Portfolio 1: A Family of Freedom Fighters

I chose the story of Ruth. Ruth was a young Moabite woman who came to Israel as a foreigner,. She married a man nas she forms a bond with his mother- in law. After a series of tragic events, her husbands, father-in-law, and her husbands brother are all killed, leaving she, her mother-in-law, Naomi and sister-in-law, Orpah destitute. They wander around the countryside and find nothing. Eventually, Naomi tells them to leave and go back to their families where they will at least have provisions. Orpah eventually agrees to leave, but Ruth will not leave Naomi's side. The two women keep going along and then Naomi tells Ruth to go to the land of one of ther relatives. She gives Ruth instructions to follow, ad Ruth, who is completely obedient, agress. When Ruth comes back, Naomi gives her the task of seducing her relative (Boaz) in order to marry him so he would provide. After Ruth seduces Boaz, he sends he back home with a lot of Barley. If she had stayed all night, it would've produced a scandal. Boaz insinuates, by sending her off with grain, that he will provide for her (it's almomst a marriage proposal). Ruth and Boaz marry, and Naomi is presumably still being taken care of since she indirectly set up relations between the two. By Ruth marrying a wealthy man, she is proving her loyalty to Naomi by taking on another man in order to provide for her. The son of Ruth and Boaz, whose name is Obed, is the father of Jesse who is the father of King David. Ruth, who was not a born Jew,is became the great- grandmother of David. Her inclusion in Jesus' family tree indicates that Jesus' maternal history was oftne splattered with dirt, and imjustice towards women. Consistently, we see Jesus as a freedom fighter for women's rights (i.e. saving the adulterous woman from being stoned and healing the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, who was an unclean untouchable). Jesus' own mother was almost rejected by his step father Joseph, because he thought she'd beeen impregnated by another man.

Portfolio 1: Why we tell stories

We as humans tell stories, to give and share insight. Most stories have a meaning of moral behing them and we tell stories as a meaningful was to engage with one another. Stories can pass on the history of a people, culture, time or place. Some stories have several meanings, other are just told in order to provide understanding of things or people. Jesus told stories as a means to get us to understand concepts about God. Through these stories people understood the messages that God wanted us to have. He showed us how to behave in life and what God expected from us, all through simple stories! People can relate to stories more so than they can sometimes relate to long drawn out lectures. Stories can captivate audiences, or the intended listener and persuade them to do a certain thing. They are definitely the most powerful use of language. Stories can be told in a variety of different mediums, even in songs, speeches, paintings, sculptures, dances, almost anything imagineable. As is evident, these things are meant to captvate an audience and reflect their attention upon a certain point.

Portfolio 1: What I think I can achieve

I hope to achieve the grade or either an A or B+ in this class. I intend to do all my aissgnments, study well for all my test, and pay attention in class. I am willing to participate in class discussions with respect to other students who are also trying to participate. I also intend to take good notes as a part of my active participation in the class, and also as a means to help myself prepare for all tests. I alsos wanted to be a good citizen and show courteous to the instructor ans other students in the class. I want to show my individualism and creativity in my assginments. Overall, I expect to work hard throughout this semester in Parables.

Portfolio 1: Who is Jesus, really?

Jesus taught the message of God's mercy love and salvation. He taught the message of redemption instead of condenmation, with the condition that humans repent to God for their mistakes. This is why He said that He came to give life more abundantly because He wanted humans to have a fuller life in the Lord. Jesus taught social justice through His acceptance of women, the poor and oppressed and those in other cultures who Jews looked down upon. He wanted all humans to live in harmony without divisions and realize that because we were all created by God that we're equal. Jesus also taught of a belief by faith and not by sight, which is evident when He said, "Blessed are those who believe, yet have not seen". At that time many people were demanding that He show miraculous works to prove that He was the Son of God. I would consider myself a a follower of Jesus. I try to live by Jesus' example of accepting others and not judging them, even though this is difficult. I also agree that we must believe by faith instead of sight since we in this time are not able to be spoken to directly by God, but have His word in the Bible to teach and guide us. I also try to repent when I do things that are wrong so I can receive forgiveness from God. Also like Jesus, I strive to be an individual, rather than always following what others do without really wanting to.