Janeen Saylor Essays (779 words) - Religion, Christian Theology

Janeen Saylor BIBL 104-07: New Testament Studies Professor Sara Wells Regent University September 15, 2016 Impact In this paper I will give my opinion on how "An Overview of the Resurrection Debate by H.S. Horton-Parker" impacted me on an individual Christian standpoint. As well as "The Transforming Reality of the Bodily Resurrection by N.T. Wright and M. Borg." How the Christian idea of "Salvation history" has changed, and how I would communicate this on a larger scale in my preaching and daily endeavors. I have to say that after reading the paper from "H.S. Horton-Parker" I was very angry with the "Fraud Theory, Swoon Theory." First off Ancient History whether it be Archeological or Scholarly, no one person has been able to dispute the things in the bible were untrue, in fact they have proven it to be truthful. The fact that the "fraud theory" states Jesus' body had been stolen by his disciples is impossible. The Sadducees took every precaution by having the Romans put a guard at the tomb along wit h putting a seal upon the tomb. (Matthew 27:62-66) It was guarded until three days after the LORD died. The soldiers that stood guard were confronted by an angel and watched it roll the stone away. (Matthew 28:1-4) Those who fail to believe the LORD actually died in the "swoon theory" and felt he was given CPR to wake him made me laugh yet this too gave rise to some degree of anger. There is no way Jesus could have been revived by humans as he had bled to death and to prove he was gone, they took spears and pierced his sides. (John 19:33-34) The most infuriating part of all the letter from Horner-Parker was the idea that "Jesus was killed , and put in a shallow grave and eaten by dogs, and his resurrection was just a symbolic literacy expression." The fact that the soldiers had seen he was dead and jabbed him and the Sadducees got a seal placed on the tomb shows how ridiculous the idea was that Jesus was eaten by dogs. I can see if a person was a non-believer and was told these theories and believed these lies they could feel the rest of the bible was a lie. But personally reading these theories has just enhanced my faith in the LORD Jesus Christ and that he suffered for me and was willing to give of Himself to save a sinner like me and give me eternal life through his blood and suffering. How has Salvation History changed? This corresponds with N.T. Wrights explanation of "what Easter means." I feel the history of salvation has not changed much from the Old Testament to today. We all as then believe in the salvation God has provided. There has always been the fear of God, faith, hope, and desire to live eternally with our father through the messiah he promised to deliver to us. The Christians from the Old Testament that believed in the coming messiah were sent to a place near hell. Upon the Lords descent into hell , which had to happen , as he had to die a mortal life. During his time in hell, Jesus preached to the righteous and offered what the cross gives us today. How would I incorporate this into the community on a larger scale? Well by doing the best I can at living a Godly life. I cannot how ever be as Jesus was, because I am a sinner. I already converse with my team/co-workers about Christianity, and salvation as we are all saved that work together, (which is wonderful) I always try to bring God into my conversations with, family, friends, and others. It may be what he has done for me in a time of need, how beautiful the day is, being thankful for the rain or snow, and beauty of changin g seasons, or listening to their problems and offering prayer. I have given my testimony as to how I became a Christian, and also Provided Spiritual Services such as premarital counseling, preforming a wedding, or a funeral service. I have also volunteered to give communion to those shut in their