You say you see truth in the teachings of jesus because they work in your life,,, so based on what you wrote in that thread Tec, you get your very own special questions....
I hear the Truth in Him regardless, but I have seen the truth of his teachings also. Some I am still coming to learn (see for myself) that they are true.
1) With great respect, how many religious texts have you attempted to live by or have read fully?
I don't attempt to live by any religious texts. But there is truth in all of them, as far as I can tell. Why would there not be? I have learned about all five major world religions... and I have read the bible (and so that makes two world religions) and the Quran.
2) IMPORTANT QUESTION: What are the specific teachings of jesus, that are **unique to jesus** do you feel are true? (judged by the effect of applying them)
Unique to Him?
Well, Him being alive and speaking (that I know is true)... is unique. But I don't know every religion or claim ever made, and there could be other claims like that. I don't think there are though. I do know that His claim is true though. So then I can put faith in what He says about everything.
Also, that one knows and sees God, if one knows and sees Him... as He is the image of God, the Word of God, and the Truth of God. I am not sure who else might make that claim.
As for moral teachings? Those are not all unique to Him (though He came before all others, being the first to come from God). Those who have love, will have an understanding of truth, as Truth comes from Love. So love... for friend and enemy; forgiveness; showing mercy over judgment.
I am sure that one of the teachings that you, and others, dislike... and think is untrue is in regard to loving Him more than mother, father, brother, sister, self (similar meaning as hating mother, father, brother, sister, and you own life... that which belongs to THIS world)
But this is true also. To serve Him, to serve the Kingdom, to serve all who belong to Him and for whom the Kingdom was created... one must put Him FIRST. Because if you love another more than Him (including your own life), then when that other calls for you to do something else (something that is not true), then you will do it instead. Do not think that this applies only to a fleshly mother, brother, father, etc... because how many people consider their religion a 'mother'. Even if they do not, religion is referred to as a mother who has daughters in Revelation and elsewhere.
Say you love the wts more than Him... you will do as the wts teaches first, and you will not listen to Him. Those who join the wts are listening to them... and not to Him.
Just as one example. The same can be said for fleshly mothers, fathers, etc... how many join the wts or fail to leave the wts because of their love for their families, over Him. That does not mean that He does not love them, or that He is not calling them out... but how can they serve Him and His kingdom if they are still serving that 'harlot' and her kingdom?
3) Do you think any of the valuble teachings of jesus are found elsewhere in history?
I have said yes, above.
4) Are there any teachings of jesus you reject?
No, not one. As Peter said when Christ finished teaching a truth that many found particularly hard to hear... "You have the words of Life."
And one can always ask for something hard to hear... to be explained.
5) if someone wrote a religious text and as they all do , gave instructions in how to live, what would a human inspired religious text look like?
Depends on the human, doesn't it? And who or what they are listening to. (like love, for instance)
-Would it all be false and all be non valuble in giving instruction on how to live? Would any of it work in one's life making it 'truth' by your standard? Would it all be truth? Would it contain core truths as you would expect from a human and some untruths represented by what the average human knew at the time of writing?
If it was completely from man and no other inspiration, it would probably be something of both... but again that might depend. It is hard to answer absolute in a hypothetical. (we are talking about moral teachings alone, right?) If that man had the law (of love) upon his heart, then that religious text about morals should reflect this and love.
6) if you lived by the ethos of ghandi, buddah, mohammed or krishna would you not also find these 'truths' and some non truths? How? Why?
I would find some. Same reason as I have explained... truth comes from love.
7) Do you think your personal compass for truth is sufficient? In that you are judging a human text and asking whether its words are beneficial to a human applying them in their life.... Of course a human, even 2000 years ago will say SOME things that will be beneficial for humans...
My personal compass for truth is not always correct.
Christ, however, always has been... and has never led me incorrect. I get into trouble (even though He still helps me through it) when I do not listen to Him. Then I take the 'hard way'.
8) I aporeciate that this may be enough fo your belief, but can you see how for someone making desicions about god and religion based on evidence this would not suffice? If not why not?
I do not think you are you looking for my acceptance and understanding that you not have enough evidence to believe. But rather, you are actually asking this question of Him. Because my Lord has asked me why it would matter to you or to anyone what I accept or not.
9) Do you think it is legitimate to say because some teachings ascribed to jesus are true (such as do unto others etc...) that therefore jesus is the truth and his teachings are the truth?
No, of course not. But I have not said this.
I saw and heard Truth in Him, in his teachings, and so I followed Him. Because I loved Him. I have since come to know Him (and so, know God)... and know/see that ALL that He has ever said and still does say, is truth.
I am interested in your thoughts tec,
I hope that this helps expand upon the things I shared earlier, Snare.
He talked of forgivness and then of eternal destruction, he talked of love and of slavery, he talked of a light load and to the contrary picking up your cross/stake, giving up your belongings, family and life for him.. There are so many contradictions... He refers to adam and eve, the flood, the prophets, all with reprehensible acts of god attached, whether it being god drowning his children because they dissapointed him... Remember they were impregnanted by randy demons, hardly the humans fault..... Or jesus talking about david, the guy who murdered and sexed up his neighbours, with god deciding to kill the unborn child as punishment...how can this be ok with you tec?
I do not see the contradictions that you see; because I am looking at Him... to show me truth; rather than the interpretations and teachings of men, religion, tradition, etc.
Not everything written is true. Or understood correctly.
If man would look at Christ, man would understand and know God. God does not kill. Though many killings are attributed to Him by people (or scribes) who did not look at or fully understand the Truth. But we DO have the Truth now, and so we CAN look at Him and see God.
As for those who are granted entrance into the Kingdom... not everyone knows Christ (so not everyone believes in Him)... but some are known BY Him.
While faith in Him is required to be His brother, annointed with holy spirit, to serve Him and those who belong to Him now, and rule as kings and priests with Him in His Kingdom... (the 144000 of Israel and the Great Crowd from all nations/tribes/etc... these two have become on in Christ)... there are also the sheep from the parable of the sheep and goats shows that there are also those who are subjects in His Kingdom, invited into the Kingdom that was created for them since the beginning. These are those who do good to even the least of His brothers.
These sheep did not know Him (but He knew them by what they did and spoke); those who have the law (of love) upon their hearts and do naturally, the things required by that law. Show mercy? Mercy will be shown to you. Forgive? Be forgiven. Because what you do for the least of these... you have done for Him.
I find jesus's words disapointing and discouraging and anti humanist... I really do, i find some of his words helpful such as the golden rule, however i long ago realised it was not unique to him at all... It is almost verbatim taken from older 'pagan' religious texts...
Perhaps if you would submit what you find disapointing, discouraging and anti-humanist? We could discuss those?
My point is, truth is inarguably truth by definition, how can we both have such opposing views on the teachings ascribed to jesus and yet one of us call them and use them as "the truth" ..... They would be universally true with no error and no debate if that was the case and they are not.
The answer is in your question, I think... different views of the truth. Different understandings of what Christ taught... because of what we have been taught by others (men, religion, tradition, scholars, etc), or even taught ourselves... according to what we WANT to be true, or think SHOULD be true. There are a lot of falsehoods out there about God.
Thank you tec, I am sincerely interested in your answers...
Thank you also, Snare, for your sincerity... you DO care, and that comes out in your 'voice'.
Peace and love to you, and to your loved ones,
tammy