BIBLE STUDY: An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles (Lesson 1 – April 11, 2024)

 

An Introduction to The Acts of the Apostles

(Lesson 1 – April 11, 2024)

1.     A Vision to Prophet Ezekiel: One thousand cubits - ankle-deep (Ezk 47:3 - 47:3); one thousand - knee-deep (47:4) one thousand - up to the waist (47:4) one thousand - river that I could not cross (47:5), the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh (47:8) everything will live where the river goes (47:9).

2.     Fulfilment of the Vision!!! A few at the foot of the Cross (Jn 19:25,27) 3000 at Pentecost by Peter: Time of Constantine the Great (300 AD) six Million Today?  Water (Holy Spirit) flown into every dead sea (Heart) is fructified.

3.     The Author of the Acts

- The author of Acts never gives his name. Traditionally, Luke is assigned as its author. Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria ascribe it.  The writer addresses Theophilus = lover of God (Lk 1:3), who seems to be the same individual to whom the gospel of Luke was also directed - a reference to a “former treatise” – third Gospel (1:1-2) – “publisher” or “patron”.

- Written in the first person plural - “we” signifies that the writer was an eye-witness of what he wrote and the companion of Paul (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1; 28:16).

- Both the gospel of Luke and Acts frequently use medical terminology “the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14).

4.  Date of Writing

Paul is in prison, still alive in Rome. We place the date of writing of Acts of the Apostles as before 70 A.D. And after Paul reached Rome, probably 63 A.D., or thereabout (some 20 or 30 years after Paul).

5.     To Whom the Book Was Written?

Although is addressed personally to Theophilus, as was the gospel of Luke, it was intended surely for a much wider reading (Act 2) especially to preach the gospel to the Jews and  Gentile world as God intended (Acts 1:8).

6.     The Purpose of the Book

The common purpose of both the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles is expressed in Luke 1:4—“that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed” apart from a number of specific aims.

1. An Historical Motive: A comparison of Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:5 - Luke “the things that Jesus began to do and teach” and the continuation of the mission - Acts 1:8.

2. The Defense Motive: Luke constantly calls attention to the fact of contrast in the face of increasing hostility of the government toward Christianity.

3. The Biographical Motive: While Luke’s record is primarily devoted to the revelation of the gospel and to the work of the Holy Spirit yet, he divides the historical record of Acts into two sections: 1 to 12 the history of Peter’s work, and 13 to 28 a record of the work of Paul to Gentile.

7. Contents and General Themes in Acts of the Apostles

The book of Acts of the Apostles records for us the history of the beginning, growth and spread of Christianity for at least the first 30 years, from the ascension of Jesus to the imprisonment of Paul.

1.     The Fulfilment of God’s Saving Plan

2.     The Risen Jesus acts Through his Spirit-filled Disciples

3.     Continuity amid change: God keeps his promises to his people

4.     Healing and Restoration of God’s People

5.     Triumph of Christianity despite all Obstacles

6.     God’s Guidance of the Christian Way (Act 5:32; 4:31; 9:31; Rom. 8:14)

7.     Apologetic for Christianity, especially for Paul

8.  Theological Themes: Baptism, Boldness, Christians in society, Friendship and the Christian Community, Friendship and the Holy Spirit, Future hope for all humankind, God and other powers, God’s faithfulness, Holy Spirit, Inclusion of the Gentiles in the people of God, Mission, and hospitality, “Not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26), The prevailing word of the Lord, Salvation and the end of time.

9. Baptism: Provide answers to the following questions

Where is Baptism mentioned in Acts? (Acts 8:36-38)

What prevents me from being baptized?” (Answer of Philip)

What does the Bible say about baptism in Acts 2:38?

How did they Baptize in the Book of Acts? (Acts 9: 5 =6)

Why did they Baptize in Jesus’s name in Acts?

How many times can you be baptized according to the Bible?

Who was baptized in Acts 18:8?

