1. One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the major idea of the section.
I believe that one of the most important ideas from this section is the Five Basic Inclinations of Human Nature because it describes both how Jesus was a human while at the same time demonstrating that he was more than simply human. The first inclination is to seek happiness. Jesus found happiness in God and taught others to seek happiness through God because, “[Happiness] is found by seeking good,” and because, “God is the highest good and the ultimate object of every person’s will. (FRR 170) Furthermore, to find happiness, one must “preserve oneself in existence.” (FRR 170) Every person in the world has an instinct to stay alive, but when they can save another person, they will sometimes give up their own lives. Then, there’s the instinct to preserve their species by sexual union. Again, every person is a sexual being who desires to unite with other people, unless they have chosen chastity for the sake of God’s will. Also, people desire to live with others. It is instinctual to want to be with other people, unless they have taken retreat for some greater good. Finally, all people have a desire for free will. This goes all the way back to the story of Adam and Eve…people who desired free will over a life of luxury, and continues to play out today. Although all people desire these things, a few people decide (free will) to reject these desires for a greater good, such as Jesus. He gave his life for us on the cross, he chose chastity, he was alone many times in his life, and he gave up his will for his father’s at his death. He is an example of humanity, and super-humanity at the same time.
2. List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.
a. Instinctual Belief In God - Faith, Reason, and Revelation states that “roughly 99% of people believe in some kind of higher power.” I believe that this is a very important idea first because it reveals why Jesus was a model of Faith. Because 99% of people believe in some sort of God, that’s approximately 594 million people all over the Earth who have different customs, traditions, and cultures. Jesus is a model of Faith because he taught all people who God is and how we should live as children of God. He brought all people together under the same teachings, meaning he explained how everyone in the world, despite their differences can live according to how God would want. In terms of Zanzig, he was the boy who became a fish to teach his pet how to go through the tunnel.
b. The Golden Ratio - The Golden Ratio, which is about 1.61803399 is an abstract number found in many natural objects. The human face, nautilus shells, and so on. Because it is such an exact number, and because it is found so often in nature as well as architecture, art, geometry, etc. gives reason to believe in a God. Also, it is one of the most aesthetically pleasing ratios, which makes us think why this certain proportion is better than others.
c. The Argument Of Natural Law - The Argument of Natural Law is another important idea of the chapter because it reveals so much about how people relate to each other. Because there are objective standards to things like morality (which we believe exists) we are able to argue with other people who think that their view of morality is the correct one. Of course, natural law by itself is not enough to prove the existence of God, but it is more evidence that leads us to this conclusion. It says, “there is something out there that is telling me what is right and what is wrong, and I feel that I should follow these rules.”
3. One image that reminds you of key ideas.
YSP 2004 production of Godspell. Here, Christian Gossett as Jesus dies on the cross. Picture by Christie Kwock.
I think this picture represents Jesus' Faith very well because, as I said earlier, this picture demonstrates Jesus' super-humanity that although he had the instinct to live, he gave up his life willingly so that we could live forever. He died for our greater good, and that's why this picture represents Jesus' humanity.
4. One question you should keep with you to ponder.
In what ways was Jesus a model of Faith and humanity that I am lacking and how can I work to gain some of these qualities?
5. What should you try to do to make you a better person, a more faithful person, from this study?
I think that one of the best things I can do to make myself a more Faithful person is to read the Bible. By reading (especially the New Testament) I can learn more what sort of person Jesus was and how I can be more like him. Also, performing in shows such as Godspell are great ways to learn about Jesus because they’re so much fun. So, any way of learning about Jesus is a good way to become a more Faithful person, so long as we try to live how he said was best.
