Abba, Father! Jesus' prayer and His relation to God: Implications for religious education

Pham Thi Hien

Date of Publication

2000

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education Major in Religious Education and Values Education

Subject Categories

Religious Education

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Theology and Religious Education

Thesis Adviser

Natividad Pagadut

Defense Panel Chair

William Garvey, FSC

Defense Panel Member

Renato de Guzman
Erlinda H. Bragado
Carolina B. Fallarme
Corazon Manalo

Abstract/Summary

This study aims to clarify Luke's intention when he presents Jesus' instruction: When you pray, say: Abba (Lk 11:2). There is a distinction among the people in the ancient world calling gods 'abba', the Jewish communities of the Old Testament speaking of God as Father, Jesus addressing God Abba, and his disciples invoking Abba, Father. This study is the relationship between Jesus and His Father, His identity, the revelation of the Trinitarian dimension of God in the invocation Abba, the role of the Trinity in human history, and the image of the Father. The study also discerns the relationship between Jesus' Father and his disciples, and their role in the proclamation of God's kingdom.To come up with a relevant, meaningful and extensive analysis of the issues mentioned, Lonergan's Method in Theology was used in this study. The central idea in Lonergan's method is the threefold conversion - religious, moral, intellectual - of the subject in his/her encounter with God, through the process of experience, understanding, judgment, and decision. For the purpose of illustration and application of Lonergan's transcendental method theory, the researcher paid special attention on the data of divine revelation - that is, the scriptural accounts especially Jesus' teaching in Luke: When you pray, say: Abba and those texts which are related to it (Lk 11:2).

The researcher concluded that when addressing God Abba, Jesus expresses His relationship with God the Father in an absolute, unique, and exclusive manner. Through Him His disciples have the right to address God Father. However, they do not have the same relationship with the Father like Him. Another conclusion is the image of God revealed as a loving, caring, forgiving, and merciful Father.These findings are applied in Religious Education via sample modules adapted to different age levels using Lonergan's Method in Theology.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Print

Accession Number

TG03015

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Physical Description

210 leaves ; Photocopy

Keywords

Lord's prayer; God; Religious education; Image (Theology); Jesus Christ; Theology, Doctrinal

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS