a thesis statement about jesus

Exegetical Papers: 1. Choose a Passage & Create a Thesis Statement

• Introduction & Overview
• 2. Historical, Cultural, and Literary Background
• 3. Perform Exegesis of Each Verse
• 4. Offer an Overall Interpretation
• 5. Provide an Application of the Passage
• 6. Finding Books
• 7. Finding Articles
• Turabian Citation Style
• ATLA Search & Video Tutorials
• Formatting Theses and Dissertations in Word 2010
• Quick Links & Databases
• Web Resources
• Online Reference Sources
• Scholarly vs. Non-scholarly Materials
• Avoid Plagiarism

What is your favorite passage in Luke's Gospel?

Jeremiah by Holly Hayes is licensed under a Creative Commons License .

Luke 4:16-21

• Online Concordance
• Online Bible Concordance Site: Biblegateway.com

WWW Button by Stuart Miles is licensed under a Standard License .

Concordances

A Bible concordance is a verbal index to the Bible. A simple form lists Biblical words alphabetically, with indications to enable the inquirer to find the passages of the Bible where the words occur.

Bible Concordances

Commentaries

I n-depth commentaries that treat a Book of the Bible chapter by chapter, are ideal for research. The only problem: there are so many commentaries! Here are some excellent ones.

• More Good Commentaries

These commentaries are in the RWWL library circulating collections.

• Abingdon New Testament Commentaries
• Calvin's Commentary
• Feminist Companion to the Bible
• Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
• New Te stament Commentary 
• The New International Commentary on the New Testament
• The New International Commentary on the Old Testament

What's on this page?

• Choosing a Passage
• Creating a Thesis Statement
• Definition of Concordance

One Volume Commentaries

• Bible Concordances - Print
• Recommended Commentaries
• Gospel Parallels

Choose a Passage for Your Exegesis Paper

If your professor has assigned you a specific passage for your paper, you can skip the rest of this page. Otherwise, you need to choose a passage:

• From an appropriate place in an acceptable version of the Bible
• Of reasonable size
• With identifiable boundaries

Your passage would naturally come from the section of the Bible that your class covers. This guide will assume that your class includes the Gospel of Luke and you have decided to choose a passage from there. You can choose a passage you like, or that features a concept in which you are interested.

Suppose you are interested in studying the story of Jesus' Transfiguration. That is in Luke 9:28-36. So you could write your paper on that passage. Alternatively, you could write on a passage that contains a theme you want to study. Suppose you want to learn about Jesus' attitudes towards money, but you do not know where in Luke's Gospel to look for a passage about money. You can solve this by using a concordance.

A concordance is a tool that lets you look up a word, and see that word in its context in every place it occurs in the Bible. Since English versions of the Bible differ sometimes in how they translate words, you need to pick a concordance that matches your Bible version. (This assumes you are not working directly from Hebrew or Greek, which have their own concordances.) So, if you use the New Revised Standard Version , you could use  Concise Concordance to the New Revised Standard Version  (Call Number BS425 C655 1993 ).

Next, you need to determine if the passage is of reasonable size. Suppose you have to write a paper that is ten to twelve pages long. That would be about the right size for a passage that is around eight to fifteen verses long, depending upon the genre of the passage. An argument from Romans would probably take more space to interpret than a story in 1 Samuel, though this may not always be true. If you choose a passage that is too short, your paper will probably be too short, e.g., writing on John 3:16 would be a fairly short paper. On the other hand, Luke 1:1-80 is far too long. You could spend thirty pages on that and not be done. It depends in part upon the complexity of the passage. For this LibGuide, let's choose a simple narrative passage: Luke 1:26-38, the announcement to Mary of the coming birth to her of Jesus while she is a virgin.

In order to decide the number of verses to choose, you need to validate that you are doing a complete passage, not starting or stopping in the middle of a narrative or argument. In the case of Luke 1:26-38, you can tell that v. 26 is an appropriate beginning for this short narrative (called a pericope in biblical studies) because v. 26 provides a statement that indicates a new event is happening at a point later in time than 1:5-25. In Luke 1:26 it is stated that the angel Gabriel, six months after promising Zechariah that John would be born, was sent to Nazareth in Galilee by God. At the beginning of Luke 1:39, we again read about a transition to a new location, as Mary leaves to go visit her cousin Elizabeth. That makes Luke 1:38 the end of the announcement to Mary by Gabriel. This is fifteen verses, which is about the most you should consider doing for a typical exegesis paper. Shifts in time ("and it came to pass"), shifts in location ("went up to Jerusalem"), and shifts in topic ("There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in the Messiah Jesus") all indicate the beginning of a new narrative pericope or a new topic. Look for those as you seek the beginning and end of your passage.

You could verify the boundaries of your passage by finding a Bible that divides the text into paragraphs and seeing how it divides this passage. You should plan, however, to describe why you have chosen a particular set of verses and not more or less. The paragraphs are only the view of one modern editorial team, not part of the Bible itself. The chapters and verses in modern Bibles were put in many centuries after all the books of the Bible were written.

Go to the next tab above to learn how to examine the Historical, Cultural, and Literary Background of your passage.

Create a Thesis Statement

"Defining the Thesis Statement

What is a thesis statement?

Every paper you write should have a main point, a main idea, or central message. The argument(s) you make in your paper should reflect this main idea. The sentence that captures your position on this main idea is what we call a thesis statement.

How long does it need to be?

A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your argument focused.

Questions to Ask When Formulating Your Thesis

Where is your thesis statement?

You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer essays in the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your reader a sense of direction.

Tip : In order to write a successful thesis statement:

• Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the paper.
• Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words.
• Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, “The point of my paper is…”

Is your thesis statement specific?

