THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT JOHN

The fourth gospel is concerned to bring out the significance of all that Christ did and said. The things that he did were 'sign' and the meaning of them, hidden at first, could be understood only after his glorification; the things he said had a deeper meaning not perceived at the time but understood only after the Spirit who spoke in the name of the risen Christ had come to 'lead' his disciples 'into all truth'.

On the other hand, John uses a host of key words that to tell who Jesus is and how we may know God. John is a 'spiritual' gospel - not because it is more spiritual than the other three - but because it expresses spiritual ideas in spiritual language.

The whole of John's thought is dominated by the mystery of the Incarnation from the Prologue with which the book opens. Here the revelation of Christ's glory which in the synoptic gospels is associated primarily with his return at the end of time, has a new interpretation: judgment is working here and now in the soul, and eternal life (John counterpart to the 'kingdom' of the synoptic gospels) is made to be something actually present, already in the possession of those who have faith. God's victory over evil, his salvation of the world, is already guaranteed by Christ's resurrection is glory.

JOHN - (1) Prologue - The First Passover - The Open Week - The witness of John - The first disciples - The wedding at Cana - Chapter 1 to 2 - (2) The Passover - The cleansing of the Temple - Chapter 2 - (3) The Mystery of the Spirit Revealed to a Master in Israel - The conversation with Nicodemus - Journeys in Samaria and Galilee - John bears witness for the last time - The saviour of the world revealed to the Samaritans - The cure of the nobleman's son - Chapter 3 to 4 - (4) The Second Feast at Jerusalem - The cure of a sick man at the Pool of Bethzatha - Chapter 5 -

(5) Another Passover, The Bread of Live - The miracle of the loaves - Jesus walks on the waters - The discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum - Peter's profession of faith - Chapter 6 - (6) The Feast of Tabernacles - Jesus goes up to Jerusalem for the feast and teaches there - The people discuss the origin of the Messiah - Jesus foretells his approaching departure - The promise of living water - Fresh discussions on the origin of the Messiah - The adulterous woman - Jesus, the light of the world - A discussion on the testimony of Jesus to himself - The unbelieving Jews warned - Jesus and Abraham - The cure of the man born blind - The good shepherd - Chapter 7 to 10 -

(7) The Feast of Dedication - Jesus claims to be the Son of God - Jesus withdraws to the other side of the Jordan - The resurrection of Lazarus - The Jewish leaders decide on the death of Jesus - Chapter 10 to 11 - (8) The Last Passover - Before the Passion - The Passover draws near - The anointing at Bethany - The Messiah enters Jerusalem - Jesus foretells his death and subsequent glorification - Conclusion: the unbelief of the Jews - Chapter 12 - (9) The Last Supper - Jesus washes his disciples' feet - The treachery of Judas foretold - Farewell discourse - The true vine - The hostile world - The coming of the Advocate - Jesus to return very soon - The priestly prayer of Christ - Chapter 13 to 17 -

(10) The Passion - The arrest of Jesus - Jesus before Annas and Caiaphas. Peter disowns him - Jesus before Pilate - Jesus is condemned to death - The crucifixion - Christ's garments divided - Jesus and his mother - The death of Jesus - The pierced Christ - The burial - Chapter 18 to 19 - (11) The Day of Christ's Resurrection - The empty tomb - The appearance to Mary of Magdala - Appearance to the disciples - Conclusion - Chapter 20 - (12) Appendix - The appearance on the shore of Tiberias - Conclusion - Chapter 21 -

In summary : The gospel which presents Christ as the divine Son of God. (fully man and fully divine) God's victory over evil.

                                                                      Page 30

If you wish to donate. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

The plan of this gospel follows Mark's outline as a rule but the narrative is controlled and edited to bring in much teaching including the longer parables and to omit episodes that would not interest Luke's non Jewish readers.

The third gospel, in which the great truths of Jesus are communicated primarily through vivid stories. Luke is the first of a two part. In this work, the history of the gospel is traced from its beginning in the life of Jesus (the Gospel of Luke) to the founding of the early Church (the Acts of the Apostles)

The author of the Gospel of Luke is more interested in persons especially those in trouble than in ideas. He is a skilled writer and the literary quality of the Gospel of Luke is the highest of all four gospels. Luke often is the most interesting gospel to read. He is a serious historian who places Jesus within the context of world history. He also presents Jesus and the Church as the fufillment of the history of salvation.

