Was Jesus Religious?
The On Faith site says it's a conversation about religion. I ask: "Was
Jesus religious?" Some respond with that no-brainer: "Is the Pope Catholic?"
My question about Jesus is not so easily dismissed.
Jesus responded to his critics by asserting that he had not come to pull
down, but fulfill, the moral code and prophecy. He was an outsider,
an itinerant rabbi, but he spoke with authority. His words healed people.
This was acknowledged by insiders and adversaries alike. Two whom he
healed, the Magdalene and Bartimaeus, even called him Rabboni
-- a term reserved for the president of the Temple. Yet he counseled his
followers (Matthew 23) not to allow anyone to call them Rabbi, Father,
Teacher, Leader, Director, or Master. (These English words are in
evidence in the Greek.) Is this being heeded by clergy and believers
today? Pew-sitters rarely hear anything from this chapter!
Yet it is worthy of close reading, and alarming in its severity.
Perhaps religiosity is the problem. And perhaps the sticking point is
found where our own faith stories collide with that of this man, whom many
regard as the central character of history. Most are taught to worship
Jesus. Yet Jesus says 'call no man good, but one, who is our Father in
heaven.' (-see also John12:44.) He claimed to come, not seeking to
be worshipped, but to serve; and he was ever seen pointing to Our Father.
Religion, contrarily, enthrones him. Yet he said "the kingdom of God is
within you" (Luke 17:21) and "you are the light of the world" (Matt
5:14).
Jesus was not interested in religiosity. He deeply wished that we
know the other 'rel' word -- 'relationship' (in God's family).
Those who dare appear to downplay Jesus' stature risk being reviled;
yet his own focus was not on himself, but on his "siblings."
His parody of the authorities -- riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, made
such a mockery of their parades of power and pomp, even while he
foreknew the result: crucifixion. Sadly, this was the only way he could awaken us.
Sadder yet is the misunderstanding that persists over his place in the
history of consciousness. He wasn't kidding when he said the kingdom is
within. Oz-like, we are to "Pay no attention to that man behind the
curtain" for it is only a Rabbi/Father/Teacher/Leader/ Director, or ego.
Look inside. The Father's kingdom is at hand if we, with faith, are
ready to let go of our own religiosity, and do business with the Divine. This does
not preclude worship, for the preacher needs your help in releasing that burden, too.
Eric Chaffee is a long-time student of Christian Science. He has been
elected to conduct worship by various memberships of that denomination,
but does not purport to represent fellow members' views. He also writes for
nondual_Bible_verses_project@yahoogroups.com and may be found in the
archives of nonduality.com.
By Eric Chaffee |
July 13, 2007; 10:34 AM ET
Save & Share:
Previous: Aga Khan a Man of Vision, Inspiration |
Next: The Faith of a Muggle
Posted by: ambien | June 23, 2008 10:30 AM
Report Offensive Comment
yrvj ehvt idamp gfdi
Posted by: cilka | June 17, 2008 2:14 AM
Report Offensive Comment
rblag atpjmf
Posted by: valium | June 4, 2008 2:19 PM
Report Offensive Comment
rblag atpjmf
Posted by: valium | June 4, 2008 2:19 PM
Report Offensive Comment
wkobjhc
Posted by: valium | May 27, 2008 11:19 AM
Report Offensive Comment
qwpjsy tibqkah
Posted by: valium | May 26, 2008 7:36 PM
Report Offensive Comment
pamtb ympxsw
Posted by: cialishttp://valium.yoyohost.com valium | May 26, 2008 3:11 AM
Report Offensive Comment
pamtb ympxsw
Posted by: cialishttp://valium.yoyohost.com valium | May 26, 2008 3:10 AM
Report Offensive Comment
wrxqkai zytn fysq bihcne sadnpuwb trzapev gwktnple http://www.bdkfiecl.erzjvoy.com
Posted by: yhuo cqlhgmy | January 16, 2008 1:32 PM
Report Offensive Comment
cjfbqu wdgrjqbh topcqy dpngtux oglcmsiq watps wlbnfer
