What do people know about Jesus?.

[Newscaster]

I am not talking abput the religious Jesus or the supposed Son of God Jesus. I am talking about Jesus the man. Christians read the New Testament over and over and some can recite it chapter and verse. Jews dont read it except occasionally out of curiosity and Muslims probably read it even less.

Now you all know about the Sermon on the Mount, and what he said while facing off against Herod and while on the cross. But what about those years following his birth in the manger and the start of his preaching thirty years later?

What kind of guy was he? Do you think that maybe he told a joke or two or played a prank on a friend? They say he was a carpenter. What did he make and how come none of his carpentry exists today while other relics of two thousand years ago can still be found?
During his teenage years, did he have a girlfriend? Did he play sports of any kind? Did he do the usual things that kids do? We assume he was very studious but do you think he ever ditched school to go skinny dipping? And do you think he ever skinny dipped?

What about girls?

I am trying to see what yoiu folks know about the human side of Jesus. Is there any information along those lines or did everybody totally ignore him until he turned thirty? Or maybe, do you think it is sinful to even consider the human side of Jesus because it might somehow diminish him?

What do you think?

[Uncle]

Good questions, Newscaster. I would very much like to get into this topic except I have something more pressing in another thread that I need to address that has lain in wait for far too long.

[Labrocca]

Jesus was a mellow man concerned with things others of his age viewed as nonsense. He was quiet. There were times when Jesus was aware of the dangers he had to face. He viewed daily the problems of people connecting with God.He walked, and searched, for way to help peoplel. He taught new forms of love. He was a bit of a rogue in certain circles but still well respected. Early in his life he would start at others from affar and would weep for them. One day many years later the ones he cried for were now crying for him. The lessons of Christ are profound. He had flurtations with girls but never married. He was focused on his work. Eventually he gathered the apostles whom would help him in his quest. Jesus had one quest. It was to find out for the father how far humanity has swayed. Jesus was hopeful but not cocky about the chances. Father would certainly see all. WHen Christ crept home one day from an evening out with Peter he became cold quickly. Slowing turning he saw the angel leaving his home. He knew from his own behavior he would not be the son the Lord had hoped. But Jesus went on with strength and will his knowledge set for a set of events to convince his father that his indeed worthy of his love.

[Deadshot]

Could you imagine what religion would be like now if we did know more about the man?

Imagine if we found out that Jesus loved a good practical joke. That he hated seafood and loved to get up at 0400 and go to bed at dark.

The Catholic church would be promoting Practical Joke day, seafood would be against Church law and many people would be keeping the 0400 to dark schedule. :madlaugh:

It's a blessing that we don't know more about him. To know more would invite disaster.

One last thing here, what happens if we were to find out something "bad" about J.C.? Let's say, for example, that he wasn't a virgin. Logically if God the father is going to put him through a physical Hell (refer to The Passion of the Christ) that God would allow him to experience physical Heaven.

Wouldn't that throw the Christian world for a loop to find out that Jesus had pre-marital sex, even if it was just once?

[Truth_and_Power]

Do we even know that any of the writings about jesus survived the "roman" period intact? At the very least we trust our knowledge of jesus to those who promoted the religion about him. Not exactly unbiased sources. If you then consider the roman empire's use of christianity, it gets even less unbiased. Maybe jesus ranted to his disciples about the evils of military service to an empire. You can bet they wouldn't include that, they probably swapped it out for "give unto caesar..".

[Newscaster]

Double answer.....
Labrocca, that was a very complete and well thought out answer but I tend to get the impression that the Jesus you describe is the Jesus you hope he was.
Since there is very little written about Jesus early years, we really dont know how intense or pious he was. You seem to think that there was only one subject he ever thought about.....the religious state of the world. If thats all he ever thought about, how god a carpenter might he have been. But its a nice view of him but tryong to explain his inner thoughts...sound like pie in the sky.

Deadshot, are you alluding to a possible coverup of something? Oh dont forget, the Catholic Church for years had meatless Fridays and everyone ate fish.