Your thesis statement should be as clear and specific as possible. Normally you will continue to refine your thesis as you revise your argument(s), so your thesis will evolve and gain definition as you obtain a better sense of where your argument is taking you.

Tip : Check your thesis:

• Are there two large statements connected loosely by a coordinating conjunction (i.e. "and," "but," "or," "for," "nor," "so," "yet")?
• Would a subordinating conjunction help (i.e. "through," "although," "because," "since") to signal a relationship between the two sentences?
• Or do the two statements imply a fuzzy unfocused thesis?
• If so, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further development.

Is your thesis statement too general?

Your thesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the specified number of pages. Shape your topic so that you can get straight to the "meat" of it. Being specific in your paper will be much more successful than writing about general things that do not say much. Don't settle for three pages of just skimming the surface.

The opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling, superficial thesis. Compare this original thesis (too general) with three possible revisions (more focused, each presenting a different approach to the same topic):

• There are serious objections to today's horror movies.
• Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young American viewers to violence.
• The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades both men and women.
• Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that 1930s horror films did.

Is your thesis statement clear?

Your thesis statement is no exception to your writing: it needs to be as clear as possible. By being as clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make sure that your reader understands exactly what you mean.

Tip : In order to be as clear as possible in your writing:

• Unless you're writing a technical report, avoid technical language. Always avoid jargon, unless you are confident your audience will be familiar with it.
• Avoid vague words such as "interesting,” "negative," "exciting,” "unusual," and "difficult."
• Avoid abstract words such as "society," “values,” or “culture.”

These words tell the reader next to nothing if you do not carefully explain what you mean by them. Never assume that the meaning of a sentence is obvious. Check to see if you need to define your terms (”socialism," "conventional," "commercialism," "society"), and then decide on the most appropriate place to do so. Do not assume, for example, that you have the same understanding of what “society” means as your reader. To avoid misunderstandings, be as specific as possible.

Compare the original thesis (not specific and clear enough) with the revised version (much more specific and clear):

• Original thesis : Although the timber wolf is a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated. [if it's so timid and gentle -- why is it being exterminated?]
• Revised thesis : Although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal, it is being systematically exterminated because people wrongfully believe it to be a fierce and cold-blooded killer.

Does your thesis include a comment about your position on the issue at hand?

The thesis statement should do more than merely announce the topic; it must reveal what position you will take in relation to that topic, how you plan to analyze/evaluate the subject or the issue. In short, instead of merely stating a general fact or resorting to a simplistic pro/con statement, you must decide what it is you have to say.

• Original thesis : In this paper, I will discuss the relationship between fairy tales and early childhood.
• Revised thesis : Not just empty stories for kids, fairy tales shed light on the psychology of young children.
• Original thesis : We must save the whales.
• Revised thesis : Because our planet's health may depend upon biological diversity, we should save the whales.
• Original thesis : Socialism is the best form of government for Kenya.
• Revised thesis : If the government takes over industry in Kenya, the industry will become more efficient.
• Original thesis : Hoover's administration was rocked by scandal.
• Revised thesis : The many scandals of Hoover's administration revealed basic problems with the Republican Party's nominating process.

Do not expect to come up with a fully formulated thesis statement before you have finished writing the paper. The thesis will inevitably change as you revise and develop your ideas—and that is ok! Start with a tentative thesis and revise as your paper develops.

Is your thesis statement original?

Avoid, avoid, avoid generic arguments and formula statements. They work well to get a rough draft started, but will easily bore a reader. Keep revising until the thesis reflects your real ideas.

Tip : The point you make in the paper should matter:

• Be prepared to answer “So what?” about your thesis statement.
• Be prepared to explain why the point you are making is worthy of a paper. Why should the reader read it?

Compare the following:

• There are advantages and disadvantages to using statistics. (a fill-in-the-blank formula)
• Careful manipulation of data allows a researcher to use statistics to support any claim she desires.
• In order to ensure accurate reporting, journalists must understand the real significance of the statistics they report.
• Because advertisers consciously and unconsciously manipulate data, every consumer should learn how to evaluate statistical claims.

Avoid formula and generic words. Search for concrete subjects and active verbs, revising as many "to be" verbs as possible. A few suggestions below show how specific word choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning.

• Original : “Society is...” [who is this "society" and what exactly is it doing?]
• Revised : "Men and women will learn how to...," "writers can generate...," "television addicts may chip away at...," "American educators must decide...," "taxpayers and legislators alike can help fix..."
• Original : "the media"
• Revised : "the new breed of television reporters," "advertisers," "hard-hitting print journalists," "horror flicks," "TV movies of the week," "sitcoms," "national public radio," "Top 40 bop-til-you-drop..."
• Original : "is, are, was, to be" or "to do, to make"
• Revised : any great action verb you can concoct: "to generate," "to demolish," "to batter," "to revolt," "to discover," "to flip," "to signify," "to endure..."

Use your own words in thesis statements; avoid quoting. Crafting an original, insightful, and memorable thesis makes a distinct impression on a reader. You will lose credibility as a writer if you become only a mouthpiece or a copyist; you will gain credibility by grabbing the reader with your own ideas and words.

A well-crafted thesis statement reflects well-crafted ideas. It signals a writer who has intelligence, commitment, and enthusiasm."

From the Center For Writing Studies

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

There are large numbers of "free standing" commentaries not part of a series. 

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"The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus"

Author:  King, Martin Luther, Jr. (Crozer Theological Seminary)

Date:  November 29, 1949 to February 15, 1950 ?

Location:  Chester, Pa. ?