LUKE - (1) Prologue - The Birth and Hidden Life of John the Baptist and of Jesus - The birth of John of Baptist foretold - The annunciation - The visitation - The Magnificat - The birth of John the Baptist and visit of the neighbours - The circumcision of the John the Baptist - The Benedictus - The hidden life of John the Baptist - The birth of Jesus and visit of the shepherds - The circumcision of Jesus - Jesus is persecuted in the Temple - The Nunc Dimittis - The prophecy of Simeon - The prophecy of Anna - The hidden life of Jesus at Nazareth - Jesus among the doctors of the Law - The hidden life at Nazareth resumed - Chapter 1 to 2 - (2) Prelude to the Public Ministry of Jesus - The preaching of John the Baptist - John the Baptist imprisoned - Jesus is baptised - The ancestry of Jesus - Temptation in the wilderness - Chapter 3 to 4 -

(3) The Galilean Ministry - Jesus begins to preach - Jesus at Nazareth - Jesus teaches in Capernaum and cures a demoniac - Cure of Simon's mother-in-law - A number of cures - Jesus quietly leaves Capernaum and travels through Judaea - The first four disciples are called - Cure of a leper - Cure of a paralytic - The call of Levi - Eating with sinners in Levi's house - Discussion on fasting - Picking corn on the sabbath - Cure of the man with a withered hand - The choice of the Twelve - The crowds follow Jesus - The inaugural discourse. The Beatitudes - The curses - Love of enemies - Compassion and generosity - Integrity - The true disciple - Cure of the centurion's servant - The son of the widow of Nain restored to life - The Baptist' question. Jesus commends him - Jesus condemns his contemporaries - The woman who was a sinner - The women accompanying Jesus - Parable of the sower - Why Jesus speaks in parables - The parable of the sower explained - Parable of the lamp - The true kinsmen of Jesus - The calming of the storm - The Gerasene demoniac - Cure of the woman with a haemorrhage. Jairus' daughter raised to life - The mission of the Twelve - Herod and Jesus - The return of the apostles. Miracles of the loaves - Peter's profession of faith - First prophecy of the Passion - The condition of following Christ - The kingdom will come soon - The transfiguration - The epileptic demoniac - Second prophecy of the Passion - Who is the greatest? - On using the name of Jesus - Chapter 4 to 9 -

(4) The Journey to Jerusalem - a Samaritan village is inhospitable - hardships of the apostolic calling - The mission of the seventy-two disciples - true cause for the apostles to rejoice - The Good News revealed to the simple. The Father and the Son - The privilege of the disciples - The great commandment - Parable of the good Samaritan - Martha and Mary - The Lord's prayer - The importance friend - Effective prayer - Jesus and Beelzebul - No compromise - Return of the unclean spirit - The truly happy - The sign of Jonah - The parable of the lamp repeated - The Pharisees and the lawyers attacked - Open and fearless speech - On hoarding possessions - Trust in Providence - On almsgiving - On being ready for the Master's return - Jesus and his Passion - Jesus the cause of dissension - On reading the signs of the times - Examples inviting repentance - Parable of the barren fig tree - Healing of the crippled woman on a sabbath - Parable of the mustard seed - Parable of the yeast - The narrow door; rejection of the Jews, call of the gentiles - Herod the fox - Jerusalem admonished - Healing of a dropsical man on the sabbath - On choosing places at table - On choosing guests to be invited -

The invited guests who made excuses - Renouncing all that one holds dear - Renouncing possessions - On loss of enthusiasm in a disciple - The three parables of God's mercy - The lost sheep - The lost drachma - The lost son (the 'prodigal') and the dutiful son - The crafty steward - The right use of money - Against the Pharisees and their love of money - The kingdom stormed - The Law remains - Marriage indissoluble - The rich man and Lazarus - On leading others astray - Brotherly correction - The power of faith - Humble service - The ten lepers - The coming of the kingdom of God - The day of the Son of Man - The unscrupulous judge and the importunate widow - The Pharisee and the publican - Jesus and the children - The rich aristocrat - The danger of riches - The reward of renunciation - Third prophecy of the Passion - Entering Jericho: the blind man - Zacchaeus - Parable of the pounds - Chapter 9 to 19 -

