The New Testament:The New Testament:

““And the Word became flesh, And the Word became flesh,

and dwelled among us…”and dwelled among us…”John 1:14John 1:14

Intro: “Who Do You Intro: “Who Do You Say That I Am?”Say That I Am?”

HomeworkHomework• (due Fri., 2/6) Read pp. 2-5;

NB(notebook): RQ’s, “Examining” exercise, p. 5; J(Journal): Refl., p. 5

• (due Mon.,2/9) Read p. 6> “universe”; NB: List 3 evidences for or against the idea of the existence of God

HomeworkHomework• (due Tues., 2/10) Read 6-8; NB:

RQs p. 8; Refl.: box, p. 7(Interview 3 Christians to find out how Jesus has been “revealed” to them. Ask them to name a specific experience that helped them to know & believe in Christ.); J: Refl. p. 8

• (due Thurs., 2/19) Read 9-11; NB: RQs p.11; J: Refl. P. 11

HomeworkHomework• (due Fri., 2/20) Read 12-15;

NB: RQs 15; J: 15(any one)• (due Mon., 2/23) Read 16-19;

NB: RQs 19; J: 19 (any one)• (Fri., 2/27) TEST: Introduction

Chapter• (., 2/)

Offering a SonOffering a Son• Jesus’ identity…

who is he?• Some: a

prophet, a misguided teacher (rabbi), a false king

• Peter: “You are the Christos (messiah/ anointed one), the Son of the Living God”

Offering a SonOffering a Son• God’s love for

us is so great that He sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us and to give his life for us and for our sins (Jn 3:16)

Coming to Know Coming to Know God/JesusGod/Jesus

“The desire for God is written in the human heart because man is created by God and for God.”

-CCC,27

We can know God We can know God through…through…

1. Human reason• Our discovery

of God

2. Divine Revelation

• God manifesting (showing) Himself to us

Proofs for God?Proofs for God?

• “Proofs” =tests

– Probare (Latin)= to test, probe

– Evidence to be put to the test… of reason

1. Cosmological 1. Cosmological ArgumentArgument

• God = “Unmoved Mover” or “First Cause” of everything

• There must be a source from which all else exists

2. Ontological 2. Ontological ArgumentArgument

• God = Ultimate Perfect Being

• There must be “that than which nothing greater can be thought,” a.k.a. “God”

3. Teleological 3. Teleological ArgumentArgument

• “Argument from design”

• The universe has an order or design; there must be a designer, a.k.a. God

4. Moral Argument4. Moral Argument• Morality exists

objectively, ie. apart from our opinions

• Where did we get this sense of right & wrong?

• God = Creator of the Moral Law

We can know God We can know God through…through…

1. Human reason• Our discovery

of God

2. Divine Revelation

• God manifesting (showing) Himself to us

Divine RevelationDivine Revelation

• God is known by human reason, but…• God took first step/initiative in

revealing Himself to man… so…• God makes Himself known and we

are able to know Him

Divine Rev.: Why Divine Rev.: Why Necessary?Necessary?

• Need for God to show what reason can’t arrive at on its own (eg. Trinity)

• Need for God to give certitude about things reason can arrive at (eg. that killing is wrong)

Divine Rev.: Where is Divine Rev.: Where is it found?it found?• Depositum Fidei

(“Deposit of Faith”)= 2 places where God’s revelation (what He has done & said) is “deposited”:

1. Sacred Tradition (traditio= pass on)

2. Sacred Scripture (Bible)

Divine Rev.: What is it?Divine Rev.: What is it?• God communicates

Himself to man, making known His plan

• Story of it (in Scripture)= Salvation History

• Fullness of it = Jesus Christ, God Himself revealed in the flesh

The IncarnationThe Incarnation• The core Catholic

teaching that the Son of God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ… that…

• … God has become man!

Purpose of the Purpose of the IncarnationIncarnation1. Reconciles us w/

God by overcoming sin, which separates us from God

2. Reveals God’s love fully to us

3. Shows us perfect example of holiness: Love

4. Makes it possible to share God’s nature