Lesson 4

God and Mankind

“In the beginning,” are the first words of Genesis, the Bible's first book. Genesis, chapters 1 and 2 contain the stories of creation, the revelation of God as the creator of all things, and mankind’s beginning. Here is where you first encounter the beginning theology of God. It reveals that God creates from nothing and was not created because He always existed (He had no beginning and no end).

The truth in Genesis conveys that nothing comes into being or existence without God. Only God is uncreated and is the cause of all existence. God as creator of all things, does so with order and not out of chaos, thus providing a glimpse of His glory. This initial revelation from God begins with Him and about Him using images of what God does to reveal who he is. Genesis is not concerned with “How” but “Who.”

God Creates Man

Genesis, reveals the first part of the story between God and man. It reveals God as the cause for the beginning and existence of creation, which pertains to all created matter including time and space. It is man’s beginning. In this first part, you find that on the sixth day:

“God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1: 27

The intended crowning jewel of God’s creation and His delight is mankind. Adam and Eve, the first humans, were unique amongst all God’s other material creatures. Their human essence possessed an animal side but also a soul. With a soul, man was a rational being, endowed with intellect and will. Genesis 1:27 refers to this when it says “God created mankind in His image…” This ‘image or resemblance’ of God endowed man with the ability to know and to love. In this state, Adam and Eve knew and experienced God because they were filled with sanctifying grace.

Created as perfect human beings, God endowed Adam and Eve with gifts or privileges. Two of the gifts were immunity from death and the other was called the gift of integrity. The gift of integrity allowed them to raise their reason above their animal nature. This allowed their intellect to control their nature without being subjected to mere animal desires. Having complete self-control their nature worked in harmony with God’s will and their physical side was subordinate to their higher faculties.[1]

Adam and Eve were given sanctification and free will to be used to know God, love God, and be united in an unhindered relationship with God. Thus, completing their perfection as being made “In His Image.” They had the unique privilege of walking with God and were without sin. Having a perfect knowledge about what God set before them in a paradise called the Garden of Eden, they were given dominion over creation and told to “Subdue it.”[2]

With their gifts, Adam and Eve knew complete holiness through sanctifying grace. They were able to freely love God and know of God’s love for them. They also had a sense of complete justice by knowing the ontological essence of creation as well as knowing how to care for one another. God provided everything they needed for complete happiness.[3] He places all things before them, but he warns them not to touch or eat the fruit of the ‘Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil’ or they will die.[4]

_________________________________________

[1] This Tremendous Lover – M. Eugene Boylan, OCR, Christian Classics, 1987. Chapter 1 page 7

[2] Genesis 1:28_30 “And God Blessed them…. Sub Due it…..”

[3] This Tremendous Lover – M. Eugene Boylan, OCR, Christian Classics, 1987.. Chapter 1 Page 9

[4] Genesis 2:17b – For in the day you eat of it you shall die.

Why does mankind now need God to save them?

The Fall of Man

In Genesis Chapter 3, “Satan” (the devil) appearing in the form of a serpent, temps Eve to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.[1] God had forbidden Adam and Eve to eat from this tree. Satan proposes to them a lie; “You certainly will not die! 5 God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5 (Chapter 3 verses 4-5)

Enticed by Satan’s temptation to disobey God, in their pride, Adam and Eve abuse their free will by wanting independence from God and to usurp His authority (set themselves higher, and against God). Succumbing to temptation they disobey God's command and commit the first sin against God resulting in the ‘Fall of Man.’

6 The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Genesis 3:6-7 (Chapter 3 verses 6-7)

Original Sin

The “Fall of Man” is the first “Original sin” committed against God, and is very grave. The result is disastrous. Adam and Eve are cut off from God’s presence, lose their privileged integrity, and sanctifying grace and there is nothing they can do to get it back. By this act, death now entered into the world. Their offspring will carry this stain of a fallen nature. Consequently, all human souls bear the stain of “Original Sin.”

The transgression against God is not to be viewed lightly nor shall it be viewed as the action or accident of some ineptness on Adam and Eve’s part. Nor should one consider there is some disproportion between the sin and its consequences. Adam and Eve knew exactly what they were doing. Adam was strongly aware of his unmitigated friendship with God and He knew the life of grace from God was dependent on his obedience to God. Furthermore, Adam knew that a separation from God’s grace by sinning would be a loss not only for him but His descendants.[3]

Adam and Eve, aware of their excellence, entertained a thought that was an inordinate desire for that excellence. Their sin was pride and along with that all of Pride’s offspring; first disobedience, then envy, conceit, and anxiety. In their pride they disobeyed God. With envy, they wanted to be gods. In their conceit, they blame each other and are filled with anxiety because their desires become inordinate.

