Are Jesus's Teachings "Too Weak"? Some Evangelicals Say So

Brother Sen

The last time the teachings of Christ were seen as "too weak" the Spanish were having their delightful Inquisition.

Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson

Finally someone says the quiet part out loud. The religious have always had their radical element that used religion as a thinly veiled excuse to control other people, but before they had to 'interpret' what the bible 'really says'. Finally someone has the guts to look Jesus in the eye and say, "You aren't supporting my fascist agenda."

Matthew Mastrogiovanni

Evangelicals obviously are only interested in sadism. This is the icing on the cake. It's time to ban this hate group.

Alun Lloyd Palmer

I am an atheist and a ULC minister. I believe that Jesus was a mortal man who taught people to love oneanother. Even, or perhaps especially, from my perspective, I find the idea of anti-Jesus Christians to be laughable. Or perhaps I should say it would be funny if the consequences weren't so dire.

A Christian man that I know online often talks about people who he calls 'Paulians', who follow the teachings of Paul and not those of Jesus.They don't seem too dissimilar from the evangelicals described here.

Brien

Ahhhh, evangelicals, the cornerstone of the zealot community. If I were a believer, these folks would be an embarrassment to my beliefs. But since I am not, my question to "christians" is simply why do you let these people speak for you? Are you truly that nuts??

Joy

Is it any wonder Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a “rich” man to go to heaven? This is why I left the crazy church. They have no clue anymore. And did they really ever have a clue after changing everything in First Council of Nicaea? They have been burning books since Jesus’ time. At least we have some recovered from Nag Hammadi.

Merlin

Dogma is about control. Many religions want to be the "Shepard of the sheep". Very similar to fascism. The generation of FEAR causes people to give up their money and freedom to groups who have the ability to convince those people that they are the answer. Never forget the Inquisition and the German Christian Church. Millions died for their beliefs.

Rev Mark D

"Stand aside jesus, this job takes a real man to handle."

Lionheart

Was Jesus real then?

How do we know for sure?

If he was real, who knows what he ever really taught? Those who wrote about what he was supposed to have said, never met him. 🤔

🦁♥️

He Who Breathes

Hah! - Jesus's teachings were bastardised almost right from the start by Paul (who was a Roman plant).

The religion that Christians are following now bears minimal resemblance to the way Jesus lived, what he did, and what he taught.

Sad, because it would have been really good - But, it didn't turn out that way.

Rev_Shaun

What the Evengelicals can never cope with this, if Jesus found that Matthew and Mark were married to Luke and John, the last supper would have been a disco party.

Rev Mark D

I seem to recall during the last three decades the extremely popular and widespread guidance prompt WWJD "What would Jesus do?" Now apparently it's moved to "Jesus is a p**sy." Did we all do a sudden Rip Van Winkle?

Bishop William Dusenberry, DD

Because, there is no reliable, first person, primary evidence (of the type necessary, to be acceptable as evidence during a court trial) what, or what not, a mythological Jesus said, or didn’t say, is immaterial.

The supposed sayings, of Jesus, are akin to the sayings of Homer, the Buddha, and Grimm, suggestions passed down through the ages, without knowing precisely where they came from.

Memes — are the category where they belong.

God is love — is nothing more than meaningless dribble.

Larry Mager

Jesus not only taught to turn the other cheek but lived and died by it. These so-called "Evangelicals" have forgotten that. Jesus said "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!". In my opinion ( not that it matters) these are NOT Christians!

Timothy C Stone

" A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 13:34 This is Christianity distilled. "Whoever wants to become first among you must serve the rest of you like a slave. In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.” Matt. 20:26, 28. If you do not agree, you are not a Christian. Plain and simple.

Colleen McAllister

It is a sad commentary on our society when we turn on our own gods. To reject the teachings of Jesus is to reject God himself. No real Christian would do that.

What is next? Will Muslims say that Allah is wrong and that Mohammed should be ignored? Jews should not follow the Law because it is too hard? That the 10 Commanments are multiple choice?

Sorry. If you accept and follow a god then you follow the teachings right or wrong. We can't pick and choose.

Many religions are based on peace. Christianity in its pure form is one of those. I am an Evangelical Christian myself I am sickened by what I hear coming out of self-called Christians mouths.

Jesus is not weak in his standards but strong enough to have actually lived by them. All Christians would be wise to do so.

Daniel Todd Kamm

Glad I'm Jewish!

