I believe that the most significant cultural problem is people becoming outcasts. An outcast is neglected and rejected by society. They tend to have very few or no friends and seem very unhappy and antisocial. This tends to have a large impact on their mental health, which is one of the many issues that can arise from this cultural problem. People becoming outcasts has severe consequences, occurs for several reasons, and is caused by rumors and stereotypes, but there are ways to help with it. Outcasts were also present in Jesus’s day, yet because he was perfect and without sin, he did not listen to the stereotypes and judgments.  

There are immense, and numerous consequences that could occur from outcasting somebody. If an individual is left out, they could become lonely, depressed, or anxious. Depression and anxiety are severe issues that can lead to thoughts of self-harm and suicide if a person does not get help. Even though being cast out from society will not dramatically impact everybody who experiences it, there are still others who will struggle. So, even if leaving someone out seems like a harmless thing to do, it still could have significant repercussions. 

People become outcasts for a variety of reasons. It could be a group they are a part of (such as a certain club/sport), the way that they act, something they did, and many other factors. The root of this problem tends to be stereotypes and rumors. Rumors are stories spread with no discernible source. This means that they could either be true or a lie. They tend to spread fast and could really hurt someone emotionally or socially. It could lead to an individual being an outcast if something bad is said about them and many people hear about it. Also, stereotypes can significantly affect somebody’s chance to be socially accepted. These views tend to cause people to overlook the positive qualities in a person or group. For example, band kids tend to be very smart, genuine, and kind people who are a lot of fun to be around once you get to know them. Yet many people stick to believing stereotypical and judgmental views and avoid being around them.  

There are many examples of people being outcasts due to stereotypes and rumors in our school setting. One is that kids in band are often outcasted and made fun of due to stereotypes. I have had multiple people say mean things about band kids, to me and near me while being aware that I am in band. People tend to say that all band kids are awkward and weird, yet that is not true. Though these qualities suit some people there, they do not relate to everyone. This is the same with any stereotype. It may fit a few or even many people in a group, but it is unlikely for it to relate to every single person. Another example is with a girl I go to school with. She is a kind, caring, and funny person, yet everybody in 9^th grade overlooks these qualities (except for a couple of her friends), because of the gender she claims to be. She decided last year to “come out” to me and a couple of her friends, and this news spread fast. Now many people ignore her, talk behind her back, and even some of her friends decided not to be around her anymore. She is now an outcast from 9^th grade other than a few friends who decided to stick with her. She struggles with many problems at school, and the majority of these are caused by the news of her “coming out” being spread. This story represents just how easy it is for somebody’s social life to be significantly affected by a rumor spreading. Though, rumors and stereotypes do not always have to “ruin someone’s life”. The issue of outcasts, caused by these things, can be solved. 

There are a few different ways to help the issue of outcasts in our school setting. One solution is to have more clubs. This will allow individuals to enjoy being with a group of people with similar views and opinions. Lack of clubs will make it difficult for someone struggling socially to find a way to connect with others. Another is to have more team building and group exercises. This will give people a chance to work with others they normally would not talk to. It allows individuals to share ideas and have discussions with unfamiliar people which can help to expand their social skills, or even social circle. Jesus always made sure to spend time with people who were considered unclean and sinners. He knew that they needed him more than the righteous people. By following Jesus’s model, we should try to be loving and inclusive towards people who are not socially accepted because they tend to need us more than those who are accepted. 

People were outcasted in Jesus’s day due to reasons alike those of today. People were usually rejected due to differences in religion or beliefs, gender, ethnicity, and how they acted. Yet, Jesus did not care about how he “should” have been treating people because of these differences. He chose to help people who were outcasts from society and was always questioned and doubted because of it. On day Jesus was eating dinner at Matthews house. Many sinners and tax collectors joined and ate with them. Back in Jesus’s day, social status was very important (alike today), and because Jesus was going to a party with those who were low in status, his status, in turn, would be lowered as well. Pharisees came and asked Jesus why he chose to spend time with sinners and Jesus stated, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:12-13). Jesus is saying that the people who are sinners need him more than those who are righteous. This story displays his love for all people and how he was a kind, loving, and just person. It shows that Jesus does not care about the judgmental views people hold of others and of himself.  

Jesus’s cultural problem and mine are both the same problem. They both relate to people being ignored and rejected by others because of how they act, what they believe, or something that they cannot change about themselves. Though the outcomes of the situations are different. In the chapter of Matthew (9-12), Jesus at dinner with sinners and tax collectors. His status was lowered, and he was questioned and doubted because of this. Even through these obstacles, Jesus decided to stay with the sinners. Today, in situations that could negatively impact an individual’s status, a normal person would not choose to be loving and inclusive to those lower in status. Many people tend to care more about their own social status, over the wellbeing of others.  

People being outcasted is a significant problem that effected individuals in Jesus’s day as well as people now. This issue needs to be addressed everywhere. It is significant due to the severe repercussions it could have. It causes people to feel depressed and anxious, happens for many reasons, and occurs because of rumors and stereotypes, but it can be solved by having more group activities in school. This issue was also present in Jesus’s day, but because he was perfect and without sin, he did not listen to the stereotypes and judgments of others. By following his example, we will have a better relationship with others as well as God. So even if it seems like it does not matter if you leave somebody out, it is not usually ok to think that way. If you choose to be inclusive, you will have a much better relationship with God, others, and yourself.

First, there are many artifacts and biblical manuscripts. We have the Dead Sea Scrolls which have manuscripts from every Old Testament book besides Esther. The scrolls have less than 1% difference from the Bible! Another example is manuscripts written by a man named Josephus. He wrote about Jesus and how he was crucified. His writings state, “About this time lived Jesus… he was the achiever of extraordinary deeds… He won over many Jews and… Greeks. He was the Messiah. When he was… condemned… to be crucified, those who had come to love him originally did not cease to do so; for he appeared to them on the third day restored to life” (namb.net). Josephus did not believe in God, yet he saw what happened with Jesus and wrote about it. This proves that Jesus did exist, and the Bible is true and reliable.

Second, archaeology supports it. People used to criticize the Bible because there was no evidence of the Hittites existing, (they were mentioned a lot in the Old Testament). But in 1906, an archaeologist discovered an entire Hittite city with thousands of clay tablets documenting Hittite history. After these documents were translated, people found out that everything the Bible said about the Hittites was true. Third, the New Testament was written just after the events it discussed. According to reasonabletheology.org, “Paul’s letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, for example, were likely written 15-20 years after the time of Christ” (reasonabletheology.org). All the books in the New Testament are likely true due to the fact that they were written near the time of the actual event.

Importance:

There are so many reasons as to why the Bible is reliable and numerous ways to prove it. It is essential to know why it is trustworthy because it helps you to better understand Christianity and why you should trust in God and his plan. With this knowledge you will be able to help nonbelievers or people struggling with their faith by giving logical answers as to why the bible is reliable.