Theology
Journal 8
Imagining the Kingdom
1. Chapter Eight?s key idea is that as Christians, we are called to imagine ways to build the kingdom of God. Learning the parables is one way to learn about the kingdom of God. Studying Jesus? miracles also helps us learn about the kingdom of God. We also need to understand the paschal mystery which is the saving mystery of Jesus? suffering, death, and resurrection. If we can understand the parables, miracles and paschal mystery, we can ?connect our dreams and hopes to God.?
2. Jesus speaks in parables to reveal the truth to believers. Parables give us a religious or moral lesson about the kingdom of God. Often parables challenge the believer to action.
Another way to understand the kingdom of God is to study the miracles of Jesus.
There are two types of miracles of healing and exorcism. There are also miracles over nature and death. One of the reasons miracles are important is because they show the divinity of Jesus Christ.
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4. Is belief in the miracles necessary to believe in Jesus Christ? Although the miracles can not be scientifically proven, this does not change the fact that Jesus Christ existed and it does not alter the contents of his message.