Does the Bible say you have to be Baptized to go to heaven? (Jn 3:5)

How many people were baptized in Acts? (Act 2:41)

Who was Baptized in Acts 16:15?

When did the Church stop Baptizing in Jesus' name?

Can anyone be Baptized in the Holy Spirit? (Jn 17:20; I Thess. 4:2, 7; 5:23, 24) =(Acts 2:1-4; 15:8, 9)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8)

BIBLE STUDY: THE SUFFERING SERVANT (March 14, 2024)

 

Bible Study (2 - Mar 14, 2024)

THE SUFFERING SERVANT

Isaiah predicted that the Servant of the Lord would deliver the world from the bondage of sin. In the beginning initially identified God’s servants as the people of Israel (Is 41:8; 44:1–2), as God’s witness (Is 43:10), and as a light to the Gentiles. And Israel could not fulfill: Israel was deaf, blind (Is 42:19), and in need of God’s forgiveness (Is 44:21–22). Israel failed again and again.

Although, it clearly identifies the “suffering servant” in Isaiah 53 as the nation of Israel, who suffered as a humiliated individual at the hands of the gentile nations -– but realized only in Jesus.   

By contrast, God’s Servant, the Messiah, faithfully accomplished all the work entrusted to him (Lk 13:32; Jn 17:4). The Servant of the Lord is God’s faithful and true witness to humanity.

(1) Isaiah 42:1–9: The Servant of the LORD

You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." (Is 49:3 = Mt 12:18–2 “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased”)

(2) Isaiah 49:1–13: “Before I was born the Lord called me” = (Jer 1:5). The Messiah displays God’s splendor (verse 3), restores God’s people (verse 6), and is honored in God’s eyes (verse 5). Significantly, the Messiah feels a great loss: “I have labored in vain; / I have spent my strength for nothing at all” (verse 4), yet He receives worldwide acclaim in the end:

“To him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,

to the servant of rulers:

‘Kings will see you and stand up,

princes will see and bow down’” (verse 7).

 

BUT

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant

to restore the tribes of Jacob

and bring back those of Israel I have kept.

I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,

that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (verse 6).

 

In this way, God’s salvation is brought to all people. Christ Jesus is “the light of the world” (Lk 2:30–32; Jn 8:12; 9:5

(3) Isaiah 50:4–11:  Israel’s Sin with the Servant’s Obedience

He is not rebellious (v 5), even when his obedience to God results in suffering:

“I offered my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;

I did not hide my face

from mocking and spitting” (verse 6).

 

The Servant of the Lord expresses his confidence that God will help him and that he will be found innocent (verses 7–9). In this confidence, the Messiah resolves to see his task to completion, no matter how difficult the road becomes (cf. Luke 9:51).

His back was beaten, his face was hit, and he was spit upon ( Jn 19:1–3; Mt 27:30). The Lord Jesus was obedient unto death (Phil 2:8), and the Father vindicated his Suffering Servant by resurrecting Him. “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced” (Is 52:7).

 

(4) Is 52:13—53:12: This Climactic fourth Servant Song

Describes the suffering and triumph of the Servant of the LORD.

It is also one of the most detailed passages in the OT concerning the death and resurrection of the Messiah.

A promise that the Servant will be exalted (Is 52:13), but then immediately turns to a description of extreme violence:

“His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being

and his form marred beyond human likeness” (Is 52:14).

 

The Messiah will be “despised and rejected by mankind” (Is 53:3). When he is brutally punished, people will assume that he is being afflicted by God (verse 4). But the fourth Servant Song makes it clear why he endures such persecution:

“He was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed” (verse 5).

 

Isaiah 53:10 Why should the Suffering Servant Die?

“It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

and...the Lord makes his life an offering for sin.”

This is the substitutionary atonement. His life for ours. The death of the Messiah accomplished the will of God concerning our salvation.

Peter calls Jesus the “servant” of God (Acts 3:13):

1) Jesus always did the will of the Father (Jn 4:34; 6:38).