__________________________________

[1] Genesis 3: 1-4

[2] CCC 415

[3] This Tremendous Lover – M. Eugene Boylan, OCR, Christian Classics, 1987. Chapter 1 page 10

Proto-evangelium

The damage was done! By sinning against God, Adam and Eve lost their privileges with original holiness and justice.[1] The sanctifying grace they had was gone and it was not in their power to retrieve it. Therefore, they now took on a wounded nature, a deprivation of holiness and justice referred to as “Original sin.”[2] This sin would be transmitted to their descendants (all of mankind). After the fall of man; God in His love and mercy, was not pleased to leave mankind abandoned[3] to the mess of man’s sin and man’s own devices. God conveys a provision for man’s salvation.

“I will put enmity between you (Satan-the devil) and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; They (The woman and her child) will strike at your head (Satan’s head), while you (Satan-the devil) strike at their heel.”

Genesis 3:15 (Chapter 3 verse 15)

__________________________________

[1] CCC 416

[2] CCC 417 - 419

[3] CCC 410

Enmity: the state of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something

God addresses the serpent, who as the tempter, has long been identified with the devil/Satan. There are Biblical passages to support this.[1] Because of Satan’s action against God and Man, he is further punished.

Lesson 3 mentioned God’s Glory is seen in his power to create. His glory is also seen in His love, including His mercy which is a form of His love. At the Fall of Mankind, God shows His glory in mercy by not destroying man and providing a promise to save mankind.

In the scripture passage above, you will find this part; ‘“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers. Notice the passage does not use the plural “Women.” This refers to an event concerning a specific woman and her child. This cannot mean Eve because she had already capitulated and there can be no enmity between Eve and Satan.

Therefore, God’s prophetic statement points to someone in the future who will come, born amongst mankind who will give birth to a child. That child (offspring) will defeat Satan and undo the circumstances created by Adam and Eve. It is also understood as the first promise of a redeemer for fallen humankind. Christians recognize this passage of scripture as the protoevangelium.[2] This is the foretelling of God’s plan to send His Son Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, amongst mankind, to save them from sin and their separation from God.

The Protoevangelium is “the first hint of Good news.” It can be described as a ‘hint of hope’ or a ‘glimmer of the Gospel’ or “Good News.” The good news is, that God at some point would do something to save humanity from the predicament of sin into which he fell, eternal death and the eventual defeat of Satan is implied in passages of the Bible. This “Gospel” is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. John’s first epistle found in the New Testament, when speaking about the coming of Jesus Christ, says this; “the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil”[3] .

This early good news in Genesis points forward to the events conveyed in the New Testament. However, until Jesus comes, God steps in to mitigate the damage caused by Adam and the serpent. He does not abandon mankind. He immediately provides for His children. God continually steps into man’s history to save man from one mess after another. Some of this intervention by God is found in the Bible.

The biblical accounts of God’s intervention are key parts of God’s revelation. By revealing himself to certain individuals, God continued to make known to mankind that they were not abandoned. Although, man would eventually need a savior who would offer full redemption for man’s fallen nature!

Since it was through one man, Adam, that sin entered into the world; it would be through the “man-God” Jesus who could redeem the human race from sin. As it was that Adam consumed the nature of sin by eating the forbidden fruit; It will be by consuming the source of redemptive grace in the form of bread and wine (The Eucharist – Holy Communion) and the sacraments that man would be sanctified and walk with God again.

_______________________________________

[1] (Wis 2:24;Jn 8:44; Rev 12:9;20:2),

[2] CCC 411 - Protoevangelium – “Pre-‘Good News’” or “Pre-Gospel” – A sort of primal Gospel/foreshadow of good news.

[3] 1 John 3:8

God's Early Spokesmen

As pointed out; ‘God continues to actively step into man’s history to save man from one mess after another.’ Eventually, God himself will step in personally in the form of His Son Jesus Christ, but this happens much later in history. Initially, God does provide his benevolence and revealed word through ordinary people, such as patriarchs of tribes, judges, prophets, arborists, farmers, shepherds, and kings.

