Author Archives: dlama@uoregon.edu

TEAM 4 QUESTION 2 (5/18)

Posted on by under matthew

In The Parable of the 10 Virgins (Bridesmaids), Matthew’s author is emphasizing that we must be prepared for the Son of the Man’s return at any moment and that your soul is not necessarily guaranteed a place in heaven just because you attend church. The term ‘lamp’ can also be understood as a tool to light the way and escape darkness in a spiritual sense. From this perspective, the oil cannot actually be shared even if the five wise women wanted to, because the oil that will light your path to salvation is not interchangeable. Then when the bridegroom (Jesus) arrives, only the five wise woman are able to leave with him while the five foolish woman are left out in the darkness. When the foolish woman finally arrive and beg entrance into his house (Kingdom of Heaven), he says “Truly I tell you I do not know.’ Keep awake therefore for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Mt 25:1-13).

In the Parable of Talents which follows directly after, the author’s attitude shifts from preparation to faithfulness and risk. First it should be understood that this parable is not supposed to focus on any economic gain, but rather on risking one’s own talents for the good of the Kingdom of Heaven and in service of the lord. In (Mt 25:21-22), the first two slaves were able to double what they had received previously, and they used their talents to faithfully serve their masters, in return they receive praise, promotion, and are able to ‘enter into the joy of their master’. The third slave however, has less faith in his ability and fears his master’s backlash and the punishment his physical body might endure. Even though the third slave was given less than the first two, he did not try to do anything with what he was given and his lack of faith led to his master’s dissatisfaction.

Following the harsh denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees in Ch. 23 and the temple’s destruction in Ch. 24., the parables in (Mt 24:45-25:-46) continue to point out that Jesus’s arrival could be at any time, and it is very possible to miss the opportunity into the Kingdom of Heaven if you aren’t prepared spiritually and mentally. We must not attach ourselves to this material world because not of it will matter in the next realm and we must use our faith and our abilities in the name of the lord.

Written to a primarily Jewish audience thought to be located in Upper Galilee, the gospel of Matthew was produced to help Matthean Christians who were conflicting with the majority sect of Jews (Rabbinic) and Gentiles. These parables would have let the community know that it was okay to be teach and follow in the way of the Pharisees, but never ‘be’ like them. Also that faith and preparation will be key factors in gaining access to heaven. If you are not prepared when Jesus returns, then you have missed your opportunity forever, therefore you must always be prepared spiritually, never attached to the material world and constantly using your abilities in the name of the good lord. You do not know when Jesus’s judgement is coming, but you know he is coming so you must be pious and good to others.

TEAM 4: QUESTION 2 (ROJ 5/3)

Posted on by under birth narrative

The author of Luke draws almost parallel birth and genealogy narratives for Jesus and John the Baptist. It begins with the virgin pregnancy of Elizabeth, then while John is in the womb, he kicks when Mary arrives at their home, showing that pre-birth John the Baptist has predicted Mary’s own divine pregnancy. Then the naming of Jesus closely follows that of John’s and then they both circumcised. The Gospel of Luke creates a much more expansive birth narrative than Matthew and focuses more on Mary than Joseph. While the author consciously advances the reputation of John the Baptist, later in Luke there is an obvious divide between the divinity of John and that of Jesus. Luke also hones in on the John the Baptist’s mother, Elizabeth who is unexpectedly pregnant like Mary. The entire foundation of Luke seems to be built upon relationship of Jesus and John and that of Isaac’s (Gen 18:1-15) and Samuel’s birth (1 Sam 1:1-2:10 Luke’s author makes a point of using the word favor, “for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant” (Luke 1:48) to create a connection with “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look with favor on the lowliness of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant” (1 Sam 1:11 LXX). In Samuel, Hannah who had been barren was finally blessed by god with child, similarly in Luke, Elizabeth and her husband Zachariah who were much older were also blessed. Also Hannah promises “he shall drink neither win nor intoxicants, and no razors shall touch his head.” (1 Sam 1:11) This same announcement is made by an Angel in regards to John in (Luke 1:15)

By creating such a detailed background story, Luke’s Author wants to show the tight and undeniable connection between John the Baptist and Jesus. On the other hand, the audience should also know that events didn’t just occur by accident. Because, “even before his birth he will be filled with Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:15). John the Baptist is already a holy baby within the womb, and then upon Mary’s arrival he kicks, showing his own divine significance and simultaneously warning of Mary’s own divine pregnancy. Further down the line, this intertwined narrative creates the building blocks for Jesus receiving a baptism from John, and the beginning of Jesus’s ministry.