2) Jesus always pleased the Father (Jn 5:30).

3) Jesus finished the work entrusted to him (Jn 17:4).

4) Jesus glorified the Father (Jn 13:31; 17:4).

Ancient Scriptures of Hinduism

Rig Veda 10.90.7, 15:

“The sacrificial victim is to be crowned with a crown made of thorny vines” 

Yajur Veda 31:

“Before death, He should be given a drink of Somarasa”(an intoxicating herbal juice)."

Sama Veda, part 2 (Thandiya Maha Brahmana):

“God is the ruler of people. He will offer His body as a sacrifice, for His people; for the remission of their sins.”

Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 3.9.28:

“His hands and legs are to be bound to a yoopa (a wooden pole) causing bloodshed”

Ithareya Brahmana 2.6:

“None of His bones be broken”

Ithareya Brahmana:

“After death, His clothes are to be divided among the officers.”

-        One supreme sacrifice known as the Purush Prajapati and the name is translated from Sanskrit as “the Lord of all creation who became Man” (Sathpatha Brahmana 10.2.2.1_2; Rg Ved Purushasukta 10:19).

-        The only purpose of the Purush Prajapati is to sacrifice His life-blood to pay our penalty for sin and to impart to us eternal life. It is the only way to Heaven and the only way of escape from eternal hell (Rg Ved 9:113.7_11; Rg Ved 4.5.5; 7.104.3)

·       Is anyone matching to above said points except JESUS? 

 

·       Who is Today’s Suffering Servant?

Anawim (the “poor ones” who remained faithful to God in times of difficulty); Mt 5 Beatitudes.

 

BIBLE STUDY: PREFIGURES OF CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

 

PREFIGURES OF CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Old Testament is Fulfilled in The New Testament

God’s revelation throughout the Old Testament prefigures, anticipates, and announces beforehand the redemption that he would accomplish in the person of Jesus Christ his only Son incarnated. There are many prefigures of Christ in the Old Testament. Jesus is the second Adam, the perfect law keeper, Noah, Joseph, Moses, etc… God announced beforehand, in type and shadow, promised and prophesied the redemption he would accomplish through his incarnate Son. How can a collection of books written over a period of a thousand years by many authors find its fulfillment in a single individual? God over history ordered events and intervened in history so as to reveal himself and his redemptive purposes to his people (ex. Ex. 7:3–5). This same God superintended the recording and interpretation of those events as he inspired individuals to compose the books (cfr. 2 Tim 3:16).

First: Christ is present in the Old Testament through his promise, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen 3:15). Promise of the Messiah and an announcement of the work – he will accomplish.

A second way – Christ is present in the Old Testament is through prophecy which time and again heralds the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of Israel, “The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Is 7:14).

Thirdly: Christ is present in the Old Testament in the form of types and shadows. The Old Testament types are signs that pointed believers to the reality (what theologians call the antitype) which is Christ himself. Along with people and places, a thing can also be a type of Christ. For example, the bronze serpent raised in the wilderness brought healing.

Adam is a prefigure of the Messiah. Adam and Christ are related to one another as a photographic negative to its positive print.  What Adam did, Jesus undid. Adam was the first born of physical humanity, where Jesus is the firstborn from the dead (Col 1:18). Adam was the first human to sin (well, technically he was the second), and therefore brought death to all men; Jesus was the first human sinless. Adam made men unrighteous and Jesus made men righteous through his blood.

Melchizedek king of Salem (Jerusalem) meets Abraham. He was both priest and king. Melchizedek was the temporal king of physical Jerusalem, while Jesus is the spiritual king of the spiritual Jerusalem (Jn 18:36,37). He is the prince of peace. 

Joseph is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ. Joseph and Jesus’ Brethren were indifferent toward their suffering (Gen 37:25; Mt 27:41); Joseph and Jesus were sold for the price of slaves (Gen 37:28b Mt 26:15); Joseph and Jesus were “Resurrected” out of the Pit (Gen 37:25b–28a) and Joseph and Christ offer the “Bread of Life” (Gen 47:13–19; Jn 6:35, 51).

