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I've been reading all four of the gospels during the past month. The truth seems pretty clear. These were not literal stories. They were political.
The "world" described in the them is a political one. Jesus claimed to be "above" this world. Which meant that he did not identify with the political world of his day.
This means that when the gospels refer to the "world" or the "universe" or the "heavens" they are not supposed to be taken literally.
A really big clue is when he implies that his being a "Son of God" is merely the fact that he is a son of the Pharisees. The Pharisees being something within humanity that went back in time in various forms since the beginning of human history.
There is not a one-for-one translation between every symbol in these stories, and an exact equivalent in real life. A symbolic story can explain deep truths in a way that uses everyday things to represent concepts.
I wish more people could read the Bible this way. I feel like most people read everything piecemeal, rather than as one book. This serves to "divide and conquer" the real meaning of the stories.
I've been reading all four of the gospels during the past month. The truth seems pretty clear. These were not literal stories. They were political.
The "world" described in the them is a political one. Jesus claimed to be "above" this world. Which meant that he did not identify with the political world of his day.
This means that when the gospels refer to the "world" or the "universe" or the "heavens" they are not supposed to be taken literally.
A really big clue is when he implies that his being a "Son of God" is merely the fact that he is a son of the Pharisees. The Pharisees being something within humanity that went back in time in various forms since the beginning of human history.
There is not a one-for-one translation between every symbol in these stories, and an exact equivalent in real life. A symbolic story can explain deep truths in a way that uses everyday things to represent concepts.
I wish more people could read the Bible this way. I feel like most people read everything piecemeal, rather than as one book. This serves to "divide and conquer" the real meaning of the stories.
Can anyone else see what seems to be so clear?
It is amazing what those with a liberal theology come up with to reject the truth without any evidence. The only politics in the Gospels it what liberal try to read into them to push their own agenda.
I've been reading all four of the gospels during the past month. The truth seems pretty clear. These were not literal stories. They were political.
The "world" described in the them is a political one. Jesus claimed to be "above" this world. Which meant that he did not identify with the political world of his day.
This means that when the gospels refer to the "world" or the "universe" or the "heavens" they are not supposed to be taken literally.
A really big clue is when he implies that his being a "Son of God" is merely the fact that he is a son of the Pharisees. The Pharisees being something within humanity that went back in time in various forms since the beginning of human history.
There is not a one-for-one translation between every symbol in these stories, and an exact equivalent in real life. A symbolic story can explain deep truths in a way that uses everyday things to represent concepts.
I wish more people could read the Bible this way. I feel like most people read everything piecemeal, rather than as one book. This serves to "divide and conquer" the real meaning of the stories.
Can anyone else see what seems to be so clear?
The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are literal historical events and are portrayed as such in the four Gospels. Nor did Jesus claim to be 'a' Son of God, but 'the' Son of God. The four Gospels are historical, and are considered by many scholars today to be most closely related to Graeco-Roman biographies in terms of their literary genre.
Christianity is based on actual historical events. Not on fictional accounts.
(James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him). see also (Pro. 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding), you're leaning on what you believe, instead of the truth. you've been reading the books, but without accurate knowledge. you said the "world" that Jesus speaks of is political, when Jesus spoke of "giving Caesar what belongs to him" ,(Matt. 22:21), he was referring to the governments. when you refer to the bible, it's important to add scriptures. it can help prove what you're referring to. or at lease showed it's not just something you're saying.
when Jesus spoke of the "WORLD", he was for the most part referring to people and /or the actual Earth ,(John 17:14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world). when Jesus said at ,(John 17:16 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world"). he was referring to PEOPLE. true Jesus wasn't from earth, but when he said..."they are NOT of the world", alongside with himself. here he was speaking on NOT doing as those who did NOT worship his Father, which is the world of most humans. many Christians do try to followed his steps ,(Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me).
there are times when Jesus is speaking symbolically, such as when he spoke of a camel going through a eye of a needle ,(Matt. 19:24 ). he was basically saying it would be harder for someone who refuse to listen to Jehovah God's words to be saved. any adult knows that a camel can't fit through the eye of an needle. but when Jesus told us to pray...("Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven" ,Matt.6:10), it WAS LITERAL. (Rev. 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth). Jesus with his Heavenly Angels taken from Earth. will soon lead a righteous NEW Earthly government.
also, Jesus NEVER called himself the "son of Pharisees"! first because they were acting fowl. but secondly he knew that his Father was in Heaven. you should had post the verse you claim to be speaking. of you also said "I wish more people could read the Bible this way" and "most people read everything piecemeal, rather than as one book". but you said that you read the "four gospels", are you not doing the same?. the bible is "Clear", when it speaks be it symbolic or literal. there's a message from Jehovah God through Jesus and MANY other writers of those times, (2Tim. 3:16,17).
which is if we want to be saved, we have to get to know both Jesus and Jehovah God ,(John 17:3). we should follow in Jesus steps. we must do Jesus Father's "WILL", not just call on Jesus. if we want life ,(Matt. 7:21). and soon ALL worldly governments along with satan will be destroyed ,(Dan.2:44 and Rev. 20:10). then there will be a new government over the Earth, which ONLY the righteous will live Peaceful ,(Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth). ALL LITERAL! ,now can you see what's truly clear? peace
I've been reading all four of the gospels during the past month. The truth seems pretty clear. These were not literal stories. They were political.
The "world" described in the them is a political one. Jesus claimed to be "above" this world. Which meant that he did not identify with the political world of his day.
This means that when the gospels refer to the "world" or the "universe" or the "heavens" they are not supposed to be taken literally.
A really big clue is when he implies that his being a "Son of God" is merely the fact that he is a son of the Pharisees. The Pharisees being something within humanity that went back in time in various forms since the beginning of human history.
There is not a one-for-one translation between every symbol in these stories, and an exact equivalent in real life. A symbolic story can explain deep truths in a way that uses everyday things to represent concepts.
I wish more people could read the Bible this way. I feel like most people read everything piecemeal, rather than as one book. This serves to "divide and conquer" the real meaning of the stories.
Can anyone else see what seems to be so clear?
When you start with the presuppositions that they are simply fiction, one can read anything into them, as you do here.
When you start with the presuppositions that they are simply fiction, one can read anything into them, as you do here.
But surely, even if you go beyond the political message into a more religious interpretation, wouldn't you say that there is still a political message on a certain level?
But surely, even if you go beyond the political message into a more religious interpretation, wouldn't you say that there is still a political message on a certain level?
Why dont you post what you consider a political message so we have somethng to evaluate?
But surely, even if you go beyond the political message into a more religious interpretation, wouldn't you say that there is still a political message on a certain level?
To a point, yes. Jesus will change a person. That results in us having different values, and we will then conflict with those around us.
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you also said "I wish more people could read the Bible this way" and "most people read everything piecemeal, rather than as one book". but you said that you read the "four gospels", are you not doing the same?. the bible is "Clear", when it speaks be it symbolic or literal. there's a message from Jehovah God through Jesus and MANY other writers of those times, (2Tim. 3:16,17).
