I saw this question on a website, though I don’t know which one.
If Jesus were to return to earth now (whether you think he was divine or an ordinary man doesn’t matter) what would he think of the Christian religion as it is practiced today?
He’d say, “did you miss the part where I said, ‘it is finished’? I said you get to heaven through me, not some guy in a funny hat giving sacraments. And why are we all here anyway, the world was supposed to end a long time ago?”
“Damn, why didn’t I copyright my name? I could make billions from infringement suits.” 
Occam
I think he’d be crucified by "real Christians"as a heretic.
he would say - roll one up and put on some Dead
I think he'd be crucified by "real Christians"as a heretic.I think you're rght. He would be appalled at the religion formed in his name. Lois
I think he'd be crucified by "real Christians"as a heretic.I think you're rght. He would be appalled at the religion formed in his name. Lois That's why he'd probably keep a low profile. Perhaps near some homeless shelter and from there it's a short song and dance to
he would say - roll one up and put on some Dead
I think he'd be crucified by "real Christians"as a heretic.I think you're rght. He would be appalled at the religion formed in his name. Lois That's why he'd probably keep a low profile. Perhaps near some homeless shelter and from there it's a short song and dance to
he would say - roll one up and put on some DeadHe WOULD be at homeless shelter. One place he would NOT be is the Vatican, He lived and died a Jew so he might visit synagogues. It would be interesting to know which ones he'd go to.
I saw this question on a website, though I don't know which one. If Jesus were to return to earth now (whether you think he was divine or an ordinary man doesn't matter) what would he think of the Christian religion as it is practiced today?Jesus as in the bible is imaginary. There is no real evidence that he actually existed.
I saw this question on a website, though I don't know which one. If Jesus were to return to earth now (whether you think he was divine or an ordinary man doesn't matter) what would he think of the Christian religion as it is practiced today?Jesus as in the bible is imaginary. There is no real evidence that he actually existed. It's possible there was a person, perhaps named Jesus, who a religion was named for. It doesn't mean he was divine or that he claimed to be divine. We can only speculate that there was or was not an actual person attached to the NT bible stories and myths. There could have been such a person and he could have been named Jesus. Some of the stories--the ones that lack a supernatural aspect--could be true. In fact, even the ones with supernatural claim could be true (though not the supernatural aspext)--it is possible that the NT writers misinterpreted what was going on and some might have deliberated exaggerated what they heard about this personage--for effect--and some might have just made up stories. But it doesn't mean a similar human being who did some of the things reported and had the reputation of being responsible for a new sect did not exist. Lois
I saw this question on a website, though I don't know which one. If Jesus were to return to earth now (whether you think he was divine or an ordinary man doesn't matter) what would he think of the Christian religion as it is practiced today?Jesus as in the bible is imaginary. There is no real evidence that he actually existed. It's possible there was a person, perhaps named Jesus, who a religion was named for. It doesn't mean he was divine or that he claimed to be divine. We can only speculate that there was or was not an actual person attached to the NT bible stories and myths. There could have been such a person and he could have been named Jesus. Some of the stories--the ones that lack a supernatural aspect--could be true. In fact, even the ones with supernatural claim could be true (though not the supernatural aspext)--it is possible that the NT writers misinterpreted what was going on and some might have deliberated exaggerated what they heard about this personage--for effect--and some might have just made up stories. But it doesn't mean a similar human being who did some of the things reported and had the reputation of being responsible for a new sect did not exist. Lois There is no more evidence of Jesus than there is of god. I'm atheist and ajesusist.
Jesus as in the bible is imaginary. There is no real evidence that he actually existed.Most academic historians think that he existed, but there is no 100% proof of the existence of many people we do assume that existed in those days.
I saw this question on a website, though I don't know which one. If Jesus were to return to earth now (whether you think he was divine or an ordinary man doesn't matter) what would he think of the Christian religion as it is practiced today?Return??? Where is there any credable evidence that he, she or it was here the first time?