The stories, of how people of ancient times acted on God’s prompting and experienced God, are found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Some of these people are the main personalities in the Bible while others are a bit obscure.

Noah

The Old Testament book of Genesis (Chapter 6:5 – Chapter 8), tells the story of Noah. In the ancient time of Noah, the generations of man following Adam and Eve began to sin more and more. Eventually, they became so depraved that God slated destruction by way of a deluge (a worldwide flood) as the means to cleanse the earth of the abundant evil caused by man. God made His intentions known to Noah.

It was to Noah, his wife along with his three sons and their wives that this message was given by God. To them, God gave instructions to build an ark to save them from the deluge. They were also charged with saving the animals.

The deluge comes as God had told Noah.[1]Noah and His Family along with the animals are kept safe in the ark. They remained in the ark during the time of the storm and the weeks that followed until the water receded.

Once the flood is over God makes a covenant[2] with Noah. Noah and the story of the flood are important to remember. This story is recalled in the New Testament by Saint Peter[3] in his epistle and used as a pre-figure of Baptism (which washes away our sin). In the Story of Noah God uses water of the deluge to purge the earth of the evil of mankind.

____________________________

[1] Genesis 7 & 8

[2] Covenant:: an agreement or a binding contract. A seal or pact between two parties. A promise from God. (See Page 47)

[3] 1 Pt 3:20-21

Abraham

From one of Noah’s sons Shem, down through a few generations, Abram is born[1]. Originally Abram lived in the land of UR which is in the south-eastern part of modern-day Iraq. God speaks to Abram and sets him apart to do his will. He calls Abram to move to a new land which he will point out to him. Having faith in God, Abram and his wife Sarai leave their homeland and journey to a new place as directed by God. God would lead them to a place where modern-day Israel is.

By proving himself to be faithful to God’s call, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, and Sarai is now called Sarah. God Makes a new Covenant with Abraham. When you choose to follow God and follow his will, you are then called by a new name. His faithfulness in following God’s will and trusting in God is so exemplary, that Abraham becomes the model of faith for both Judaism and Christianity.[2]

Abraham goes forth wherever God leads him. Rather than settle down in certitude to make a name for himself, he places all his trust in God. It is God rather than Abraham who will make a name for him. God tells Abraham; that the families of the earth will find blessing in him. For this reason, Abraham in the Old Testament and the New Testament is always referred to as a person of great faith.

God makes a covenant with Abraham. God reveals to Abraham that he will be the father of many nations. God also tests Abraham’s faith by asking Him to offer up his only Son Isaac. In the end, Abraham passes the test of Faith and God does not allow Isaac to be harmed. Isaac grew up and followed God in the same way as his father Abraham and taught his son Jacob to do the same.

In the two brief notes about Noah and Abraham, you can see where God is revealing himself as a reminder that He is ever-present. However, mankind still needs a savior! Throughout the Old Testament, God reveals himself to others and eventually to an entire nation (Israel). Over time God would place His prophets among this nation who would predict the coming Messiah (Anointed One) who is the promised savior.

_________________________________

[1] Genesis 11:10-27

[2] Hebrews 11:8-10 & 17-19 “…. By Faith Abraham was tested ….”

Melchizedek

An obscure Old Testament figure, but important nonetheless. Melchizedek is mentioned in Genesis briefly[1]. He is in the story involving Abram with his army of servants and friends who defeat the invading army of Chedorlaomer and free the people of the valley of Sodom which included his nephew Lot and his family.[2] Melchizedek was the priest and king of Salem whom Abraham goes to meet.

To celebrate, the priest-king of Salem, Melchizedek, comes out with bread and wine to bless Abram. Here, Melchizedek praises God. Melchizedek serves as an arch-type for the expected messiah who would be likened to a priest-king. In the New Testament book of Hebrews, Jesus Christ is identified as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek quoting from Psalm 110:4.[3]

____________________________________

[1] Genesis 14:17-24 “…..18 Melchizedek, king of Salem,* brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High…..”

[2]Genesis 14:16 “ 16 He recovered all the possessions. He also recovered his kinsman Lot and his possessions, along with the women and the other people.”

[3]Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:1, 10, 11, 15, 17, 21

Actor Charlton Heston in his portrayal as Moses in the 1956 Cecil B. DeMille movie :the Ten Commandments."

