Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

    re .-1:
    
    The exact verses in II Peter may be off (as pointed out to me by John
    Covert) as my lectionary is at home.  In any case it is somewhere in
    the first chapter of second Peter where Peter is showing concern for
    those who might be getting their info on Jesus from false prophets,
    false leaders and the such.  Peter mentions how he was at the
    transfiguration in one section and how they or he is now "more
    confirmed ...".
    
    	Shalom,
    
    	Ron
    

Transfiguration and Parousia (2 Peter 1:16b-18, Jerome Biblical Commentary)

"eyewitnesses" In response [to those who reject the traditional prophecies
of Jesus' future parousia as myths made up by human beings to control the
lives of others] Peter offers the best forensic evidence, his own
experience of the giving of the parousia prophecy, the transfiguration of
Jesus (see Neyrey, "Apologetic Use" 509-14).  "glory" Like the Synoptic
accounts of the transfiguration, Peter describes: a holy mountain,
apostolic eyewitnesses, Peter in particular, Jesus' glorious appearance,
God's numinous presence, and God's proclamation, "This is my beloved son." 
Peter is traditionally credited with special revelations (Matt 16:17),
special visions (Matt 28:16-20), special prophecies (Mark 13:1-3,
14:27-31), and special presence at Jesus' exercise of power (Mark 5:37-43). 
He is, then, a specially informed, trustworthy source of traditions about
Jesus.

Transfiguration as Prophecy (2 Peter 1:19)

In the Gospels the transfiguration is linked with a future coming of God's
kingdom (Mark 9:1).  According to Church Fathers, Jesus' prediction that
some would not taste death until they saw the coming of God's kingdom was
fulfilled in the vision of Jesus' power and glory at the transfiguration.
But in writings like "The Apocalypse of Peter", the transfiguration was
itself a prophecy of Jesus' parousia, not a fulfillment of an earlier
prophecy.  Reminiscent of Jesus' predictions in Mark 13, this text contains
Jesus' answer to questions about his parousia and the end of the world; his
response is a pastiche of Gospel statements describing the parousia, the
return of the Son of Man, but especially future punishments and rewards. 
The apocalypse ends with Jesus' glorification in the presence of Moses and
Elijah, at which final tableau Jesus instructs Peter.  The story ends with
Jesus' ascent to heaven in glory, which serves to describe his future
return.

According to this, the transfiguration functions not only as the occasion
on which Peter was instructed about Jesus' parousia and future judgment,
but also as a prediction of that future event.  It is this sense of the
transfiguration as prophecy that the author appeals to in the argument in
1 Peter 1:17-18.  "prophecy surer still" this phrase is best understood
as "we have a very confirmed prophetic word."  Although "bebaioteros" is
a comparative adjective, it may be translated in the superlative degree
with the result that the transfiguration material in 1:17-18 is not
compared with other prophecies (3:3-4) but represents the very best prophecy
of the parousia.

Confirmation of promises and prophecies is a recurring theme in Jewish
writings; God's promises to Abraham (Gen 22:16-17) are "confirmed" by an
oath (see Philo, Leg. alleg. 3.203-8); this same promise is confirmed
just because the truthful and faithful God spoke it.  Paul speaks of a
confirmed promise of God in Rom 4:16, offering an immediate parallel to
1:19.  "morning star"  The transfiguration prophecy of the parousia is
confirmed because spoken by God, so that it can function as a light in
darkness for those waiting for the final light, "the morning star" (see
Rev 2:28), to rise with Christ's parousia (see 1 Thess 5:4).

re.0 Ron,

> What is your understanding of the meaning of the Transfiguration,

	Jesus unzipped His humanity for a brief moment so that we could see
His divinity.

ace

    My understanding is the same as the previous notes and I thank John
    for his entry which has much to help the reader explore the topic
    more completely.
    
    The Transfiguration occured with witnesses amongst the disciples;
    during it, Jesus was informed of His coming Passion and death
    on the Cross. 
    
