In Search of the Real Jesus

[Richard Aberdeen]

There is no historical or other evidence that Jesus is the founder of either Christianity or any other religion. Rather, from a fair historical perspective, Jesus offers free salvation for sinners and is the founder of free quality education for the common masses. Much of what Jesus teaches agrees with modern human and civil rights theory (which is exactly what one might expect from the true Messiah). Due to the extreme bias of both orthodox religious people and secular historians and scholars, Jesus is rarely if ever viewed within the same context as public education, a very grave error on their part.

Virtually the entire focus of the words and deeds of Jesus are on human behavior, how we should treat each other and how we need God's help in order to succeed at this. There is very little theology in the teaching of Jesus, other than simple concepts like father and friend. He uses both nature and human situations to illustrate what he refers to as the "kingdom of heavens" (Greek ouranon means heavens plural) and "kingdom of God" (Greek Theou).

These may be the same thing. While many of his stories are assumed to be mere inventions for illustrative purposes, it could well be true that the stories Jesus tells are true stories about real people caught in various kinds of morally challenging and life defining situations. It appears obvious based on the four narratives, that Jesus knew a lot more about people and their real experiences than typically given credit for.

Much of the rest of what Jesus has to say is directed with much sarcasm and highly caustic remarks aimed at conservative orthodox religious leaders. Openly, directly and in their face, he is constantly publicly chastising them for their hypocrisy and burdening of the poor and average people with temple fees and forced adherence to useless vain traditions. That is, when he isn't otherwise openly condemning them for their greed, vanity and laziness and, for gravely misleading the common masses ("if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch"). If this sounds a lot like how modern-day Christian leaders act, that's because it is.

Other than the religious leaders noted above, Jesus condemns no one and though promoting extreme pacifism, he goes out of his way to befriend soldiers. Historians estimate that at least 40% of the people who Jesus befriended were LGBTQ folks. And yet, Jesus not only doesn't condemn them, he never mentions sexual orientation. He has nothing to say about helping the unborn, but a whole lot to say about helping the already born.

The entire message of Jesus focuses on loving and caring and being helpful and kind to the already born among us. And in particular, Jesus is concerned with helping the sick, the poor, immigrants, the deformed and disabled, foreign and otherwise unwanted people and anyone and everyone else who is marginalized by the wealthy, powerful, self-righteous and elite of human societies.

[lastdaysbeliever]

[Replying to lastdaysbeliever in post #19]

The goal of social justice is for human societies to treat all people justly, fairly and equitably. If you are against that, you are against God Almighty, whose prophets consistently agree with that goal and, who "is no respecter of persons". Jesus teaches us to give our excess away, not horde it and glory in our wealth like modern capitalism very wrongly teaches.

I think you have a very leftist, progressive grasp of what it means to be a follower of the Way. The greatest two commands is love God and love others. That doesn't mean God advocates for "equity of outcome", or that every one will receive the same blessings as far as economic or societal position. As far as your conclusion is concerned Jesus is concerned for our salvation and eternal soul, not what we do with our "excess". You continue to ascribe your own moral relativity to the god of your making.

[OneJack]

[Replying to lastdaysbeliever in post #19]

The goal of social justice is for human societies to treat all people justly, fairly and equitably. If you are against that, you are against God Almighty, whose prophets consistently agree with that goal and, who "is no respecter of persons". Jesus teaches us to give our excess away, not horde it and glory in our wealth like modern capitalism very wrongly teaches.

I think you have a very leftist, progressive grasp of what it means to be a follower of the Way. The greatest two commands is love God and love others. That doesn't mean God advocates for "equity of outcome", or that every one will receive the same blessings as far as economic or societal position. As far as your conclusion is concerned Jesus is concerned for our salvation and eternal soul, not what we do with our "excess". You continue to ascribe your own moral relativity to the god of your making.

Could you tell us what specifically a follower of the Way is, who the Way is, and how we follow the Way?

[Richard Aberdeen]

[Replying to lastdaysbeliever in post #21]

The Bible is not about conservative or liberal, it is about true and false, right and wrong. It is morally righteous, upright and correct to seek social justice, which Jesus and the prophets clearly agree.

[lastdaysbeliever]

[Replying to lastdaysbeliever in post #21]

The Bible is not about conservative or liberal, it is about true and false, right and wrong. It is morally righteous, upright and correct to seek social justice, which Jesus and the prophets clearly agree.

Hello Riichard,

I agree in part, but you need to define what you mean by social justice because I have my own take on what social justice in the 21st century stands for and how it's incompatible with the teachings of Scripture.

ldb
not a social justice warrior

[SiNcE_1985]

ANSWERS:

Christianity is an invention of people, just like Islam, Buddhism and every other religion.

Did Jesus of Nazareth exist?

Yes or no?

[Richard Aberdeen]

[Replying to lastdaysbeliever in post #24]

Social justice means that everyone in society is treated the same under the law, regardless of their income, skin color, sexuality, political beliefs, religious beliefs or any of the myriad of other ways people are treated unjustly in the U.S. and elsewhere. Jesus and the prophets are in favor of diversity, equity and inclusion, not against them like Trump and conservatives are.

