0 I have been a Christian since 1951 but during those years my views about who Jesus was/is have evolved considerably. Put bluntly, my views about Jesus now are that he was messenger from God who, much like some other messengers brought humanity the news that God is a wise, loving being who works tirelessly for the well-being of the world. He did not die for the sins of the world in order to please God because God is too great and loving to require any such payment.
As I think about the person of Jesus as he is presented in the Gospels, four major characteristics present themselves. First, he was a kind and wise person who put the needs of others above his own. He continually gave of himself for those to him he ministered in his teaching and healing activities. He was, as Dietrich Bonhoffer put it, “a man for others.” The Gospels are chock full of stories about how he healed, taught, and defended those in need. And he did so with unselfish love, even with respect to those who had set out to kill him.
Second, Jesus was especially mindful of the needs of those who were being neglected, namely women, children, the poor, and the ill. Even when he was being arrested and crucified he asked God to “forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.” When he was being arrested and crucified, Jesus never fought back or tried to defend himself against those who accused and killed him. He only calmly tried to explain his behavior as a ministry to the poor and needy. Throughout the ages he has been an inspiration for peace and love to millions.
Thirdly, Jesus was an extremely creative and thoughtful teacher, especially when he was confronted by his Pharisaical enemies. He often answered his many religious accusers by turning their legalistic arguments back on themselves. He used down to earth metaphors and stories with which to convey his message of love and forgiveness to anyone who would listen. His lesson to Nicodemus about the need and possibility of being “born again” and his admonition “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” carry deep and powerful messages.
Finally, Jesus was indeed prepared to give his life for others, not because it would in some mysterious way “satisfy” God, but because it would embody and demonstrate the very nature of God’s love for humanity and inspire humans to do likewise. The heart of the Christian message is that God will go to any ends to bring new life and forgiveness to all who seek it. In spite of the initial distortions of this message by Paul and the early Church, by the medieval warping of it, and the modern ignoring of them, the life and teachings of Jesus remain our best guide to living the full and sharing life God intended in the creation.
Thus, in some ways I still consider myself a Christian if one means by that a person who tries to follow the person and teachings of Jesus as found in the so-called “sermon on the Mount”. This does not mean I have set aside all the wonderful teachings of the likes of the Buddha, Mohammed, and Gandhi, it simply means that I find the person of Jesus as found in his teachings, and especially in his manner of living and dying, the way of life that satisfies and challenges me the most. By the way, the Sermon on the Mount contains some very heavy and difficult ideas and teachings. It’s not for sissies.
4 responses to “THE REAL JESUS?”
I believe that God asked more of His son than any other human. I believe he led Jesus to accept “this cup” and be a vehicle for redemption. Jesus prayed many hours to discern God’s leading. I think he made a choice for mankind…or human kind.
Hi Sue – I think those things are true but not as part of a cosmic plan and “deal” on God’s part. Jesus did what was right and paid the price for it – not God’s price but that of his enemies. He revealed the righteous way to live and please God thereby. Thanks so much for reading -,and replying. :O),Paz, jerry
I’ve wondered about pastors who give up their ministry and say it’s
because they lost their faith. I wonder what they considered essential
before but no longer believe. Has their christology changed so much
they think they can no longer continue their present role? Or can it be
some broader doubt about whether there’s purpose in the universe or
life has meaning? I assume such a big change is not caused by some
quibble about a literal interpretation of a biblical text.
I think the notion of Jesus dying for the sins of mankind is often viewed in a forensic manner: a debt has been incurred and has to be paid; and only Jesus could pay that price. That certainly was the position of early theologians and is the position of many denominations today. But suppose we view the death and ascension to power of Jesus not as a debt paid but as an on-going commitment on the part of Jesus to bring the prayers of Christians into his choice to “adjust” matters, even cosmically, for the good of mankind. He looks past the sin of everyone in order to do whatever enables them to come to wholeness. Eventually, He will bring into real being the “kingdom of God” on earth. He didn’t just pay the bill; He is continually reaching out with empowerment, peace, joy, enabled love, etc. Forgiveness is not just “forensic” but is accompanied by the “donum Christi”. If you understand it this way, then Christianity isn’t just a matter of appreciating the teachings of Jesus as preserved in Q or trying to be as nice as Jesus. It is a real (ontological) on-going relationship of spiritual adventure with God (as Trinity). We might feel like Job or Jonah sometimes, but even they had intimate relation with God. Moreover, the apostle Paul declares that he did not just think out or make up his theology but actually received “his gospel” from Jesus himself in years of mystical visions, not meeting the disciples at all for many years. Thus, Paul speaks not only have having “no condemnation in Christ” but of the necessity of “Walking in accordance with the Spirit”.