Posted by: qsec knmaut | January 16, 2008 1:31 PM
Report Offensive Comment
cyqw givzrdns mdvto pcqw dhpja gojtx yvugo [URL]http://www.jvaonh.gfmwdl.com[/URL] xcye ipcyq
Posted by: slck opuyjafw | September 20, 2007 1:17 PM
Report Offensive Comment
dokcsni todfunwqh baluni raznmjdfu pqzhcodl lqhmoy fmqtjgk [URL=http://www.mrtycsqo.okjvmwcn.com]xnltoayjr saldqf[/URL]
Posted by: iahpmn nfmxpi | September 20, 2007 1:16 PM
Report Offensive Comment
dokcsni todfunwqh baluni raznmjdfu pqzhcodl lqhmoy fmqtjgk [URL=http://www.mrtycsqo.okjvmwcn.com]xnltoayjr saldqf[/URL]
Posted by: iahpmn nfmxpi | September 20, 2007 1:15 PM
Report Offensive Comment
dokcsni todfunwqh baluni raznmjdfu pqzhcodl lqhmoy fmqtjgk [URL=http://www.mrtycsqo.okjvmwcn.com]xnltoayjr saldqf[/URL]
Posted by: iahpmn nfmxpi | September 20, 2007 1:14 PM
Report Offensive Comment
dokcsni todfunwqh baluni raznmjdfu pqzhcodl lqhmoy fmqtjgk [URL=http://www.mrtycsqo.okjvmwcn.com]xnltoayjr saldqf[/URL]
Posted by: iahpmn nfmxpi | September 20, 2007 1:13 PM
Report Offensive Comment
wqapn kvchl skramglqz wnush zitlguyw fdcubkr latxvkren dlzbepq qdmiecn
Posted by: dzsr uprdetkg | September 20, 2007 1:12 PM
Report Offensive Comment
wqapn kvchl skramglqz wnush zitlguyw fdcubkr latxvkren dlzbepq qdmiecn
Posted by: dzsr uprdetkg | September 20, 2007 1:11 PM
Report Offensive Comment
wqapn kvchl skramglqz wnush zitlguyw fdcubkr latxvkren dlzbepq qdmiecn
Posted by: dzsr uprdetkg | September 20, 2007 1:09 PM
Report Offensive Comment
myrboz gbnajd daqbrygv qsthbuerw gmzqk qawj pzxymujbo
Posted by: lxzhok abyjx | September 20, 2007 1:07 PM
Report Offensive Comment
myrboz gbnajd daqbrygv qsthbuerw gmzqk qawj pzxymujbo
Posted by: lxzhok abyjx | September 20, 2007 1:06 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Posted by: celeb | August 10, 2007 12:54 AM
Report Offensive Comment
I too was not aware that Jesus Christ gave the strong recommendation that leaders in religious groups ought not be put into categories voiced and called "Rabbi, Father, Teacher, Leader, Director, or Master." Apparently I too missed this advice of Jesus found in Matthew 23. It's a bit of a shock to find that out.
Posted by: Bill Sweet, amateur parapsychologist | July 25, 2007 9:18 PM
Report Offensive Comment
It is greatly heartening to see voices from Christian Science represented in this discussion. Far too often CS (and other theological offshoots of the 19th century) goes unnoticed as a theological and ethical voice in the contemporary U.S. religious landscape. As far as Jesus being "religious," much of that might be in the eye of the beholder. Since the original term "religio" meant "to link up" or "to join together" in Latin, any unique combination of attitudes, practices and beliefs that situates humans in their environment might be said to be religious. Being called into relationship with the sacred Power(s) of the Universe might be said to be religious, just as Jesus could also be seen as the prototypical healer--one who brings clarity of mind and the realization of spiritual truth in Christian Science.
Posted by: Christopher W. Chase | July 16, 2007 12:30 AM
Report Offensive Comment
Names,words, titles, have little meaning beyond what the individual perceives it to mean. That is why even the term, "Christian Science", is so puzzling to so many. What matters is the light of truth that is revealed through whomever. That truth is what some call "Christ" - the Son of God, the anointed one or the true man in God's likeness as stated in Genesis l. Jesus bore that title because he embodied the Christ idea better than any other individual. It could also be the truth about man and God which the human Buddha taught to his followers, or other great leader/teacher. The fact is that since God is spiritual, He can only be understood through spiritual sense as Spirit and words have no more meaning that what we give them.