Moses is one of the clearest parallels between the life of Jesus Christ and Moses in the Old Testament. From the event of killing of male child in Egypt to the events in the desert to the Promised land. 

Solomon is a type and shadow of Christ. He is the Son of David. God said he is his Father; he built the house of God; he is a man of peace; he has divine wisdom from God; he rules with justice and righteousness; he has a glorious, magnificent kingdom. Christ built God a house by building the universal church, which is called the temple of God. Paul says to his church of Corinth, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Cor 3:16).

David “My servant David will be king over them; there will be one shepherd for all of them” (Ezk 37:24). It seems that God is just using the name David to refer to the Messiah, the Son of David “I, the Lord, promise that a new time will certainly come when I will raise up for them a righteous branch, a descendant of David (Jer 23:5-6).

Job is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ longed for an Advocate to plead his case:

“Surely even now my witness is in heaven, and my evidence is on high” (Job 16:19); “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1). Pilate said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person” (Mt 27:24).

Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Mt 12:40). Jesus spent three days and nights interred the heart of the earth. Both Jesus and Jonah are reminders to the Jews that God will be moving his focus away from Jerusalem.

Israel Another typology of Christ we consider is the nation of Israel. Matthew says that the Israel as a type of Christ. Scripture says, “Then he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and went to Egypt. He stayed there until Herod died. In this way what was spoken by God through the prophet was fulfilled: “I called my Son out of Egypt” (Mt 2:14-15).

Passover Lamb The Jewish Passover lamb is also a type of Christ. They had the blood of a lamb sprinkled on their doorposts (Ex 12:3-14). Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Every Christian is washed in the precious blood of Christ (1 Jn 1:7-9).

Manna God sending manna from heaven to sustain Israel in the wilderness is also a type of Christ (Ex 16). And God gave us Christ, as bread from heaven, to satisfy and save all who believe in him (Jn 6:30-35).

The Bronze Snake The bronze snake that Moses erected for Israel to save them from death is a type of Christ – “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life (Num 21 = Jn 3:14).

The Rock Paul says that Moses provided water for Israel from a rock that he struck two different times—once near the beginning of their journey and again near the end (Ex 17:1-7, Num 20:2-13); “And all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ (1 Cor 10:1-4).

High Priest In the Old Covenant, God established priests to mediate between the people and God. Jesus becomes the high priest as the sacrifice (Num Heb 4:15-16). For it is indeed fitting for us to have such a high priest: holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

The Sacrificial Lamb “… stipulations about sacrificial lambs. The lamb had to be a male without defect; God would accept it as an atoning sacrifice (Lev 1:1-4) -   “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29).

Tabernacle is a type of Christ. While Moses was leading Israel in the wilderness, God had them make a tabernacle (Ex 29:46). John the apostle called Christ our tabernacle, “Now the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14).

The Veil in the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle and temple (often called the Holy of Holies or the Most Holy Place) separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary. The Holy of Holies was where God’s presence dwelt. At the death of Jesus, the veil in the temple was torn into two from top to bottom (Mt 27;50-51) – meaning the veil of death and sin is destroyed between God and man. The beginning of a new relationship and friendship of man began with God.

The The Mercy Seat which was located in the Holy of Holies, within the tabernacle and temple (Ex 25:18-22; Rom 3:25 = Heb 9:5) prefigures the merciful Christ sitting on the merciful judgment seat.

The Sabbath Day Paul argues that the Sabbath is a shadow of Christ – and now that Christ has come, believers no longer need to practice the Sabbath. Christ said, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath” (Mk 2:27); “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Mt 11:28-30); “ The son of man is the Lord of the Sabbath” (Mt 12:8).

Lev. 16:21-22:  “And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness”.

“And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited; and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness”

 

Who is “the live goat” today for you?