(5) The Jerusalem Ministry - The Messiah enters Jerusalem - Jesus defends his disciples for acclaiming him - Lament for Jerusalem - The expulsion of the dealers from the Temple - Jesus teaches in the Temple - The Jews question the authority of Jesus - Parable of the wicked husbandmen - On tribute to Caesar - The resurrection of the dead - Christ, not only son but also Lord of David - The scribes condemned by Jesus - The widow's mite - Discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem: Introduction - The warning signs - The siege - The disaster and the age of the pagans - Cosmic disasters and the coming of the Son of Man - The time of this coming - Be on the alert - The last days of Jesus - Chapter 19 to 21 -

(6) The Passion - The conspiracy against Jesus: Judas betrays him - Preparation for the Passover supper - The supper - The institution of the Eucharist - The treachery of Judas foretold - Who is the greatest? - The reward promised to the apostles - Peter's denial and repentance foretold - A time of crisis - The Mount of Olives - The arrest - Peter's denials - Jesus mocked by the guards - Jesus before the Sanhedrin - Jesus before Pilate - Jesus before Herod - Jesus before Pilate again - The way to Calvary - The crucifixion - The crucified Christ is mocked - The good thief - The death of Jesus - After the death - The burial - Chapter 19 to 23 - (7) After the Resurrection - The empty tomb. The angel's message - The apostles refuse to believe the women - Peter at the tomb - the road to Emmaus - Jesus appears to the apostles - Last instruction to the apostles - The ascension - Chapter 24 -

In summary : Fullest biography of Christ, focusing on His perfection and ministry of salvation.

                                                                       Page 29

If you wish to donate. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT MARK

The second book of the New Testament and the earliest of the four gospels according to most New Testament scholars. The Gospel of Mark portrays the person of Jesus more by what He does than by what He says. Although Mark is the shortest of the four gospels, it pays close attention to matters of human interest. Mark is fond of linking the episodes of Jesus' ministry together with catchwords rather than editorial comment; and frequently he interrupts a longer story by inserting a smaller one within it; the real point of its message is the manifestation of the crucified Messiah.

While on the one hand Jesus is seen as the Son of God, acknowledged by the Father and vindicating his power and his mission by miracles, on the other hand he chooses to appear to the world under the mysterious title 'Son of Man' and the gospel puts great emphasis on his apparent and rejection by the people. The 'messianic secret' is a basic idea of Mark's gospel.

MARK - (1) Prelude to the Public Ministry of Jesus - The preaching of John the Baptist - Jesus is baptist - Temptation in the wilderness - Chapter 1 - (2) The Galilean Ministry - Jesus begins to preach - The first four disciples are called - Jesus teaches in Capernaum and cures a demoniac - Cure of Simon's mother-in-law - A number of cures - Jesus quietly leaves Capernaum and travels through Galilee - Cure of a leper - Cure of a paralytic - The call of Levi - Eating with sinners - A discussion on fasting - Picking corn on the sabbath - Cure of the man a withered hand - The crowds follow Jesus - The appointment of the Twelve - His relatives are concerned about Jesus - Allegations of the scribes - The true kinsmen of Jesus - Parable of the sower - When Jesus speaks in parables - The parable of the sower explained - Parable of the lamp, measure, seed growing by itself and mustard seed - The use of parables - The calming of the storm - The Gerasene demoniac - Cure of the woman with a haemorrhage. The daughter of Jairus raised to life - A visit to Nazareth - The mission of the Twelve - Herod and Jesus - John the Baptist beheaded - First miracles of the loaves - Jesus walks on the water - Cures at Gennesaret - The traditions of the Pharisees - On clean and unclean - Chapter 2 to 7 -

(3) Journeys outside Galilee - The daughter of the Syrophoenician woman healed - Healing of the deaf man - Second miracle of the loaves - The Pharisees ask for a sign from heaven - The yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod - Cure of a blind man at Bethsaida - Peter's profession of faith - First prophecy of the Passion - The condition of following Christ - The transfiguration - The question about Elijah - The epileptic demoniac - Second prophecy of the Passion - Who is the greatest? - On using the name of Jesus - Charity shown to Christ's disciples - The question about divorce - Jesus and the children - The rich young man - The danger of riches - The reward of renunciation - Third prophecy of the Passion The sons of Zebedee make their request - Leadership with service - The blind man of Jericho - Chapter 7 to 10 -

