War between christian humanism & jewish materialism

In the Old Testament account how the people of Galilee interpreted the proliferation of wild beasts in their territory as a sign of the vengeance of the gods of the country, and delegated an ambassador to the king of Assyria to send them a priest asking Israelite captives whom he had, and the priest came and taught the Galileans "the worship of God from Jerusalem." That was how the inhabitants of Palestine North (Samaria and Galilee) became Jewish by religion, even though the Samaritans carry little Jewish blood in their veins, and the Galileans virtually none.

Jesus had contact with Greek speaking foreigners and natives, Hebrew speaking Jews (Judeans) and spoke his own dialect of Hebrew, Aramaic. Within Palestine were Jewish synagogues and pagan temples of all hues. The strongest religious influences of South Palestine were weak in the North. Since Galilee had only recently been occupied, the political links were also weaker and the impulses of Freedom the greatest. Jesus spoke out against the restrictures of Southern Palestine which tried to dominate the North. Taxes were one third of their income. (Not nearly the two thirds tax of present day US in covert and overt taxes. Overt are federal, state, other government, such as property and sales taxes. Covert are with every retail item having been taxed numerous times. A loaf of bread from the field to the store is taxed ~13 times.)

Jesus used many Greek terms in his messages, ie “hypocrite” from the Greek theatre of a 2 faced actor.

Israel was never a united front against Roman rule, but instead were the warring regions of three distinct parts - Samaria, Galilee and Judaea.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. [For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever.] Amen. (1988 ELLC)

Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)

Analysis of the Beatitudes -Each one is a proverb-like saying packed with meaning and worthy of thorough study. Still most Bible scholars would agree that the beatitudes give us a clear picture of the true disciple of God.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “ - With this phrase, "poor in spirit," most likely Jesus was speaking of our spiritual condition of poverty—the recognition of our need for God. "The kingdom of heaven" refers to people who acknowledge God as their King. Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who humbly recognize their need for God, for they will enter into his kingdom."

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “ - "Those who mourn" speaks of those who express deep sorrow over sin, or those who repent from their sins. The freedom found in the forgiveness of sins and the joy of eternal salvation is the "comfort" of those who repent. Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who mourn for their sins, for they shall receive forgiveness and life eternal."

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “ - Similar to "the poor," "the meek" are those who submit to God's authority, making him Lord. Revelation 21:7 says God's children will "inherit all things." Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who submit to God as Lord, for they will be heirs to everything God possesses."

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “ - "Hunger and thirst" speaks of a deep need and a driving passion. This "righteousness" refers to the Lord, Jesus Christ, our righteousness. To "be filled" is the satisfaction of the soul's desire. Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who passionately long for the Lord, Jesus Christ, for he will satisfy their souls."

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. “ - Simply put, we reap what we sow. Those who demonstrate mercy will receive mercy. Likewise, those who know great mercy will show great mercy. This mercy is shown through forgiveness and also by offering kindness and compassion toward others. Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who show mercy through forgiveness, kindness and compassion, for they will receive mercy."

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “ - The "pure in heart" are those who have been cleansed from within. This is not talking about outward righteousness seen by men, but inward holiness that only God can see. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:14 that without holiness, no man will see God. Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who have been purified from the inside out, being made clean and holy, for they will see God."

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. “ - The Bible says we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Reconciliation through Jesus Christ brings restored fellowship (peace) with God. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 says God entrusts us with this same message of reconciliation to take to others. Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and who bring this same message of reconciliation to others. All those who have peace with God are called his sons."

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” - Just as Jesus faced persecution, so he promised his followers persecution. Those who endure because of their faith rather than hiding their righteousness to avoid persecution are genuine followers of Christ. Paraphrase: "Blessed are those daring enough to openly live for righteousness and suffer persecution, for they will receive the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 6:24 (NIV) 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6: 25-34 (NIV) “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 22:37-40 (New International Version) – Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Luke 6:31 (NIV) “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Or "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Even though this Golden Rule is said in comparable ways in other religions, it is said that this is the only positive way it has been stated.

Jesus fulfilling Prophecy: The term Midrash is explained later, but is related to how the Gospel authors and Paul used the Tanakh to interpret Jesus. Jesus may also have purposely used Scripture to explain himself as the Messiah, eg. Using a donkey to enter Jerusalem and suggesting Psalm 22 in his quoting of the first and last verses while on the cross. He may have mapped his ministry to fulfill Scripture.

Jesus brought a sword to earth in giving a inner conflict to his disciples. He preached both denying the world (materialism) and confronting it. He showed the way to living an authentic life for the Lord and righteousness.

#1 - Before Annas(Backed by Romans) JN 18:12-14, 19-23

#2 - Before Caiaphas(Jews) MT 26:57, 59-68 MK 14:53, 55-65 LK 22:54, 63-65 JN 18:24

#3 - Before The Sanhedrin MT 27:1 MK 15:1 LK 22:66-71

#4 - Before Pilate #1 MT 27:2, 11-14 MK 15:1b-5 LK 23:1-5 JN 18:28-38

#5 - Before Herod LK 23:6-12 KJV

#6 - Before Pilate #2 MT 27:15-23 MK 15:6-14 LK 23:13-22 JN 18:39-19:6

#7 - People Pass Judgment MT 27:24-31 MK 15:15-20 LK 23:23-25 JN 19:7-16

1. There was no legal basis for Jesus' arrest because no one had presented a formal charge of any crime; He simply was taken. Moreover, those who went with Judas to have Jesus arrested included the priests and elders--His judges (Luke 22:52)--among whom were the ones who bribed Judas!