Rev. Dr. Father JJ

1) a xtian is someone who follows the teaching of jesús

2) not following the teachings of jesús...not a xtian

3) xtianity too soft and liberal, need more angry, more violent...join new religion, REPUBLICANISM. all the anger of xtian god but with 2/3s less compassion. REPUBLICANISM...kill more, love less, god is death

Chris Cardona

This reminds me of one of my favorite bumper stickers which states: “Jesus, please save me from your followers.”

Rev Mark D

Too weak? Well, it's not like he was God or anything.

David Godin

I see a religious evolution beginning. Some churches will move away from Jesus and create a new God based religion emphasizing the old testament, perhaps cherry picking scripture. This will not be a clone of Judaism, but a more rigid, fire and brimstone doctrine.

Dr. Jerry Moyes

None of us know what Jesus taught, we weren't there and if an accurate record exists it's unknown to the public. The multitude of variations of the Christian Bible contradict and disagree with each other on nearly everything, making no variation an accurate source. To take things a step further, the Christian Bible was first compiled centuries after the time of Jesus Christ, and has been edited, altered, translated, and rewritten more time than any other book in publication. Everything about the book from its creation, through each revision, and edits were done by people, many of which weren't even Christians, who desired to control the masses to their own ends. From the creation of the Christian Church, which was well after the time of Christ, The Church has done everything possible to put the priestly class between the followers and God, representing it as the only conduit of communication and knowledge, to control the masses. If you want to know and understand the teaching of Jesus Christ you need to seek documentation outside of The Bible and communicate with God directly. I suspect you'll discover what I've discovered, teaching of unconditional love, limitless compassion, and tolerance.

Rev. Rory

"Is a Christian a Christian if they are rejecting the core teachings of Jesus?"

I read the NPR article. The current wave of Christians that believe that the teachings of Jesus are "woke" are not Christian when they reject the teachings of Christ. The current anti-woke Christians are more Old Testament Fire and Brimstone Punishing God Bible Interpretation Followers. OTFBPGBI+ (I'm sure they would dislike that accurate title.)

Fire and Brimstone is the threat of Hell or damnation (= punishment that lasts forever) after death.

I don't tell people what to believe and I don't care what they believe, but to call yourself a Christian when you reject the teachings of Christ is a political position, not religion. It's religion as a political weapon, without actual religion!

James Riggle-Johnson

Maybe the bible should have said the Woke will inherit the earth.

Moore states one of the reasons is the current political climate, but this started way back when a country almost a quarter century old elected the first black man as president. The far-right, evangelical, white nationalist lost their minds, and elected an idiot who said he was the chosen one. The even stranger thing is that people agreed.

This is why I as a Christian have my doubts about the whole thing. I have questioned my faith for years because people show absolute hatred towards what I am. The evangelicals took a religion and made their own. Now people want prayer in school, but only the prayers they deem appropriate. Book banning has begun, and book burning can’t be far behind. I think that might have already begun, too, I don’t know. Next, they will begin rewriting the bible to only include the passages they want. Of course, that’s how we got the current version as well. How long before they begin the holy war in the name of Christ?

Lisbeth Kieran Bushey

Jesus was a Middle Eastern socialist. I may be a Pagan priestex, but I was raised in the church and have read multiple versions of the gospels. Jesus had excellent points to make about how humankind should treat each other. If that's considered "woke", good - people should be woke. If they're being seen as bad, then maybe "christians" need to take a hard look at the teachings of Jesus and whether they're actually behaving as Christ commanded them to.

Rev Mark D

He did make a lot of mistakes didn't he. But nobody's perfect. I'm sure evangelicals are better at going about "his father's business."

Robert Edward Szekely

The hypocrites reveal their true colors once again!

Mark Hannon

The crowd witnessing the crucifixion of Christ called for Barabbas to be released. Apparently he was arrested for encouraging an uprising against the government of Rome.

Perhaps Trump is this country's Barabbas.

Merlin

Looking for justification to increase control.

JaZe

Do we really know what Jesus teachings were after so many centuries and bible revisions, exclusions, translations ...

P. Keith Benefiel

There is no "Bible", only interpretations. 40,000 at last count. Take your pick.

Rev. MichaelRS

Liberals cherry pick and betafy some of the teachings of Christ as a shield to now cover and excuse what for hundreds or thousands of years was commonly understood to be aberrant or sinful behavior.

However Jesus was not the weak person that his matter of fact teaching style (based on the plane reading of the scriptures as any YouTube videos of him actually delivering a sermon or lesson seem to have been deleted) might lead one to believe.