Moses

After Abraham the generations proceed through his son Isaac, Isaac’s son Jacob, and then Jacob’s twelve sons. These descendants are then known as Hebrews. Jacob’s sons as Hebrews, move to live in Egypt. The Hebrews remained in Egypt a few hundred years later and became very numerous and prosperous as well. Out of fear and jealousy, the Egyptians become hostile towards the Hebrews and enslave them.

God picks another spokesman Moses. God picks Moses even though, he has a tainted past and It is also believed he stuttered in his speech. He is initially reluctant but then chooses to do God’s will.

Moses through the hand of God frees the Hebrew slaves and leads them out of Egypt. Now free, they take on a new name, ‘Israel’ (Israelites) which is a name form coming from their patriarch Jacob. Now the Israelites,’ journey to the promised land. As found in the Book of Exodus, God has Moses give them His Ten Commandments and set up a new covenant with the Israelites. It is from here the Old Testament begins to be penned. It is in the story found in Exodus where God makes a covenant with the Israelites to keep His Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments. (Deuteronomy 5:6 – 21)

I. I AM THE LORD THY GOD: THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME.

COMMANDS: faith, hope, love, worship of God; reverence for holy things; prayer.

FORBIDS: idolatry; superstition; spiritism; tempting God; sacrilege; attendance at false worship.

II. THOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN.

COMMANDS: reverence in speaking about God and holy things; the keeping of oaths and vows.

FORBIDS: blasphemy; the irreverent use of God's name; speaking disrespectfully of holy things; false oaths and the breaking of vows.

III. KEEP THE SABBATH HOLY.

COMMANDS: going to church on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

FORBIDS: missing church through one's own fault; unnecessary servile work on Sunday and holy days of obligation.

IV. HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER.

COMMANDS: obedience on the part of children as well as love and respect towards parents. Care on the part of parents for the spiritual and temporal welfare of their children; obedience to civil and religious superiors.

FORBIDS: hatred of parents and superiors; disrespect; disobedience.

V. THOU SHALT NOT KILL.

COMMANDS: safeguarding of one's own life and bodily welfare and that of others.

FORBIDS: unjust killing; suicide; abortion; sterilization; dueling; endangering life and limb of self or others.

VI. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.

COMMANDS: chastity in word and deed.

FORBIDS: obscene speech; impure actions alone or with others.

VII. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.

COMMANDS: respect for the property of rights and others; the paying of just debts; paying just wages to employees; integrity in public office.

FORBIDS: theft; damage to the property of others; not paying just debts; not returning found or borrowed articles; giving unjust measure or weight in selling; not paying just wages; bribery; graft; cheating; fraud; accepting stolen property; not giving an honest day's work for wages received; breach of contract.

VIII. THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOR.

COMMANDS: truthfulness; respect for the good name of others; the observance of secrecy when required.

FORBIDS: lying; injury to the good name of others; slander; talebearing; rash judgment; contemptuous speech and the violation of secrecy.

IX. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR'S WIFE.

COMMANDS: purity in thought.

FORBIDS: willful impure thought and desires.

X. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR'S GOODS.

COMMANDS: respect for the rights of others.

FORBIDS: the desire to take, to keep, or damage the property of others.

Can You Know God Without His Revelation?

This is an interesting question. To answer it, it is helpful to examine the difference between what is possible and what is probable to grasp a good sense of the answer.

With natural reason, it is possible to know there is some type of god that is the cause of the cosmos. It may even be possible to deduce that the world you see about you must have been caused initially by an intelligent being. You might even be able to use reason and reach a philosophical point that it must have been with a purpose. There is an extremely remote possibility to conclude that all creation was made only by an all-powerful, all-wise, and knowing, self-existing being. But, this takes a great deal of time, and considering the time dedicated to basic needs, it is extremely unlikely people living in the ancient world not bother.

Even though you may be convinced it is possible, the probability of reaching those possibilities is extremely remote. You must admit the probability that all or any person can have or maintain such a thorough reasoning for this while taking the time to consider it is extremely low. Also, the probability of anyone who ventures to seek this out even with such very remote possibilities, remains highly unlikely such a person or group of persons would draw the same accurate conclusion of who God is. It would be so remote it borders on an impossibility. An ancient Greek named Aristotle proposed a singular God. But many of His Greek peers didn’t follow this or believe it.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and injustice of those men that detain the truth of God in injustice; because that which is known of God is manifest in them. For God hath manifested it unto them. (Romans 1:18-19)

The high improbability, considers first, that very few people would easily discover the notion of an Almighty God. Secondly, if somehow a person were to develop a notion of an almighty God, they would never begin to develop a full sense of who God is for them and what his calling to them means. This cannot be known without God revealing Himself and subsequently taught.