2. Jesus was subjected to a secret preliminary examination at night (John 18:12-14, 19-23), Jewish law permitted only daylight proceedings.

3. The indictment against Jesus was illegal because the judges themselves brought up the charge without any prior testimony by witnesses. The Jewish court (the Sanhedrin) by law was not allowed to originate charges.

4. The court illegally proceeded to hold its trial of Jesus before sunrise so no one would be available to testify on His behalf.

5. The trial began on a day before an annual Sabbath (John 18:28), even though Jewish law did not permit the trial of a capital offense to begin on a Friday or the day before an annual Sabbath. Jesus was arrested and tried on the 14th of Abib, the day before the first annual Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

6. Jesus' trial was concluded in one day. Jewish law says: "If a sentence of death is to be pronounced, it [a criminal case] cannot be concluded before the following day" (Mishna, "Sanhedrin" IV, 1). This was to allow sufficient opportunity for any witnesses in support of the accused to present themselves. Jesus' trial was conducted in private and completed in less than nine hours!

7. Two false witnesses charged Jesus with saying He would destroy the temple made with hands (Mark 14:58); yet He was condemned by the court on another false charge--that of blasphemy. He was condemned on His own testimony (Luke 22:67-71). But according to Jewish law, a person could not be condemned on his own testimony.

8. The merits of Jesus' defense were not considered. Despite Deuteronomy 13:14, the high priest did not "inquire, and make search, and ask diligently" to see whether Jesus' statement was blasphemous. The law in the Misha says: "The judges shall weigh the matter in the sincerity of their conscience" ("Sanhedrin" IV, 5). Instead, the court pronounced sentence instantly and unanimously!

9. Those who would have voted against condemnation were not at Jesus' trial. Joseph of Arimathaea was a member of the court, yet he was not there (Luke 23:50-51). Jesus' opponents had made sure that only those who hated Him would be there.

10. The sentence was pronounced in a place forbidden by law. The trial took place at the high priest's house (Luke 22:54). According to the law, a death sentence could be pronounced only in the court's appointed place.

11. Most of the judges were legally disqualified to try Jesus. Some had bought their way into office, according to Josephus. Also, since they were known enemies of Jesus, Jewish law required that they disqualify themselves so He could be tried by impartial judges.

12. The court illegally switched the charges from blasphemy to treason before Pilate. Jesus' opponents wanted Him killed, but they did not want to do it themselves. So they charged Him with treason (Luke 23:2)--a Roman crime--so the Romans would be responsible for His death. No evidence was presented (John 18:29-30). Pilate, after a brief interview, saw that Jesus was not guilty (John 18:38, 19; Matthew 27:18). Fearing the crowd, however, he allowed the crucifixion of an innocent man. Pilate did not even pronounce Him guilty; he merely turned Him over to the soldiers.

What a mockery of justice this Jewish trial was!

The date of Passover changes each year and both Saturday and special Holy Days were called Sabbath. With so many families sacrificing lambs at the Temple, the Seder meal took place on more than one night. Jesus and his disciples feasted on Tuesday night. The above Trial was held on Tuesday night. He was crucified on Wednesday afternoon. Thursday was the Passover Sabbath. Jesus was resurrected Saturday afternoon. Sunday began at 6pm, Saturday.

1. 
   Anselm around 1100 wrote the classic view of the atonement and paraphrased that Christ’s suffering pays off what man owes to God’s honor and we are thereby reconciled to God. Karl Barth notes a range of alternative themes within this classic view: forensic (we are guilty of a crime, and Christ takes the punishment), financial (we are indebted to God, and Christ pays our debt) and cultic (Christ makes a sacrifice on our behalf).
   
2. 
   And/or -Peter Abelard, a century later, raised an objection to the idea of substitutionary atonement. Abelard gave the moral influence theory: in healing, teaching, suffering and dying, Christ so shows God’s love for us as to inspire us to love God and neighbor.
   
3. 
   And/or -In a 1931 book “Christus Victor”, the Swedish theologian Gustaf Aulen, argued that until Anselm, the dominant view was that Christ frees us by defeating Satan (and this accompanying terminology) in battle, thereby securing our freedom.
   
4. 
   And/or -Yet earlier, Irenaeus of Lyons (anticipated by Justin Martyr), paraphrased recapitulation which envisages Christ as the representative of the entire race. In the recapitulation view of the atonement, Christ is seen as the new Adam who succeeds where Adam failed. Christ undoes the wrong that Adam did and, because of his union with humanity, leads humankind on to eternal life (including morality). This idea 'has been highly influential in the Greek Orthodox Church', having been taken on by many other Church Fathers, such as Athanasius, Augustine and Clement of Alexandria. This Eastern Orthodox theological development out of the recapitulation view of the atonement is called theosis.
   

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“ NIV Romans 8:37-39

Within Judaism, there is no original sin or even a sin nature. Men are born righteous and there is no need for grace. Although the concept of sin can be taken to extremes and priestly authoritarianism within Christianity, Gentiles in the truest sense of faith have always had an Awe for God and His Creation, resting in His divine Providence. Jews generally scoff at these notions, tend to be very materialistic, and desire to dominate the materialistic world. Gentiles have tended towards humility, Jews towards pride.