And speaking of "believe", that was the core of his message; Believe and as you believe repent and turn away from sin. And what was sin, according to the scriptures, did not change or go away with the coming of Jesus or his sacrifice.

Lastly I would point out although his primary weapon was words, which he used to cut people down to size, he could be a physical badass if if he needed to be.

One can debate the amount of force Jesus used to expel the merchants and money changers from the temple, particularly since only John mentioned that he used a improvised whip to do so, but the details are not important.

The bottom line is there were many more of them than there were of him and they did not go willingly or quietly.

So while the carrot was Jesus' preferred method, he obviously had no problem with the stick if it came to it

Tareq Asfour

The problem is American Christianity is different than Middle Eastern Christianity back home. We do not have all the extra changes America has. There is a lot of God’s law has been removed in America and this is why you see a lot of problems happening.

Sherrell K Zitting

THE POLARITIES OF GOD'S LAW

PART 1

YOU ASK: Is Jesus Christ too soft for today's problems? Are the teachings of Jesus Christ “liberal talking points”? Is His philosophy of love and forgiveness “weak”? Christianity is experiencing a crisis of identity that directly challenges some of the most central teachings in the Bible.

Will the biblical path of love and acceptance win out, or is a more pugnacious approach to religion on the rise? 

Is Turning the Other Cheek "Weak?" .

ANSWER Well, turning the butt-cheek is certainly weak. The loving chastisement of a loving Father is never quarrelsome or pugnacious. Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If you (as being mature and intelligent) endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons, for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

This is His philosophy, His love, and His forgiveness unto life eternal, upon our repentance or acceptance of His corrections, making us the sons and daughters of the King, and therefore princes and princesses (the genuine nobility). But if you are without chastisement, then you are bastards and not sons (or daughters): Heb. 12:6-8. Therein is the crisis of identity, the weak and young and pugnacious spirits of the world challenging the central teachings of God that will eventually make them like God.

YOU SAY: Is Turning the Other Cheek "Weak?" In an interview with NPR, Russell Moore, the former head of the Southern Baptist Convention and current editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, says that he fears the tense political landscape has changed Christianity.

ANSWER: The tense polititical landscape is the anti-Christ. So it is a simple choice, but the natural stage of development of every soul will dictate what they will choose.

YOU SAY that Moore says he finds that many Christians now view values like mercy, love, and forgiveness as "weak" and that many Christians seem to be in search of a more hard line version of their faith.

"Multiple pastors tell me, essentially, the same story about quoting the Sermon on the Mount, parenthetically, in their preaching—'turn the other cheek'—[and] to have someone come up after to say, 'Where did you get those liberal talking points?'" he explains.  .

ANSWER: "The liberal soul shall be made fat" (or rich): Prov. 11:25. Mercy, love, and forgiveness are only part of the Gospel of Christ, Jachin of the Tree of Life. Judgment, justice, and the clarity and strictness of God's law is the other part, or the complimentary polarity of love, Boaz of the Tree of Life.

YOU SAY: "When the pastor would say, 'I'm literally quoting Jesus Christ' ... The response would be, 'Yes, but that doesn't work anymore. That's weak," he continued. "When we get to the point where the teachings of Jesus himself are seen as subversive to us, then we're in a crisis."

ANSWER: Again, Jesus Christ can be quoted on both sides of the Gospel and Tree of Life, on both mercy and on judgment. It is a complete system or road map to Heaven, 10 steps of Jacob's ladder (Gen. 28:12).

YOU SAY: Moore appears to be referring to a new crop of evangelical leaders who take the fight directly to their perceived enemies over culture war issues. For example, fire-and-brimstone style pastors who burn books they don’t like have gained larger followings in recent years.

ANSWER: God is in it all, both sides (Is. 45:7), to give His mortal children experiences on both sides of the Tree of Life (Gen. 2:9). Those evangelicals are working the left side of the Tree and the brain and the cosmos, for the Lord, for "God is the doer of all things (Is. 45:7).

Sherrell K Zitting

THE POLARITIES OF GOD'S LAW

PART 2

YOU SAY: To Moore, the core values of Christianity are at stake. And his concerns raise some interesting questions. 

Is a Christian a Christian if they are rejecting the core teachings of Jesus?

Is it "soft" to love thy neighbor?

How Did We Get Here? .

ANSWER: The core values of love and forgiveness etc are simply not the focus of those working Boaz, the negative forces or electrons of the left column of Creation. Others work Jachin, the positive forces or protons of the right column of Creation. But it is all one complete tree or system of life, the Tree of Life, all forces necessary unto perfection or becoming like the God's, as gods.