(4) The Jerusalem Ministry - The Messiah enters Jerusalem - The barren fig tree - The expulsion of the dealers from the Temple - The fig tree withered. Faith and prayer - The authority of Jesus is questioned - Parable of the wicked husbandmen - On tribute to Caesar - The resurrection of the dead - The greatest commandment of all - Christ not only son but also Lord of David - The scribes condemned by Jesus - The widow's mite - The eschatological discourse: introduction - The beginning of sorrows - The great tribulation of Jerusalem - The coming of the Son of Man - The time of this coming - Be on the alert - Chapter 11 to 13 - (5) Passion and Resurrection - The conspiracy against Jesus - The anointing at Bethany - Judas betrays Jesus - Preparations for the Passover supper - The treachery of Judas foretold - The institution of the Eucharist - Peter's denial foretold - Gethsemane - The arrest - Jesus before the Sanhedrin - Peter's denials - Jesus before Pilate - Jesus crowned with thorns - The way of the cross - The crucifixion - The crucified Christ is mocked - The death of Jesus - The women on Calvary - The burial - The empty tomb. The angel's message - Appearance of the risen Christ - Chapter 14 to 16 -

In summary : Mark's Gospel conforms in broad outline to the preaching pattern of the early Church - except for the shorter ending at 16:8 - Probably the earliest of the gospels, focusing on Christ's ministry.

                                                                         Page 28

If you wish to donate. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW

The opening book of the New Testament. Matthew's offers the most systematic arrangement of Jesus' teaching in the New Testament and the early Church used it heavily for its instruction of converts because of its emphasis on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Matthew is well suited as the opening book of the New Testament. In it the promises of God are recalled and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ is announced. This gospel also reports Christ's teaching much more fully and stresses specially the theme of 'the kingdom of heaven'.

The kingdom of God is reassertion of God's dominion as King over men who at last know him, serve him and love him. This kingdom was prepared and foretold in the Old Testament, Matthew therefore, writing among Jews for Jews, makes a special point of demonstrating that the scripture are fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus. In any significant passage of his work he makes use of the Old Testament to prove that Law and prophets are 'fulfilled' - a phrase which means that their hopes have been not only realized but have also been perfected, ennobled, surpassed.

MATTHEW - (1) The Birth and Infancy of Jesus - The ancestry of Jesus - The virginal conception of Christ - The visit of the Magi - The flight into Egypt. The massacre of the Innocents - From Egypt to Nazareth - Chapter 1 to 2 - (2) The Kingdom of Heaven Proclaimed - Narrative section - The preaching of John the Baptist - Jesus is baptised - Temptation in the wilderness - Return to Galilee - The first four disciples are called - Jesus preaches and heals the sick - Chapter 3 to 4 - (3) The Evangelical Discourse - The Beatitudes - Salt of the earth and light of the world - The fulfillment of the Law - The new standard higher than the old - Almsgiving in secret - Prayer in secret - How to pray, The Lord's Prayer - Fasting in secret - True treasures - The eye, the lamp of the body - God and money - Trust in Providence - Do not judge - Do not profane sacred things - Effective prayer - The golden rule - The two ways - False prophets - The true disciple - The amazement of the crowds - Chapter 5 to 7 -

(4) The Kingdom of Heaven is Preached - Narrative section: Ten Miracles - Cure of the leper, the centurion's servant and Peter's mother-in-law - A number of cures - Hardships of the apostolic calling - The calming of the storm - The demoniac of Gadara - Cure of a paralytic - The call of Matthew - Eating with sinners - a discussion on fasting - Cure of the woman with a haemorrhage. The official's daughter raised to life - Cure of two blind men and a dumb demoniac - The distress of the crowds - Chapter 8 to 9 - (5) The Apostolic Discourse - The mission of the twelve - The missionaries will be persecuted - Open and fearless speech - Jesus, the cause of dissension - Renouncing self to follow Jesus - Conclusion of the apostolic discourse - Chapter 10 -

