The Kingdom Of God (Part 1) pp. 90-92

Agenda Learning Goal Four Corners Exegesis & Hermeneutics Definitions Menti Activity The Gospel of Matthew & The Sermon on the Mount: Key Points Group Work: Hermeneutical Interpretation of The Sermon on the Mount Take-Up

Learning Goal We will learn how to carry out proper exegesis and hermeneutical application of Scripture.

Four Corners How does this photo reflect how you envision the Kingdom of God? Why?

Exegesis & Hermeneutics Exegesis: The study of scripture texts in their context. It looks at original language, historical context, religious tradition and other writings that influenced the authors of the text. Hermeneutics: The task of interpreting scripture. Interpretations are made in reference to something else. We use exegesis to understand the context of scripture, and hermeneutics to apply the findings of exegesis to understand these texts in our time.

Exegesis & Hermeneutics Imagine we went back in time and I showed these photos to a group of Grade 12 students 20 years ago or we went 100 years into the future– what would they think? How do you think they would interpret these photos? I think they would just see an owl, and a photo of the CN tower But today, we look at this owl and you and I think of Drake – we look at its eyes and we see his OVO – his brand or we might think of the music festival that happens in the summer. When we look at the CN Tower photo – we don’t just see the CN tower – we see the Views album cover, and its representative of the brand that drake has made out of Toronto - and his image as this self proclaimed representative of Toronto in mainstream music/pop culture. We understand these photos because we know their context in which they are created – Therefore the exegetical understanding is essential to make meaning from these photos.

Exegesis & Hermeneutics menti.com Code: 85 97 88

Gospel of Matthew Written 60 years after Jesus and 10 to 20 years after the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. It was written for a Jewish community that was concerned with the division between Jewish followers of Christ (Christians) and those who saw Christ as subversive to Jewish tradition (Rabbinical Judaism) The gospel was written down so followers could continue the tradition after the apostles had died

Matthew presents the gospel as a perspective or point of view Matthew presents the gospel as a perspective or point of view. He interprets Jesus’ words and deeds to address the concerns of his community (hermeneutics). He wants followers to remain united and not judge one another. He emphasizes Jewish tradition and Jesus’ connectedness to the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament. So, he is very much speaking to the concerns of the time – he wants to keep people united during this time of division and disconnect

The Kingdom of God Jesus regularly emphasizes God’s nearness in Matthew’s gospel. The coming of God appears in the person of Jesus. Through the person of Jesus we get a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of God was a central image in Jesus’ teachings in Matthew – it was presented as a symbol or metaphor for God rather than a place Coming of God appears – The Kingdom of God is manifested in his teachings and actions – specifically in the content in the sermon on the mount

The Kingdom of God Among Us The sick were healed; sinners and outcasts were invited and accepted; people who heard his words were left astonished. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God in human history. When he says The Kingdom of God has come to you – he is saying that God is now acting among you God is not in some far off heaven - So in other words those golden gates or the idea of of JC descending from above are not an accurate representation of God’s kingdom – it is here, its in how we treat each other

The Kingdom of Heaven and the Church The Church that Matthew speaks of is not the Kingdom of Heaven. The Church are the first fruits and are a sign of what is to come. They are a community in which the Kingdom of God is at work. Through the sacraments and liturgy, the Church in present time lives this future reality.

The Ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven In the Old Testament Moses receives and delivers the Torah from Mount Sinai In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount (the new Torah) on a mount. Jesus provides a platform for the life of his disciples through teachings and beatitudes (blessings). He called people to the right relationship with God – an understanding of the 10 Commandments as a ethical bond between God and his people He basically provides the conditions of the kingdom of God on Earth – like Moses established the conditions of the covenant with Israel/the conditions of their relationship with God Like the commandments united Israel in a time of crisis – the sermon unites the followers of Jesus in a time of disconnect

Activity: Hermeneutical Interpretation of The Sermon on the Mount In Groups: Read the Scriptural passage and the accompanying exegesis provided in the textbook. With your group members, discuss the modern day hermeneutical interpretation of the passage. Record a summary of the exegesis and hermeneutics in the chart provided. Post your answers to the Google Doc found on the course website.

Exit Card Matthew presents the gospel as a perspective or point of view. He interprets Jesus’ words and deeds to address the concerns of his community. Is this an example of exegesis or hermeneutics? Why?