Genre:  Essay

Topic:  Martin Luther King, Jr. - Education

This paper, written at the beginning of the second term of Davis’s course Christian Theology for Today, indicates King’s estrangement from the conservative Baptist theology he learned as a child. As he had done in his earlier outline of William Newton Clarke’s  An Outline of Christian Theology , King dismisses the conception of an inherent divinity in Jesus and concludes: “The true significance of the divinity of Christ lies in the fact that his achievement is prophetic and promissory for every other true son of man who is willing to submit his will to the will and spirit  [ of ]  God.” By establishing Jesus as human, King allows for the possibility of progressive improvement in earthly society through individual action. Commenting on the essay, Davis warned: “You need to proofread your papers before turning them in. Note corrections on p. 4.” Nevertheless, he marked the work a B + and praised the paper as “a solution which would appeal to the liberal mind.”

Many years ago a young Jewish leader asked his followers a question which was all but astounding. He had been working with them quite assiduously. During their work together he was constantly asking them what his contemporaries were saying about him. But one day he pressed the question closer home. It is all very well to say what other people think of me, but what do you think? Who do you say that I am?

This question has gone echoing down the centuries ever since the young Jewish prophet sounded its first note. 1  Many have attempted to answer this question by attributing total divinity to Jesus with little concern for his humanity. Others have attempted to answer this question by saying that Jesus was a “mere” good man with no divine dimensions. Still others have attempted to get at the question by seeing Jesus as fully human and fully divine. This question, which was so prominent in the thinking of the early Christian centuries, was not answered once and for all at the council of Chalcedon, rather it lurks forth in modern theological thinking with an amazing degree of freshness. In grappling with the question of the person of Christ, modern Christian thinking is unanimous in setting forth the full humanity of Jesus, yet Christians have not been willing to stop there. Despite all the human limitations of Jesus, most Christian thinkers have been convinced that “God was in Christ.” 2  To be sure, Christian thinkers are often in conflict over the question of how and when Jesus became divine, but as to the presence of the divine dimension within him we find little disagreement in Christian circles. At this point we may turn to a detailed discussion of the humanity and divinity of Jesus.

The Humanity of Jesus

If there is any one thing of which modern Christians have been certain it is that Jesus was a true man, bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh, in all points tempted as we are. 3  All docetist, Eutychean, Monophysite errors which explained away the humanity of our Lord have now been jettisoned be all serious theological thought. 4  Theologians of all shades of opinions have declared that in respect to His human nature Christ is consubstantial with ourselves.

We need only read the Gospels to attest to the fact of Jesus’ genuine humanity. There is not a limitation that humanity shares that Jesus did not fall heir. Like the rest of us, he got hungry. When at the well of Sameria he asked the women who was drawing water for a drink. When he grew tired, he needed rest and sleep. He leared obedience, we are told, in the way we must learn it. When his disciples were unfaithful it was very cutting to his heart. The blindness of the city he longed to save moved him to tears. In the garden he experienced the normal agony of any individual in the same situation. On the Cross, he added to all physical tortures the final agony of feeling God-forsaken. 5

Notice how the unknown writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews speaks of the humanity of Jesus. Nowhere in the New Testament is the humanity of Jesus set forth more vividly. We see him agonising in prayer (5:7) embracing the Cross with joy and faith (12:2). Springing from the tribe of Judah, He passed through the normal development of human life, learning obedience, even though a Son, by the things which he suffered (5:8). Like all other men he was tempted. Yet no corrupt strain existed in His nature to which temptation could appeal. Here we find a frank emphasis of the humanity of Jesus, paralleled nowhere in the New Testament.\[Footnote:] H. R. Mackintosh, The Doctrine of The Person of Jesus Christ, p. 78.\ 6

Again we may notice that Jesus was by no means omnicient. His knowledge was essentially limited by human conditions. This fact was set forth as for back as 1912 by the notable theologian, H. R. Mackintosh. In dealing with this question of Jesus’ omnicience He states: “The question can be decided solely by loyalty to facts; and these, it is not too much to say, are peremptory. Not only is it related that Jesus asked question to elicit information—regarding the site of Lazarus tomb, for example, or the number of the loaves, or the name of the demented Gadarene—but at one point there is a clear acknowledgment of ignorance. ‘Of that day or that hour,’ He said, respecting the Parousia, ‘knoweth no man, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.’ If he could thus be ignorant of a detail connected in some measure with his redemptive work, the conclusion is unavoidable that in secular affairs His knowledge was but the knowledge of His time.”\[Footnote:] Ibid, p. 397.\

Again we may notice the human character of our Lord’s moral and religious life. His religious experience was in the human realm. Certainly he had a human faith in God. As Dr. Baille has so cogently stated, “Our Lord’s life on earth was a life of faith, and His victory was the victory of faith. His temptations were real temptations, which it was difficult and painful for Him to resist.”\[Footnote:] D. M. Baille, God was In Christ, p. 14.\ Jesus overcame his temptations not by relience on some inherent divine dimension, but by the constancy of his will. 7  So we are moved to the conclusion, on the basis of peremptory evidence, that Jesus shared fully our human life.

The Divinity of Jesus

After establishing the full humanity of Jesus we still find an element in his life which transcends the human. To see Jesus as a “mere” good man like all other prophets is by no means sufficient to explain him. Moreover, the historical setting in which he grew up, the psychological mood and temper of the age and of the house of Israel, the economic and social predicament of Jesus family—all these are important. But these in themselves fail to answer one significant question: Why does he differ from all others in the same setting. Any explanation of Jesus in terms of psychology, economics, religion, and the like must inevitably explain his contemporaries as well. These may tell us why Jesus was a particular kind of Jew, but not why some other Jews were not Jesus. Jesus was brought up in the same conditions as other Jews, inherited the same traits that they inherited; and yet he was Jesus and the others were not. This uniqueness in the spiritual life of Jesus has lead Christians to see him not only as a human being, but as a human being surrounded with divinity. 8  Prior to all other facts about Jesus stands the spiritual assurance that He is divine. As Dr. Brown succinctly states in a recent book, “That God was in Christ is the very heart of the Christian faith. In this divine human person the ever recurring antinomy of the universe is presented in a living symbol—the antinomy of the eternal in the temporal, of the infinite in the finite, of the divine in the human.”\[Footnote:] W. A. Brown, How To Think of Christ, p. 9.\

As stated above, the conflict that Christians often have over the question of Jesus divinity is not over the validity of the fact of his divinity, but over the question of how and when he became divine. The more orthodox Christians have seen his divinity as an inherent quality metaphysically bestowed. Jesus, they have told us, is the Pre existent Logos. He is the word made flesh. He is the second person of the trinity. He is very God of very God, of one substance with the Father, who for our salvation came down from Heaven and was incarnate be the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary.

