Christianity: Terminology Christ (founder) Christians (followers) Christianity (religion)

Christianity: Religion Christianity Christianity –Roman Catholic –Eastern Orthodoxy (West East Roman Empire) (West East Roman Empire) Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Protestant (M. Luther) Catholic All are Christians

New Curriculum 1. Basic Content Emphasis ?? Emphasis ?? –Existing HKCEE Curriculum (NT & OT) –Now on Jesus Christ (founder) Historical Approach (objective, verifiable) Historical Approach (objective, verifiable)  (vs. religious or personal) = 3 Perspectives (past, present, future) = 3 Perspectives (past, present, future) –Heritage of Jesus Christ –Life of Jesus Christ –Perception of Jesus Christ

I)Heritage of Jesus Christ = Background 1) Historical Background 1)=Old Testament (≠Jewish Bible in itself) 2)Its themes serve as heritage of the new rel. 2) Socio-political Context (within Palestine) 1)Under Roman governorship 2)Under Greek Culture 3)Striving for Independence (Maccabees) 4)Political Groups: Herodians, Zealots, Sadducees 5)Religious Groups: Pharisees, Essenes

II)Life of Jesus Christ = The Origin of Christianity A)Deeds (The 4 Gospels, esp. Mark) –Includes: –Birth, –Ministry, –Miracles, –Passion, –Resurrection and Ascension

II)Life of Jesus Christ B)Words (teachings) 1) Kingdom of God 1) Kingdom of God –Its presence –Its entrance –Its future: New Element: Eschatology (Mark 13) + 2Peter 3:9 … 2) Will of God (Ethics) 2) Will of God (Ethics) –About discipleship –Parables (means) –Law

III)Perception of Jesus Christ =The Continuation of Jesus ’ Ministry =The Continuation of Jesus ’ Ministry A) Jesus ’ Identity A) Jesus ’ Identity –teacher, prophet, Messiah, Son of man, Son of God, etc. –As perceived by his surrounding people B)Development of the Early Church B)Development of the Early Church –Ascension – Pentecost – Persecution – Spreading to Gentiles – Jerusalem Council - Rome

III)Perception of Jesus Christ C) Development of Basic Christian Belief C) Development of Basic Christian Belief 1) Faith and Salvation 1) Faith and Salvation –Paul ’ s concept of salvation (diff. emphases): Justification by faith (Forensic, separation of the R. of God) Justification by faith (Forensic, separation of the R. of God) Change of Sovereignty (Slave of Evil or God) Change of Sovereignty (Slave of Evil or God) Unity with God (Baptism metaphor, Rom6) Unity with God (Baptism metaphor, Rom6) –James ’ complement to Paul ’ s Justification 2)New Commandment (Distinctive of X ’ ty) –Love one another (Love neighbors as one self)

N C: 2. Conceptual Content –I. Background in HKCEE vs NSS E.g.1. Covenant [Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1- 22] - Human response - God ’ s initiative - Duties of both parties …… Emphasis on its relation to NT Emphasis on its relation to NT In NT, God will still keep His promise. NT new people inherited this promise In NT, God will still keep His promise. NT new people inherited this promise

N C: 2. Conceptual Content –I. Background in HKCEE vs NSS E.g.2.Passover [Exodus 12:21-42] –- Where happened –- Angels killed the first born sons in Egypt –-Hebrews [people of YHWH] killed lambs, the blood painted at the frame of doors; Angels would pass by – - …… –Emphasis on its relation to NT –In NT, Jewish salving action of God as background for Christians ’ inheritance

N C: 2. Conceptual Content –I. Background in HKCEE vs NSS –E.g.3.Parable of the Seeds [Mark 4:1-20] –- One kind of seeds / message –- Four different soil / earth –- Four different growth-scenarios – - …… –Emphasis on its relation to Jesus ’ teaching of KG –The four situations set the condition, in which seeds / Christians could belong to the KG –Constitute part of the complete picture of KG in J ’ teaching

N C: 2. Conceptual Content –I. Background in HKCEE vs NSS E.g.4.Healing of a Paralytic [ Mark 2:1-12 ] E.g.4.Healing of a Paralytic [ Mark 2:1-12 ] - Details not repeated here - Details not repeated here - …… - …… Emphasis on: the Whole Concept of Miracles of JC Emphasis on: the Whole Concept of Miracles of JC Kinds of J ’ Miracles: Healing, Exorcism, Supernatural, Others Kinds of J ’ Miracles: Healing, Exorcism, Supernatural, Others Meaning(s) of Miracles: showing J ’ authority …… Meaning(s) of Miracles: showing J ’ authority ……

N C: 2. Conceptual Content I. Background in HKCEE vs NSS I. Background in HKCEE vs NSS Conclusion: Conclusion: HKCEE on meanings of concrete texts, i.e., what the texts say HKCEE on meanings of concrete texts, i.e., what the texts say NC: individual texts constitute parts of the whole picture of a specific concept or teaching NC: individual texts constitute parts of the whole picture of a specific concept or teaching

N C: 2. Conceptual Content II. NC Expects II. NC Expects One parable of KG =/= the whole teaching on KG One parable of KG =/= the whole teaching on KG Similarly, one text of discipleship =/= the whole teaching on discipleship Similarly, one text of discipleship =/= the whole teaching on discipleship Yet, the boundary of the individual teachings or concepts is limited within the Bible Yet, the boundary of the individual teachings or concepts is limited within the Bible The present NC, however, covers ‘ all ’ aspects of that particular teaching or concept The present NC, however, covers ‘ all ’ aspects of that particular teaching or concept

N C: 2. Conceptual Content II. NC: Whole Idea II. NC: Whole Idea Background [most preserved from CE; or introduced] Background [most preserved from CE; or introduced] Origin Origin –J ’ Ministry [most preserved from CE] –J ’ Teaching [preserved from CE + new themes mainly from Mark with different levels of categorization] Development of Jesus ’ Ministry Development of Jesus ’ Ministry –Development of Early X ’ ty [Acts of the Apostles, x all] –Development of X ’ Faith [Paul ’ s salvation; James ’ emphasis on Works > Faith]

N C: 2. Conceptual Content III. NC Themes / topics III. NC Themes / topics Examples: Examples: 1.Identity of JC – two levels 1.Identity of JC – two levels –b. Title [objective] Son of Man, Son God, Son of David, Messiah/Christ, King, Lord. Son of Man, Son God, Son of David, Messiah/Christ, King, Lord. –a. Others regarded him as Resurrected John the Baptist, One of the Prophets, Teacher, a righteous man [centurion], etc Resurrected John the Baptist, One of the Prophets, Teacher, a righteous man [centurion], etc

N C: 2. Conceptual Content III. NC Themes / topics III. NC Themes / topics Examples: Examples: 2.on Discipleship 2.on Discipleship –a. Promise, e.g., reward: 100x, eternal [Mark 10:29f] –b. Livings, e.g., who is the greatest [Mark 9:33-7] –c. Warnings, e.g., shamed of me, //SM [Mark 8:38] –d. Price, sufferings, commission, e.g., taking up his/her cross [Mark 8:34]