YOU SAY: Moore can point out a few culprits he believes responsible. For one, the current political climate. Thanks to increased polarization, he speculates that adhering to religious teachings has taken a backseat to scoring political points.

ANSWER: The left is a compliment or polarity for the right, and visa-versa. The Biblical religious teachings, or Tree of Life, consist of both sides, until the two come to an equilibrium, which is the center column of Creation that produces a live rapture into Heaven, as neutral neutrons. Electrons, Protons, and Neutrons of the cosmos: These are the perfected and complete elements that make an Adam, and an atom.

YOU SAY: However, Moore says a larger factor is our collective loss of community. “I think that the roots of the political problem really come down to disconnection, loneliness, sense of alienation,” he suggests. “Even in churches that are still healthy and functioning, regular churchgoing is not what it was a generation ago, in which the entire structure of the week was defined by the community.”

ANSWER: Loss? The wise count all earthly gain as dross. God is even in collective global loss of community, to chasten and center man's conscience on heavenly, spiritual, eternal things, gifts, and talents. Then there is a great reconnection with like minds, and all souls find their true community, according to their level of development and degree of glory, some as dim stars, some as bright as the moon, and some as glorious as the blazing Sun. It is all Biblical, for the development of souls, from generation to generation.

YOU SAY: What do you think? Are the tolerant teachings of Christ outdated? Or is this antagonistic rebrand of Christianity a misguided approach?"

ANSWER: The tolerant teachings are the right side and the complimentary polarity of the strict teachings of the left side, both of which have always existed, and are now, and endure forever. For does not the Lord also say: "I cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance" (Habb.1:13; DC1...). But the right tolerant side Jachin works to bring mankind gently to that perfection of the Gods. God is over it all, both sides, and even Satan is a servant of the Lord (Job 2:1).

Blessings to all. Man is as God once was, and God is as man may become.

Douglas Robert Spindler

Teaching of Jesus to that ,are young people want nothing to do with Jesus. Deuteronomy 23:1-3 1 “If a man’s testicles are crushed or his penis is cut off, he may not be admitted to the assembly of the LORD . 2 “If a person is illegitimate by birth, neither he nor his descendants for ten generations may be admitted to the assembly of the LORD . 3 “No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants for ten generations may be admitted to the assembly of the LORD .

You need to ask the girl if anyone 10 generations before her were illegitimate she would get into heaven. So why is she reading the Bible if she’ll never get into heaven?

Stephen P Singleton

I grew up in an Irish Catholic neighborhood in San Francisco where the history of Spain started with Ferdinand and Isabella. Can’t recall how we glossed over the Inquisition, but my lifelong interest in history was certainly initiated there. Even as a kid, I found it truly amazing that the actual teachings of Jesus were still as shocking to the belligerent today as they were 2000 years ago. The idea that we are to actually be NICE to people continues to be nothing short of revolutionary. It’s why, after decades studying, following; loving the teachings of Zen, Vedanta, the Baghavad Gita, I’ve come full circle (maybe via Paramahansa Yogananda) to the actual teachings of Jesus. And, yeah, it’s pretty different than anything one hears from the so-called “Conservative” Christian evangelicals. I don’t think Jesus was conservative. He was a Radical Leftist then and He still is. Peace. And Love. To All.

Timothy Newell

What's weak is not following the precepts of Jesus and going with the flow of the ungodly.

ServantOfJudgement

I'm impressed with the pure unrefined hatred towards Jesus here. I could only call it breathtakingly biblical. Unknowingly and unintentionally these hate filled reactions reinforce ones belief in the outrageous accuracy of the bible. The Man, The God, The Flawless sure knows what he's talking about, WOW. Thanks for the that, you've put a pep in my step.

Other than disbelief, I'm not sure why bible readers have such a tough time reading black and white characters that form words we use every day. It's all there for anyone to read and study. We know the document is coded or encrypted against those with disbelief. We know they'll not be able to comprehend it's meaning even though they comprehend it's words. That's easily demonstrated here on this blog. I expect this to be extremely frustrating to those with disbelief, causing anger against those that believe and understand. Again, this is demonstrated here. The insults against those that believe just because they believe are frequent and predictable. Again and again and again the insults fly. It appears to be jealousy and envy though I don't think it is. I think it's hatred by proxy.

This is my response to the responses past and future. I need not worry, I know plenty more insults will fly in long after I've posted this. It's a timeless response and I know I won't be let down.