But it is fun to speculate.[hr]Truth & Power
Actually writings did survive although it is difficult to know if they were the original writing. But they did survive because it was th emperor Constantine who commissioned his scribes to put all the writings into a single volume now known as the New Testament. That was in the 4th Centure, some 380 off years after the Crucifixion. Since the first combined bible was a political book, it is suspected that many changes were made in the writings for political reasons. Constantine was in danger of losing his throne in Rome and needed the backing of the rapidly growing number of Christians. The book was designed to show Constantine off as a good guy. It worked. He kept his throne for a number of years and the NT began its distribution around the known world at that time.

[Truth_and_Power]

So basically we have no knowledge of jesus except through constantine?

[Deadshot]

I'm not talking about a cover-up per se. I'm just alluding to the fact, as you pointed out with the fish eating on Friday (I grew up Catholic and remember it well), that the more we know the more we seem to go nuts about.

If we were to find something out, like what T&P suggested, Jesus ranted against military states and/or military service, what would happen to our society? That's why I gave the sex example. Finding out that Jesus was more human, therefore made more mistakes, then God would screw up the worlds religions.

One last thing, even with proof, nobody would believe you, you know that right? To many religions are entrenched and almost incapable of change. Were you to find out that Jesus was married and had children the Majority of Christian religions would spend themselves into bankruptcy in an attempt to discredit you.

To many people simply will not, can not see that things are more then Black and White, but shades of gray....jeez, did I just describe teh Republican party?:shock::madlaugh:

[Tsky]

Why would anyone be asking questions about things we do not know when it very clear that the Bible contains the things we SHOULD know about Christ if he really is the Son of God? Furthermore, many of the questions asked about Jesus regarding his marital status can be answered if we accept what the scriptures DO say about him. Namely that he was not of human origins but was transferred from heavens to the womb of Mary and was born as a perfect man, without blemish. What good sense would it make for a perfect man not of human origins to procreate with an imperfect woman and once again create Nephilim which were created before when angels from heaven procreated with women on earth? I mean really. It kind of irritates me when people attempt to debate about the Bible when they haven't read it.

[Deadshot]

I think its a good question to ask for the obvious reason, Tsky, the Bible doesn't tell us much.

Did He like to laugh?
Did He like salmon more the tuna...why?
What was his favorite drink?
What did he do for fun?

In our culture we get that information about every celebrity, so of course we want to know about the son of God.

People are curious, it's our nature...

[Labrocca]

Double answer.....
Labrocca, that was a very complete and well thought out answer but I tend to get the impression that the Jesus you describe is the Jesus you hope he was.
Since there is very little written about Jesus early years, we really dont know how intense or pious he was. You seem to think that there was only one subject he ever thought about.....the religious state of the world.


I mention he flirts with girls. :)

Did you know I was stoned out my mind when I wrote that? I take Ambien to sleep and wrote that totally whacked ready to pass out. It didn't turn out so bad ..some spelling and grammatical errors but overall thoughtful.

And yes...that is the Jesus I hope for. One that was human but achieved more. I have a hard time believing that Jesus was divine but I have no problem believing he was the greatest man that ever lived. I believe the teachings of Christ himself are the most important teachings we have ever had. Where would the world be without Jesus? Even the best parts the Quaran reflect the teachings of Christ. No one was more pious.


"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." ( John 13:34-35)

His life teachings were based on one ideal...love. If you don't believe Jesus loved you then you are missing out on a great feeling.

[Tsky]

]"I think its a good question to ask for the obvious reason, Tsky, the Bible doesn't tell us much.

Did He like to laugh?
Did He like salmon more the tuna...why?
What was his favorite drink?
What did he do for fun?

In our culture we get that information about every celebrity, so of course we want to know about the son of God.

