The Forgotten Radicalism of Jesus Christ

[elleng]

First-century Christians weren’t prepared for what a truly inclusive figure he was, and what was true then is still true today.

'“Get used to different.”

That line comes from a marvelous new TV series on Jesus’ life, “The Chosen,” in which Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie, invites Matthew to become one of his disciples. Simon Peter, already a disciple, registers his fierce objection. Matthew is a tax collector, who were viewed as tools of Roman authorities, often dishonest and abusive. They were therefore treated as traitors and outcasts by other Jews.

“I don’t get it,” Simon Peter says to Jesus about his decision to invite Matthew, to which Jesus responds, “You didn’t get it when I chose you, either.”

“But this is different,” Simon Peter answers. “I’m not a tax collector.” At which point Jesus lets Simon Peter know things aren’t going to be quite what his followers expected.

First-century Christians weren’t prepared for what a truly radical and radically inclusive figure Jesus was, and neither are today’s Christians. We want to tame and domesticate who he was, but Jesus’ life and ministry don’t really allow for it. He shattered barrier after barrier.'>>>

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/24/opinion/jesus-christ-christmas-incarnation.html?

[Jeebo]

1. He said a lot of really deep and profound things.

"Let those among you who are without sin cast the first stone."

"Whatsoever you do unto the least among you, you do unto me."

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Lots of things like that, that include whole new layers and levels of profundity, think about them and what they mean.

The man was a revolutionary.

Wow.

-- Ron

[VarryOn]

2. Our sermon today was based on...

Our sermon today was based on Jesus' words included in Luke 12:48:

"Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more."

Republicans believe the opposite--that those with much should expect much. And sadly they do because they usually get it.

There's lot to love about Jesus, especially his disdain for the rich and the religious. If you read the Gospels and pay particular attention to the words of Jesus, there's no way to describe him any other way than as a liberal. It's just so sad that religious people have so distorted his teachings the last 2,000 years.

[wnylib]

7. There's a level of radicalism in one of his quotes

that is rarely mentioned. "He who is without sin cast the first stone" is usually mentioned only as an example of forgiving others because no one is perfect.

But, in the context of the patriarchal world of his time, Jesus was also pointing out the double standard between men and women regarding sexual morality. Women were punished for adultery but men rarely were, although the commandment is addressed to both. So, in effect, Jesus is asking the men who are ready to stone a woman for adultery, "So who does a woman commit adultery with?"

Radical criticism for the times.

[Karadeniz]

8. I've read that that scene doesn't appear in any of the earliest codices, that it doesn't appear in

Scripture until about the 10th century or so. It doesn't matter to me because I go by Jesus's teachings, not historical fact. There are contradictions of history and outright fabrications in the outer presentation.

[AmyStrange]

3. +100000000000000000000000000000000 x infinity

-

According to the bible, when an adultress was about to be stoned to death, he risked his own life to save hers.

What Christian would do that today? Very few I'll bet.

I don't give a shit if he was God or not.

The bottom line for me was that he was cool.
===========

[BootinUp]

4. +1

[TreasonousBastard]

5. I was listening to a Black minister (whose name I never caught) on NPR who mentioned...

among many other things, that the Bible mentions love over 3000 times but homosexuality only twice.

His talk was about modern Christians often having no idea who Christ really was.

[SharonAnn]

13. And weren't those two times in the Old Testament? Not Jesus in the New Testament?

[TreasonousBastard]

14. Pretty sure you're right. Although Paul may had something to say about it.

[Voltaire2]

6. Organized Christianity has been an instrument

of state control and repression for 1800 years.

Also we have no real information on what Jesus said or did or even if he actually existed. It is all just myths.

The most far right hate spewing Christians have just as valid a claim on ‘true Christianity’ as the author of this article.

[Turin_C3PO]

9. I think it's very likely the man existed.

Whether or not he was a miracle worker or the “son of God” is, of course, a matter of faith.

[wnylib]

11. True, we have no secular, historical

records for Jesus. Not even the 1st century Jewish historian, Josephus, gives any objective record of Jesus, but I think he did mention people who called themselves followers of a messiah by that name. It was a very common name, since Jesus is just Greek for the Hebrew name, Joshua.

Yet there is no way to say with certainty that he did not exist, either. There was a handful of people at that time who claimed to be the prophesied messiah. So it seems more probable than not that there was a man named Jesus/Joshua that people believed was the messiah. After conquest by Greeks and then Romans, messianic fervor was very strong during the time period attributed to Jesus.

A figure who inspired devotion in his followers by his teachings, character, or personality would also inspire legends. We know that some of the actions and events attributed to Jesus also appear in other religions of the time. That's not unusual, especially in an empire like Rome, where people of different cultures mixed in the military, government, and market places. In anthropology it's called syncretism - the blending of customs and facets of religion between cultures in contact.

It's also likely that he was crucified since that's what Rome did to Jews who made messianic claims that could challenge the empire. Most likely he was a teacher and preacher, called rabbi. They were pretty common at the time in various Jewish sects.

So there is reason to believe that the core of his teachings were preserved by his followers and spread through teaching and preaching. It's also likely that stories about him got embellished in the retelling by enthusiastic followers. That's what happens when people become legendary. Still goes on today, especially in Christmas stories and songs like The Little Drummer Boy.

[RicROC]

10. as a baby

Today's 'christians' like to think of Jesus as a helpless baby, who needs to be handled by adults.

[wnylib]

12. Wow! That's a pretty broad, sweeping claim.

Who do you know personally who has that view? I'm a member of a Christian church and I also have interactions with churches of other denominations. I don't know anyone who has that attitude.