Regarding the actual character of Jesus, his expectations and outlook he has on us is very straightforward. Let's establish some biblical truth first:

God=Jesus=God=Jesus Anything God did, does and will do, Jesus the Christ is down with. Anything Jesus did, does and will do God is down with it. There is zero division or dissent. Absolutely zero. This means any hostility or admiration one has for the God of the old testament, can be safely applied to Jesus The Christ. Any admiration or hostility one has for Jesus of the new testament can be safely applied to the God of the old testament. Jesus=God=Jesus=God

There is a terrible misconception that Jesus blindly and unconditionally forgives regardless of the forgiven's willingness to be forgiven. This is extremely dangerous to one that believes in God. If you have no desire to be forgiven you will not be forgiven. If a drunkard does not see drunkenness as a sin, especially after reading it first hand, he will not be forgiven for his drunkenness. That translates into death, namely spiritual death which equates into eternal damnation. The 'Gentle Jesus' will hand deliver that soul directly to the lake of fire. Christian drunkards beware and consider what the Bible says about this.

(Fun fact intermission: To man, once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic for mankind knows nothing of forgiveness. To my Lord you can be a drunkard yesterday and not a drunkard today. How Holy and righteous our Lord is to absolve our failings in such a permanent way that he sees it no more lest we sin again.)

There are many instances of this in culture today. Bible specified sins are passed off as good today while biblical goods are passed off as cultural sins. Jesus said it would be this way and it is.

I know my closing statement will fuel the fire of the antichrists here but it is what it is, let's not get anything wrong. Let's make sure they know where they stand with Jesus. When Jesus returns, the billions that have rejected him will be slayed by him. Those billions of souls will then be delivered to eternal darkness. Churches that preach cotton candy and chocolate milk are leading their flock to the slaughter, literally. Those preachers will be held accountable for what they've done. He will not forgive a single soul after death or when he returns to slay the wicked, not one. He will not forgive a single soul that doesn't ask forgiveness, not one.

So says The Holy Bible.

Sherrell K Zitting

Every letter of the alphabet is a unique and specialized bundle of enery, for purposes of creation. Thus Christ the Creator's identity as "The Word"... "I am the Word and the Life".

JOHN 1 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. .

Sherrell K Zitting

LEARN YOUR ABC's Read from right to left

https://images.app.goo.gl/Mfm1pNPPAD3N7fJM7

https://aish.com/the-mystical-power-of-hebrew-letters/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mystical-symbolism-hebrew-alphabet-deeper-exploration-kevin-kull-

http://www.walkingkabbalah.com/hebrew-alphabet-letter-meanings/

Geoffrey C. Olive

Why do xtians think jeebus was anything more than an average wandering prophet of the time who they claim performed miracles and also said he was the son of god? I perform miracles every day when I turn tea, coffee, orange juice and occasionally wine into water when I go to the toilet!

Steven Ferrell

Jesus loved the sinner, but not the sin. We are told to do the same. We can love the person and pray for them and treat them with respect, without loving the life they may choose to live. Jesus was not weak on sun, but he worked to teach and educate the sinner as to there is a better life away from sin.

Reynaldo Echavaria

God's words not mine:

Deuteronomy 4:2 New International Version

2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

Revelation 22:18-19 New International Version

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

Ted Prettyman

Teachings of Christ are being misunderstood and misinterpreted. Only patience and time will bring about healing.

Geoffrey C. Olive

Don’t forget all the other religious fiction books like the quran, hadith, vedas, in addition to all the buybulls!

Stacey Owens

Everyone on this post has met the Christ. You met him when you did the right thing, by helping some one, when you treated someone with kindness, and when you thought on making the right choices. I say to people all the time, the God in Christ Jesus is Holy. God communicates with your spirit, even though you don't know you have one. God is a spirit and yet those who believe in him have a relationship with him. This is how he leads you in your life. The body is not a trophy to be expose but a temple or tabernacle for God to dwell in and be revealed. God in Jesus Christ is the way and the truth and the life. If you want to blame someone for the world conditions, blame your selves. Theres none riggteous no not one in the world.

Some of you need to ask your selves, are you the world or are you what God created you to be: LIFE. Life don't steal, kill, or destroy.

Gary Stone

Jesus had to call out the Pharisees in His day for putting their own Embellishments on the law to fit their goals and objectives. While I believe that the Bible is inspired by God, the books were written by men who came with their own biases. Unless it is a direct quotation from Jesus, it may not express the original intent of the Creator. The Sermon on the Mount is supposed to be the words of Jesus. Those are the words that I will take the most heed to. I would choose to be like Jesus and not like the pharisees.