Certainly this view of the divinity of Christ presents many modern minds with insuperable difficulties. Most of us are not willing to see the union of the human and divine in a metaphysical incarnation. Yet amid all of our difficulty with the pre existent idea and the view of supernatural generation, we must come to some view of the divinity of Jesus. In order to remain in the orbid of the Christian religion we must have a Christology. As Dr. Baille has reminded us, we cannot have a good theology without a Christology. 9  Where then can we in the liberal tradition find the divine dimension in Jesus? We may find the divinity of Christ not in his substantial unity with God, but in his filial consciousness and in his unique dependence upon God. It was his felling of absolute dependence on God, as Schleiermaker would say, that made him divine. Yes it was the warmnest of his devotion to God and the intimatcy of his trust in God that accounts for his being the supreme revelation of God. All of this reveals to us that one man has at last realized his true divine calling: That of becoming a true son of man by becoming a true son of God. It is the achievement of a man who has, as nearly as we can tell, completely opened his life to the influence of the divine spirit.

The orthodox attempt to explain the divinity of Jesus in terms of an inherent metaphysical substance within him seems to me quite inadaquate. To say that the Christ, whose example of living we are bid to follow, is divine in an ontological sense is actually harmful and detrimental. To invest this Christ with such supernatural qualities makes the rejoinder: “Oh, well, he had a better chance for that kind of life than we can possible have.” In other words, one could easily use this as a means to hide behind behind his failures. So that the orthodox view of the divinity of Christ is in my mind quite readily denied. The true significance of the divinity of Christ lies in the fact that his achievement is prophetic and promissory for every other true son of man who is willing to submit his will to the will and spirit og God. Christ was to be only the prototype of one among many brothers.

The appearance of such a person, more divine and more human than any other, andstanding  and standing in closest unity at once with God and man, is the most significant and hopeful event in human history. This divine quality or this unity with God was not something thrust upon Jesus from above, but it was a definite achievement through the process of moral struggle and self-abnegation. 10

Bibliography

1. Baille D. M., God was in Christ, Scribner’s, 1948.

2. Brown, William A., How To Think of Christ, Scribner, 1945.

3. Hedley, George, The Symbol of the Faith, Macmillan, 1948.

4. Mackintosh, H. R., The Doctrine of the Person of Jesus Christ, Scribner, 1912.  

1.  William Adams Brown,  How to Think of Christ  (New York: Scribner, 1948), p. 3: “Many years ago a young Jew put to a little group of his companions what in its setting seems a strange question. He had been asking them what his contemporaries were saying about him and they had repeated a variety of answers. Now he presses the questions closer home. It is all very well to tell me what other people are thinking about me. What do you  think  I am?… It has been so ever since. The question of the young Jewish Rabbi has gone echoing down the centuries.”

2.  See Donald Macpherson Baillie,  God Was in Christ  (New York: Scribner, 1948), cited in King’s bibliography.

3.  Brown,  How to Think of Christ , pp. 6–7: “If there is any one thing of which Christians have been certain it is that Jesus is true man, bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh, in all points tempted as we are.”

4.  Baillie,  God Was in Christ , p. 20: “all serious theological thought has finished with the docetist, Eutychean, Monophysite errors which explained away the humanity of our Lord and thus the reality of the Incarnation.” 

5.  Brown,  How to Think of Christ , p. 7: “If further evidence of Jesus’ genuine humanity were needed, one has only to read the Gospels. There is not a limitation to which our human kind is heir but Jesus shares it with us. Like the rest of us, he was hungry. At the well at Samaria he asked the woman who was drawing water for a drink. When he grew tired, he needed rest and sleep. He asked questions, and expected answers. He was a learner, and not from books alone. He learned obedience, we are told, in the way in which we must all learn it, by the things which he suffered. He was cut to the heart by the faithlessness of disciples. He knew what it was to be betrayed by a friend. The blindness of the city he longed to save moved him to tears. In the garden he was in agony and sweated blood. On the Cross, he added to all physical tortures the final agony of feeling God-forsaken.”

6.  H. R. Mackintosh,  The Doctrine of the Person of Jesus Christ  (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1913), p. 79: “Nowhere in the New Testament is the humanity of Christ set forth so movingly … We see Him proclaiming salvation (2:3), agonizing in prayer (5:7), embracing the Cross with joy and faith (12:2), suffering the last penalty without the city gate (13:12) … Sprung from the tribe of Judah, He passed through the normal development of human life, learning obedience, even though a Son, by the things which He suffered (5:8).… Yet no corrupt strain existed in His nature to which temptation could appeal.… A frank emphasis, without parallel in the New Testament, is laid on His human virtues.”

7.  Baillie,  God Was in Christ , p. 15, quoting William Temple’s  Christus Veritas , p. 147: “He overcame them exactly as everyman who does so has overcome temptation—by the consistency of his will.”

