Would Jesus go to Church?

[kevdog]

If Jesus was alive today, would he attend Church? If so, which would he go to?

 

[Timebuilder]

This is perhaps even less relevant that "what car would Jesus drive?"

Jesus IS alive today.

 

[skyking1976]

One that the Reverend Horton Heat was preaching at...

SK

 

[kevdog]

This is perhaps even less relevant that "what car would Jesus drive?"

Actually, from my bible studies, I came to the conclusion that Jesus was a pretty cool dude and that he would be against the modern Church that supposedly represents him. I was just wondering which Church, if any Jesus would attend.

 

[Snakum]

He'd probably be Buddhist. Most likely Zen, and not the other-worldly 'village Zen' that some of these New Age geeks are practicing. Rather a more logical, scientific practice such as Western Soto Zen. He'd also probably dabble in Vipassana meditation, as well, but as far as Sunday services go ...

... definitely Soto Zen.

Reverend Thich Minh Thong

 

[Snakum]

And I'm also quite sure he'd be embarrassed by the Catholic Church and fundamentalist Protestants of all stripes.

 

[Timebuilder]

I would say He would make a determination about which church followed His word, but He would not "attend" that church, as He is not a worshipper of Himself.

Now, if by "alive" you mean to suppose that He was in the same form as He was during His pre-crucifixtion ministry, you would no doubt find Him involved in the same activities: healing, teaching, and rebuking those who are stubborn, self-trusting, and unrepentant sinners.

The reason that this is an absurd situation to propose is that we already know what is to come, and here in this "church age" we are only making preparations for His return. Church attendance does not impart grace or salvation, the purpose of the Biblical church is to instruct and serve the World in the Word. Christ doesn't need that, as He is the head of the church. WE need that, as people who wish to follow Him in obediance.

 

[enigma]

Those of us who believe in Jesus as our Savior, and as the Savior of the world, believe Him to be 100% God. He is God in the flesh. As such, being God, he is omnipresent. He is in all Churchs where two or three are gathered together in His name.

The cool thing about God is that he doesn't force us to acknowlege Him, now. One day.............

Choose wisely,
enigma

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

The cool thing about God is that he doesn't force us to acknowlege Him

too bad his/her/its followers can't leave us, normal people, alone

 

[Humty72]

http://www.sounddogs.com/previews/36/wma/301606_SOUNDDOGS_CU.wma

I would say He would make a determination about which church followed His word, but He would not "attend" that church, as He is not a worshipper of Himself.

Now, if by "alive" you mean to suppose that He was in the same form as He was during His pre-crucifixtion ministry, you would no doubt find Him involved in the same activities: healing, teaching, and rebuking those who are stubborn, self-trusting, and unrepentant sinners.

The reason that this is an absurd situation to propose is that we already know what is to come, and here in this "church age" we are only making preparations for His return. Church attendance does not impart grace or salvation, the purpose of the Biblical church is to instruct and serve the World in the Word. Christ doesn't need that, as He is the head of the church. WE need that, as people who wish to follow Him in obediance.

 

[Ralgha]

The reason that this is an absurd situation to propose is that we already know what is to come.

You believe you know what is to come. Doesn't necessarily mean it's not what is to come, but it sure doesn't mean it is what's to come either.

Nobody knows the future.

 

[Timebuilder]

Nobody knows the future.

No so.

First of all God has no "time," so He has every experience as a "current" experience.

God gave views of the future to many, including the Prophets.

John was shown the future, too, in Revelation.

So, we DO know what will happen, based on what we have been shown in the Bible.

 

[Publishers]

busy

He would be too busy out with the people that are not going to church at all and who need his council to go himself.

 

[mar]

Some friendly advice

TB--Look man. We go way back. So take this for what it's worth, ok?

No disrespect to Kevdog, but he started this thread as a mockery of the discussions going on elsewhere on this site.

You know what I mean? He's poking a little fun. And I don't begrudge him that 'cause I think it's a little funny.

But TB man, you already asserted this is an absurd discussion but, in my humble opinion (yeah right) you're contributing to the mockery with your terrier-like chomp on the pant leg of satire.

Let it go!!!

It's bad enough you won't let pass the smallest remark but when you start talking for Jesus--and even God--well, you just loose whatever credibility you had to begin with.

Honestly it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself more than anything. It's almost like a meditative chant, over and over and over again.