People are curious, it's our nature..." Deadshot

***********************
1.Do you believe the things you do know about the Son of God? If not, why do the other things matter?
2.If you do believe, you know he was compassionate, fair, spiritual, morally clean, in touch his emotions, smart, well read in the scriptures, self-less and kind. Why does it matter than in addition to all those qualities that we would kill to have whether he could tell a good joke or two? If you read some of his responses to the Scribes and Pharisees though you will see that he had a sense of humor and he could debate like no one else.

The thing is that he said time and again that he came to glorify not himself but his Father so it makes sense that he didn’t spend a lot of time talking about how much he likes to fish, write poetry and build houses.

[Tsky]

In response to the person who asked if what we know about Jesus is courtesy of Constantine, the answer is NO.

The Nicea council started in 325 AD, long after everyone knew what original scripts stated, therefore it would have been foolish for him to alter the Scriptures and try to pass it off as authentic.

The Dead Sea Scrolls and other archaelogical findings of scripture make it clear that the Bible we have is largely in the form it was orginally intended.

[Truth_and_Power]

Why would anyone be asking questions about things we do not know when it very clear that the Bible contains the things we SHOULD know about Christ if he really is the Son of God? Furthermore, many of the questions asked about Jesus regarding his marital status can be answered if we accept what the scriptures DO say about him. Namely that he was not of human origins but was transferred from heavens to the womb of Mary and was born as a perfect man, without blemish. What good sense would it make for a perfect man not of human origins to procreate with an imperfect woman and once again create Nephilim which were created before when angels from heaven procreated with women on earth? I mean really. It kind of irritates me when people attempt to debate about the Bible when they haven't read it.


Yeah well if you just accept what you read in the bible, sure there's little room for doubt. I think some of us were more questioning empirical facts.

[Tsky]

Why would anyone be asking questions about things we do not know when it very clear that the Bible contains the things we SHOULD know about Christ if he really is the Son of God? Furthermore, many of the questions asked about Jesus regarding his marital status can be answered if we accept what the scriptures DO say about him. Namely that he was not of human origins but was transferred from heavens to the womb of Mary and was born as a perfect man, without blemish. What good sense would it make for a perfect man not of human origins to procreate with an imperfect woman and once again create Nephilim which were created before when angels from heaven procreated with women on earth? I mean really. It kind of irritates me when people attempt to debate about the Bible when they haven't read it.


Yeah well if you just accept what you read in the bible, sure there's little room for doubt. I think some of us were more questioning empirical facts.


People died so the Bible could be the most widely distributed book in history. I'd hope they unequivocally believed what it said. I do.

I don’t believe a lot of the religious rhetoric by those who have their own agenda or don’t read the entire Bible but try to fit it around the doctrines of their religious traditions but I do believe the Bible so there is no reason for me to sit at home and wonder about things regarding the Bible that have no bearing on my life or spirituality.[hr]
In response to the person who asked if what we know about Jesus is courtesy of Constantine, the answer is NO.

The Nicea council started in 325 AD, long after everyone knew what original scripts stated, therefore it would have been foolish for him to alter the Scriptures and try to pass it off as authentic.

The Dead Sea Scrolls and other archaelogical findings of scripture make it clear that the Bible we have is largely in the form it was orginally intended.



Also this council included members of the clergy who had clearly apostasized from the teachings of Christ (as Christ foretold) and Constantine had his own political agenda. It's obvious that the clergy were not true Christians because true Christians would have had no dealings with the pagan Constantine. However, if one is to belief God is all powerful and uses the unsuspecting to fulfill his purpose it should be noted that although the motives of those at the Council of Nicea were not all that pure their actions paved the way for the Bible to be as widely distributed as it is today.

[David Hume]

Did he like bacon & ham?

[Tsky]

Did he like bacon & ham?


Did he even exist? If not, I suppose he ate neither ham nor bacon...