Rev Ned

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Matthew Mastrogiovanni

So, now Southern Baptists want to be Muslim Extremists?

Neil M Sunderland

This poor flock is still worshipping their golden bull...

https://youtu.be/K3QDDlWmR9Q?si=cQWXLGqurWozaOs0

William I. Hegeman

At least some , knowingly or not, are admitting they are not Christian.

Mark 3:20-23.

As a pagan minister, I support Jesus's loving ministry and his stance keeping capitalism and church separate.

Gloria Jean Guffey

Refer to: Acts 20:28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Veronica Ruth Cruse

The biggest sign ever that tRump-fish is the antichrist. its despicable that these capital K kristians are so cruel and callow. It just makes me so glad I am a democrat and always have been. If I were a christian republican right now my world would be shattered. I really dont know how they can live with themselves except for the fact that they are so ignorant and shallow that they cant even see the nose on their face.

Mark A Regenthal

I don't know, but the depiction of Christ in this article and most of the other depictions is far and away too white. I wonder how the Evangelicals cotton that one.

Daniel Todd Kamm

Not that we don't have our own wacko's... there are plenty! Peace Out tk

Douglas Robert Spindler

Yes they are too weak which is why no one follows them or care about them anymore.

Billy Heckstall

The whole mistake in this so-called debate, is that every person’s comment supposes that Jesus’ quotes were meant for everyone. Whether he said the words or was quoted. His teachings were not meant to unify a thing called Christianity. But, were primarily meant to unify those of his people, and anyone that chose to join them. The words, “ by this shall they know you” gives light to all of his teachings. If you truly rendered on to Cesar that which belongs to Cesarean

Austin B Beamer

Plain and simply, The Word of God told us these days were coming! Hello!!?? They're here!

Father Frederick

Has Jesus Christ gone soft? The question posted in the past tense yields to one thinking that Jesus has changed his mind.

Until a theologian is able to rewrite the Bible with new text, which is guaranteed to be the words of Jesus, I'll stick by the old teachings. In the meantime, let us not forget that the best way to corrupt religion is by corrupting the words. If you can make something legal, which is illegal, change the law/words to make it legal. Has that happened in the teachings of modern scripture? Absolutely.

Father Frederick

Indeed "The Bible says a whole lot more", which becomes part of the problem. Have you ever debated what a good meal is on Reddit, Facebook, Quora, or Twitter. You're liable to get 100,000s of replies agreeing, and disagreeing with various levels of angst. Therein is the problem with the Bible.

If you ask a room of people about a passage, you may get 10%, (or more), who take the words to another level, or change the meaning, which is a human problem. The words don't change themselves, but humans have a way of taking things like "thou shall not commit adultery", and find a clever way to justify the act, all the while acting very pious in church. :)

And I think that's my point with the question. Jesus has not gone soft. However there are some who change or invent new things Jesus supposedly said or mean to avoid accepting responsibility for their actions. As one friend would say, "Can you commit adultery? Depends. Is holy trinity watching?" I think we know the answer to that.

John R Liming

The Bible is very clear on what happens to people who reject the message of Jesus Christ and their destiny is not too pretty. That is all I have to say about it. True Christians will walk IN the Spirit and will hear the voice of Jesus and will obey what He tells them to do --"Woke" or not "Woke," Jesus is not a politician... Jesus is a King of a Kingdom of Love and forgiveness and power in the Holy Ghost... There are no voting booths in heaven ...The Bible says that there are many who seek to enter into the Kingdom of heaven but few that find it ....Jesus generously receives all who will come to Him .. He rejects nobody who seeks God and those who reject Him are going to Hell...It doesn't get any more complex than that.

William J Lewis

After reading most of the comments it appear everyone is full of "stuff", and they it is the only truth. Whether they are evangelical Christians or or any other religion including evangelical atheists. It may be better to research and read before proclaiming to the world your "Vast knowledge" and Answer for every human on earth. There are approximately 7.5 bn. "Opinions" and we each get 1.

David Bastian

People would say he’s a communist as well. Because they weren’t taught the lessons, or they didn’t actually listen. We were taught those stories so we could realize that forgiveness and those “weak” qualities are things were supposed to take with us. They aren’t weak, it’s just hard to do when ppl don’t want to forgive, or help someone else, or look for peace over violence. I guess it’s much more difficult to be “weak” like this than it is to use anger and power over others. Especially when money is involved.