8.  Davis underlined “surrounded with divinity,” and asked, “Was not divinity ‘in’ him?”

9.  Baillie,  God Was in Christ , pp. 42–43.

10.  A version of this paragraph appears in a previous paper for Davis during the first term of Christian Theology for Today: “The appearance of such a person, more divine and more human, than any other, and standing in closest unity at once with God and man, is the most significant and hopeful event in human history. This divine character or this unity with God was nothing thrust upon Jesus from above, but it was a definite achievement” (“Six Talks in Outline,” 13 September–23 November 1949, p. 247 in this volume).

Source:  MLKP-MBU, Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, 1954-1968, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University, Boston, Mass.

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Jesus as shepherd in the gospel of Matthew

Hedrick, Terry J. (2007) Jesus as shepherd in the gospel of Matthew. Doctoral thesis, Durham University.

The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate that Matthew and those who first received and transmitted Matthew's Gospel during the late first century believed that Jesus was the righteous and royal Shepherd-Messiah of Israel, the Son of David. Matthew also believed that Jesus was the true teacher and interpreter of the law who could give definitive leadership and guidance to Israel in the aftermath of the Jewish war. Matthew's Gospel was written sometime during the last quarter of the first century, during the formative period of early Judaism. In this context, Matthew presented Jesus as the defining figure for the future of Israel. Jesus, as the righteous royal shepherd, will provide the authoritative understanding of Judaism and her traditions. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of David, and fulfils the promises of the Hebrew Scriptures. Therefore, as God's choice, he is the one to be turned to during this time of transition and change. As the Son of God and Messiah, he has been given God’s authority and is personally present with the community to give this guidance. One of the ways the evangelist demonstrates this is in his use of the shepherd metaphor in regard to Jesus. The ancient metaphor of shepherd was an image for leadership in the history of the tradition. The shepherd metaphor was often associated with the spiritual and national leaders in Israel, for example, Moses and David. According to Matthew qualities of this kind of shepherd leadership are now revealed in their fullness in Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus as Shepherd-Messiah is revealed both explicitly and implicitly in Matthew. He is revealed explicitly in the shepherd texts of Matthew and implicitly in the Gospel through the literary and typological correspondences in the history of Israel. The shepherd metaphor has a long history both inside and outside Israel’s tradition. Kings and rulers of many types were referred to as shepherds. In the thesis, the metaphor IS explored in the Ancient Near East generally, the biblical tradition, second Temple Judaism, the Dead Sea Scrolls and Philo. The shepherd metaphor was also used to describe evil, false or abusive rulers and leaders. In Israel's tradition this false shepherd metaphor became especially prominent in the exilic and post-exilic prophets. After the time of the exile, messianic hopes grew. The shepherd metaphor became associated with these messianic expectations. Other relevant texts from Rabbinic Judaism and Greco-Roman sources are also considered. In light of this social and historical background, the intertextual and narrative implications of Matthew's use of the shepherd motif will be investigated in relation to his christological concerns. Finally, the shepherd metaphor as it is applied to 'Jesus as shepherd' is thoroughly examined in regard to the Gospel of Matthew. It is the intention of this thesis therefore to make a contribution concerning Matthew's use of the shepherd metaphor in the wider context of Matthean Christology.

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Jesus Christ Theses Samples For Students

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Do you feel the need to check out some previously written Theses on Jesus Christ before you begin writing an own piece? In this open-access catalog of Jesus Christ Thesis examples, you are granted an exciting opportunity to explore meaningful topics, content structuring techniques, text flow, formatting styles, and other academically acclaimed writing practices. Implementing them while composing your own Jesus Christ Thesis will surely allow you to finish the piece faster.

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Presentation and Analysis of scientific evolution and history – Analysis and emphasis on two basic issues of scientific evolution as derived from the two following questions addressed within the set environment of researching into the field of History of Science – Reflections drawn upon the belief of David C. Lindberg as far as the scientific evolution and progress during Medieval years is concerned – Reflections drawn upon the evolution of the scientific field of cosmology and the revolution performed in this field leading to the breakdown of Aristotelian and Ptolemaic theories of cosmology [The author’s name]

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Gospel Essentials in Christian Education Essay

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Introduction

Restoration.

The understanding of essential information about God and Christian faith is an inherent part of one’s religious education. However, a person who wishes to know more about this religion has to learn not only about God or Jesus, their characteristics, and actions but also their connection to humanity. Moreover, analysis and reflection are vital in understanding the roots and the underlying causes for all situations. In order to interpret verses and texts, it is essential for one to see which principles lay at the foundation of Christianity. First of all, the identity and personality of God should be understood. Second, the role and place of humans in this world, as well as their actions and nature, need to be examined. Overall, Christianity is defined by such notions as that God is perfect – good, harmonious, pure, and merciful, and that people can transform and restore their heart by fully entrusting themselves to God.

The presence of God and his benevolent nature are the pillars of Christian thought. First and foremost, God is a part of the world, but he is also above and beyond it, existing outside of people’s ability to envision his person fully. God is perfect, and his every feature is a “perfection” because it pertains to him – “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, King James Version). There are multiple aspects to God’s perfection that set him apart. First of all, God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient – he is “is beyond our current best human comprehension” (Peterson, 2018, p. 73). God’s perfection also lies in his benevolence, compassion, and purity. Gog created everything – the universe, humanity, and all other living creatures. As Peterson (2018) notes, the scientific exploration of space allows people to see the power and reach of God’s limitless ability to create.

In Christianity, two major concepts are prevalent when describing humans. First, it is stated that “God created man in his own image,” meaning that all people are created by God to be similar to him (Genesis 1:27, King James Version). Second, after the fall, all people became sinful – a quality that is now inherent in every individual (DiVincenzo, 2014). In the Bible, it notes that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth,” pointing out the inescapable nature of humans to behave in evil ways (DiVincenzo, 2014; Genesis 6:5, King James Version). Thus, according to Christianity, the fall changed the purpose of people, whose initial role was to merely abide to God’s intentions. Now, humans should seek redemption to restore themselves and their faith (DiVincenzo, 2014). As God is merciful, he helps people to return from their exile after the fall – the main problem and the root of their sins.