(6) The Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven - Narrative section - The Baptist's question. Jesus commends him - Jesus condemns his contemporaries - Lament over the lake-towns - The Good News revealed to the simple. The Father and the Son - The gentle mastery of Christ - Picking corn on the sabbath - Cure of the man with a withered hand - Jesus the 'servant of Yahweh' - Jesus and Beelzebul - Words betray the heart - The sign of Jonah - The return of the unclean spirit - The true kinsmen of Jesus - Chapter 11 to 12 - (7) The Parabolic Discourse - Introduction - Parable of the sower - Why Jesus speaks in parable - The parable of the sower explained - Parable of the darnel - Parable of the mustard seed - Parable of the yeast - The people are taught only in parables - The parable of the darnel explained - Parables of the treasure and of the pearl - Parable of the dragnet - Conclusion - Chapter 13 -

(8) The Church, First-Fruit of the Kingdom of Heaven - A visit to Nazareth - Herod and Jesus - John the Baptist beheaded - First miracle of the loaves - Jesus walks on the water and, with him, Peter - Cures at Gennesaret - The traditions of the Pharisees - On the clean and unclean - The daughter of the Canaaite woman healed - Cures near the lake - Second miracle of the loaves - The Pharisees ask for a sign from heaven - the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees - Peter's profession of faith; his preeminence - First prophecy of the Passion - The condition of following Christ - The transfiguration - The question about Elijah - The epileptic demoniac - Second prophecy of the Passion - The Temple tax paid by Jesus and Peter - Chapter 14 to 17 - (9) The Discourse on the Church - Who is the greatest ? - On leading others astray - The lost sheep - Brotherly correction - Prayer in common - Forgiveness of injuries - Parable of the unforgiving debtor - Chapter 18 -

(10) The Approaching Advent of the Kingdom of Heaven - The question about divorce - Continence - Jesus and the children - The rich young man - The danger of riches - the reward of renunciation - Parable of the vineyard labourers - Third prophecy of the Passion - The mother of Zebedee's sons makes her request - Leadership with service - The two blind men of Jericho - The Messiah enters Jerusalem - The expulsion of the dealers from the Temple - The barren fig tree withers. Faith and prayer - The authority of Jesus is questioned - Parable of the two sons - Parable of the wicked husbandmen - Parable of the wedding feast - On tribute to Caesar - The resurrection of the dead - The greatest commandment of all - Christ not only son but also Lord of David - The scribes and Pharisees: their hypocrisy and vanity - The seven fold indictment of the scribes and Pharisees - Their crimes and approaching punishment - Jerusalem admonished - Chapter 19 to 23 -

(11) The Eschatological Discourse - Introduction - The beginning of sorrows - The great tribulation of Jerusalem - The coming of the Son of Man will be evident - The universal significance of this coming - The time of this coming - Be on the alert - Parable of the conscientious steward - Parable of the ten bridesmaids - Parable of the talents - The Last Judgment - Chapter 24 to 25 - (12) Passion and Resurrection - The conspiracy against Jesus - The anointing at Bethany - Judas betrays Jesus - Preparations for the Passover supper - The treachery of Judas foretold - The institution of the Eucharist - Peter's denial foretold - Gethsemane - The arrest - Jesus before the Sanhedrin - Peter's denials - Jesus is taken before Pilate - The death of Judas - Jesus before Pilate - Jesus is crowned with thorns - The crucifixion - The crucified Christ is mocked - The death of Jesus - The burial - The guard at the tomb - The empty tomb. The angel's message - Appearance to the women - Persecutions taken by the leaders of the people - Appearance in Galilee. The mission to the world - Chapter 26 to 28 -

In summary : Christ presented as the fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic prophecy.

                                                                          Page 27

If you wish to donate. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

THE NEW TESTAMENT - Introduction to THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS

The first three gospels are called synoptic ('with the same eye') because their narratives are all built on the same events in the life of Jesus and indeed many passages from all three of them can be replaced side by side as evident parallels. From the earliest times, Matthew, Mark and Luke respectively have been named as the writers of them.

According to a tradition dating from the 2nd century, Saint Matthew was the first to write a gospel and he wrote 'in the Hebrew tongue'. Our Greek 'Gospel according to Saint Matthew' is not identified with this early Aramaic book which is lost though there are times when it appears to represent a more primitive text than Mark.