“The ignorance of the Bible is the ignorance of Christ” St Jerome

BIBLE STUDY: MY SOUL IS THIRSTING (March 23, 2024)

 

MY SOUL IS THIRSTING

COME LORD JESUS!  YOU ARE MY SAVIOR

 

March 23, 2024

Coming Home….. Never to Return

The Prodigal Son made a demand upon his father, “Give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” This is the spirit of rebellion. The prodigal boy, at home, felt himself harnessed in by the authority of a righteous father. His evil heart yearned for liberty. He wanted to enjoy the desires of his flesh. Thus, it was that the younger son became restless and demanded from his father his portion of the goods. The younger of the two sons is the representation of the sinner left to the freedom of his own will, and falling into an estate of sin and misery. The parable of Prodigal son finds its setting in the Divine love and infinite compassion of God. The original relation of man to God is that of a son to the father. God lets men try to live without God.

Strictly speaking, both the sons here sketched are lost,—the one through the unrighteousness that degrades him, the other through the self-righteousness which blinds him. The essence of sin presents itself to us in the younger son as Self-seeking. This awakens in him discontent with the good that he enjoys in the house of his father, impels him to seek independent freedom, sensual enjoyment and honor, and makes him a wretched slave of his unfettered, passions.

From the root of self-seeking grow two different branches, the sins of sensuality on the one hand and those of pride on the other. Through false craving for freedom the Prodigal Son falls into unhappy wandering; through wandering into wretched slavery; through slavery into an unspeakable depth of misery.

Sensuality degrades man, blinds him and leads him finally to the brink of the abyss, but God is far from abridging the sinner’s use of his freedom. He permits him, on the other hand, to walk his own ways, and makes even the bitter fruits of evil serviceable to his healing and recovery.

Quite otherwise does moral corruption reveal itself in the elder son. Outwardly he remains in the house of his father and serves him, yet he is guided only by a mechanical obedience, to which the impelling power of love is wanting.

There was lacking the heart, and with this everything, and betrays his inner character by his anger at the gracious reception of his deeply-fallen brother. He believes himself, in his blindness, never to have transgressed a commandment, and yet forgets precisely that which is weightiest in the law, mercy and love. Neither his father nor his brother does he love, and yet believes that he may demand all for himself.

Let us analyze the three characteristics of the Father, of the elder son, and the younger son. And see ourselves in the mirror of these three qualities – which is dominant in us?

 

YOUNGER SON

He sold himself to the works of the flesh, luxuries of the world and became slave to the Devil. In his devastated life, he first reflected on the folly and madness of his former ways. He then resolved that he would return to his father, and implore his forgiveness. Having formed the purpose, he instantly arose to carry it into execution. He first began to see how madly and wickedly he has acted. He feels that he has reduced himself to a wretched and perishing condition of eating food of swine. He resolves that he will go to his father and ask for mercy.

Five stages in his life (Phases of Religious Experience): These five scenes which correspond to the phases of religious experience through which the Prodigal Son passes.

1. Departure from home (Luke 15:1-13) his sin

2. His miserable plight (Luke 15:14-16) his punishment

3. His regrets (Luke 15:17-19) his repentance. “I will arise”; “I will go to my father”

4. His return (Luke 15:20-21) his conversion - “Make me as one of thy hired servants” (Lk 15:19)

5. His restoration to his place as a son (Lk 15:22-24) his justification (Lk 15:18-19)

 

FATHER

1. The father waited for his son every day  

2. The father’s compassion on his son coming to his home

3. The father’s welcome to his son returning to him

“Ran”—The coming of the father to meet his son here figuratively exhibits the sending of the Son of God

“Ran”—The return of the sinner is expressed by the word going (Luke 15:18), but God’s coming to the sinner by running. God makes greater haste to the sinner than the sinner does to God; God makes much of our first inclination, and would not have it fall to the ground.

“Kissed him”— He kissed him repeatedly and fervently—devoured him with kisses.

