Question 173, from Christel, Germany

When Jesus cried out ‘Eloi, eloi, lema sabachthani’ as he was being crucified, why did the crowd think he was calling to Elijah? [This text is found in Matthew chapter 27, verses 46-47]

There are a number of reasons why “some of the crowd” witnessing Jesus’ crucifixion may have said this. CH Spurgeon, for example, believed it to be a continuation of the mocking jeers of the crowd (chapter 26, verses 39-44)[1].

However, the most likely reason is that they misunderstood his words because he was speaking in Aramaic, the common language of Galilee and Judea, which was not spoken widely elsewhere. The text says only some of the crowd were confused, and it may be they were primarily Greek speakers, who would have heard ‘Eloi’ and thought of the famous Jewish prophet, Elijah. (more…)

Question 171, from Simon B

I’m reading Luke chapter 8. Why did Jesus tell the Gerasene to tell everyone that he had been healed of his demon possession and Jairus to tell no one about the resurrection of his daughter?

These two stories in Luke chapter 8, along with the stories of the calming of the storm (verses 22-25) and the healing of the woman with permanent bleeding (verses 43-48) are key to establishing the various claims made about Jesus by his followers.

In order, Jesus is shown to be in charge of the natural world by stilling the storm on the Lake of Galilee, master of the ‘spiritual world’ by freeing a man of demon possession (verses 26-39), having authority over the law through his interaction with the woman who was bleeding and therefore ‘unclean’ according to the Torah, and finally, having the power to reverse the effects of death (verses 40-42 & 49-56).

The gospel writer is effectively setting out some (more…)

Earlier this year, Jon the freelance theologian was asked to explain the Trinity to a Christian youth group in a twenty-minute talk. Although it’s impossible to give full justice to the topic, here are some of the points he made.

We’re going to talk tonight about the Trinity, specifically: how can one God be three persons, or three persons be one God?

Imagine a person you know. What could you say about them?
They are (more…)

This article is based on a talk given by Jon the freelance theologian in June 2010. It is best read in conjunction with the article on evil, posted on freelance theology in February 2010.

The talk began with a rough “timeline” of what is often taught in churches about satan. An adapted version is shown here: (more…)

Question 162, from Paul, United Kingdom

Is it possible to think of God as having a gender?

This is an interesting question because most Christians, and most Christian writers, automatically use the personal pronouns ‘He’ or ‘Him’ to describe God. This is partly due to the limitations of human language, and also the longstanding tendency to describe God in human terms that have gender-specific connotations, for example, the word ‘Father’.

While most Christians would acknowledge that “God is Spirit to be worshipped in spirit and truth” and that both men and women were created in God’s image, there is still an underlying temptation to ascribe the male gender to God. (more…)

Question 161, from Patricia

What are the things that those who believe in Kenosis actually believe in? Do they believe that Jesus had a “veil” that concealed his divine powers while his incarnation on earth or do they believe that he actually “emptied himself” of all divine powers?

‘Kenosis’ is a term based on the Greek word ‘keno-oo’ used in Philippians chapter 2, verse 7, to describe Jesus Christ. Often translated as ‘Jesus humbled himself’ it literally means ‘to empty’ and has been interpreted as implying a shedding of divine powers by the pre-existent Jesus during the incarnation. (more…)

Question 159, from Helen P, United Kingdom

Christmas cards and nativity scenes depict Mary and Joseph being turned away from Inn and seeking sanctuary in a stable, but I was told that Mary and Joseph stayed with ‘family’ and were downstairs with the animals which was quite normal for that time. Which is right?

One problem with harmonising the two nativity stories in Matthew and Luke is that there seems to be some disagreement over where the story begins. Matthew makes no reference to Nazareth until after the family return from Egypt when Joseph settles there for safety (Matthew chapter 2, verse 22-23). In chapter 1, verse 24, it says he (more…)

Question 158, from Tim, United Kingdom

Tim wrote a very long question regarding the discrepancies between the genealogies listed for Jesus in both Matthew and Luke. Here’s a summary of his questions:

Why do the genealogies between David and Jesus differ so much?
Why are there only 12 (or 13 if you count Jesus) generations after the exile in Matthew’s account, when the writer claims there are 14 in each era?
How can the claim that one genealogy reflects Mary’s ancestry be supported?
Are we told anywhere in the Bible that Mary is descended from David?
Does this discrepancy cast doubt on the Bible as ‘the infallible Word of God’?
(more…)

Question 150, from Roger, United Kingdom

If Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand in heaven, where does the Holy Spirit sit?

There are a few elements to this question that will perhaps be helpful. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the idea that Jesus Christ sits at the Father’s right hand is an important symbolic statement, relating to the view of God as ‘King of Heaven’. To sit at the king’s right hand is to assume a primacy in the court or near-equality with the ruling monarch and to act with authority on their behalf.
(more…)

This was a short talk given by Jon the freelance theologian to the young people in a church in Cardiff, Wales. It was written in short bullet points and notes, which are reporduced here.

Why Jesus should be at the centre…

Jesus was there in creation and was the means by which the world was created
(more…)