The question "who was Jesus?" has been one of the greatest debates of religion. As a figure that spans across Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, the role of Jesus differs according to different texts. Moreover, like Professor Vaught has suggested, Jesus himself can be viewed as the "face" of Christianity, an entire religion, because he is the one who has created the schism from Judaism. For what we know, Jesus certainly was regarded as a prophet. He says: 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me,"(John 14:6) indicating that, like his ancestors Moses, Noah, and Abraham, he is able to directly speak to God. In Islam, "Isa" (Jesus) was also born from a virgin and preaches as a prophet for Allah, able to perform many miracles. However, his role in the Quran was not to spread a new faith but rather to confirm and renew it.
Analyzing the Son of God from different religious and historical perspectives, what can we conclude him to be? Furthermore, if he did actually exist as a prophet, what was his connection to God and his role on Earth?
Jesus from a specifically secular perspective would most likely be seen as a person modifying the religion to fit their modern world. The beliefs discussed in the Old Testament dealt with a different social and political realm and God's direct voice seemed to slowly fade away. For example, in the Book of Esther, there is no specific intervention of God. While it is arguable that it is not necessary for there to be consistent intervention by God, Jesus brings about the refreshing of the values and almost a revisionist approach to it. He becomes the face of the religion for establishing new practices that are still followed by those who differentiate from the rest of the Hebrews. He supposedly confirmed his identity after he passed away on the cross with the piercing of the sphere in his side and the flow of blood and water. This account given in the Book of John , whether reliable or not, gave confirmation to his followers of his identity and his teachings.
ReplyDeleteJesus is considered with the authority and presence of God. His role on earth, in Christianity at least, seems to be to share the teachings of the religion and set moral standards for the people of earth. The fact that Jesus is equivalent to God, or is God, is the differentiates Christianity from Judaism. God in human form is more tangible and accessible for more people, and that is the Christian way, to recruit new followers. From Jesus comes many important concepts that attract followers to the religion. The ideas of heaven and the redemption are appealing to the masses and reflect that there was a need for a belief system at the time of Christianity's beginning.
ReplyDeleteI think its fair to say that Jesus was a historically real person and was very influential. Considering the similarities in the stories where he is very faithful and can preform miracles, it seems as though most of his actions can be determined as historically accurate, but different peoples and religions have chosen to interpret them differently through their own experiences.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really cool that you bring up Jesus' presence in Islam, and its actually pretty fascinating to see the histories of Jesus aligned through a Christian, Jewish, and Islamic lens. This may not be relevant to the question that you posed, but I think that the evidence of Jesus in Islam makes him a more credible and historically real person. In Christianity, Jesus was Jewish and proclaimed to be the son of God. In Islam, Jesus is actually Muslim and, though conceived through the same virginal process, is not associated with God in any way. He is not the Son of God, nor is he any part of the Trinity that is expressed in Christianity.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Islamic accounts of Jesus are a bit more realistic, in that he was a prophet sent by God, but not actually God. It makes the notion of him existing as a real person a lot more feasible.
I agree with Catherine that the idea that Jesus being a prophet, not the actual son of God is much more realistic and easier to believe. God does not often talk to humans in the New Testament, he does so through the holy spirit. I think Jesus is more similar to the holy spirit than he is to God. They both seem to be spreading his word. Are there any differences between the holy spirit and Jesus?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sophie's point how it is indeed, more "accessible and tangible" to have Jesus as a human. I think that the representation of a deity in a human form shows how he was susceptible to temptations and sins, as any humans on Earth could have been. By proclaiming Jesus as a historically, existing figure, the New Testament provides an example how a mortal human being can reach salvation.
ReplyDeleteI think we went over this briefly one class, but from a historical perspective, there was probably somebody by the name of Jesus who brought change to the land, though he may not have really been the son of God and spread Christianity to the people.
ReplyDeleteI actually agree with Emily and thought that the Holy Spirit is really similar to Jesus, since it provides God's power in lives of people, which is something that Jesus does through spreading the religion of Christianity.
I think we can conclude jesus to be, like Aaron said, "a reformer." His main purpose was to continue on the tradition of God, but he did so in a different manner. In addition, I think their is a similarity between Jesus and the chosen ones in the Old Testament. They were all able to speak to communicate with God individually. Jesus though is the special one because although he represented God he did not have to follow any orders.
ReplyDeleteIn accordance with several people, Jesus was someone who's purpose in life was to spread the word of God. But also change the approach people had towards Gods word, making it something based around benevolence.
ReplyDeleteHe is for sure a prophet but the real question is if he's the Messiah or not and the fact that he exists is historically accurate but we don't know if he's the true Messiah. Mary could've been just a slut because if she had slept with someone else and had been impregnated with someone other than Joseph she would've been stoned to death so she just said she was impregnated by God. There was also a movement of followers for John the Baptist at the same time as Jesus and if he was the son of God he wouldn't have needed to be baptized by John the Baptist. It almost seems like he's a follower of John.
ReplyDeleteIn the New Testament, the baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of Christianity in a sense. With this, the Holy Trinity comes into play and the concept of the three "constituents" of God - the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. As you said, I think Jesus was a prophet because his goal and purpose was to spread the word of God and bring people closer to God through his teachings. Furthermore, as he's a part of the Holy Trinity, he enables/allows the Holy Spirit to be "felt" in humans. I believe his purpose was to allow communication with God and His believers.
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