Jesus’ Birth (Theme 1)

Question 1

What is Jesus’ birth story according to Matthew?

Answer 1

• The story focuses on Joseph
• An unnamed Angel announces Mary’s pregnancy so Joseph marries Mary and Jesus is born in a ‘house’
• Magi set eyes on him and were gentiles ‘from’ the east
• Tradition suggests that there were three magi due to the three gifts. They are assumed to be kings ‘may all kings fall before him’
• The Magi duped Herod which resulted in him killing all children under two (Isn’t historically reported but would fit his character)
• Joseph flees to Egypt with family and after his death return to Nazareth

Question 2

What is Jesus’ birth story according to Luke?

Answer 2

• Focusses on Mary
• The Angel Gabriel tells Mary of her pregnancy
• Mary visits her pregnant cousin and expresses her joy in the Magnificat. Elizabeth gives birth to John the Baptist and her husband Zachariah prophesies the (Elizabeths unborn baby leaps in her womb at the joy of recognising Jesus)
• Travel to Bethlehem for census. Jesus in born in a manger (wrong chronology as Quirinius wasnt the governor of Syria + census was not held)
• Shepards are informed of the birth by angels and go to visit
• Jesus is presented in the temple, where he is recognised as the messiah. The Nunc Dimittis is spoken
• They return home to Nazareth

Question 3

What is the redaction criticism?

Answer 3

The idea that the writers of the Bible edited pre-existing material to write their own agenda. The stories about Jesus already existed and each gospel writer chose the material they wanted to include which resulted in many changes

Question 4

How is Lukes version of the birth story redacted?

Answer 4

• Gentile audience
• His gospel and acts are dedicated to Theophilus (‘Lover of God’)
• Uses quotes from the Septuagint
• Jesus’ humble nature
• Birth of John the Baptist emphasises the connection between Jesus and the Jews- fulfilment of Old Testamnet prophecies

Question 5

How is Matthew’s version of the birth story redacted?

Answer 5

• Jewish readers
• Tries to prove that Jesus is connected to king David and the fulfilment of Jewish prophecy
• Jesus is for all people ‘from the east’

Question 6

What is the doctrine of incarnation?

Answer 6

The idea of God made flesh; Jesus is God in human form. Jesus is fully God and fully man who is begotten from God, and his flesh and human nature came from the Virgin Mary

Question 7

Why is Jesus fully God?

Answer 7

• He existed from the beginning with God and was God
• His manhood on Earth was for a short time
• His resurrection returned him to the father, where he is eternal in heaven
• He performed miracles

Question 8

Why is Jesus fully human?

Answer 8

• He was a man of flesh and blood
• He was born
• He had to learn all things
• He experiences emotion such as anger and temptation
• He died

Question 9

What is the Kenotic model?

Answer 9

It comes from the Greek word kenosis, meaning ‘to make empty’. It is the idea of Christ emptying/giving part of his nature in the incarnation and such as is human