Some parts of the gospel story assumed a fixed and stereotyped pattern in the oral tradition founded on the preaching of the apostles; the similarity of the Passion in all four gospels suggests a common oral tradition (before its become written tradition) very firmly fixed. But the relationships between the three synoptic gospels are too close and too complex to be explained by a common oral tradition underlying all of them. It is clear that Luke depends on Mark and although it was held for a long time that Mark depends on Matthew, a number of indications now suggest the reverse. Luke and Matthew also have a number of non-Marcan passages common to both and these probably have a common source or sources; in addition, each of these gospels includes episodes and sayings not found in the other.

Mark said to have been Peter's interpreter, is mentioned in Saint Paul's letters as one of his companions and described in Acts as a disciple from Jerusalem. Luke is also mentioned in Saint Peter's letters and when writing Acts incorporated parts of a first person travel diary. Mark's gospel can be dated before A.D. 70, perhaps about 64. Our Greek Matthew and Luke are later and probably date from 70-80.

Mark's Greek is rough, strongly Aramaic and often faulty but it is fresh and frank. Matthew's Greek is also rather Aramaic but smoother and more correct than Mark's though less picturesque, Luke's style is variable: excellent when he is writing independently but at other times incorporating the peculiarities of his sources; as in Acts he suits the style to the subject and occasionally he goes out of his way to give a good imitation of Septuagint Greek.

In any case, the apostolic origin, direct or indirect, together with their involved literary formation confirm the historical value of the Synoptic and not only that but at the same time help us to understand the nature of that historical value, and since the gospels stem from an oral preaching that goes back to the beginnings of the primitive community, their guarantee in this way would ultimately rest on eyewitness. Neither the apostles themselves, however, nor any of the other preachers of the gospel message and tellers of the gospel story ever aimed at writing or teaching history in the modern technical sense of that word; their concern was sacred and theological: they preached to convert and edify, to infuse faith, to enlighten it and defend it against its opponents.

For this purpose they could and did appeal to solid evidence that could be checked and this appeal was demanded quite as much by their own sincerity as by their anxiety not to leave any loopholes for hostile argument. Those who finally composed the gospels, collecting the evidence and putting it into writing, had the same objective fidelity, and equal respect for their sources of information as is suggested by the simple and archaic quality of their work. The three Synoptic may not be history books but they do set out to give us historical fact.

Before inspiring the authors of the gospels, the Holy Spirit supervised the preparation of the material, adapted it to the diffusion of the faith and also secured its inerrancy - i.e. guaranteed as inerrant, not so much the facts and the precise circumstances in which facts occurred but rather the spiritual meaning conveyed by those facts. All this work of the Spirit was only concerned with the provision of food for the spirit in a form that could be digested by the faithful.

                                                                          Page 26

If you wish to donate. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

The last, the post-exilic, period of prophecy opens with Haggai. The change is striking. Haggai's four brief discourses urge the Jews after the return from Babylon, to resume the work of rebuilding the Temple. This Temple, therefore, and this descendant of David become the focus of a messianic hope that will be more clearly expressed in Zechariah. They are dated precisely, in 520.

HAGGAI - (1) The movement to rebuild the Temple - The glory that is to come to the Temple - The prophet consults the priests - A promise of agricultural prosperity - The promise to Zerubbabel - Chapter 1 to 2 - In summary : A call to rebuild the Temple.

The Book of Zechariah consists of two distinct parts: Chapter 1 to 8 are dated between 520 and 517 and are the work of Zechariah, the prophet of national restoration. The rest of the chapters appear to be of various dates. There is no doubt about the authorship of this amply dated and homogeneous section. Like Haggai, Zechariah was preoccupied with the rebuilding of the Temple but more than Haggai, with the national restoration and the irreproachable moral conduct it required.

This book is of particular interest for messianic teaching which ,however, is not presented systematically: the recovery of the House of David, the expectation of a humble and gentle Messiah but also a obscure prophecy about someone who is 'pierced' and an armed theocracy which nevertheless is a liturgical community as in Ezekiel. These elements are reconciled in the person of Christ and the New Testament often quotes these chapters of Zechariah or at least alludes to them - Matt.21:4-5, 27:9 (combined with Jeremiah); 26:31 = Mark 14:27; John 19:37 -