While Matthew shows little Greco-Roman literary influence, The Gospel of Luke creates a birth narrative similar to Apollonius of Tyana, following aretology guidelines. In a sense, The Gospel of Luke is trying to fill in the blanks left by mark, while also polishing up some of the semi-divine or human like traits. By creating a birth and genealogy narrative, the Gospel of Luke cohesively shifts from “the birth narrative and continues right through to the Passion narrative and into Acts” (White 255). It needs to be obvious to the readers that these scenes haven’t just been predicted, they’ve been divinely prophesized. Out of all the gospels, it is Luke that creates the best ‘divine-man’ narrative, using ancient aretology methods to both compare and out due its literary predecessors like the Life of Apollonius and the Life of Moses. Luke creates the true son of god, the ultimate savior.

ROJ 4/12 Team 4, Question 2

Posted on by under divine man

For thousands of years as White said, “there was no question: miracles really happened.” The discussion wasn’t about the legitimacy of miracles occurring, it revolved the criteria of magical acts and how they were interpreted by the society they originated from. In Philostratus’s, The Life of Apollonius of Tyana, the author attempt to restore the good name of Apollonius by comparing him to other divine men such as Plato & Socrates. Philostratus emphasized that Apollonius’s gifts of foresight were given to him through studying with Brahmans of India and Egyptians philosophers. Where some people cursed him for speaking false wisdom, the author wants his readers to understand that Apollonius was a well versed man who sent letters discussing the fallacies of certain religions, laws, and traditions. He’s even recognized for restoring mishandled temples and is closely compared in divine knowledge with Pythagoras.

Based on L. Bieler’s: Characteristics of a “Divine Man”, the entire life of divine men, including their birth can be broken down into a few specific criteria. Although only Apollonius seems to fulfill all steps, Jesus is also a great example, starting with a warning like the warning given by the angel to Mary, then a usual birth place like a manger on a special day like the Sabbath, followed by some type of miracle. In Section 1.4 of Philostratus’s story, he chronicles the auspicious signs prior to Apollonius’s birth. The Egyptian god, Proteus shows himself to the mother of Apollonius just prior to her labor, telling her that her child will be special. The author also notes that Apollonius will be greater in foreknowledge and wisdom than even Proteus, this gives further credibility to his case as a divine man.

Again, Apollonius’s life story parallels the requirements of a divine man. Even as a child everyone around him knew he was special. He was smarter than his peers and had complete self-control from the start. Even after the death of his father, he returned home to deal with all affairs and try to rehabilitate his drunk of a brother. Apollonius also followed the teachings of Pythagoras, refusing to eat animal meet, where animal skin, or taking part in vices like sex or drinking. Apollonius’s memory was great and his wisdom even greater, as young man he spent five years in silence, ignoring those who would anger him with their words and holding back even during the greatest realizations. Apollonius was a great man in deeds as well as faith, never breaking his own rules and rationally contemplating larger philosophical issues from a young age.

In section 1.16 of The Life of Apollonius of Tyana, the author discusses the middle of Apollonius’s life when he has already acquired great knowledge and travels the world. Whether it’s a the Magi’s or the Egyptians, Apollonius was willing to speak with all wise men, letting them teach him novel ideas while sharing his own knowledge with them. When he entered the city of Ninus, he found a young follower who knew him, the man was named Damis and he offered his assistance in translating for the Apollonius. To his surprise, Apollonius responded “I understand all languages, without having studied any of them… if I know every language of human kind; for indeed I know also every silence of humankind.” Later in his travels when Apollonius arrives in Babylon he meets a king who asks him to share in the sacrifice of a white horse. Here instead of showing dissatisfaction, Apollonius calmly tells him you may adhere to your own rituals, but I will also adhere to my own and he offers frankincense to the sun. This is an important part in the story, where a less divine man would oust the king as wrong in tradition, while Apollonius a truly divine man, offers wisdom where it is needed and doesn’t force his opinion on others, presumably because people were so attracted to his wisdom without coercion.

 

 

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