No matter what you believe it must be left personal and private. Anything else is pornographic.

I'm sorry but that how I feel about a lot of the writing on this board. It's just gross.

 

[Ralgha]

So, we DO know what will happen, based on what we have been shown in the Bible.

No disrespect intended.

I'll rephrase my earlier choice of words slightly. You may know (To regard as true beyond doubt), however that does not make it true, nor does it mean that everyone (not even close) else thinks the same way.

This issue, I think, is why so may people get pissed off at fundementalists trying to push their beliefs on others. If you (not you personally) say something like "this is what I believe and here's why", that would probably go over much better than trying to tell everyone that "this is how it is". You could be wrong, and that's why people get mad when you try to tell them your beliefs as though they are hard facts.

 

[Timebuilder]

You could be wrong, and that's why people get mad when you try to tell them your beliefs as though they are hard facts.

According to God, these are "hard facts."

The basis of any belief is the foundation on which those beliefs stand. In the case of the Bible, it is 2 Timothy, 3:16-17.

Now some may have the opinion that there is onlly a 50% chance of that being correct, but that is only from a human perspective. Since we are talking about God, and any discussion of God has to recognize His omnipotence and omipresence, then we can also assume that God would not allow a mistake in His Word to stand. Of course, without faith, the understanding and the truth is limited to that 50%.

That's why God requires faith, to separate the wheat from the chaff.

 

[Dash8]

y'all are completely off base

uhm.....

wouldn't jesus technically go to temple, not 'church'?

 

[91100 100 set]

very good point Dash8

yeah, I guess he would...

 

[datafox]

I think if Jesus were alive today he would realize all the pain, death and suffering that have occured under his name. He would realize all the oppressive whacko's out there destroying the freedom's we so enjoy...Jesus would become so sad he would slit his own wrists.

Datafox

 

[TWA Dude]

Re: y'all are completely off base

wouldn't jesus technically go to temple, not 'church'?

Yup, except the Temple was destroyed in the year 70 C.E. The world's first synagogue was built around the same time on top of Masada.

Dude

 

[Timebuilder]

I think if Jesus were alive today he would realize all the pain, death and suffering that have occured under his name. He would realize all the oppressive whacko's out there destroying the freedom's we so enjoy...Jesus would become so sad he would slit his own wrists.

Datafox

Well, datafox, you can be assured that Jesus is painfully aware of what various humans and their misguided leaders have done "in his name."

The freedoms we enjoy, those ascribed to God by the founders of the United States, are based on the idea of our being a "moral people."

Without that, we have no freedom. We have anarchy instead.

 

[blueridge71]

If you (not you personally) say something like "this is what I believe and here's why", that would probably go over much better than trying to tell everyone that "this is how it is". You could be wrong, and that's why people get mad when you try to tell them your beliefs as though they are hard facts.

I agree to a point. Some of us could stand to work on our presentation and people skills.

However, it is important that we try to help people realize that the evidence indicates that our beliefs ARE hard facts. It's much more important than a matter of life and death; it's a matter eternal **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ation.

And in this jaded, cynical world, sometimes people have to be shaken up to get their attention. Then again, sometimes people are ready to listen to a quiet voice. The trick is to match the message to the receiver, and that is something that we normally trust the Lord to do. We just present the message as we are commanded.

I guess the bottom line is that if the message makes you mad, at least you're listening.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Jesus IS alive today.

That's right. And he was out mowing my lawn again yesterday!

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Re: Some friendly advice

TB--Look man. We go way back. So take this for what it's worth, ok?

No disrespect to Kevdog, but he started this thread as a mockery of the discussions going on elsewhere on this site.

You know what I mean? He's poking a little fun. And I don't begrudge him that 'cause I think it's a little funny.

But TB man, you already asserted this is an absurd discussion but, in my humble opinion (yeah right) you're contributing to the mockery with your terrier-like chomp on the pant leg of satire.

Let it go!!!

It's bad enough you won't let pass the smallest remark but when you start talking for Jesus--and even God--well, you just loose whatever credibility you had to begin with.

Honestly it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself more than anything. It's almost like a meditative chant, over and over and over again.

No matter what you believe it must be left personal and private. Anything else is pornographic.

I'm sorry but that how I feel about a lot of the writing on this board. It's just gross.

BRAVO!

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Of course, Jesus wouldn't go to any established religion's place of worship that we have now.

