Hi Christians! Why do you spend so little time on the life of Christ?
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It’s December 28.
I woke up this morning and my wife was already watching a Passion Week DVD. She just barely celebrated Christ’s birth and she’s already watching him get the crud beaten out of him.
Why is that? Christians spend one day (a few days more if one celebrates Advent) on Jesus’ birth (celebrating a whole bunch of harmless pagan rituals along the way). They celebrate one day for His resurrection (again celebrating a few more harmless pagan rituals along the way).
The rest of the year seems to be spent on the passion and his crucifixion. It’s as though they'’ve stopped using it as a time of remembrance of what He did for us and concentrate on glorying in the blood, gore and brutality. playing it over and over making sure they get the full picture.
Can’t theists remember His suffering without treating it like a cage fight?
If anyone was wondering why some people call Christianity a blood and death cult - this is why.
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
— George Carlin
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You could have included a few examples of the other stuff from Jesus' life which (you think) Christians are neglecting.
Wanna share?
I love discussions about Jesus.
Perhaps he means there aren't any other events (like the transfiguration or the withering of the fig tree) that are given the same amount of attention.
And perhaps also that noone seems to know or care what jesus did during the teen years, when he was essentially incognito.
There are no theists on operating tables.
The Transfiguration is an integral part of Christology.
Christians have a whole day dedicated to The Transfiguration - notwithstanding the fact that it is not just about Jesus but also about Moses and Elijah. As an event, it also marks a milestone in the development of some key disciples preparing them.
I think the ingognito part was kept that way on purpose.
If someone tried to get me to read a book about Shakespeare the teenager I'd probably find it a bit redundant.
I agree that Calvary and Bethlehem are much more significant events as far as Feast Days go, but I dont see the point in challenging Christians about why they dont give equal prominence to aspects of Jesus' domesticity. That seems a bit overwrought.
Kind of like the bible-errancy crowd straining at gnats over the difference between purple and scarlet for Jesus' robe.
Actually, it's bits of both of what you guys mention.
My main concern is that preaching and discussions of some of the incidents are glossed over. It's as if Christian attitudes are "OK, Jesus did (x) - cool. Can we get to the part where they beat the crap out of him now? That's the important part."
As for knowing about childhood/teenage years, yes I'm curious. But for me it's more about knowing what good Jesus did when he supposedly went about doing good. It's like Christian theology stops and stares at the gory parts while glossing over the actual good stuff that may be there.
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
— George Carlin
They seem to gloss the good parts because it might accidentally lead them to =doing= the good parts, instead of spending all their money building giant churches and fighting zoning boards.
"Obviously I'm convinced of the existence of G-d. I'm equally convinced that Atheists who've led good lives will be in Olam HaBa going "How the heck did I wind up in this place?!?" while Christians who've treated people like dirt will be in some other place asking the exact same question."
Not sure where you're out of the woods here either - The part of the book you take seriously is chock full of blood and gore as well. It's like the only thing they and God did well was build body counts and threaten to add to the pile.
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
— George Carlin
You do understand, or perhaps not, that the people who were added to the pile of dead bodies were NOT nice people.
"Obviously I'm convinced of the existence of G-d. I'm equally convinced that Atheists who've led good lives will be in Olam HaBa going "How the heck did I wind up in this place?!?" while Christians who've treated people like dirt will be in some other place asking the exact same question."
Some were not, true. Some were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Some were honestly trying to help and God vaporized them anyway.
Doesn't help the "Do what I say not as I do" threats that God was so fond of.
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
— George Carlin
Maybe it's not commemorated with the same fanfare as xmas and easter because there wasn't a pagan holiday for it to piggyback. Or maybe it just needs its own devotional hymn. Allow me:
♫ Well, I don't know why I’m up on this cloud
I got a feelin' I’m preaching too loud
I'm so scared I’ll have to heal some more sick
And I'm wonderin' if I’m just a Cheap Trick
Elijah to left of me, Moses to the right
Here am I, Jeebus the magical Jew ♫
My interest in Shakespeare lies only in his writings, and not any particular phase of his life -- including his birth & death. A serious Shakespearean scholar, however, may well take an interest in the complete biographical timeline, the teen years included (which might yield clues to the “dark lady” and “young man” of his sonnets, for example).
