Why is Jesus a cool guy?
Consider the issue of a historic Jesus. In other words, was there really a man that lived, was named Jesus and was considered by others or himself as a messiah or prophet? When he died was he really resurrected? There is no agreement on these questions to the level of certainty. So if we suppose that there was such a person, what could we know about him? The New Testament claims to document some of the known life of this prophet. No real-time transcriptions of his utterances are known, and most are reconstructions well after the fact. Could they be perfectly remembered, misremembered, made up entirely or “inspired” after the fact? Possibly any or all of these could be the case.
Taking the Jesus as represented by all that is written (no, I don’t know all that is written, and many people are quite willing to ignore documents that don’t fit their model, like the newly discovered Gospel according to Judas) he seems to have been a holy man, a philosopher, a healer, a teacher and a peace-bringer. His teachings seem consistent over his life. Tolerance, love, inclusion, caring and nurturing are among his reported philosophies. He is seen as opposing oppression and fighting for good and righteous causes. He is seen as a common man, living simply and doing good works. He could be a formidable enemy too, and was not afraid to speak and act his mind. He spent his short life in the service of others, as a Rabbi in later life according to some. What about a personal relationship with this guy? All you need to have a personal relationship with anyone is knowledge of what you think they want, stand for, believe and who they are. A personal relationship is one in which you “know” the other at some level and believe (share) in the same core values, or in some cases do not. For example, you may have a personal relationship with the devil in daily struggles but not accept the core values ascribed to that entity. So, personal relationship can and must be individual and derived from one’s own sense of the other.
OK. So that brings us to Jesus’ core values. We all understand them, I think, as love and what emanates from love. He seemed to care about and accept everyone at a personal level without distinctions. He seemed to want everyone to be saved from the sin and evil of the world. He was ready to sacrifice himself to achieve that goal (possibly).
He was most definitely not a sappy simpering sanctimonious preacher. He was aflame with passion and angry with much of the world he saw. He spoke out in the face of hate with love, a very dangerous thing to do.
Often asked: WWJD? I know what he would do. He would speak out against intolerance, hatred, wrongfulness and bigotry. He would rail against the false prophets (as are most of them at one level or another) and take the high ground of love, peace, forgiveness and redemption. He would support the rights of all against the oppression of them by others more powerful. He would not tolerate meanness, treachery, lying, cheating, stealing or other common attributes of public figures and clergy. He would be at all times ready to embrace and love others. He would move among us with ease and be one of us without striving for gain or glory. He would speak against religious practices and arguments that separated, segregated or denied others full inclusion in life. He would surely be killed for his teachings.
Consider the issue of a historic Jesus. In other words, was there really a man that lived, was named Jesus and was considered by others or himself as a messiah or prophet? When he died was he really resurrected? There is no agreement on these questions to the level of certainty. So if we suppose that there was such a person, what could we know about him? The New Testament claims to document some of the known life of this prophet. No real-time transcriptions of his utterances are known, and most are reconstructions well after the fact. Could they be perfectly remembered, misremembered, made up entirely or “inspired” after the fact? Possibly any or all of these could be the case.
Taking the Jesus as represented by all that is written (no, I don’t know all that is written, and many people are quite willing to ignore documents that don’t fit their model, like the newly discovered Gospel according to Judas) he seems to have been a holy man, a philosopher, a healer, a teacher and a peace-bringer. His teachings seem consistent over his life. Tolerance, love, inclusion, caring and nurturing are among his reported philosophies. He is seen as opposing oppression and fighting for good and righteous causes. He is seen as a common man, living simply and doing good works. He could be a formidable enemy too, and was not afraid to speak and act his mind. He spent his short life in the service of others, as a Rabbi in later life according to some. What about a personal relationship with this guy? All you need to have a personal relationship with anyone is knowledge of what you think they want, stand for, believe and who they are. A personal relationship is one in which you “know” the other at some level and believe (share) in the same core values, or in some cases do not. For example, you may have a personal relationship with the devil in daily struggles but not accept the core values ascribed to that entity. So, personal relationship can and must be individual and derived from one’s own sense of the other.
OK. So that brings us to Jesus’ core values. We all understand them, I think, as love and what emanates from love. He seemed to care about and accept everyone at a personal level without distinctions. He seemed to want everyone to be saved from the sin and evil of the world. He was ready to sacrifice himself to achieve that goal (possibly).
He was most definitely not a sappy simpering sanctimonious preacher. He was aflame with passion and angry with much of the world he saw. He spoke out in the face of hate with love, a very dangerous thing to do.
Often asked: WWJD? I know what he would do. He would speak out against intolerance, hatred, wrongfulness and bigotry. He would rail against the false prophets (as are most of them at one level or another) and take the high ground of love, peace, forgiveness and redemption. He would support the rights of all against the oppression of them by others more powerful. He would not tolerate meanness, treachery, lying, cheating, stealing or other common attributes of public figures and clergy. He would be at all times ready to embrace and love others. He would move among us with ease and be one of us without striving for gain or glory. He would speak against religious practices and arguments that separated, segregated or denied others full inclusion in life. He would surely be killed for his teachings.
You don't have to believe in the God to practice the principles. You just have to know Jesus. A very cool guy.
Image: Osiris Resurrecting: http://www.daytonartinstitute.org/exhibits/egypt/images.htm
Cool guy indeed...
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