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Who Is The “Real” Jesus?
The search for “the real Jesus” is as obsessive today as it has ever been. Our skepticism demands proof that a wandering rabbi actually preached in northern Galilee two thousand years ago.
In the absence of such proof, we need to confront the myth of the real Jesus head-on, not for the purpose of bursting a cherished fantasy, but to ensure that the Jesus we choose is closest to the Jesus that can fulfill his teachings.
A Jesus who teaches us how to reach God-consciousness lays claim to being more authentic than any other, for even the most basic facts to support the existence of Jesus as he was traditionally worshiped are nonexistent.
Facing this truth is difficult, for the search for the real Jesus has turned into an industry dedicated to feeding the hopes of the faithful. Obviously, this is a thorny issue. Options about it run the gamut.
The literal argument: The real Jesus is in the gospels. There is no need to look any further.
The rational argument: The facts about Jesus have vanished over time. The four gospels are unreliable as evidence about the actual person.
The mystical argument: The real Jesus was never physical – he is the Holy Spirit.
The skeptical argument: There was no real Jesus to begin with – he is a figment of theological imagination.
The consciousness argument: Jesus exists in our own awareness at the level of God-consciousness.
I am a firm believer in the last argument. I believe that Jesus was not only real, but perhaps the most significant person in Western history. Yet in the face of how confusing and contradictory he appears in the four gospels, we must delve deeper, creating a version that fulfills the essence of his teaching.
Adapted from The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2008).
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160 comments
add your comment »Awww, thank'ee Angela for the blessing. :)
I'd love to know why a Man who never hurt a living being inspires people to go agressive. You know, He looked different to everyone, and was understood by all.
What scares me is that when God becomes flesh humans can onl.y think of getting rid of Him. Hope you are all enjoying the holidays.
Only a week or so to His birthday. Who is doing the seven fishes?
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With all respect Zoi loz, Matthew, accepted as the author of that gospel was a personal companion of Jesus through most of Jesus' public ministry. Source:Halleys Bible Handbook(Matthew)Jesus the Messiah.
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I invite you to notice that the writers of the gospels all lived AFTER the death of Jesus. They would never even have met him.
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Very well said.
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Me again. Yes when God come back on The Clouds from the East in the flesh, and all eyes will see him when he returns amen.
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Yes! God is real. God is a Holy Spirit whom watches us all every day. Heaven is were God lives, and one day i pray heaven is were i will be living when God come back on the clounds from the east in the flesh. All eyes will see him. God is Power over all Things on Earth, and not on Earth. God made All, and every thing on this Earth, and when he returns; he will save us all from evil on this Earth amen. I rebuck all evil, and sickness on this Earth, and not on this Earth that is against God. In the name of God i pray in his Holy name i pray amen. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah all praises to the Lord almighty God in Haven i pray amen. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah all praises to God almighty God in heaven i pray amen. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah all praises to God almighty God in Heaven i pray, and i rebuck all evil, all sickness, and deseases away from us all, and from our homes in the name of God almighty God i pray in his Holy name i pray amen; and i pray God Holy Spirit live in me for ever amen.
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Don't tell me you two can behave in a civil manner now? Will wonders never cease? A better question still: if I and Dwight cannot prove a thing, how much more can you prove sweet Diversity? Hence the term faith and not fact.
I must report that Crowley failed to amuse or even be evil. Pity. He rambles more incoherently than some more, shall we say, loquacious folks, here. But at least he has a point. And is obsessed with them two. Not good reading for the vestal virgins, but enlightening.
If of course, bigoted Victorian Englishmen have a hope of enlightenment, which I doubt. At least he seemed to believe in Jesus. Yes, I know, seems his wickedness was merely his penchant for erotic allusions. Not that I myself am wicked of course.
Which of course brings us back to Jesus. How would the two have hit it off, do you suppose? I’m in earnest. As Christ could see a man’s real heart, would he be amused or disturbed by Crowlian antics?
My most humble apologies, still stuck in 18th century English literature mode. Count your blessings I’m not reading Old English.
Janine, let’s hope these two are young souls. Surely we don’t remain pedantic forever? Makes me loathe the idea of eternal recurrence. Where is Nietzsche when we need him, anyhow?
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YOU ARE WELCOME.
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Thank you Dwight, I will do that next time I post, it's good plan...
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Are we to understand that it takes you 18 continuous post [comments] to get your message out?
Hint: next time you write a piece as long as this one. To keep the continuity of the reader in mind try this idea. MY THOUGHTS 1-18 THEN CONTINUE ------ TO MY THOUGHTS 18-18
Next thing while in word go to the bottom of the page then go up about 1200 characters then check with your copy key down, to double check go to tools click on word count. Then adjust up or down what is needed. Then in copy have MY THOUGHTS ---- paste that at the proper spacing. Then continue on doing the same thing.
Then count the number of MY THOUGHTS then you have the total number in your case as posted 18---- then from the top number 1-18 continue down to the last one 18-18. Now that will make readership much easier, try to not have cut up sentences, or paragraphs. Might take a bit of time to get it down but it will make it much easier.
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