Chapter 4: New Testament Materials for a Relational View of Providence Involving Risk (Agreement with the Major Themes of Scripture)
4.1 Introduction. Here, the author chooses to focus on the work of Jesus to demonstrate his relational view of providence because it was Jesus through whom God demonstrated his divine-human relationship (Heb 1:1-2). He believes that it is in Jesus that we see the genuine character of God.
4.2 The Baptism. It is explained that God showed a "filial" (parent-child) relationship with Jesus when He declared that Jesus was his beloved son (Mt 3:17) at the time of Jesus' baptism.
4.3 The Birth of Jesus and the Bethlehem Massacre. Dr. Sanders compared Jesus' birth with the circumstances surrounding Moses' birth to show that rather than predestining things, God seems to seek people of faith to carry out his plans although there may be some lacking in public respectability. He also compared the massacre surrounding the time of Moses' birth with that of the Bethlehem massacre (Mt 1-2 and Ex 1-2).
…show more content…
The author says that Scripture reveals that rather than Jesus showing/demonstrating his divine power to withstand the temptation put forth by Satan, He relied on the same providential care that covers all humans — the power of love. It is also the way to accomplish the will of God (97) (Mt 28:18).
4.5 Confession and Transfiguration. In Matthew 16, the author said, when Jesus inquired of his disciples their opinions of his identity, Peter said that Jesus was the Messiah. During the transfiguration, God showed his approval of Jesus when He said, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased (Mt