Chapter+3+--+Jesus

**Connection of Matthew’s infancy narrative to Old Testament**: Relates him to Moses/. At the birth of Moses, all male children two years of age and younger were killed and only MOses was spared. At the birth of Jesus, it was the same situation. Mary and Joseph take Jesus to Egypt & he comes out of Egypt like the Isrealites came out of slavery. Mary prays like Hannah (the mother of the prophet Samuel) did after her child was born to thank & praise God. **Heresies**: 1.__Arianism__- Arian was a priest and teacher who claimed that Jesus was less than divine. He was not quite the same God as the Father. Decided at the COUncil of Nicea: Jesus is "begotten, not made" consubstantial or "one in being with the Father" and "light from light" that is, of the same substance. 2. __Monophysite__- Jesus is just divine- totalle one with the Father. But Pope Damasus said: how oculd Jesus save our human nature if he did not assume it? How could he be a mediator without being one of us? Decided at Constantinople: What is not assumed could not be saved. 3. __Nestorian__- Nestorius preached that Mary was the mother of the human nature of Jesus but not the divine nature. The two natures are separate. COuncil of Ephesus: the two natured are intermingled, perfectly conjoined. And, that's the way the church had been praying, calling Mary Mother of God. **Jesus as “one in being” (consubstantial) with the Father**: Jesus is begotten from the Father, one with him & is in a loving union with him. The relationship between them allows us to understand, witness & share the message of Jesus
 * Incarnation**: God becoming flesh (Jesus) (always planned -- is a belief to some theologians )
 * Soteriology**: study of salvation/ the work of Jesus
 * Synoptic Gospels**: Matthew, Mark & Luke
 * Epistles**: letters (by Paul & other authors)
 * When Gospels were written**: Mark 65-70, Matthew 70-90, Luke 70-90, John 90-100
 * Historicity of gospels, particularly infancy narratives**: historical truth/ not actual fact history (weren’t around for birth)
 * Central message of Jesus**: loving one another & God/ the living Kingdom of God
 * Gospels written in the light of knowledge of the Resurrection**: resurrection was the first thing written down in gospels/ people began telling stories of Jesus and writing them down after his resurrection instead of while they happened. They had many years to reflect on the Resurrection and passed on the stories not meant to be biographies but used to understand him & teach his message.