Christ Through the Ages, 29: Christ Refracted in the World: The Monotheists

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/christ-through-the-ages-29-christ-refracted-in-the-world-the-monotheists/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p>Introduction: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24</p><ul><li>Greeks: Christ is foolishness to polytheists, and to intellectuals who embrace philosophy over religion</li><li>Jews:  He is also unacceptable to the Jews (generally speaking).</li><li>The Muslim view of Christ is similar to the Jewish view.</li></ul><p>Jews</p><ul><li>Jesus was a failed Messiah, or rabbi whose claims were exaggerated.</li><li>Early Judaism: magician</li><li>Crucifixion stumbling block. Seizing on victorious imagery, as opposed to the language of sacrifice. (Refer to lessons 3, 4, 5, and 6.)</li><li>Much of reaction to Christians is historically conditioned: pogroms, crusades, discrimination, etc.</li><li>Many Jews have met few authentic disciples of Christ.</li><li>For more on Judaism, listen to <a href="http://www.douglasjacoby.com/judmp3/">this podcast</a>.</li></ul><p>Islam</p><ul><li>Jesus was only a prophet, and inferior to Muhammad.</li><li>Affirmation: prophethood, sinlessness, miracles, Second Coming, virgin birth, Word of God</li><li><i>Shirk </i>(association),<i> </i>the unforgiveable sin</li><li>For more on Islam, please read our book <a href="http://www.ipibooks.com/IPIStore/Details/tabid/89/rvdsfpid/18/Default.aspx#.UufQb_ZOky4"><i>Jesus & Islam,</i></a> or listen to the podcasts on the actions and words of Muhammad (the <a href="http://www.douglasjacoby.com/?s=hadith">Hadith</a>).</li></ul><p>The uniqueness of salvation through Christ is offensive to moderns, as it was to the ancients. Modern responses:</p><ul><li>Use the lingo of the narrow road but more as rhetoric than really putting our weight behind it.</li><li>Universalism: “Accidental” salvation through Christ? Is there an alternative interpretation of John 14:6?<ul><li>If we really have free will, it is hard to see how everyone will eventually make it.  The n