There is evidence of ancient, and aboriginal religions (pagan) having a sense of a god. The Greeks had great thinkers like Aristotle and Plato providing some reasoning for the existence of a being outside of creation. They even suggest the possibility this being might be the cause for creation. None of these came close to the realization and theology of God as He is revealed by Himself in the Bible. This revelation comes only from God and through His Holy Spirit.

Without God periodically revealing Himself to mankind, there would be no way for humanity to know the plans God has for the salvation of man. Always remember, it is God who constantly comes to mankind. This is because He always wanted mankind to be close to Him. It is God who constantly calls you, and you need only to listen and follow. It is God who constantly searches you out and you need to respond. And He demonstrates this by sending to us His Son Jesus.

God stoops all the way down from heaven to touch your heart, soul, and mind because he loves you. Just as a parent stoops down to embrace or support their child, so, too, God the Father comes down to us to embrace and provide for His children.

At times one may hear someone in a conversation include a statement such as “I found Jesus!” Nice thought, but not really true. It is Jesus who finds you!

We Need to be Saved; Therefore, we need a Savior!

The biblical timeline in the previous lesson is a reference simply to note some of the high points within the Old Testament. This allows the uninitiated or person unfamiliar with biblical history to get a progression or bearing as to how Old Testament history leads to the New Testament. Many of the Old Testament stories allude to man seeking to be saved and hoping for someone from the outside to save mankind.

God’s revelation to various people in the Old Testament, is very beneficial and was suitable enough to prepare man’s history for the ultimate saving act. As good as all this revelation is, it is not enough to save mankind. The power to save ultimately comes from God. This saving power of grace is found in His son who is Jesus Christ. As Our Savior, Jesus bridges the rift between man and God, brings man back to God, strengthens us through transformation, and offers man strength to resist sin.

This saving power, known as “grace,” comes from God. It is through His grace you turn towards God and are saved and sanctified. Of the many graces, sanctifying grace is abundant in the sacraments. An explanation of sanctifying grace is presented in later lessons. Proceeding from this point, “grace” will be defined as, a free gift of Love from God which is new life that empowers you to seek a relationship with God.

God’s grace is given freely through the merits of the saving acts of His Son Jesus Christ. Grace comes from God’s everlasting abundance, directing you towards holiness by allowing you to move away from sin and have redemption in His name. You respond with gratitude by living a life of faith, hope, and love. Life in faith includes worshiping God, following His commandments, praying to God, and reading scripture. Never, ever forget, that the grace of God, has the power to transform your life.

We Need to be Transformed!

The word transform (transformation) has already been mentioned, but the need for it warrants some attention. The word ‘transformation’ or ‘Conversion’ means an effect for change. A change or the action to be changed incorporates a renewal, moving from the old to the new. Regardless of the words used to convey it, it is a process that is the focus and this change is more than a simple one. The change being talked about here is thorough and dramatic.

Transformation:

a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance

Conversion involves the change in yourself which is a result of being completely open to allow God to love you resulting in a newness of life. This is not a one-time deal. When you continue to submit yourself to God, conversion/transformation continues. While you can say “I converted to Catholicism,” thus marking the date, that only connotes the beginning of a process where you began a grace-filled walk with God. Conversion is ongoing, allowing yourself to be molded (transformed/converted) by the grace and will of God throughout your life.

God desires for you to be whole and not incomplete. This requires a transformation from an old you into a new you and an old life into a new life. Jesus says you are to be “..born from above!”[1] To be born from above[2] is to allow God’s spirit to work in you. Often what is at issue here is, that Christians (new and old), do not allow God’s transforming grace to work within them. An attitude develops where a person gets into the business of dictating to God; “just tweak this and tweak that – a little bit!” God does not take to being ordered around! It is the humble soul that is transformed.

God doesn’t Tweak: God Transforms!

God’s transforming us is likened to a complete remodel or overhaul!

Jesus who is God, while on Earth, was recognized as a “Carpenter” by trade. As a carpenter Jesus does not tweak! As an analogy, Jesus takes a dilapidated house and does a whole remodel. He just does not tweak it; He rebuilds from the inside out by removing what is old and worthless, fixing what is broken, strengthening it, and beautifying it. He does the same thing to your soul; He transforms you through His grace as a spiritual makeover. Thus, a life-changing conversion and not a tweak.