Jesus of Nazareth was an ancient Palestinian man and a real historical figure, although some skeptics deny his existence (DiVincenzo, 2014). In the Bible, Jesus Christ’s life is described in the four Gospels which present various accounts of his story. However, while not much is known about his childhood, his actions as an adult show that he was a compassionate and kind-hearted man. For instance, he was considered a messiah, preaching the word of God and spreading ideas about the Kingdom of God – “and he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick” (DiVincenzo, 2014; Luke 9:2, King James Version). His existence and actions are important to Christianity because Jesus accepted the punishment that was intended for humans who failed to follow God’s word. After crucifixion – an event closely related to God’s judgment, Jesus became the symbol of sacrifice and atonement, both showing God’s unconditional love and his kind nature.

The process of humanity’s restoration started after the fall, as God wished to help people return to their initial state of purity. In his first step, God created laws to assist humans in leading their lives in the new world (Esqueda, 2014). Next, he brought Jesus to humans to show them how these absolute laws would guide them, where human-made laws would lead them astray. Moreover, Jesus becomes the ultimate solution for humanity’s sins, embodying God’s unconditional love for people and representing a Savior who will bring truth into one’s life. The fall broke the connection between humanity and God, and through faith, they can be redeemed to rebuild this relationship again (DiVincenzo, 2014). Indeed, faith – both in God and his teachings, is the primary way to live to reach restoration. Laws of God are based on compassion and grace, good deeds performed not out of self-interest but selflessness (Luke 6:35, King James Version).

As a faith, Christianity is based on love, benevolence, and selflessness. These qualities can be considered as strengths of the religion – they inspire people to care about each other regardless of their circumstances. The notion that God loves all people unconditionally is also a beneficial thought for humanity as a whole, as it becomes a great example for human relations. Here, the connection between love and God is projected onto humans – “every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (John 4:7, King James Version). On the other hand, a Christian concept that may confuse people is the nature of a person as a sinful creature. It may be difficult to explain why people need to agree that they are born to think in evil ways. Nonetheless, this acceptance is what changes people’s behavior as they realize that, by adhering to God’s word, they can learn how to act.

As a Christian, my everyday actions are shaped by my faith in many ways. The necessity to learn that all acts should be done not out of self-interest but selflessness and care for others was difficult for me at first, but it gave me an opportunity to understand more about myself and surrounding people. Currently, I use this knowledge to behave in ways that support and inspire my family, my community, and all others. Furthermore, my faith has allowed me to reflect on my personality and experiences. While the pace of the modern world is focused on accelerating the speed of each action to reach better, more efficient results, I remind myself that reflection upon my deeds is what is sometimes necessary to stay on the right path (Esqueda, 2014). My academic education is also significantly influenced by Christianity, as I interpret the world using holistic notions described by God.

Christianity is a faith that is founded on God’s notions of love, selflessness, grace, and humility. While it perceives humans as sinful creatures, thought God’s beliefs, it guides people towards salvation and restoration (DiVincenzo, 2014). Humans’ nature is a result of their actions considered to be a just punishment for their failure to follow God. The sacrifice of Jesus is what opened the way for people to regain their virtue of returning to God and showed the meaning of unconditional love. God’s omnipresence is pivotal in establishing a connection with people that is universal and individual at the same time. Every person can understand God in his/her own way, but all are united by his ultimate laws. While for some persons, the concepts of Christianity may be challenging to accept and fully embrace, its benevolent nature is what brings many people to follow in the steps of other devoted Christians.

DiVincenzo, A. (Ed.). (2014). The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life . Phoenix, AZ: Grand Canyon University.

Esqueda, O. J. (2014). Biblical worldview: The Christian higher education foundation for learning. Christian Higher Education , 13 (2), 91-100.

Peterson, J. C. (2018). Learning of God from creation. Perspectives on Science & Christian Faith , 70(2), 73.

• The Gruen Transfer: Banning All Religion
• Spiritual Disciplines, False Self, and Silent Retreat: Exploring the Process of Spiritual Formation from a Minister’s Perspective
• The Gospel and Daily Life
• Historical Purpose Behind the Writing of Luke's and John's Gospel
• Difficult Gospel: God's True Love to Mankind
• Children’s Ministry in Churches Challenges
• Pepperdine University: Faith, Learning, and Service
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• Faith Development in Adolescents
• "Christian Education: Its Mandate and Mission" by Horton
• Chicago (A-D)
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IvyPanda. (2021, June 30). Gospel Essentials in Christian Education. https://ivypanda.com/essays/gospel-essentials-in-christian-education/

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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.

Luther's First Thesis and Last Words

David Mathis Twitter @davidcmathis

We read to get god, when you pray, go where god walks, ‘enter into my happiness’, what makes god happiest, know your covenant.

Executive Editor, desiringGod.org

491 years ago today, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg.

He wanted to debate the sale of indulgences with his fellow university professors. So he wrote in Latin.

But a nameless visionary translated the theses into German, carried them to the printing press, and enabled their dispersion far and wide. Luther ended up with more than he bargained for, but he proved to be no coward in defending the discoveries he was making in Scripture.

First Thesis

The truth of Luther’s first thesis would reverberate throughout his lifetime, even finding expression in his last words.

His first thesis reads,

When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said “Repent,” he intended that the entire life of believers should be repentance.

All of the Christian life is repentance. Turning from sin and trusting in the good news that Jesus saves sinners aren’t merely a one-time inaugural experience but the daily substance of Christianity. The gospel is for every day and every moment. Repentance is to be the Christian’s continual posture.

