Nathanael In The Bible

As a soldier stationed in the Philippines, Nathan ran away from the fray when he was wounded by piece of shrapnel. While in hiding, his unit would meet their death in the infamous Bataan Death March. Nathan is the only one to in his unit to survive. This is root of his guilt and the influence of his actions, for the rest of the story. Nathan, forever guilty of his cowardice, is permanently scarred. “Hounded by what happened in a Philippine Jungle and the ghosts of a thousand men who didn’t escape it, his steadfast disdain for cowardice turned to obsession” (Kingsolver,96) Nathan even receives the Purple Heart for “surviving” the war, the medal isn't for heroism or bravery, its for being wounded. It’s a medal of failure, that further provokes Nathan’s shame. After the war is when Nathan began his strict devotion Christianity, what the reader witnesses throughout the story. This is what leads him to Kilanga, willingly putting his family in danger to spread the name of the lord, in hope of redemption. Nathan’s guilt at having escaped the Bataan death march has twisted his belief in God, he sees God as one who punishes and rewards strictly on the basis of merit. He lives trying to earn his, by pushing the teaching of Christianity to the Congolese. Nathan masks his cowardice using a sort of “divine right”. He uses god to justify every decision he makes, disregarding anyone elses opinion. “father needs permission only from the Saviour"

Nathan Drum is the type of person everybody should strive to be, and although he stumbles, he gets back up again soon after. Nathan reacts to Ariel’s death the calmest of the family members. Yet we hear him ask, “Why Ariel? Why not me? The sins are mine. Why Punish her? Or Ruth?” (191). Even when faced with the death of a loved one, he does not question his faith. He may ask why God did something as bad as taking his only daughter instead of himself, the one that committed the crimes of war, but will not denounce God. Nathan’s faith that everything is going to be alright in the end is incredible to me. The Sunday after Ariel’s death shows just how incredible God’s power is. Now even though Nathan did not give a sermon at every church, it took a lot of guts and immense trust for him to preach in one of these churches. After having the darkest moment in his life, he comes out and gives one of the best sermons I have ever seen.

9) Share your thoughts on why the author never has Nathan Price narrate directly. Everything you know about Nathan must be derived from what others said about him. Consider why Kingsolver chose to omit Nathan’s narration.

The fundamental theme presented in chapter twenty five and twenty six of David W. Dorries book Spirit Filled Christology maintains that Jesus came, not only as a pathway for salvation, but also to lead as an example of the Spirit’s movements and to empower His church with supernatural abilities to further the ministry that He began. In order to expound upon his statements, Dorries uses historical context.

As Nathan was treated poorly throughout the story I really saw him forgive his wife time and time again throughout the book. After the death of Nathan and Ruth’s daughter Ariel their relationship was tested to the max. Ruth would isolate herself from her husband and she almost despised him for not being upset with the Lord. Ruth could not accept how Nathan turned to God because she blamed God for all of this. While Nathan was being ignored, looked as bad, or just despised by his wife, he did not fold in and say whatever I give up. Nathan had an understanding and forgiving mindset he understood why his wife felt like this. Nathan forgave his wife while she was in the progress of despises him. Nathan never acted this way towards her, he simply turned the other cheek. Nathan showed a great will power by being able to forgive his wife so easily. This spoke volumes because he simply lived his life in a forgiving manner. As Nathan showed his faith and forgiveness through the story I saw a true man of God. Nathan lived in such a way where he could forgive people for the things they did and this was because of how strong he was in his faith. Living a life like Nathan means to live a life for God. A true man of God allowed for Nathan to live a very purposeful life.

Nathan Price’s function in The Poisonwood Bible is not only to present the situation of being in the Congo to his family but also to show what happens when a foreign policy, such as religion, is introduced to a place that has never heard of it. In addition, Nathan is generally a static character in novel because throughout the book we see his ideas and actions remain generally the same. Nathan’s motivation for going to the Congo is what drives him until the moment he dies. He was made stubborn and determined because he represents the political domination of foreign lands and the role of men in that time period. Nathans actions in the novel can compare to the actions that the U.S. has done and how men

came to him fulfilling his mission to spread christianity; he never gave up, day by day. Even

The Gospel of Luke focuses on the conception and the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. It also provides the histories of Elizabeth and Zachariah. It also describes Angel Gabriel’s announcement to Zachariah and the Virgin Mary.

"It appears, that of all the apostle John was especially favoured with our Lord's regard and confidence, so as to be called the

Nathan's quest to save the souls of the Congolese people was a very arduous task. He had to deal with people who were of different faiths and beliefs. Nathan being rigid and insular to the Congolese people beliefs and customs he refuses to understand and respect the beliefs of these people. Instead, he imposed his doctrines unto them and demanding that they become Christians and for them to believe that his religion is correct and that no other religion follows. This egomaniac behavior was demonstrated during one of his encounter with Tata Ndu, the chief of Kikango when he was told that the people of Congo were not Christians, Nathan was outraged because he thought that they were committing an act of sin since they did not believe in Jesus Christ. As Leah listened to her father she began to realize how ignorant her father was towards the Congolese people and their beliefs. It was during this time she began to question her faith.

Robert Gundry presents a more critical review of N.T. Wright’s “How God Became King: The Forgotten Story of the Gospels.” During his public ministry, Jesus taught extensively in words and deeds about the kingdom of God. In How God Became King, N.T. Wright

Stephan and their appearance as they were in the Lord’s presence, you can see it some believers

They had enjoyed a time of fellowship with Jesus and teaching from Him. But He was now preparing them to understand that he was going to leave them. This was one of the factors that were going to turn these believers world upside down and bring and opportunity to turn the world upside down. Because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is

Philippians 2:9-11 -- Prophecy fulfilled: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.