Mary Lynne Lightowler

We do see the swaying of people simply through charisma. It may be quite difficult to stand for any values in the face of a well-heeled or highly influential community leader. However, it is precisely herem and in the anger of what may harm others, that the minister of God must, in love and as love, stand with their solid values in their ministry. I truly want to live these 10 values: Trust, Honesty, Tolerance, Gentleness, Joy, Defenselessness, Generosity, Patience, Faithfulness and Open-Mindedness -- as I've found them defined in ACIM-CE (A Course in Miracles - CE Edition -- current words from Jesus). (you can see them yourselves for free via entering - acimce.app - in a new tab window). Blessings.

Randy Henry

There is a lot of misinformation how each person see's Jesus and interprets the bible. Jesus was sinless, but fought against the sinners when he had to. It's all written about the money changers if you look for something in the bible you will find it.

Dorothy Hawkins

If the scene has changed that much, community and the sense of communal responsibility for the wellness of the whole group is lost.

While we SAY we espouse Jesus' teachings in our own lives - - do we REALLY? If we buy into the politicized rhetoric of the politicians, there's a clear dividing line: those who take LITERALLY the Words in the "Good Book" and those who INTERPRET the Words in the Good Book.

Keep in mind that religious trends come and go - to go with the flow of the masses in scrambling after individual material wealth, only for the few, while telling falsehoods about the Jesus of my own understanding, seems to be the order of the day.

Jesus was a REBEL - so were all the Luminaries we've heard about from that book and other wisdom teachings from elsewhere. That book has been CORRUPTED along political lines all along the way. It doesn't even REALLY say what it purports to say.

Why SO MANY VERSIONS of the same book - all with a different "slant" to them - HUMAN corruptability, and the tendency toward "taking it easy" when favors have been granted us...from "above". Above where, I'm asking? The same systems that have been favoring the few over the many since time began? Doubtful, in my view.

Writers like Paul Wallis - an Anglican priest/ancient language expert/teacher to the pastors writes about this kind of "changing" that took place in his "Eden" series. His writings seem to bridge the gaps between the mystical/practical/and LOGICAL understandings of "The Good Book". I highly recommend his works.

For those of us who were steeped in the "mysteries" through rigid faith systems find his work to refresh our enthusiasm for the Jesus we have known. Yes, Jesus was a rebel - but a peaceful warrior. He DID overturn the money-changers at the temple, however - and that doesn't sound WEAK to me: it sound STRONG!

Gene Schenck

Too many arguments remember the movie The Earth Stood Still this is what this planet needs for 1 day a week for eternity until there is peace. Martin Luther said the earth will never be at rest and heaven at peace and never be like earth this seems like it's time to chance that or we will destroy ourselves. May Jesus make all weapons melt like wax and turn into mush.

Minister Butterworth

What a pitiful state the world is in. Its sad.

Najah P Tamargo

Minister Najah Tamargo USA

I really don't think politics has caused this riff, but the opposite. Religion has changed politics, which our founding fathers attempted to keep apart, and for good reason. I have studied many, many religions and they have one common thread. Peace, respect, forgiveness, love. That wasn't just Jesus' cornerstone. Anytime a person (or group) take selected words or quotes from a religious doctrine, and twist and turn it to suit their own beliefs, is called ZEALOTRY! And THAT is what creates conflicts, war, hatred, prejudice and intolerance. So, if the "fire and brimstone" believers want to go to "war" with each other....so be it. Those of us who prefer to stick to the peace, respect, forgiveness and love aspect.......may we prevail!

Elizabeth Baatz

This is what happens when there is no separation of Church and State! Religion becomes a weapon! Evangelical lunatics are the ones being heard because they are the loudest, if you christians want to keep your religion as the words of Christ? You need to get loud and stop letting these false idols speak for you!

Paul Johnson

People still trying to explain how Jesus thinks are what He was thinking at the time He spoke are acted. Oh foolish man as He ask Job "who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge". It really is comical to see the positions that man will take when trying to take the place of God. I think it would be best to leave His word alone and except it for what was taking place. Are maybe we could find three friends and a wife like he had. If we don't want to believe the word then why debate the issue's. Your never going to get the devil to serve God. When we allow ourselves to get in a conversation with the old serpent your going to lose, just read Gen 3. He was more cunning than all the rest of the beast. Jesus knew not to get in a conversation while on earth, are have we forgot that "It is written from the devil" what's important was how Jesus responded "it is written" not once but three times you shall not tempt the Lord thy God". We know there are many people who think they know what Jesus mean's even though they don't even believe in Him. really are only about 20 seconds outside of the garden, still acting like Adam and Eve wanting to have it our way. Jesus was so selfish that next to the last thing that He said was "FORGIVE THEM THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY ARE DOING"

As for the question am I good? I would have to refer to what Jesus said when ask are was called good master. Why do you call me good when there is only one who is good and that is my Father. So if Jesus didn't feel like He should be called good why would I have anymore right to the same question?