Almost 30 years later, on February 16, 1546, Luther’s last words, written on a piece of scrap paper, echoed the theme of his first thesis:

We are beggars! This is true.

From first thesis to last words, Luther lived at the foot of the cross, where our rebellious condition meets with the beauty of God’s lavish grace in the gospel of his Son—a gospel deep enough to cover all the little and massive flaws of a beggar like Luther and beggars like us.

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Jars of Clay

Christ in Foreign Clothes

You might expect that after Paul rebuked the Galatians for desertion he would challenge them to recommit themselves to Christ. Eventually he does command them to "stand firm" (5:1). But before he challenges them, he prepares the way for his imperatives by telling his own story. He does not call for his readers to do anything that he has not done himself. He does not simply point to the way; he has lived out the way of faithfulness to the gospel of Christ. We might do well to learn from Paul that the best way to challenge others to live for Christ is by our own example.

The key to understanding Paul's life story is his encounter with Christ. Paul gives us that key right at the beginning of his autobiography. He wants his dear brothers and sisters to know that the gospel he preached was not made up by human beings, received from human beings or taught to him by human beings; rather, it was received by revelation from Jesus Christ. Note how the not . . . nor . . . rather structure of this claim is parallel to the structure of his affirmation of his apostolic authority in verse 1. Just as he vigorously denied any human origin of his apostleship, so now he denies any human origin for the gospel he preached.

Perhaps these strong denials are Paul's refutation of accusations that he got his message secondhand from the original apostles. Perhaps the troublemakers in the Galatian churches were suggesting that they had a more complete version of the gospel from the original apostles and that the gospel Paul had preached was abbreviated or truncated. But we have little clear evidence to support any theory about the teaching of Paul's opponents. Whatever may have been said about him or his message, Paul wants to make sure that everyone will clearly understand the gospel he preaches. So he affirms in the strongest terms possible that the essential nature of the gospel is God-made, not man-made, because the origin of the gospel he preaches is the revelation from Jesus Christ, not human tradition. The rest of his autobiographical account is constructed to support his claim for the revelatory origin and nature of the gospel.

Before we continue our study of Paul's autobiography, however, we must address a question that is raised by his claim in this passage that he did not receive the gospel from any human being. This claim seems to be contradicted by his assertion in 1 Corinthians that he had received the gospel from others (1 Cor 15:3-11: "For what I received I passed on to you"). It is helpful to understand the different contexts for these statements. The Corinthians were in danger of subtracting from the central content of the gospel by denying the resurrection of Christ. They were probably influenced by Hellenistic philosophy, which affirmed the immortality of the soul but denied the resurrection of the body. In that context Paul emphasized that from the very beginning of the gospel tradition everyone agreed that the bodily resurrection of Christ was central to the gospel. Paul's gospel did not differ from the early Christian tradition in its basic content. Thus he was eager to affirm that the gospel he had passed on to the Corinthian church was the same as he himself had received from the early church.

The Galatians, however, were in danger of adding to the central content of the gospel by requiring Gentile Christians to maintain a Jewish lifestyle. They may have been influenced by the law-observant Jerusalem church. In this context Paul could not appeal to early church tradition or practice for support. But he could and did appeal to his revelatory encounter with the risen Christ when he was commissioned to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. His mission to the Gentiles was part of his gospel; it was a gospel for Gentiles. Paul understood his Gentile mission to imply that Gentiles would be justified by faith in Christ apart from observance of the Mosaic law. So when he claims that his gospel was not received from any human being (1:12), his focus is not so much the central facts of the gospel as it is the meaning of those facts for Gentiles which was given to him by revelation from Jesus Christ. In fact, as we see in the rest of his autobiography, it is the gospel for Gentiles that is Paul's primary concern.

We may illustrate Paul's unique understanding of the gospel in the light of his Gentile mission by recognizing that every Christian is uniquely gifted by God for a special mission in life. This does not mean that every Christian can claim to have received special revelation as Paul did. But because each Christian is uniquely gifted by the Spirit and called to serve God in some special way, each Christian has a very personal understanding of the gospel message. For example, as I have attempted to contextualize the gospel for the Chinese people in Singapore, where I teach, I have developed a fresh understanding of the meaning of the gospel for Singaporeans: Buddhism's aim to set us free from destructive desires and Confucianism's aim to achieve harmony in our families are both fulfilled when Christ rules in our hearts and homes. All true Christians agree on the basic content of the gospel as Paul defines it in 1 Corinthians 15:3-11, but each Christian sees the gospel in a unique way through the lens of his or her distinctive God-given mission in life.

Bible Gateway Recommends

Under the Feet of Jesus

by Helena Maria Viramontes

Under the feet of jesus themes.

Throughout Under the Feet of Jesus , Viramontes focuses on the physical labor Estrella and her family perform in the fields. The effect of work is often written on the piscadores' bodies. Picking grapes leaves Estrella's "back coiled like barbed wire" (53). Her grandfather was similarly stooped: carrying cement "[bent] his back like a mangled nail" (20). The work is so brutal and intensive, it reshapes bodies. Indeed, the novel's characters are continuously tired, hungry, and aching after spending long hours in the fields. By focusing on the nature of migrant labor, Viramontes combats a culture in which piscador work is erased. Raisin ads depict a "woman wearing a fluffy bonnet, holding out the grapes with her smiling, ruby lips" (49). The reality of picking grapes is completely different; Estrella is so exhausted and worn down she struggles not to cry (53). By acknowledging the real nature and extent of Estrella's work, Viramontes highlights everything that migrant labors contribute to American society.

