Introduction

Introduction

John Bell writes that the Western Church has a disordered understanding of Jesus for three reasons:

1. Bell says that quite often Jesus is portrayed as a passive person. With an undue focus on his birth and death, not enough of his life, ministry and teachings are explored.
   What happens when we miss his ministry, healings, parables and teaching? What do you hope to discover about Jesus?




2. Bell claims that we often understand Jesus as seen through the eyes of Paul.
   What are the problems with this? How have you balanced the need in your life for a theological understanding of Jesus with a sense of following him on a journey and modeling your life upon his?




3. Bell asserts that the quest for the historical Jesus over the past thirty years has led to no substantial consensus. Bell suggests that this undue focus upon an academic pursuit has been at the cost of discipleship and he suggests that since clear themes emerge in all four gospels then its best we “get on with it.”
   How has the academic study of the gospels helped you in your walk with God in Christ? How can exploring the Jesus of the gospels with new eyes help us recommit to Jesus’ vision and mission for the Kingdom?