This is what the Bible says about diversity, equity and inclusion:

Jesus says, “whosoever will, let them come and drink freely from the water of life.” Jesus doesn't leave out anybody, conservative Christians leave out everybody except them.

“For there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Jesus.” --Galatians 3:28

“For he is coming to judge the world
With righteousness and
The peoples with equity” --Psalm 98:9

“Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!” Deuteronomy 19:10

“I was a stranger and you took me in” Matthew 25

“I will be a swift witness
Against sorcerers,
Against adulterers,
Against perjurers,
Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans,
And against those who turn away an alien—
Because they do not fear me,
Says the Lord of hosts.” --Malachi 3:6

“Execute true justice,
Show mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,
The alien or the poor.
Let none of you plan evil in his heart
Against his brother.” --Zecharia 7:10, thus says the Lord

“But let justice run down like water,
And righteousness like a mighty stream – Amos 5:24, thus says the Lord

"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the lamb!'" --Revelation 7

"For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” --2 Corinthians chapter 8

He or she who is against diversity, equity and inclusion is against God Almighty.


It should be noted that Trump is deporting large numbers of immigrants who are documented and who have done everything right under the law. 70% of immigrants in detention have no criminal record. THIS IS A GREAT EVIL.

[lastdaysbeliever]

[Replying to lastdaysbeliever in post #24]

Social justice means that everyone in society is treated the same under the law, regardless of their income, skin color, sexuality, political beliefs, religious beliefs or any of the myriad of other ways people are treated unjustly in the U.S. and elsewhere. Jesus and the prophets are in favor of diversity, equity and inclusion, not against them like Trump and conservatives are.

This is what the Bible says about diversity, equity and inclusion:

Jesus says, “whosoever will, let them come and drink freely from the water of life.” Jesus doesn't leave out anybody, conservative Christians leave out everybody except them.

“For there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah Jesus.” --Galatians 3:28

“For he is coming to judge the world
With righteousness and
The peoples with equity” --Psalm 98:9

“Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!” Deuteronomy 19:10

“I was a stranger and you took me in” Matthew 25

“I will be a swift witness
Against sorcerers,
Against adulterers,
Against perjurers,
Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans,
And against those who turn away an alien—
Because they do not fear me,
Says the Lord of hosts.” --Malachi 3:6

“Execute true justice,
Show mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,
The alien or the poor.
Let none of you plan evil in his heart
Against his brother.” --Zecharia 7:10, thus says the Lord

“But let justice run down like water,
And righteousness like a mighty stream – Amos 5:24, thus says the Lord

"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the lamb!'" --Revelation 7

"For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” --2 Corinthians chapter 8

He or she who is against diversity, equity and inclusion is against God Almighty.


It should be noted that Trump is deporting large numbers of immigrants who are documented and who have done everything right under the law. 70% of immigrants in detention have no criminal record. THIS IS A GREAT EVIL.

Thanks for exposing yourself Richard. That said, I knew from your comments, just as you claimed that Jesus was secular and anyone who claimed otherwise would have to answer to God (you ignored my reply of course), your rebellious philosophies are one of the greatest dangers to Christianity. Even more so than what DEI is based on, communism. Critical Race theory, which you are espousing, is a bankrupt system. Mediocrity, equity of outcome, is a bankrupt system. Multiculturalism is a bankrupt system. So, you do your works. I will stand in God's grace, through the faith He provided to me and not on any works I do, as if those works add merit to my salvation. Jesus is Lord!

Peace,

ldb

[Richard Aberdeen]

[Replying to lastdaysbeliever in post #27]

Christianity and Jesus have nothing in common. There is zero evidence that Jesus is the founder of Christianity or that he ever intended to be. Jesus deliberately ate, drank and associated with some of the worst thought of people of his day, making him entirely secular in approach.

[OneJack]

[Replying to lastdaysbeliever in post #27]

Christianity and Jesus have nothing in common. There is zero evidence that Jesus is the founder of Christianity or that he ever intended to be. Jesus deliberately ate, drank and associated with some of the worst thought of people of his day, making him entirely secular in approach.

Unless Jesus comes and speaks with you, you'll remain totally unaware of who Jesus is in your life.

[lastdaysbeliever]

[Replying to lastdaysbeliever in post #27]

Christianity and Jesus have nothing in common. There is zero evidence that Jesus is the founder of Christianity or that he ever intended to be. Jesus deliberately ate, drank and associated with some of the worst thought of people of his day, making him entirely secular in approach.

Certainly Jesus associated with the lowly. Something the religious leaders despised. But no matter how you try to pigeon hole Him into some social justice warrior mockery, you will never diminish what He came to accomplish. That was to fulfill the Law, perfectly, fulfill His Father's wills as the perfect willing sacrificial lamb, suffer, be beaten, mocked, have a crown of thorns placed on His head in mockery, be scourged, nailed to the cross, die for the sins of the world, be buried in a rich man's tomb AND on the third day rise from the dead. He has brought salvation to any who repent and receive and is hardly "secular". He never was secular and will always be Messiah. My Lord, God and Savior.

Peace,

ldb