 

The Elder Brother (Lk 15:28-30)

(1) The elder brother’s displeasure at the kind reception of his prodigal brother

(2) His self-righteous pride

(3) His ungracious complaint

(4) His malicious exaggeration of his brother’s misdeeds; his ignoring the change that taken place in him

(5) His refusal to acknowledge him as his brother and utter lack of sympathy

(6) His years of obedience to his father had been years of grim duty and not of loving service

Who are these Three Persons?

The younger son left for far country and that far country represents this world and its sin. The great big, wicked world is the far country. That world is lost in sin. Its prince is the devil. “Younger son represents historically “the publicans and sinners”. We must remember that they did not leave Palestine or even Jerusalem when separated from the Jewish Church. Foreign country, but the country of forgetfulness of God. He comes to himself. What was squandered, therefore, in the far-off land of forgetfulness of God was moral wealth, the wealth of the heart and mind. In his isolation he begins to see that all the past forgetfulness of God was a mistake; that he was insane to take the course he did; and that in his right mind he must act differently (Lk 15:17-19).

 

These three characteristics are very much in every person. Each of these become active certain times in everyone.

 

Some are like Elder Son

Kings suppose to be like father but they have qualities of elder son

Pilate – “So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves” (Mt 27:24)

Herod - The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her (Mk 6:26)  

 

Some Fathers are like Prodigal Son

Eli – “..because his sons were blaspheming God, and did not retain them (1 Sam 3:13)

Samuel –  his sons “….Joel, and Abijah did not follow in his ways, they took bribes and perverted justice (1Sam 8:2-3)

Laban - Jacob – “He served Laban for another seven years” for Rachel (Gen 29: 20-35)

Saul - wanted Jonathan to be king after him: Jonathan told David, “My father Saul is trying to kill you; therefore be on guard tomorrow morning; stay in a secret place and hide yourself”  (1 Samuel 19:1-13)

Whichever the character is dominant in us right now, However, we need to be like ….

Nebuchadnezzar:  Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king's command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that utters blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins; for there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way” (Dan 3:28-29)

 

What encouragement has the sinner to confess his sins unto God?

1. God is a Father

2. His delight is salvation

3. He has made ample provision for the redemption of the sinful

4. He invites all to take advantage of it

 

 

Laudate Deum  (October 4, 2023 Apostolic Exhortation)  Pope Francis

Calls once again on all people of good will to care for the poor and for the Earth

1.      Climate change is real and caused by human activity: “No one can ignore the fact that in recent years we have witnessed extreme weather phenomena, frequent periods of unusual heat, drought and other cries of protest on the part of the earth”.  And it is not a matter of other natural cycles: “events of natural origin that usually cause warming, such as volcanic eruptions and others, are insufficient to explain the proportion and speed of the changes of recent decades.”

2.       He says that we as people of faith can cooperate in the building of a better future, where the good gifts of Creation are abundant and shared by all, as God intended. This is key to solving the climate crisis.

3.      Pope Francis recalls that the human person is also a part of creation, and cannot be separated from it, no matter how powerful scientific developments become.

4.      “I ask everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home and to help make it more beautiful” (LD 69)

5.      “Nonetheless, every little bit helps, and avoiding an increase of a tenth of a degree in the global temperature would already suffice to alleviate some suffering for many people” (LD 70)

6.      “Civil society with its organizations is capable of creating effective dynamics that the United Nations cannot” (LD 37)

7.      “The demands that rise up from below throughout the world, where activists from very different countries help and support one another, can end up pressuring the sources of power” (LD 38)

8.      A Christian response to the climate crisis is not about recycling or buying an electric car. Repackaged consumerism will not be enough, though Laudate Deum clarifies that wealthy countries like the United States are obligated to renounce extractivism and overconsumption.

9.      when human beings claim to take God’s place, they become their own worst enemies.”

10.   Francis is inviting the whole church to a renewed vision of community and solidarity, where Catholics are willing to stand alongside their poor and exploited brothers and sisters as prophets of another better world.

 

“Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned and done this evil in Thy sight” Ps 51:4