ZECHARIAH - (1) First Part - A summons to conversion - First vision: the horsemen - Second vision: the horns and the smiths - Third vision: the measurer - Two exhortations to the exiles - Fourth vision: the investiture of Jordan - The coming of the 'Branch' - Fifth vision: the lamp-stand and the olive trees - Three sayings about Zerubbabel - Sixth vision: the flying scroll - Seventh vision: the woman in the bushel - Eight vision: the chariots - The votive crown - A question on fasting - The nation's past surveyed - A prospect of messianic salvation - The answer to the question on fasting - A prospect of messianic salvation - Chapter 1 to 8 - (2) Second Part - The new promised land - The Messiah - The restoration of Israel - Faithfulness to Yahweh - Israel's deliverance and return - The two shepherds - The deliverance and restoration of Jerusalem - The eschatological battle; the splendour of Jerusalem - Chapter 9 to 14 - In summary : A Messianic prophecy calling for the completion of construction on the Temple.

This book is anonymous since 'Malachi' means 'my messenger'; six discourses which look forward to 'the day of Yahweh'. The prophet expects the advent of the angel of the covenant heralded by a mysterious messenger - 3:1 - in whom - Matt. 11:10 (cf, Luke 7:27 and Mk. 1:2) sees John the Baptist, the precursor. In this messianic era the moral order will be restored - 3:5 - as also true religion - 3:4 - culminating in a perfect sacrifice offered to God by all the nations - 1:11 - By its content the book can be dated about the middle of the 5th century.

MALACHI -(1) The love of Yahweh for Israel - An indictment of the priests - Mixed marriage and divorce - The day of Yahweh - Temple tithes - The triumph of the virtuous on the day of Yahweh - Appendices - Chapter 1 to 3 -

In summary : A prophecy of destruction followed by Messianic blessing.

                                                                       Page 25

If you wish to donate. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

The short Book of Habakkuk is very carefully constructed. It opens with a dialogue between the prophet and his God; twice the prophet complains, twice the divine oracle answers. Habakkuk sounds a note new to the teaching of the prophets; he has the temerity to demand an account from God of his ordering of the world. Judah indeed has sinned but why should a God of holiness with eyes too pure to look at evil, choose the savage Chaldaeans to wreak his vengeance?

Why must the bad be punished by the worse? Why should he appear to strengthen the arm of injustice? This is the problem of evil posed at international level and Habakkuk's dismay is felt by many people today. To them as to him comes the divine answer: by paradoxical ways almighty God prepares the final triumph of justice; trusting in God, the virtuous man's life will be secure, cf. 2:4, a precious maxim of Habakkuk's which Saint Paul will later incorporate into his teaching on faith - Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38 - The book should be dated between 605 and 597.

HABAKKUK - (1) Dialogue between the Prophet and his God - First complaint of the prophet: lawlessness prevails - First oracle. The Chaldaeans the instrument of God's justice - Second complaint of the prophet: the tyranny of the conqueror - Second oracle: the upright man will live by faithfulness - Chapter 1 to 2 - (2) Curses on Oppressors - Prelude - Five imprecations - Chapter 2 - (3) Plea to Yahweh for Deliverance - Chapter 3 - In summary : A prophet who questioned God and praised His approaching judgment against Judah.

Zephaniah prophesied in the reign of Josiah before the religious reform of 622 B.C. In his understanding of a 'day of retribution' Zephaniah echoes Amos; in his deep appreciation of sin as an offence against God, he anticipates Jeremiah. The punishing of the nations should serve as a warning to reduce God's people to obedience and humility, salvation is promised to only a humble and submissive 'remnant'. This as far as the messianism of Zephaniah goes but it is enough to reveal the spiritual nature of the promises he makes.

ZEPHANIAH - (1) The day of Yahweh for Judah - Judgment of all creation - Against the worship of alien gods, the merchants of Jerusalem and unbelievers - The day of Yahweh and a call to conversion - Chapter 1 to 2 - (2) Against the Pagans - The enemy to the west: the Philistines - The enemy to the south: Ethiopia - The enemy to the north: Assyria - Chapter 2 - (3) Against Jerusalem - Against the leaders of the people - The pagans punished - Chapter 3 - (4) Promises - Conversion of the pagans - The humble remnant of Israel - Psalms of joy in Zion - Return of the exiles - Chapter 3 -

In summary : A prediction of destructive judgment followed by tremendous blessing.

                                                                        Page 24

If you wish to donate. Thank You. God bless.

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -