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01
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Is Christian Morality Unique - A re-cap of Part 1
This re-cap recalls how idealism of Greek Philosophy (Hellenism) was incorporated into Christianity.
In an early Church Council (around 49CE) the "bar was raised" of three key social commandments and Gentile
converts were told to observe these rather than the detailed laws of Judaism. Thus "thou shalt not kill" was
to be understood as "avoid blood" (i.e.cruelty as such) "avoid fornication" (i.e. uncommitted sex)
"avoid strangling" (i.e. unjust business practices). This "raising of the bar" was continued on into the gospel
texts and, over time, into the ethics and practices of industry.
| 15 min approx.
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02
| Part 2 - Time, Place and the Cosmic Tension Between them
This set of slides recalls the origins of the universe in the Big Ban 13.7 billion years ago.
This was the beginning of time and place. It reflects on observations by astronomers that show how there
is an on-going tension within the cosmis
between time and place. It observes that Jesus Christ entered the world of C1st Palestine. Here
Judaism and Hellenism (cf. Greek Philosophy) co-existed. The slides ask the question as to whether
the tension between these two social systems had roots in the cosmic tension between time and place.
| 13 min approx.
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03
| Part 2- Judaism and Reliance on the Sense of Time
This set of slides considers the extent to which Judaism is based on the sense of time. Historically
Jews have been known as "the people of the book". They constantly read the Torah (1st five books of the Bible)
which outlines their history and their relationship with God. Relationship involves time. Jews observe a
liturgical calendar, the Sabbath day and times during the day.
| 11 min
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04
| Hellenism (cf. Greek Philosophy) and the Sense of Place
This set of slides is about Hellenism i.e.a culture based on Greek philosophy. According to this world view the
universe was created (once) by a "Divine Craftsman' and according to a set of principles that pervade everything and
are in accord with universal order. Hellenism, wth its multiple deities and focus on the "now", ontrasts with
Judaism which holds to a one, moral and personal God who takes an active and on-going role in the universe.
| 3 min approx.
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05
| The Gospel of Mark and Concentric Circles around Place
This set of slides show how a sociological, semiotic analysis of Mark's gospel "breaks" the gospel into
four sections. The paragraphs of the A and B Sections, are organised into two concentric circles based upon places.
The paragraph "pairs" of the A Section appear to describe what authority is based upon (cf. Judaism, law and time).
The paragraph "pairs" of the B Section appear to show, what a society such as Hellenism needs for a sense
of direction.
| 5 min. approx.
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06
| The Gospel of Matthew, Structured around Time Statements
The set of slides on the Gospel of Matthew show how this is structured around the sense of time. The gospel is
written for Jewish Christians who are familiar with Jewish traditions and emphases. Most paragraphs begin with
a play on verbs or a statement about time. The gospel shows what is required
to develop the qualities best suited to this society and best qualities in the society as a whole. However
it also points out the dangers of an over-emphasis on external law. A theme running throughout is forgiveness.
| 5 min approx.
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07
| The Gospel of Luke, and parallels in place
The structure of Luke's gospel according to a semiotic, sociological analysis in www.realitysearch.com.au
is heavily reliant on the sense of place and a sense of direction. Like Matthew's gospel, Luke is largely based
upon the gospel of Mark. However he is writing for a Gentile readership (cf. Theophilus). Luke's Section A
is about Jesus as a child of the world. Then via parallel paragraphs based on places, he points out qualities
needed for this type of society. Then, with a focus on parties addressed he points out good points (cf. a democracy)
but also the damaging outcomnes of totalitariqanism that this type of society can tip into. Luke outlines the
fight for justice by a "kingdom figure". Finally in the midst of the narrowness of Judaism and the loud voice
of Hellenism, he passes on the power of Kingship to his disciples.
| 9 min
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08
| Luke's "Acts" and the Gospel of John
The Acts of the Apostles follows on from the gospel of Luke. It shows how the early church had to struggle
against the narrowness of the Jews and the "loud voice" of protestors. The book develops a theological
understanding of "the word" acting as a subject. It also develops the sense of a corporate authority as
the apostle Paul is helped towards a journey to Rome by groups of people, individuals and State authorities.
| 4.08 min approx.
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09
| Introduction to the Gospel of John
This set of slides points out that the themes of "the word" as subject and an "anonymous will" as subject in the "Acts
of the Apostles" are developed into "the living word" and "the living authority" in the gospel of John
| 3 min approx.
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10
| John and the Authorised, Living Word
This set of slides shows how a semiotic, sociological gospel of John shows the characteristics of the
"authorised, living word." It also unveils the existence of a concentric circle of water images threaded throughout
the gospel. This reinforce the connection between Jesus and the sense of time and place and also the
need for a sense of direction based upon Jesus.
| 11 min approx.
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11
| Historical Efforts to Align Time and Place
This set of slides deals with three questions. It explores ancient efforts to align time and place in order to
"reach into" existence beyond time and place. It recalls the history of Christianity and the emergence of
a division between Catholics (cf. a time-based society) and Protestantism (cf. a place-based society).
It recalls the themes of John's gospel in which "the Living Authority of God" and "the Living Word of God"
are described. | 7 min approx.
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12
| Structure of the Eucharist
The final set of slides show how an understanding of "The Living Word" and the "The Living Authority" is
carried on into a celebration of the Eucharist. People present participate in building up
a sense of place through Scripture readings of the Living Word. They then build up a sense of Living Authority
and the sense of time by offering up the work and duities of their daily lives. Then the priest exercises the
authority given him by Jesus Christ via the Church. He re-enacts what happened at the Last Supper and shares
the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist with those who are present.
| 5 min approx.
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