Pray to be transformed by God’s grace!

To be transformed, you need to be saved. Therefore, you need a savior who is Jesus Christ and he is in the business of transformation (and he is very good at it). Jesus is not interested in tweaking you. Only the proud of heart asks to be tweaked. Perhaps in such a case, Jesus may thump the proud on the head (you know like a little tap on the noggin) as a wake-up call, as if to say; “Hey get serious about this because my love for you is serious business!”

___________________________________

[1]John 3:1-17 “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

[2]Born from above: the Greek adverb anōthen means both “from above” and “again.” Jesus means “from above” (as in Jn 3:31) but Nicodemus misunderstands it as “again.” This misunderstanding serves as a springboard for further instruction Jesus provides.

Many people do not seek God let alone pray or read the Bible because they do not want to be transformed or do not realize they need to be transformed!

A Pile of Manure or a Pile of Snow?

Martin Luther instigated the protestant reformation. One of his errors involved how he defined God’s salvation. Regarding salvation, he uses an analogy of the soul being like a pile of manure and the saving grace of God being like snow covering the manure and all God sees is the snow.

Luther’s implied definition of salvation is incorrect. He maintained that God’s justification is analogous to the snow covering, but the soul represented by the pile of manure remains unchanged. In other words, the manure (your soul) only looks like a pile of snow. For him, justification was the glossing over of snow that God looks at. Luther wrongly claims God’s grace acts only to cover over your sinfulness without necessarily an internal change with the potential to be transformed by God’s grace.

Catholicism on the other hand teaches that the baptized soul constantly prevailing to the will and grace of God, over time, is transformed by God.[1] Justified by the saving act of Jesus[2]; The baptized are open to sanctification. Thus, freely given, grace provided to the soul, must be responded to[3]. This in turn affects change. Therefore, to use Luther’s image of a snow-covered pile of manure but apply Catholic truth; by God’s grace over time the pile of manure (you and me) becomes more and more like snow (Holy in the sight of God with sanctification) and less like manure.

With humility, it is easy to admit that in front of the holiness of God, you may seem more like a pile of manure. While God’s grace can be likened to the pure unbroken snow. When you allow yourself to be transformed by the grace of God to follow His will, you are changed. One way to look at it is through this analogy: initially if someone were to dig into your snow-covered pile(God’s grace), after an inch or two they would find manure(Your sin and brokenness). With God’s grace over time, they would have to dig through several feet of snow before they find the manure. Hopefully, by your life’s end, there will be even less manure than snow. All of this is done by God.

Jesus in His life on earth healed people, He made them whole again. This was not a glossing over. He raised people from the dead. He did not make them look alive while still being dead, in other words, a zombie! Jesus transformed people from broken to wholeness, from sickness to health, and from death to living.

Jesus is in the business of transformation for the soul’s unification with God because He came to save you and redeem you. This redemption is taking the old valueless sinful part of you and transforming it into a grace-filled vessel. You only need to cooperate by acting in faith, hope, and love, by obeying His will.[4]

______________________________________

[1]2 Cor 4:16 “…rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

[2]Rom 3: 24-26 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus,25whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, 26through the forbearance of God—to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.

[3]Matt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

[4]Matt 7:24“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.“

Jesus in the Creeds

At the early stage of your journey, you were provided two creeds which declare what Catholics believe. One of the beliefs encountered in the creeds concerns believing in Jesus Christ.

In the first part of the Nicene Creed you read:

I believe in one God, the Father the Almighty,

Maker of Heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

Then you find next in the Creed the following:

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God

born of the Father before all ages,

God from God, Light from Light,

True God from True God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.

In the Apostle’s Creed you find:

I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord.

At the beginning of the Creed, there is a reference to God the Father Almighty. The next profession is to believe in the, “… Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God.” Similar to the first belief, this belief is more than just an idea where the believer is only acknowledging at one point in history Jesus existed. The believer is saying they believe and trust in Jesus as much as they do God. It is trusting What He said as well as what He can and is willing to do for you and to you.

When practicing the Catholic faith to say you believe “In Jesus” is equally an act of Faith in Him as it is with the God the Father. This is because Jesus as God is one with God the Father. There is only One God (this is expounded on as the lessons continue).

