Reflection Paper Introduction The questions that are found in many theological arguments are critical for many people when deciding what they will believe in regarding religion. Some of these questions are Did Jesus claim to be God? Does the Bible have Authority? Does my testimony really mean anything? In this theology class we have covered these topics at great length. As I reflect on our discussions and material I can see the foundations of my belief. Did Jesus claim to be God? When reading the resource material and what the book Core Christianity had to say about Jesus’s claim to be God, I totally agree with it.
I think I can find this easy because I already believe that Jesus is who he says he is fully God and fully man. I can understand how those that do not understand or have the heart to understand who Jesus was and even those that hate him for his claims. Jesus never denied his identity, tried to hide it, he never did anything in secret. The interesting part to me is that if Christ would have never claimed he was the Son of Man, the attributes he displayed showed that he was one with the father. Christ loves with unfailing love, holiness and goodness.
As the reading said also followed these attributes with power, authority and omnipresence. Through the gospels Jesus identifies himself with “I AM”; this is something that the Jews could easily identify with deity. Even though this claim angered some of the Jews, Jesus would not hide the fact from them. In the article Deity of Christ, not one recognized religious leader- not Moses, Paul, Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, etc. – none of these ever claimed to be God. Authority of the Bible The teaching of the Bible’s authority was very insightful and in-depth.
I always enjoy watching history and archeology channels that find proof of the history of the Bible to me it helps those that don’t believe or understand or believe that the bible is all truth. History does show the truth in the Bible. The transforming power of the word of God has always been authority proof to me. There is no book like the bible that can change someone from the inside out. The transforming power of word is amazing. In reference to the Bible’s authority and it must be accepted or rejected wholly. I find interesting, because I think that many Christians live a halfhearted belief.
They accept the things that they want out of the Bible to be the word of God when it suits their life and benefits them. When a command is something that is not suitable for their life and would require change, then that part of the Bible simply becomes incorrect and not relevant to this day and age. For the Bible to have full authority in our lives we have to accept the word of God and its entirety. Prophecy has always had man’s mind in grasp. Prophecy can be used as evidence of the Word of God and its authority. Looking at prophesy and authority they can go hand and hand.
When reviewing it, the prophecy of Christ is throughout the whole bible. From his birth to his death its authority is proven. I think of the New Testament and how prophecy is said for the unbeliever to believe in the power of God. I think that it’s amazing on how the theme of the Bible has remained the same regardless of the person whom God used to write it. Why are personal testimonies important to sharing the gospel? When I think about the word testimony and what it means to me, it’s the story of one’s life, or the facts of an event.
When that is paired with the sharing the gospel the two are an amazing aspect of the great commission. A personal testimony is full of struggles, trials and overcoming. When the glory of God is testified in a testimony, other people can relate to the gospel easily. I think of the scripture Rev 12:11 (NIV) they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. That scripture has always spoken volumes to me, the personal revelation that I have received from it set me and my testimony free.
That our testimony helps others overcome the enemy of our soul. Because when we come together and share our testimony we find out that we are not alone in our struggles, and the body of Christ can come together and unify. One person’s struggle can become another person’s victory. When sharing the gospel of Christ and how he helps us overcome the obstacles in our lives. Conclusion The topics that are described in this paper can create a very broad report. In the personal reflection its essential to me to consider my own relationship with Christ.
I have had to reflect on my own belief and the course has challenge me to search and see what I really believe and why do I believe it. I know that Christ was not afraid to say who he was, and we should not be afraid to profess who he is to others. I know the Bible to be the fully written word of God I know that some people find it hard to believe that the bible is without mistake and that it is true I have already stated my beliefs on the testimony and overcoming. Some people are ashamed of their past and don’t want to talk about it. I think that is something that overcome to allow God to use their testimony.