However, we’re not talking about the life of a human, even one as exceptionally talented as Shakespeare. We’re talking about the life of a god. The one true god, according to christians (or a third of the one true god, at least). The lord of the known universe, taking time out of his timeless, spaceless schedule to pay us a special visit. Christians would have you believe that every moment of his life was divine, literally. The Puberty Narrative ought to be at least as interesting as the Birth and Death Narratives.
For christians, these were supposedly the 30 most important years in the History of Everything -- and yet they’re content to believe the star of the show spent the majority of the time twirling his dreidel.
There are no theists on operating tables.
Do you really expect me to believe that a Shakespearean scholar would be equally interested in the parts of Shakespeare's life which had nothing to do with the other part of his life FOR WHICH HE IS FAMOUS?
Is that the best you got? Scraping the bottom of the barrel?
The Op is a real strrrrrrrretch.
Since when are Christians expected to dilute their focus with considerations about Jesus' toothpaste, acne, hairstyle, instead of focussing on the Gospel message - the REASON - Jesus appeared on earth?
I can just imagine what the atheist mock-squad would do to a Christian who followed this atheist feigned sincerity, concern-trolling.
They dont spend ALL their money on that. But yes, they DO need bigger churches in .au
it's such a "strrrrretch" that you don't have an answer?
So you consider Christians living like Christ as less important than their watching their God get the crap beaten out of him and nailed to a cross? Following your God's commands is superfluous to continually enjoying the bloodbath? Did you bring popcorn and soda when you watched Gibson's movie?
And you wonder why non-Christians look at your faith as an orgasm of blood?
You want to think I'm a troll - so be it. At least i have original thoughts - you ought to try it sometime.
And yes, I expect Shakespearean scholars to be interested in such things as his culture, his parentage and the other things that affected his life and writings. That's what makes them scholars and you scared to examine your faith.
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
— George Carlin
Got to fill those coffers for the pastors.. I mean, Jesus.
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
— George Carlin
Judah Smith ROCKS!
I think the Atheists are spot on, this go round. There wasn't a single church I went through in the 40 or so years I was a Christian which focused more on "living a Christ-like life" in proportion to Passion Week.
Now, when my parents were younger, and even up until I was a teen, there was a lot of emphasis on understanding the totality of the Christian scriptures, as it relates to the "Red Letter" parts of the Christian scriptures. What has happened since about the '70s and 80's with the rise of the mega-television-church, is more emphasis on SALVATION and less emphasis on LIFE-STYLE. That is, there is more emphasis on "Jesus died for your sins" (the blood and gore getting an extra hype to drive the message home) and less emphasis on "What did Jesus =actually= do" (as opposed to often times bogus assertions about what Jesus =would= do).
There are a number of prominent ministers who've made this point in a rather interesting way -- Jesus, if he were to "come back" tomorrow, would be far more comfortable in a synagogue than in a church.
"Obviously I'm convinced of the existence of G-d. I'm equally convinced that Atheists who've led good lives will be in Olam HaBa going "How the heck did I wind up in this place?!?" while Christians who've treated people like dirt will be in some other place asking the exact same question."
More comfortable in a synagogue than in a church.? Why, because they are less crowded?
The early Christians tried to stick with the synagogues but their numbers grew too large.
Dont forget, Jesus cant come back if there was never any such person as Jesus.
BTW - The Gospel of John (John 4:22) clearly states salvation comes from the Jews. Can I ask you a question? At the time Jesus appeared (circa 4 BC) would it be "orthodox" theology for a Jew to believe that Messiah would explain things not previously known to earlier generations? IOW, was there an expectation on the part of righteous Jews that Messiah - being the extraordinary, unprecedented One - would reveal NEW facts or perform feats which would surpass the expectations of contemporary Jewish understanding of God? Might the Messiah not cause even righteous Jews to "suck air" in astonished wonder at what God can do?
God can certainly share His divine power with humans/angels right? (Moses, Elijah, Gabriel, etc)
God can certainly take any manifestation He wishes to appear as right? (Burning bush)
At what point to Jews say to God, enough is enough. You've gone too far God. You cannot call Someone Son and share power with Jesus - The Messiah?
jesus appeared on earth? Specifically.