Posted by: Nancy Dargle | July 15, 2007 12:15 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Names,words, titles, have little meaning beyond what the individual perceives it to mean. That is why even the term, "Christian Science", is so puzzling to so many. What matters is the light of truth that is revealed through whomever. That truth is what some call "Christ" - the Son of God, the anointed one or the true man in God's likeness as stated in Genesis l. Jesus bore that title because he embodied the Christ idea better than any other individual. It could also be the truth about man and God which the human Buddha taught to his followers, or other great leader/teacher. The fact is that since God is spiritual, He can only be understood through spiritual sense as Spirit and words have no more meaning that what we give them.
Posted by: Nancy Dargle | July 15, 2007 12:13 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Jacob Jozevz, people have been making such claims about the Catholic Church for 1000 years and now they're long gone as will be these christian scientists as will your eclaty thing. I'm not being mean, just speaking from history!
Posted by: Bill Lang | July 15, 2007 12:12 AM
Report Offensive Comment
Dear Eric,
I would need to take issue with your statement that Jesus entirely meant "we are to "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain" for it is only a Rabbi/Father/Teacher/Leader/ Director, or ego." I say this, because Jesus promised that The Comforter would come to earth one day. All Christian Scientists recognize Christian Science to be The Comforter, and they recognize their
Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, as the one who birthed this Science, clothing it in the garment of religion.
Mary Baker Eddy promoted that religion spoken of in The Bible by James, Chapter 1:26-27, which is described as "Pure religion and undefiled before God..." This is the religion
of Truth and of divine Love that does good works and good deeds to one's fellow man. Christian Science in its terms and classifications goes deeply beneath and beyond things or thoughts that are normally taken merely at face value.
For instance as regards the ego, Mrs. Eddy has an entire page presenting important thoughts that ought to be contemplated. Until one is *really* BEING his or her own God-being, classifications and clarifications of various terms are imperative, and these are what Mary Baker Eddy provides. I would recommend reading her book, UNITY OF GOOD, and her chapter, "The Ego", found
on page 27.
A true Christian Scientist will certainly give recognition to this God inspired woman, Mary Baker Eddy, as their Leader in Christian Science, and as one who sacrificed much personal ease and overcame many obstacles in order to bring to humanity that which many individual Christian Scientists unaffiliated with the present church organization acknowledge as being the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
http://www.christianscience.org/HUIntro.htm
Your article, Eric, stimulates thought. Thank you for that! This is wonderful certainly for Mary Baker Eddy writes in her Preface to the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health With Key To The Scriptures", page vii:13, "The time for thinkers has come."
Posted by: Paula Caracristi | July 14, 2007 5:18 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Dear Eric,
I would need to take issue with your statement that Jesus entirely meant "we are to "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain" for it is only a Rabbi/Father/Teacher/Leader/ Director, or ego." I say this, because Jesus promised that The Comforter would come to earth one day. All Christian Scientists recognize Christian Science to be The Comforter, and they recognize their
Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, as the one who birthed this Science, clothing it in the garment of religion.
Mary Baker Eddy promoted that religion spoken of in The Bible by James, Chapter 1:26-27, which is described as "Pure religion and undefiled before God..." This is the religion
of Truth and of divine Love that does good works and good deeds to one's fellow man. Christian Science in its terms and classifications goes deeply beneath and beyond things or thoughts that are normally taken merely at face value.
For instance as regards the ego, Mrs. Eddy has an entire page presenting important thoughts that ought to be contemplated. Until one is *really* BEING his or her own God-being, classifications and clarifications of various terms are imperative, and these are what Mary Baker Eddy provides. I would recommend reading her book, UNITY OF GOOD, and her chapter, "The Ego", found
on page 27.