Estrella's life is plagued with insecurity. Her family's position depends on "the harvest, the car running, their health, the conditions of the road, how long the money [holds] out, and the weather" (4). Work picking fruit or vegetables is short-term and seasonal, Petra and Perfecto struggle to support children in an unreliable environment. Just as the family cannot depend on steady income, Estrella cannot depend on the adults in her life. Her father abandoned her, and Perfecto, her surrogate father, is on the verge of leaving the family. Only Petra is fully committed to her children; yet by the end of the novel, her legs are so weak, she struggles to stand. Petra's ability to work in the future remains in question. Estrella will be left to care for her four current siblings and the infant currently in Petra's womb. Coming of age in such instability, Estrella has learned that she can rely only on herself.

Religion and Superstition

Petra relies on both religion and superstition to navigate daily life. She faithfully draws a circle in the dirt around the bungalow to protect her children from scorpions. Similarly, she routinely prays at the family altar under the statue of Jesus. Yet by then end of the novel, Petra begins to question her faith (169). Unlike her mother, Estrella has never particularly embraced either religion or superstition. During the episode in the clinic, Estrella comes to the conclusion that "God was mean and did not care and she was alone to fend for herself" (139). Instead of asking God to help her, Estrella decides to help herself. The novel's final section is filled with language comparing Estrella to Christian images, suggesting Estrella has filled the void of religion with self-empowerment. Viramontes exemplifies the failure of religion when Alejo begs for God's forgiveness after being poisoned. Instead of providing strength, religion has encouraged Alejo to berate himself for events beyond his control. In this way, Christianity facilitates the oppression of marginalized groups.

In Under the Feet of Jesus, migrant laborers are neither seen nor heard by wider American society. Their labor is erased by cheery ads that depict farm work as pleasant and easy (49). Alejo best articulates the process of erasure when he explains how tar pits function. Animals drown in tar, eventually producing oil for consumption (87). The animal's sacrifice is invisible, as society doesn't acknowledge their struggle. They quite literally disappear into inky blackness. Likewise, migrant laborers sacrifice their bodies and time to produce fruit and vegetables for consumption. As with the tar pits, this offering proves invisible. Middle-class Americans are loathe to admit that their dinner relies on brutal labor that pays starvation wages. The migrants live in isolated communities that have little contact with wider society. Accordingly, Estrella and her family rarely interact with someone who isn't a laborer. As a result, many Americans don't know or care about their plight. Their struggle has been effectively erased.

Legality vs. Morality

Viramontes draws a sharp distinction between legality and morality. Though migrant laborers contribute their lives to American society by producing fruits and vegetables, they are not legally citizens and have few, if any, rights. The author argues that it is immoral to deprive workers of citizenship, as they invest their bodies and time in the country's soil. Petra tells her daughter that "the birth certificates are under the feet of Jesus" (63). By referencing Jesus, her ethical guide, Petra is making a moral, rather than legal claim to citizenship. Estrella is a citizen, not because she has a birth certificate, but because she has contributed her sweat and tears to America. Whether she technically qualifies under American laws is unimportant. Estrella embraces her mother's moral claim when she realizes at the clinic that she is owed something for all her work (148). By focusing on moral arguments for citizenship, Viramontes criticizes an American legal system that excludes and ignores those who give their labor and their lives to the country.

Literacy is a source of great power in Under the Feet of Jesus . Viramontes draws attention to the power of words by comparing them to tools (24). Just as a crowbar and hammer enable Estrella to build and tear down houses, words allow the protagonist to build and tear down ideas. Using words, Estrella begins to formulate her own ideas and point of view. At the clinic she inverts the concept of indebtedness the nurse is promoting. She explains to herself and the reader that it is not she who owes the nurse, it is the nurse who owes her. Having articulated her perspective, Estrella is empowered to act, saving Alejo's life. Without her ability to manipulate words and form ideas, Estrella would be just as paralyzed and deferential as Petra and Perfecto. In the novel literacy is the key to changing one's life for the better.

Burden of Being Female

As a feminist author, Helena Maria Viramontes focuses on the unique burdens of being female in Under the Feet of Jesus . All family members must work in the fields, but only women bare the additional responsibility of domestic work. Though she harvests grapes all day, Petra must also cook, clean, and care for the children (60). Likewise, Estrella is expected to help with cooking (63). In contrast, Perfecto and Estrella's brothers don't complete any chores. Beyond domestic labor, Under the Feet of Jesus suggests that children themselves are a burden to women. The child growing in Petra’s belly is compared to the sack of cotton she must haul through the fields (51). Indeed, Estrella falls asleep in her mother’s cotton sack and becomes a literal burden for Petra (52). Her husband’s abandonment further reflects this theme; Petra is ultimately responsible for the children. Fathers may escape and live independent lives, but mothers are permanently tied to their children.

Under the Feet of Jesus Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Under the Feet of Jesus is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What does Perfecto mean by "there will be no tomorrow"?

Section please?

Alejo is Estrella's friend and love interest. Alejo dreams of returning to school to study geology and encourages Estrella to think beyond work in the fields. He is poisoned with pesticides and ends the novel in the hospital.

Gumecindo is Alejo's...

The meaning behind it

This seems like a thematic question. Check out the link below:

https://www.gradesaver.com/under-the-feet-of-jesus/study-guide/themes

Study Guide for Under the Feet of Jesus

Under the Feet of Jesus study guide contains a biography of Helena Maria Viramontes, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Under the Feet of Jesus
• Under the Feet of Jesus Summary
• Character List

Essays for Under the Feet of Jesus

Under the Feet of Jesus essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena Maria Viramontes.

• Stones, Bones, and Tar: The Legacy of Migrant Workers
• Adversity Shapes Morale in Under the Feet of Jesus
• One Identity, Two Parts

Wikipedia Entries for Under the Feet of Jesus

• Introduction