Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!apple!sun-barr!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jbridges@hpcupt1.cup.hp.com (Jim Bridges) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Re: War in the Persian Gulf Against Iraq to Free Kuwait Message-ID: Date: 26 Jan 91 04:35:30 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Hewlett Packard, Cupertino Lines: 56 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu I recommend that you read "Jesus as Teacher" by Henry Burton Sharman. He has done much scholarship on what Jesus had to say. This involves much sifting out of verses inserted in the New Testament by those who were apparently trying to further their own narrow interests - instead of trying to pass on what they heard. You have to start with an open mind on this to get anything out of it. The first thing to realize or understand is that Christianity is a religion ABOUT Jesus. To Sharman, the interesting thing was - what was the religion OF Jesus? This includes how he felt about being called Son of God and so forth. By and large, the Churches have not accepted legitimate scholarship of the Bible. As a result, they have to deal with many inconsistencies in it and can spend a lot of time trying to justify things that make no sense. The book is probably out of print. You may have to look in used bookstores. I have one at home that I got many years ago. If you have trouble finding it, I will see if I can help - assuming you're really interested. He also has another book, "Records of the Life of Jesus" in which he does a parallel study of the synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke. These tend to record events and history, whereas John attempts to convey an experience. As far as the Old Testament goes, Jesus acknowledged it as the tradition in which he grew up but he strongly stressed that his message went way beyond anything there. Consider (rough wording - you can look it up) these words from the Sermon on the Mount. You have heard that it was said to them of old times, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, resist not evil. Startling words, are they not? What do Christians make of these words? They, of course, must be taken in the context of all else that Jesus said but he also cautioned people not to try to "put new wine in old wineskins". For this will cause the bag to burst! You will find much evidence that Jesus was talking about a paradigm shift. For example, Among those born of women, there is none greater than John (the Baptist). But even the littlest in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. John was a good man - maybe a little harsh, but a fine man and greatly admired. Hence this was saying a great deal. In closing, you may appreciate the words of Gilbert Keith Chesterson, English author: The problem with Christianity is not that it's been tried and found impossible, but that it's been found difficult and therefore not tried. Good luck in your search for the truth.