    Afterwards, Jesus began preparing the disciples for what was ahead in
    his death and, as we know, the disciples did not want to believe it
    and after Jesus' death they were fearful and confused until Jesus began
    appearing to them.
    
    The disciples' witness at the Transfiguration was to bolster their
    faith in Jesus Christ as the True Messiah, True Son of God the Father.
    They would need to remember seeing Jesus transfigured in order to 
    keep the faith during the dark days ahead. 
    
    This is also true today. How many people argue that Jesus is not God?
    How many argue against God's supernatural activity in both events of
    Scripture and in our lives today? (Bibilical events are reduced to
    natural phenomenon, etc.)
    
    The Transfiguration was one of many eyewitness events that the
    disciples were allowed to witness so that they could combat the
    worldly disbelief with first-hand testimony. This is why the Church
    is founded on the Apostles and apostolic succession in its teachings
    and in those ordained to teach the faith. The doctrine that is handed
    down is given to those who profess its Truth as reveled through this
    ordained succession. 
    
    We proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ based on the same testimony given
    in Scripture, testimony that makes it clear that it comes from first
    hand eyewitness of all that Jesus said and did, and also on the
    teachings of the Apostles through Holy Tradition as handed down through
    an unbroken Apostolic succession. 
    
    When we accept the doctrines of our faith through these means then
    we are open to the grace of the personal relationship with  Jesus
    Christ. The doctrines tell us who Jesus is, who we are, and for God's
    plan for us and for eternity. This Truth does not change with the times
    since Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It is also not
    subject to multiple interpertations in the sense that God does not
    deny or contradict Himself. 
    
    Getting back to the Transfiguration, the disciples saw Jesus in Glory;
    this event, along with other eyewitness events such as hearing God
    the Father call Jesus his beloved Son at Jesus' baptism, etc., are the
    events which humans need through all ages to answer the question, 
    "Who do you say that I am?" with the response that "Jesus is Lord."
    
    I don't know what the Transfiguration may have meant to Jesus; perhaps
    it was a promise of the Father that He would elevate Christ after He
    died bearing our sins.
    
    Peace of Jesus,
    
    Mary
    

re Note 601.4 by JUPITR::MNELSON:

>     The disciples' witness at the Transfiguration was to bolster their
>     faith in Jesus Christ as the True Messiah, True Son of God the Father.
>     They would need to remember seeing Jesus transfigured in order to 
>     keep the faith during the dark days ahead. 
>     
>     This is also true today. How many people argue that Jesus is not God?
>     How many argue against God's supernatural activity in both events of
>     Scripture and in our lives today? (Bibilical events are reduced to
>     natural phenomenon, etc.)
  
        An interesting observation, but troubling.  If Jesus needed
        to "bolster" the faith of those in his very physical
        presence, and presumably who witnessed many miracles at his
        hands, (and, that old saw, "God does not change"), where are
        the modern-day "transfigurations" to bolster the faith of
        those to whom you refer in your second paragraph?

        Bob

    re: .4
    
    Bob,
    
        I will not have time until Friday noon to respond to your question,
    but I will at that time.
    
        In the meantime, could you explain more what you're asking?
    
    Mary
    

re: .5

  > An interesting observation, but troubling.  If Jesus needed to "bolster" 
  > the faith of those in his very physical presence, and presumably who 
  > witnessed many miracles at his hands, (and, that old saw, "God does not 
  > change"), where are the modern-day "transfigurations" to bolster the 
  > faith of those to whom you refer in your second paragraph?

After I read the above a few times, I think I understand your question.

It is indeed disturbing that we rarely witness a 'transfiguration' to bolster
our faith today. This is not because Jesus has 'changed', but that WE have
changed. There are MANY teachings in the Bible that point to the answer.
I think the major episode was when Jesus went to teach and perform miracles
in his home region of Nazareth. 

    Jesus taught in the synagogue and people were astonished by his teaching
    and authority. But then they remarked that wasn't he just one of them,
    human like them?  The people listening did not have the faith to see
    Jesus other than in the most ordinary terms. Therefore, they did not even
    accept him as a prophet and certainly could not see him as the Son of God.

	v. 5-6 :  "So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart
		   from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
		   He was amazed at their lack of faith."

