the while wreaking havoc with the Romans and Jews.
Cathy,
Thanks for your thoughts. There is always a couple of layers that we have to peel back to get at the heart of what Jesus ways saying. I love the way Jesus took things poeple understood and allowed them to view them from a different angle. Caesar was a son of the gods, but the early Church came to know Jesus as THE Son of GOD.
Kind of like the way early hymns were put to the tune of pub songs because everyone already knew how to sing them while sober or drunk. Why not add good lyrics to a tune that is known and sing our faith? Context and location are always so important.