He was very radical.

In today's American vocabulary, he would be called an extremely left-wing populist/socialist, and a whole bunch of other unprintable names.

That was why he was crucified by the Romans, because he wouldn't stand by and watch his current social system treat so many of his fellow human beings so badly.

He doesn't judge, and he tried to help everyone, including prostitutes and the gravely ill. He would reach out to homosexuals, and basically everyone. He would strongly support a government system that helped those less fortunate to get on their feet again, and if they couldn't, to take care of them until they died, much like the socialist Scandinavian systems do.

He was very upset with those in power setting the system up so they could abuse their fellow citizens.

Jesus would, as he already has done, set up his own church, and try to get his followers to treat everyone with respect.

WWJD
What Would Jesus Do?

I think its' very simple:
Karma - Treat how you want to be Treated.

If all of us, especially the a$$hole terrorists did this, we'd be a lot better off.

Cliff
GRB

PS-Joan of Arcadia is an excellent show.

PPS-I do try to think of WWJD in all my actions, but it doesn't work, because I'm human. But, I try. The point is, to keep trying!!!

 

[DoinTime]

That was why he was crucified by the Romans, because he wouldn't stand by and watch his current social system treat so many of his fellow human beings so badly.

He doesn't judge, and he tried to help everyone, including prostitutes and the gravely ill. He would reach out to homosexuals, and basically everyone. He would strongly support a government system that helped those less fortunate to get on their feet again, and if they couldn't, to take care of them until they died, much like the socialist Scandinavian systems do.

So Jesus was a liberal.....how does that sit with our resident republicans?

 

[Timebuilder]

No disrespect to Kevdog, but he started this thread as a mockery of the discussions going on elsewhere on this site.

Wow, that's a good trick.

Did kevdog send you a PM and tell you that was his intent?

It just sounded like mocking, period, to me. So, I took that mocking and used it to enlighten. Of course, when one has no core beliefs and lives his life "anything goes" there is no basis for anything except mockery.

But TB man, you already asserted this is an absurd discussion but, in my humble opinion (yeah right) you're contributing to the mockery with your terrier-like chomp on the pant leg of satire.

So, you think I should ignore a good teaching opportunity. As an uncle, I have learned to look for "teachable moments." They don't happen every day, so you take them when you can.

If you are going to call something "satire," at least be funny. I could enjoy that. Sometimes you say something funny, Mar, sometimes it's snakum. I enjoy a good laugh.

It's bad enough you won't let pass the smallest remark but when you start talking for Jesus--and even God--well, you just loose whatever credibility you had to begin with.

I don't think I did anything like that. Just as Herman did earlier, this is a change in the argument to provide a basis for criticsm. All I was doing was answering a hypothetical question with what we already know about the character of Christ, based on His actual teaching. This isn'y MY credibility, it's His.

Honestly it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself more than anything. It's almost like a meditative chant, over and over and over again.

Really, I don't care a whit if that's how you see it. This is the typical objection to the Great Commission: ascribe to the active communication of the message a human failing, hoping to detract from the message.

I ain't buyin' it. Not to worry. Folks have been accused of spreading the gospel to fulfill a personal need or weakness for centuries. Nothing new there. The bottom line is this: not everyone will believe, and many will not. That fact does not change the command.

You have no doubt noticed that I have yet to start a thread for the pupose of having this kind of discussion. When the door opens, I walk in. Keep the door shut, and I will hardly ever bang on it.

No matter what you believe it must be left personal and private. Anything else is pornographic.

No matter what you believe, the gospel must be shared. Here's why:

"33 "No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.' Luke, 11:33

Let the light shine.

So Jesus was a liberal.....how does that sit with our resident republicans?

Well, as a Liberal, He would have to reject the idea of a religious belief of any kind, since any good liberal is a secular humanist or someone who thinks that there should be no public evidence of faith.

Rather than being a liberal, He is the ultimate conservative.

He's compassionate, but does not advocate Ceasar being the answer to all inequities.

He believes in taking responsibility for one's spiritual condition, and offers an effective method of improving that condition.

He has a strong set of ideas about personal behavior, morality, and family.

Sure sounds conservative to me.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

So, you think I should ignore a good teaching opportunity.

Yes

 

[Timebuilder]

Thanks, Hugh. I had no idea you felt that way.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

never mind