"Experiments are the only means of knowledge at our disposal. The rest is poetry, imagination." Max Planck
Yep.
Depending on what kind of theist you are he appeared to the native Americans and is still appearing in various forms today...
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
— George Carlin
hi jcgadfly,
Yes I see no reason why Jesus couldnt appear anywhere He chose.
But I was mainly just checking in on the thread to see if FurryCatHerder saw/responded to my post about Jesus' announcement that salvation comes from the Jews.
That he chooses not to do so anymore except to those in mental institutions makes him somewhat of a dick, yes?
"God is love" but he's not so hot on evidence?
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
— George Carlin
Because
1st-they don't understand the guy
2nd- as usual in any religions til now they,re fascinated by death and bloodshed. They worship what they don't understand and fear---death.
3rd- (the blood and death cult thing) That's normally what religions are. But, true/proper Christianity isn't about death-it's about life. What you have there is a middle/dark age philosophy of the book. Bear in mind that today's biblical interpretations and translations were made by idiots that adapted the book to "their" ideas and way of thinking. What you see as Christianity, isn't-it's European barbarism. They borrowed the book but changed nothing of themselves. Just another means to capture people into their beliefs to maintain their superiority rather then allow people to believe in someone other then them-the leaders. What better way to keep people in their own fold---adapt the other religion and kick the crap out of any that dare go off to another. Ity's just plain history. Governments do the same---for the same reasons.
The only possible thing the world needs saving from are those running it.
https://sites.google.com/site/oldseers
Knowledge trumps faith and I'm not a Theist
Lies are nothing more then falsehoods searching for the truth
It was the commandment to kill even the children, obviously not nice people in your eyes, which has resulted in the modern rabbinical declaration of the obligation of the IDF to destroy the children of the Palestinians.
Jews stole the land. The owners want it back. That is all anyone needs to know about Israel. That is all there is to know about Israel.
www.ussliberty.org
www.giwersworld.org/made-in-alexandria/index.html
www.giwersworld.org/00_files/zion-hit-points.phtml
As best we can tell the concept of immortality had to be shown/proven. What that means is he specifically came to let off info of his ways and get killed for it. he was a threat to civil authority so getting himself killed for dragging people away from their authority was a sure thing. BUT, the deal is to show that righteous folks get res erected. The main thrust of Christianity is to acquire everlasting life. The whole concept of that really being a possibility lay in faith that it can actually happen. The actual enemy of Christianity is civil authorities. The Apostles proved you don't go into Rome preaching a new religion without getting yourself killed. It will also happen at the end time----Proper Christianity arrives, civil government will try to put a stop to it. "proper" Christianity takes it's followers away from civil ideas and processes. Civil Gov folks like to be leaders and popular the same as religious leaders. When that happens people get killed. You can bet on it. A true Christian is one that does not need or recognize civil government.
The only possible thing the world needs saving from are those running it.
https://sites.google.com/site/oldseers
Knowledge trumps faith and I'm not a Theist
Lies are nothing more then falsehoods searching for the truth
First of all, I did not say "equally interested". Yet while the average theatergoer or reader may not have any interest in Shakespeare's life itself, a scholar would take into account what influence events in Shakespeare's life would have had upon his writing. The Stratford-Oxford "debate" indicates there is genuine interest in Shakespeare the person.
You are nonetheless quite correct that the primary interest in Shakespeare lies in his written work; any interest in his life only runs secondary to his literary output. However, this is assuredly not the case with jesus, as far as christians are concerned. For a christian, it is jesus' life and not his words which are or primary interest.
To make this clear, consider: Which is more important to you -- jesus' parables, or his resurrection?
There are no theists on operating tables.
The Word came first. In the beginning. The Word was with God.
I think the Word is most important.
Religion Kills !!!
Numbers 31:17-18 - Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.
http://jesus-needs-money.blogspot.com/
It also says that the Word was God. Thanks for admitting you worship a man made book.
"I do this real moron thing, and it's called thinking. And apparently I'm not a very good American because I like to form my own opinions."
— George Carlin
book of urantia - fellowship) must say -then home - god/gods how earth was created with salt ..... full life of jesus
christians - see end time prophet malachi
paranormal stories.com