Theology
Chapter One Journal
1. The one key idea of this chapter is that Jesus is the fulfillment of the old covenant. He fulfills the promise of the Old Covenant in a number of ways. Foremost, Jesus fulfills the covenant through the splitting of the Temple, which breaks the barrier between God and His people. He also finalizes the covenant?s promise by conquering Death, and so triumphs over sin. Since Jesus conquers Death and opens the gateway to Heaven, the people are no longer kept away from being with God by sin.
2. One very important idea is that Jesus made the old covenant into a new covenant. The new covenant was given by his death and resurrection. The new covenant provided a way for men and women to escape sin and death. I think this is a very important idea and helps to show explain why the old and new testaments are separated in the bible.
I also like how the law differs between the old and new covenant. Under the old covenant the Israelites were required to fulfill the letter of the law of the Ten Commandments. Jesus imposes an entirely new idea of the law of love. Now, not only are the Israelites prohibited from engaging in certain actions they are also obligated to reach out and help other people and to acknowledge that we are all beings loved by God.
3. I think the Dome of the Rock reflects the historical and theological connection between the Jewish faith, the Muslim faith and the Christian faith.
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4. One significant question you have from this chapter. I have heard that there are many different versions of the gospel. Why are they not all included in the New Testament? For example, I heard on the news that they had found a Gospel of Judas in which Judas states that Jesus asks him to turn him over to the Pharisees. How did the church decide what to include and what not to include?
5. If Jesus never had been born
There would be not a morn
In the darkness of sin and temptation
No Lamb of God for our salvation
If Jesus had not appeared
Our Earth should?ve ever disappeared
In time and space without a place
No light of the World for His saving grace
If ourselves had not God forgiven
Shackled in despair, we?d be Hell-bidden
But on the Cross was split the Temple curtain
And Heaven and Nature united eternally for certain
