Pericope Adulterae
11B
Thesis
INTRODUCTION The Pope is a fraud. In his very first public speech, newly elected Pope Francis referenced the controversial story of the adulterous woman brought before Jesus found in John 7:53-8:11. According to an article in USA Today, on March 17, 2013, "Pope Francis delivered his first Sunday Prayer to a crowd of roughly 150,000 people packed into St. Peter's Square in Rome, Italy. Pope Francis ended his appearance by telling the parable of the adulterous woman to portray God's mercy and forgiveness".[1] Most Christians have both read and heard this story and do not question its existence in the Gospel of John, but there are some Biblical scholars and writers who suggest that this passage should not be part of the New Testament. But in using this story, the Pope validated this passage of scripture that many question whether it should be in the Bible. Of course, saying that the "Pope is a fraud" is using hyperbole to illustrate a point. The suggestion being that if this passage does not belong in the Bible, then the Pope, who is a widely respected religious leader and who evidently considers the story of the adulterous woman to be a trusted passage from the Bible would be fraudulently preaching to the public.
NARRATION
The passage from John 7:53-8:11 is also known as the Pericope de Adulterae, which is the story of a woman accused of adultery by the Pharisees and brought before Jesus. The Pharisees are trying to discredit Jesus, so they attempt to trap Him by presenting the adulterous woman who was "caught in the act" and they recite the Mosaic Law which instructs that she should be put to death. If Jesus condemns this woman according to the law then he would lose favor with the people and potentially be in trouble with the Roman authorities; but if he does not condemn her, then he is going against the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees have no concern for the woman or her sin, their motive is to use her as bait to trap Jesus. The Pharisees
Thesis
INTRODUCTION The Pope is a fraud. In his very first public speech, newly elected Pope Francis referenced the controversial story of the adulterous woman brought before Jesus found in John 7:53-8:11. According to an article in USA Today, on March 17, 2013, "Pope Francis delivered his first Sunday Prayer to a crowd of roughly 150,000 people packed into St. Peter's Square in Rome, Italy. Pope Francis ended his appearance by telling the parable of the adulterous woman to portray God's mercy and forgiveness".[1] Most Christians have both read and heard this story and do not question its existence in the Gospel of John, but there are some Biblical scholars and writers who suggest that this passage should not be part of the New Testament. But in using this story, the Pope validated this passage of scripture that many question whether it should be in the Bible. Of course, saying that the "Pope is a fraud" is using hyperbole to illustrate a point. The suggestion being that if this passage does not belong in the Bible, then the Pope, who is a widely respected religious leader and who evidently considers the story of the adulterous woman to be a trusted passage from the Bible would be fraudulently preaching to the public.
NARRATION
The passage from John 7:53-8:11 is also known as the Pericope de Adulterae, which is the story of a woman accused of adultery by the Pharisees and brought before Jesus. The Pharisees are trying to discredit Jesus, so they attempt to trap Him by presenting the adulterous woman who was "caught in the act" and they recite the Mosaic Law which instructs that she should be put to death. If Jesus condemns this woman according to the law then he would lose favor with the people and potentially be in trouble with the Roman authorities; but if he does not condemn her, then he is going against the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees have no concern for the woman or her sin, their motive is to use her as bait to trap Jesus. The Pharisees