A profession of faith in God the Father and in Jesus, means you place your life into God’s hands. Also, just as it is with the first belief, this belief also deals with the ever-present question; who is Jesus? Who Jesus is for us requires us to have a response by trusting in Him, believing in Him, obeying Him, and following Him.

Why should you trust Jesus? In the first place, He is God. Secondly, Jesus coming to be with mankind is the purest act of love and mercy. As God, He knows everything about you but loves you all the same. He doesn’t disappoint. Third, when considering all the peoples in the recorded history of mankind, Jesus Christ is the only person who's coming is foretold in the prophecies in the Old Testament. He is the only person spoken of centuries before he appeared. He is the only one anticipated and then recognized as being the one to fulfill all the prophecies. No other person in history can have this claim made about them nor does any other person come remotely close to the idea of their birth, persona, and life being predicted the way Jesus Christ’s life was. This abundance of evidence substantiates the claim that Jesus is God who came in the flesh as the Messiah to save all of mankind.

Therefore if Jesus Christ is truly God, then his coming to be here with us is the most earth shattering event in all history.

What do Christians believe about Jesus?

This question prompts a look at the person of Jesus Christ. There are two important beliefs; Jesus’ divine nature and His human nature called ‘incarnation’ (God incarnate – meaning God coming in the flesh) . The divinity of Jesus Christ (His Godhood) besides being essential to Christianity, affirms the part of Jesus’ person which says He is God. His Incarnation (God coming in the flesh) is the most important event in human history. Catholic Christianity teaches the divinity of Jesus Christ. One cannot be a Catholic and at the same time deny this. Consider the following:

· • As Christians Catholics believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ; Jesus is God. Aspects of God explained earlier apply to Jesus. This is a distinct belief which is not found in other major religions. Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Mohammadism (Islam) do not maintain their founders were divine.
• The divinity of Christ is a key doctrine to all other doctrines in true Christianity. Denying this would mean all other Catholic doctrines would not make sense.
• Belief in the divinity of Christ, absolutely obligates us to believe everything he says, obey everything he commands, trust him, and worship him.
• Jesus Christ is the promised savior and came to provide redemption.
• Jesus Christ is a single person Both Human and God. He is not a conglomeration of separate natures.

______________________________

[1] CCC 461 - 464

Divinity of Christ

By saying Christ is divine Catholicism asserts that he is truly God.

Note: There are pseudo-Christians (Christian in name only) such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons, who claim, Jesus is “divine” but by saying this they have an entirely different intention/meaning. They assert either that Jesus is: only an angel or Jesus is one of many gods and lesser than God the Father. Therefore, just because a group claims to accept Jesus’ divinity does not mean they hold the truth, “there is only one God, Jesus is God.” This truth is the Catholic Christian position on the matter.

Jesus Christ, though coming as a man in history, is also fully God, God came to earth in the flesh (incarnate), and His Eternal Word was made flesh. He is not less than God the Father or less than the Holy Spirit but is co-equal in power, glory, and eternity.[1] This is why the Nicene Creed states Jesus is “consubstantial with the Father.”

Jesus Christ is a Historical Person

Atheists and skeptics of late contend that the historical person of Jesus Christ did not exist. They are grasping at straws, of course! For one reason their logic is flawed, because the first thing they throw out is the testimony in the New Testament. This is a stacked deck argument on their part and a feeble attempt at that.

The first proof against their argument comes from the Bible itself which has proven itself to be reliable in its historical accounts. So much so, that many historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists use it as a reliable source. When considering the New Testament, there is a plethora of evidence for the historical existence of Jesus Christ. Consider one of the smaller books in the New Testament; in this case the Second Letter of Saint Peter (2 Peter). There it reads:

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Ptr 1:16)

_______________________________________

[1] CCC 423

It should also be pointed out, that there is evidence outside of the New Testament from historians of the day which affirm the existence of Our Lord Jesus. These historians were not church historians. In some cases, they were Roman Historians and did not have an agenda concerning Jesus himself.

Cornelius Tacitus (55-120 AD), ancient Rome historian:

"Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome…” -Tacitus, Annals, 15:44

Lucian (Greek writer and rhetorician, circa 120-after 180) in his comedic criticism of Christianity states:

"The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account . . . . " –Lucian, The Death of Peregrine

Lucian is poking fun at the Christians, to paraphrase; “This guy these Christians worship was crucified.” As if to state a known fact. Okay, so we Christians have had our critics. In this case, we will take it because Lucian is corroborating a known historical fact, alluding to the reality of a crucified Christ who existed!!!

