Part I
Chapter five focuses on the prediction of Jesus’ death and of the second coming. Norm describes the thoughts of scholars on this subject and contemplates whether Jesus was an all-knowing being or someone with a lot left to learn (155). Norm explains that the Gospels depict Jesus as having supernatural knowledge but also that Jesus was still limited in his wisdom (155). The chapter ends with Norm in a dream where he speaks to scholars found behind three doors of different perspectives. One door’s “idea” stated that Jesus did not predict his death or resurrection, the second said that he did in fact make this prediction and it has already occurred, and the third takes the perspective that Jesus did predict it although it has not happened (171-176). Another interesting topic throughout this chapter is the confusion over the timeline of Jesus’ predictions; whether the second coming was to happen shortly (within a few years) or over thousands of years.
Part II
Jesus predicts his death three times throughout the Gospels and Norm points out that upon each prediction Jesus has progressed closer to Jerusalem (156). Norm reports that some believe that Christian followers came up with these predictions in order to convince others that Jesus’ death was part of a bigger plan (156). Towards the end of the chapter Norm talks about the second coming of Christ and whether this was intended to be a physical or spiritual concept. I found it interesting that the “final temple” could have meant new believers rather than a physical building. This idea held true to me personally after reading the passage repeated on page 162 where Jesus tells Peter he is the rock on which he will build his church.
Chapter five focuses on the prediction of Jesus’ death and of the second coming. Norm describes the thoughts of scholars on this subject and contemplates whether Jesus was an all-knowing being or someone with a lot left to learn (155). Norm explains that the Gospels depict Jesus as having supernatural knowledge but also that Jesus was still limited in his wisdom (155). The chapter ends with Norm in a dream where he speaks to scholars found behind three doors of different perspectives. One door’s “idea” stated that Jesus did not predict his death or resurrection, the second said that he did in fact make this prediction and it has already occurred, and the third takes the perspective that Jesus did predict it although it has not happened (171-176). Another interesting topic throughout this chapter is the confusion over the timeline of Jesus’ predictions; whether the second coming was to happen shortly (within a few years) or over thousands of years.
Part II
Jesus predicts his death three times throughout the Gospels and Norm points out that upon each prediction Jesus has progressed closer to Jerusalem (156). Norm reports that some believe that Christian followers came up with these predictions in order to convince others that Jesus’ death was part of a bigger plan (156). Towards the end of the chapter Norm talks about the second coming of Christ and whether this was intended to be a physical or spiritual concept. I found it interesting that the “final temple” could have meant new believers rather than a physical building. This idea held true to me personally after reading the passage repeated on page 162 where Jesus tells Peter he is the rock on which he will build his church.
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