Over the years, I heard and read about those pesky Gnostic Gospels. The ones omitted from the bible (Yes, small 'b'). The ones supposedly written by the 'initiates' of Jesus' inner circle. The ones that seem to belie the 'accepted gospels' to a large degree. Then there's those 'missing years' of Jesus' life. The ones before his appearance on the scene just prior to his crucifixion. I read a theory that he was 'in the East', learning and studying. 'In the East is rather vague, (the East being a very large place). Could 'the East' be referring to India? Possibly. Was he 'learning and studying' Judaism?; or possibly another philosophy altogether? At this point I will offer up Jainism...What the hell is Jainism (?), you may ask.: Jainism is much more peaceful. Jains believe that every human is responsible for his/her actions and all living beings have an eternal soul, jīva. Jains believe all souls are equal because they all possess the potential of being liberated and attaining "moksha." Compassion for all life, human and non-human, is central to Jainism. Human life is valued as a unique, rare opportunity to reach enlightenment. To kill any person, no matter their crime, is considered unimaginably abhorrent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jainism#Bel... Although there are many, many aspects of Jainism that lean toward Hinduism, There are a considerable number of aspects that fit rather snugly into what the Gnostic gospels suggest that Jesus taught that 'inner circle' of followers. This is just 'food for thought'
You're suggesting that there are 1.5 billion "Christians" and possibly only two of them might agree with each other? Whodathought?
Probably true of most anything that's in the realm of intangibles. However, they have enough of a common belief to hold things together.
Since those years are missing we can make not only one hypothesis but 1,000. Personally I tend to think he grew in his family learning a profession [carpenter] and working in the construction site of the city of Sepphoris. Eventual travels abroad? Well, he begun very young with a visit to Egypt, so ... As for his beliefs they weren't properly Christian beliefs, simply because, technically, while he was still alive Christianity wasn't. The base belief of Christianity is just His Resurrection [now "His" with capital letter]. He knew He was going to die and resurrect, He didn't "believe", he knew. Philosophically there is who notes a certain affinity with Essenes and honestly I note it too ...
Who told you that? Correct. Jesus (assuming that such a person actually existed) was a Jew from the day he was born until the day he died. Christianity hadn't yet been invented in the time of Jesus.
I know that it's been surmised that "Christianity is just his (small h) resurrection". I tend to view it as the mortar that holds the religion together. (as together as it is). Not being a Christian myself, I really don't know for certain what holds it together. Just as I don't know for certain that there was a 'resurrection'. (I guess if I did, I'd be a Christian?). I do think though that the man, Jesus, existed..historically. And that he was a 'charismatic'.
"Do Christians believe in what Jesus believed in?" Nope. Christians by and large believe in what Paul claimed Jesus believed in.
The Bible uses carpenters as a metaphor for someone who fashions idols out of wood. The joke is that people have made an idol out of the wooden cross.
Paul certainly claimed to be Jesus's messenger. Strange isn't it how he seemed to be almost delightfully ignorant of anything Jesus actually said and repeatedly contradicted him while simultaneously saying that the apostles who knew Jesus were wrong and that no one should listen to them, isn't it?
In the time of Jesus young men who had shown a great deal of understanding of the Tanakh and had, at the age of 13 shown talent in debating the Scriptures were very often taken under the wing of a Rabbi. They would spend many years studying, debating, writing their own theses, presenting their own interpretation of passages of scripture. From this they could progress to becoming a Rabbi. (Remember the term 'Rabbi' was not in use at the time of Jesus - it was 'teacher'). Remember that Jesus was an exceptional student, amazing the learned teachers in the Temple - probably his BarMitzvah celebration. Now, at 12/13 he was considered and acknowledged as an adult and expected to read occasionally in the Synagogue. Jesus was as able enough to interprete the Tanakh. As the Rabbi who taught students were not allowed to charge for teaching the Torah they worked part-time. So did their pupils to maintain themselves. Personally I believe this is the path that Jesus took. He worked part time for his father. Perhaps this is why the disciples went fishing occasionally. To get money to support themselves and the group. Just a thought. Some students gave up the idea of marriage until they had finished studying. Others never married. Perhaps Jesus and Paul had the same idea. Another point. The Greek word for carpenter can mean more than wood worker. At different times and writings it's is used for carpenter, mason, builder, labourer etc. In one of his works Josephus uses it several times for carpenter. In another work he uses is several times for mason, builder and various other trades. Matthew calls Jesus 'son of carpenter', Mark calls Jesus a 'carpenter'. Both are true if the above is correct.
Rabbi and mason. This is my personal persuasion about the identity of Jesus around 30, just before of the beginning of His Ministry [the core of the Gospels]. The point is that He wasn't an accepted Rabbi, but probably an "annoying" Rabbi, overall for those religious authorities who had accepted in some way the Roman domain to live in peace ...
Luke, Jesus taught peaceful ways of coping with Roman occupation... because the Jews were fractured into many groups who couldn't get along.. such as the Essenes, the Zealots, the Saduccees, the Pharisees, the Herodians and the Sicarri.
Oh. I think he was an accepted teacher. He talked and dined with Pharisees, and they even warned him about Herod seeking to kill him. Many Jews today accept that he was a great teacher. Though they don't believe he started a new religion - that was Paul. The Pharisees that didn't like him were the hypocrites. Matt. 23. Many Pharisees were sincere God fearing Jews. Whereas the Gospels put all Pharisees in the same category, even the Jews acknowledged that there were many hypocritical Pharisees. Most of the practices/statements of Jesus conformed to Rabbinic Judaism. 3 differences stand out. Jesus claiming that he was the only way to God. Whereas the Jews believe god is open to all Loving your neighbours. Jesus forgives all sins Matt. 9:6
Pay attention that Jesus wasn't exactly a "pacifist" or a "non violent". Matthew 10 ... He was well aware of the historical and lasting social and civilization conflict he was going to start ... - - - Updated - - - Any good Rabbi is annoying for someone ...
Taken out of context. This does not concern any nation but Israel. Jesus came to bring Israel back to their Maker. In this chapter he specifically instructs his disciples NOT to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans. His challenge to the Hebrews will be the same as Joshua's 'choose you this day who you will serve'. Jesus NEVER preached to the Gentiles. His only contact with them was when they approached him.