Jesus as in the bible is imaginary. There is no real evidence that he actually existed.Most academic historians think that he existed, but there is no 100% proof of the existence of many people we do assume that existed in those days. Most people we assume lived from those days had people who lived in the same time recording the events. Jesus was dead 90yrs before someone started writing those fables. I don't consider that the same level of acceptance.
Technically, the earliest dates of the earliest writings are around 55 or 60AD. That’s not the best criteria to use anyway since many accepted historical documents come much later for other historical figures. The worst problem the Bible has is that they can’t identify the authors. Paul is one of the few likely real people, and his accounts of Jesus are pretty vague. He never met him in the flesh. Nor can they verify anything but the most mundane facts, like there was a place called Jerusalem. Even the different gospels, all coming from small communities, don’t agree. And don’t believe Dan Brown’s fiction, the gospels that were rejected are even worse and contain wilder claims than the four accepted ones.
What we need is better numbers than “most historians agree” and “we can’t know for 100%”. What percent can we know? And, do most historians just not care or don’t want to touch such a sensitive subject?
I’m too old to worry about hypothetical arguments like that. For me it falls in the category of WGAS, Who Gives A S____? :lol:
Occam
I saw this question on a website, though I don't know which one. If Jesus were to return to earth now (whether you think he was divine or an ordinary man doesn't matter) what would he think of the Christian religion as it is practiced today?Jesus as in the bible is imaginary. There is no real evidence that he actually existed. It's possible there was a person, perhaps named Jesus, who a religion was named for. It doesn't mean he was divine or that he claimed to be divine. We can only speculate that there was or was not an actual person attached to the NT bible stories and myths. There could have been such a person and he could have been named Jesus. Some of the stories--the ones that lack a supernatural aspect--could be true. In fact, even the ones with supernatural claim could be true (though not the supernatural aspect)--it is possible that the NT writers misinterpreted what was going on and some might have deliberated exaggerated what they heard about this personage--for effect--and some might have just made up stories. But it doesn't mean a similar human being who did some of the things reported and had the reputation of being responsible for a new sect did not exist. Lois
Lois,
There are several Jesus’s, but we are talking about the one from Galilee.
Having gathered a lot of internet research on the subject of religion, there are stories that Tiberius Julius Pantera was Jesus’s father.
Technically, the earliest dates of the earliest writings are around 55 or 60AD. That's not the best criteria to use anyway since many accepted historical documents come much later for other historical figures. The worst problem the Bible has is that they can't identify the authors. Paul is one of the few likely real people, and his accounts of Jesus are pretty vague. He never met him in the flesh. Nor can they verify anything but the most mundane facts, like there was a place called Jerusalem. Even the different gospels, all coming from small communities, don't agree. And don't believe Dan Brown's fiction, the gospels that were rejected are even worse and contain wilder claims than the four accepted ones. What we need is better numbers than "most historians agree" and "we can't know for 100%". What percent can we know? And, do most historians just not care or don't want to touch such a sensitive subject?Lausten, Just a thought to look at. You got the Christian religion being born. But it could not hold a candle to the size of the main religion of the people which was Manichaeism. Then you got this major plague that kills 40 to 60% of the population. The plague is Leprosy that kill or infects those with Asian genes. Manichaeism thoughts which are in the bible are not the teachings of Jesus at all. It is a different form and branch of Gnostic religion than what Jesus taught. Your right about the historians. I bring this up because most historians do not cover how plagues and other religions effected the beginning of Christianity. And the bible and the church sure and the hell is not going to talk about it. And you mentioned Paul. In Corinthians 12 Paul talks about the third heaven. Even St. Augustine was Manichean before he was a Christian, and he was one of the builders of the bible as we know it today.
I’ve stopped trying to sort out theologies MikeYohe. As fascinating as that is (I’m not being sarcastic), it has too many dead ends and unanswered questions. I can’t tell if a living person today, who has written long books and been in debates really believes what they are saying, or is saying it to make money or because they are mentally ill. If I can’t do that with a living person, how can we do it with ancient religions? Christianity is like the Beatles, they had some talent, some innovative ideas, they understood the basics of their craft, they worked hard, and most importantly, were in the right place at the right time.