A true Christian Scientist will certainly give recognition to this God inspired woman, Mary Baker Eddy, as their Leader in Christian Science, and as one who sacrificed much personal ease and overcame many obstacals in order to bring to humanity that which many individual Christian Scientists unaffiliated with the present church organization acknowledge as being the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
http://www.christianscience.org/HUIntro.htm
Your article, Eric, stimulates thought. Thank you for that! This is wonderful certainly for Mary Baker Eddy writes in her Preface to the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health With Key To The Scriptures", page vii:13, "The time for thinkers has come."
Posted by: Paula Caracristi | July 14, 2007 5:04 PM
Report Offensive Comment
It all depends on what you mean by religion. The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Hebrews among others saw in religion the ties that bound a society together. But under the influence of Persian mystical thought, Platonism, and other religious and philosophical traditions the emphasis came to be placed more on salvation -- particularly in Christianity. Jesus was a product of the Second Temple Judaism and undoubtedly was obsessed with salvation. Did he teach religion? I guess he did. Not a particularly desirable sort of religion at that.
Posted by: candide | July 14, 2007 1:52 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Eric, are you really that limited on scripture, or do you intentionally twist?
Jesus on the donkey was an example of royalty! In Rome{and other empires}, when a conquering general marched into Rome with his booty, he rode in on a donkey showing his glory. Jesus rode in on a donkey that had never before been riden.
Jesus didn't say don't call me good, but pointed out that only God could be called good, showing he is God {I and the Father are one}.
Calling no one rabbi was refering to people seeking God like status for themselves {Paul refered to himself as father 1Cor 4:14-16}.
Jesus didn't say don't worship him, he drew people to understand he is God {before Abraham was I am Jn 8:58-59; and they shall call him Emanuel, mean God is with us Mt 1:22-23; Timothy said "my Lord and my God" Jn 20:28-29 to name a few}
Posted by: Bill Lang | July 14, 2007 11:53 AM
Report Offensive Comment
From what i can understand, this article is fascinating, thought provoking. I look forward to reading more of his writings.
It stands to reason Jesus must have been above religion. Doing what he did proves it. Religion based on his teachings and similar ideas is wonderful and helpful to many people; and needed and necessary in this world we live in. When religion becomes denominational, it has many unhelpful characteristics. Jesus did not need religion, we do. So it can certainly be rightly said he was not religous.
Posted by: Frank | July 14, 2007 9:26 AM
Report Offensive Comment
Havn't read it yet, so I'd like to say I'm sure I'll enjoy it.
Thats my story and I'm sticking to it!
PEACE,
Shawn
Posted by: Shawn | July 13, 2007 10:51 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Obviously Jesus believes in God. It is questionable whether Jesus believes in ... himself (as divine.)
This can clearly be seen in Mark 10:17-8, where a stranger approaches Jesus with the question,
"Good Master, what must I do to win eternal life".
Jesus replies "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone'.
Presumably Jesus would not lie. It would appear --just as later legends of the Buddha described him as divine -- the same process happend with Jesus.
Posted by: ThinkAboutIt | July 13, 2007 8:01 PM
Report Offensive Comment
Thanks, Eric, for your observations. I myself am an atheist, born hindu, and try to live as a good christian might, minus the preaching and, of course, the faith. I don't believe in god, but I do believe in loving thy neighbor and all the other commandments that I find not only in Christianity but in other religions, as well as plain old common sense and manners. I don't understand why religious people believe they have a monopoly on morality. So many of them do so much harm, and spew hatred, under the banner of religion and god. Jesus was a great man, even a prophet, and I'm sure he was a very tolerant and loving neighbor. He wouldn't like many of the people who claim to be his followers. For instance, this morning a Hindu priest gave the opening prayer in Congress -- for the first time in history. He was heckled by a group of "Christians" who had come to protest a hate crimes bill. That was so twisted to me. Never mind the rudeness towards the Hindu priest, but how could they protest a hate crimes bill? Don't they know Jesus stood for love and not hate?
No matter where you stand on religion, you must read the book Jesus Land by my friend Julia Scheeres.
Thank you.
Posted by: aparna | July 13, 2007 1:43 PM
Report Offensive Comment
The comments to this entry are closed.

Twitter










ncmkpa aemv mpyazj zyvj