Openness and God and the WILLINGNESS to believe must proceed the demonstration
of proof of their faith. Faith is believing without seeing, and that also means
without having full understanding or knowledge up front, too.

Jesus told the disciples that if they had the faith of a mustard seed that they
could move mountains. Thomas was gently admonished by Jesus when he required
seeing the Risen Jesus to believe and Jesus called blessed those who believe
without seeing (faith). Jesus also rebuked those who demanded to see signs in
order to believe; theirs was a very prideful type of challenge. For these
people, only the sign of Jonah would be given (3 days and nights in the whale =
Jesus' death on the cross and ressurrection). The FAITHFUL, however, were able
to recognize many signs and wonders worked by Jesus.


The lack of miracles (for many people) is not because God has changed, but that
Man's (and here I mean each individual's) relationship has changed. Today in
this world, there is a growing falling away of faith by the choice of the 
people themselves. There is a lot of false teachings going on which weakens the
faith of believers and cuts it down to the point of the Nazarenes of Jesus'
day.


(continued in the next entry)

(continued from the last entry)


Here are a few common errors of theology which limits Jesus in the eyes of 
believers and thereby weakens and destroys our faith :


1.   Scripture has either been falsified or was never inspired by the Holy
     Spirit, therefore, we cannot know Jesus in any unified way (that is,
     my idea of him is perfect, your idea of him is perfect, and everyone's
     idea of him is perfect, even if they are totally contrary).

	Therefore, we can 'profess' that He is God, but we can also have
	a way 'out' of the obedience that he would deserve as our God since
	we refuse to acknowledge His Word or consider there is any need to
	be obedient to it.


2.   Jesus is just a holy man, one among several, but not divine.

	Therefore, he has no God-authority over Creation, including us.

 
3.   Jesus is only a symbol of a "Cosmic Christ power". 

	Since this is also NOT the teaching of Scripture, again, His
	authority is destroyed. This is a particularly "New Age" teaching
	that influences people to consider that we, too, are gods. God
	is no longer a Triune Supreme Being and we are no longer the 
	Creatures of God, dependent upon Him. It is also the very line
	that the Serpent gave to Eve which initiated the Fall. Very 
	dangerous.


4.   Religous faith is only symbols of something inside or empty ritual.

	The 'teachings' of Psychology, etc. There is no REAL God, but
	only a human coping mechanism or part of our thoughs and creative
	action of the mind. 


Because the Holy Spirit has been poured out over mankind, we ALL have an
inner witness to Jesus Christ, Son of God and Man. This Spirit gives testimony
to the Truth of His Word. We, however, can have our OWN reasons not to believe
and to shut out this confirming Witness from within. If, however, we go to
the Lord with openness then the Holy Spirit will begin witnessing to us and
we WILL see the 'transfigurations', signs and wonders that will help our faith
to grow.

If a person adheres to one of the above 'theologies' then whatever legitimate
faith they may have becomes alloyed. Jesus becomes less Divine and more human
only. Our faith becomes an empty and materialistic faith that is not open 
enough (given our free will) to allow Jesus to perform all the miracles that
He wishes in our lives.

Jesus still performs miracles, signs, and wonders for those who actively seek
Him in faith; he continually gives the world 'transfigurations' as ordinary
people accept Him and are transformed through Conversion from rebellious 
sinners into saints growing in holiness through the sanctification of the 
Holy Spirit. As in Jesus' day only "those who have eyes see, those who have
ears hear". 

A Christian friend of mine told me this story about a year ago. Jim and a
few members of his family went to a healing service given by Fr. D'Orio.
Jim's father was confined to a wheelchair himself. There was a large crowd
there that night. At a point in the service, a young crippled girl was 
brought to Fr. D'Orio and Jim was amazed to see the girl healed right before
his eyes. She was able to walk after the healing prayer! Jim looked around
at the people there and he was further amazed because he saw that so few
people in the crowd, all watching, actually SAW the healing. Amongst his
family members, only his father saw the healing.