Tammy S Gardner

Well if you really read the Bible and do not take it out of context many things are sins. But Jesus says he will forgive us of our sins if we repent. He lso told the apostles he would make them fishers of men. Basically that they should go out and preach the good news. He does hate sin in any form. However he forgave the adulteress and Paul and many others. He did say if one is sinning and continues in the sin not to even eat with them. I do not believe that was to shun them as much as to keep the saved from falling back into their own sins. However, nowhere did he say Kill them in my name. Some were so far gone he had to intervene. The new testament does not advise people to hate and despise each other or to kill each other because one is wrong and one is right. Who knows if the sinner may yet repent under the right circumstances. Some do not understand that Jesus wants voluntary followers, not forced slaves. Most of us were totally lost before we finally got the message and turned around. So why condemn others who are lost just like we were at one time. There will always be people who would rather follow tradition than the word of God. The Pharisees had done so in Jesus time and he rebuked them. In our current time there is so much push to force the word on others even if they do not agree than to tell them about Jesus and let God do the work. That kind of love leaves people feeling trapped and enslaved rather than free and willing to do what they must out of love. The question is now how do we get to the place where we once again do what God asks and let him do the work. I think in pride some want to say "look how many people I turned around for Jesus. " It should be we are planting and watering and giving praise to the Lord for what HE (GOD) has accomplished.

David Patrick Gayle

Another moment of the creation telling the Creator what they did wrong? So much of this......

Stephen Smith

Matthew 12: 36-37 Galatians Matthew 8:12

All of GOD words are strong, every word stand, and every man shall bow.

Minister Butterworth

Rmd,

God IS the very definition of omnipotent. God can do anything. He doesn't want to make us do anything. God wants us to choose to love him. If God made us love him He wouldn't have gained anything. When we choose God, He then has our love and our loyalty. Just out of curiosity, what faith are you a reverend of?

Minister Butterworth

The prerequisite of demonstrable evidence is for minds unable to comprehend Faith. Im not dreaming this up. God is real. Jesus is real. There love is real. What makes so many persons hate/fear Christianity is that the consequence of sin and/or the denial of Jesus is also real. Denial won't make it not so.

Cancer sucks. Sickness and death were not in the original plan for the world. They were brought on by eve & adam when they committed the original sin. From then on sickness and death becomes part of our lives.

Isn't it wonderful that God sent his son to sacrifice to pay for our sins. John 3:16. This gives us ALL eternal salvation, we need only to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, confess and ask forgiveness of our sins. Isn't God awsome!!!!

Im genuinely happy for you in that your having a great life. But what of your immortal soul? I know you'll respond to this in your usual manner but take time to ponder the question.

Christina Solomon

this antagonistic rebrand of Christianity is not misguided, but a response to my living reality of abuse and misuse by others. my decision to be a tough, not turn the other cheek Christian is as a result, unfortunately, of past experience when I have turned the other cheek, I have been used as a welcome mat and it was not a pleasant feeling; I vowed not to let it happen again!

Donald Alexander Netherton

I say this often, modern Christianity, with Jesus being too "woke" is not following Jesus. If they are not following Jesus, who can they be following, according to their dualist religion? Jesus himself said that there would be false prophets in the land, preaching in his name, healing in his name, but he says when hhe (Jesus) sees them again, he will say "get away from me you evil person, I don't know you". He said there would be preachers out there who on the outside were dressed as woolly sheep, but inside they were as ravening wolves.

*Note - I do not capitalize "he and him", as I do not believe in the divinity of Jesus. The teachinigs are important, not the individual.

shiningwolf9

I, myself, follow a Pagan Way of belief/worship/understanding Spirit in and through All creation and beyond; yet grew up in family of church goers. (I'm only Pagan/Witch in family, since childhood). Growing up with bible stories, church 2-3 times a week. I believe I remember Christ mentioning in the last days, there would be some falling away from the teachings, and following after their own heart/teachings. This sounds like what is happening in our Day.