The Talmud (c. 70 – 200 AD)

"On the eve of the Passover, Yeshu was hanged… before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, "He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Anyone who can say anything in his favor, let him come forward and plead on his behalf." But since nothing was brought forward in his favor he was hanged on the eve of the Passover!" -Babylonian Talmud, I Epstein Translation, vol. III

Yeshu or Yeshua is a Yiddish form of the anglicized name for Jesus.

The Jewish Talmud was a text written by the Jewish community to explain more about their faith or in their eyes critical issues and events involving their faith. They often contained sages of wisdom, biblical explanation, and historical content. In this case, the Talmud mentions a person by the same name (Yeshua/Jesus) whose teaching was not endorsed or accepted by the Jewish community. Yeshua was ‘hanged,’ a death which could also mean crucified. This was done on the eve of Passover. Is this a coincidence? Many scholars think it is not and that this is a reference to Jesus Christ.

There are other accounts that refer to Christ, Pontius Pilate, and even the events involved during Christ’s crucifixion (death on a cross). For our purposes, this is sufficient evidence to refute any claim that states Jesus never existed or was simply a mythological character. In the Appendix to this lesson series, is an article about the “Pilate Stone.” This is an archeological artifact that corroborates the existence of Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator (Governor) who oversaw the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Many skeptics and atheists deny Pontius Pilate ever lived.

A Jesus Moment: The Father and I are One!

27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.

30 The Father and I are one.”

31The Jews again picked up rocks to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.”

John 10:27-33

In this passage, Jesus Christ says, “The Father and I are one!” This is shocking news for the Jews. Some of the Jews are completely rebuffed and offended. As we see in their response. They call Jesus on this and tell Him that he has blasphemed. Blasphemy is the sin of a mere mortal claiming to be God and/or defaming God. For the Jews, it was considered a heinous act and an abhorrent sin to claim oneself to be God. It would be a sin for Jesus if it were not true. It is true though, for Jesus is God. Notice Jesus does not correct their understanding of what He said.

How can Jesus be considered truly Holy if he were simply a person commissioned by a call from God (like a prophet or King) to be Holy, while at the same time committing a heinous sin (Blasphemy)? Well, it is not blasphemy; because Jesus Is God.[1] The only conclusion to draw here is that what Jesus claims is indeed true. He remains Holy because what He says is true, He is God. In John’s Gospel, Jesus claims that He and the Father are One. This is a ratifying statement from Christ Himself that He is God. The Nicene Creed uses the words “consubstantially with the Father.”

_________________________

[1] St. Thomas Aquinas: "Christ was either liar, lunatic, or Lord!"

_________________________

If someone came to you and told your they were God, what conclusions could you draw? (Lunatic, Liar or Truth) Are there any other conclusions you could draw?

___________________________________

Self reflection:

Read the “Pilate Stone” which is found in the Appendix.

Consider these thoughts and ask yourself these personal questions:

· Believing “IN” Jesus is about my trusting in Him and putting trust in “his” will and not mine, following His commands, and listening and following His words.

· Much of what Jesus says contradicts modern thinking. Am I willing to abandon modern myths and secular thinking so that I may come to know Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit more??

· Seeking to Follow Christ in the Catholic Faith is about having Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life. This is what the process of RCIA starts. I must allow the thought of this change in my life to begin to resonate. I must allow Jesus Christ into my life so I can grow and love God more.

Answer the Questions:

1.) In the first book of the Bible Genesis, in Chapters__ & __we find that God is the creator of all things.

2.) The intended crowning jewel of God’s creation was _______?

a.) The Blue Whale b.) The Dinosaurs c.) Mankind d.) Mt. Everest

3.) In What Chapter in Genesis do we read about the fall of Mankind? ________

4.) Why do we need God to save us?

5.) What do we need God to save us from?

6.) In the early part of Genesis, who are two persons God reveals Himself to?

a.) Abbot and Costello b.) Fred and Ethel c.) Harbitz and Jokavitz

d.) Noah and Abraham e.) Moses and Pharaoh f.) Wallace and Gromit

7.) Jesus is God (Divine)? True or False

8.) What is Original Sin?

9.) What is Transformation?

10.) Who needs Transformation?

Previous Lesson

Lesson 3: We Need to Be Saved

Next Lesson

Lesson 5: Jesus Son of God