Several years later, Jim related this story to the CCD Confirmation class
that he was teaching. Afterwards, one of the girls in the class stayed 
behind and approached him. The girl had been the one healed that night!


The miraculous hand of God will constantly be missed by those who have been
blinded by false teachings. Openness to the Divinity of Jesus and to His 
Word and Authority and the corresponding obedience in faith is essential
to accepting His transforming power in our lives. 

Jesus says that we must have the faith of little children in order to see
His Kingdom. This is certainly not characterized by attitudes, such as those
of the Pharasies, that demanded signs or intellectual and theological answers
before they would believe in Him. The faith of little children is one without
barriers, pride, or demands. It is faith that operates out of love and trust
in God and His goodness and in His Word to us. 

Certainly, I think this is enough for now!

Peace of Jesus,

Mary

The Transfiguration is not an easy thing to understand.  It's one of those
portions of the Gospel that leaves me wondering.  It's one of those events
recorded in the Bible which I'm hoping in time to better understand.

It was, and continues to be, a most unexpected thing to happen.

Richard

See also 604.13.

Upon Mount Tabor, Jesus revealed to his disciples a heavenly mystery.
While living among them he had spoken of the kingdom and of his second
coming in glory, but to banish from their hearts any possible doubt
concerning the kingdom and to confirm their faith in what lay in the
future by its prefiguration in the present, he gave them on Mount Tabor
a wonderful vision of his glory, a foreshadowing of the kingdom of heaven.
It was as if he said to them: As time goes by you may be in danger of
losing your faith.  To save you from this I tell you now that "some
standing here" listening to me "will not taste death until they have
seen the Son of Man coming in the glory of his Father."  Moreover, in
order to assure us that Christ could command such power when he wished,
the evangelist continues: "Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter,
James, and John, and led them up a high mountain where they were alone.
There, before their eyes, he was transfigured.  His face shone like the
sun, and his clothes became as white as light.  Then the disciples saw
Moses and Elijah appear, and they were talking to Jesus."

These are the divine wonders we celebrate [August 6th]; this is the saving
revelation given us on the mountain; this is the festival of Christ that
has drawn us here.  Let us listen, then, to the sacred voice of God so
compellingly calling us from on high, from the summit of the mountain,
so that with the Lord's chosen disciples we may penetrate the deep meaning
of these holy mysteries, so far beyond our capacity to express.  Jesus
goes before us to show us the way, both up the mountain and into heaven,
and -- I speak boldly -- it is for us now to follow him with all speed,
yearning for the heavenly vision that will give us a share in his radiance,
renew our spiritual nature and transform us into his own likeness, making
us for ever sharers in his Godhead and raising us to heights as yet
undreamed of.

Let us run with confidence and joy to enter into the cloud like Moses and
Elijah, or like James and John.  Let us be caught up like Peter to behold
the divine vision and to be transfigured by that glorious transfiguration.
Let us retire from the world, stand aloof from the earth, rise above the
body, detach ourselves from creatures and turn to the creator, to whom
Peter in ecstasy exclaimed: "Lord, it is good for us to be here."

It is indeed good to be here, as you have said, Peter.  It is good to be
with Jesus and to remain here for ever.  What greater happiness or higher
honor could we have than to be with God, to be made like him and to live
in his light.

Therefore, since each of us possesses God in our heart and is being
transformed into the divine image, we also should cry out with joy:
"It is good for us to be here" -- here where all things shine with divine
radiance, where there is joy and gladness and exultation; where there is
nothing in our hearts but peace, serenity, and stillness; where God is
seen.  For here, in our hearts, Christ takes up his abode together with
the Father, saying as he enters: "Today salvation has come to this house."
With Christ, our hearts receive all the wealth of this eternal blessings,
and there where they are stored up for us in him, we see reflected as in
a mirror both the firstfruits and the whole of the world to come.

-- Anastasius, Abbot of St. Catherine on Mt. Sinai [c. 700]