[Newscaster]

Christians alwaays emphasize how, when God created us, he gave us free will. I can agree with that but you must add......Goid-given free will also includes the ability to ask questions and to use what we learn to exercize that free will.
To say the Bible says it all and thats all you need to know, becomes in my view, a rejection of God's gift of free will. There is so much in the world that is not written about in the bible. Does that make those facts invalid? If God gave you free will, he also gave brain power for you to use when exercizing that freewill and again, when you dont use that brain power and just accept, you are again rejecting God's gift.
I think God would be a lot happier with you if you used the tools he gave you in an intelligent way and not depend on someone or some thing else to do your thinking for you. THINK, STUDY, ANALYZE, ASSESS, INVESTIGATE, PROBE AND QUESTION.

[Tsky]

Christians alwaays emphasize how, when God created us, he gave us free will. I can agree with that but you must add......Goid-given free will also includes the ability to ask questions and to use what we learn to exercize that free will.
To say the Bible says it all and thats all you need to know, becomes in my view, a rejection of God's gift of free will. There is so much in the world that is not written about in the bible. Does that make those facts invalid? If God gave you free will, he also gave brain power for you to use when exercizing that freewill and again, when you dont use that brain power and just accept, you are again rejecting God's gift.
I think God would be a lot happier with you if you used the tools he gave you in an intelligent way and not depend on someone or some thing else to do your thinking for you. THINK, STUDY, ANALYZE, ASSESS, INVESTIGATE, PROBE AND QUESTION.


Using your free will in the absence of what your created expects leads to:

1. Crime
2. Sexual perversions
3. Lack of compassion
4. Haughtiness
5. Greed
6. Lying
7. Hatred
8. Prejudice
9. Independence
10. Death

The history of mankind proves what I said is true. So now I ask you, is it more 'logical' to use your free will in the confines of God's law are do you think men know better than God?

[Truth_and_Power]

Living by god's law has most certainly led to #1, #3, #7, #8, #10. I'm surprised you argue against #9.

[Newscaster]

Using your free will in the absence of what your created expects leads to:

1. Crime
2. Sexual perversions
3. Lack of compassion
4. Haughtiness
5. Greed
6. Lying
7. Hatred
8. Prejudice
9. Independence
10. Death

The history of mankind proves what I said is true. So now I ask you, is it more 'logical' to use your free will in the confines of God's law are do you think men know better than God?
[/quote]

That is a bogus question. When you use free will, it does not necessarily lead to the items you highlighted. Its HOW you use your free will to make decisions that may or may not lead to bad things.
And remember, the bible, with all its free will and amazing stories, etc, was written between three to four thousand years ago when various concepts, ideas and even theories did not exist. So man used his free will however he saw fit, with or without help from the bible.
Its a lot more complicated today and you need a lot more than a three thousand year old book no matter who it was inspired by.

[namguy]

I am not talking abput the religious Jesus or the supposed Son of God Jesus. I am talking about Jesus the man. Christians read the New Testament over and over and some can recite it chapter and verse. Jews dont read it except occasionally out of curiosity and Muslims probably read it even less.

Now you all know about the Sermon on the Mount, and what he said while facing off against Herod and while on the cross. But what about those years following his birth in the manger and the start of his preaching thirty years later?

What kind of guy was he? Do you think that maybe he told a joke or two or played a prank on a friend? They say he was a carpenter. What did he make and how come none of his carpentry exists today while other relics of two thousand years ago can still be found?
During his teenage years, did he have a girlfriend? Did he play sports of any kind? Did he do the usual things that kids do? We assume he was very studious but do you think he ever ditched school to go skinny dipping? And do you think he ever skinny dipped?

What about girls?

I am trying to see what yoiu folks know about the human side of Jesus. Is there any information along those lines or did everybody totally ignore him until he turned thirty? Or maybe, do you think it is sinful to even consider the human side of Jesus because it might somehow diminish him?

What do you think?


Even in 'human form' The Lord couldn't commit a single sin.....

[Tsky]

The fact that we were created with the ability to do whatever it is our hearts desire does not mean that we don't pay the price for those decisions.

Man making up rules as he goes along has us in Iraq, unprovoked, getting our butts kicked and making enemies.

That's just one of many examples. I don't have enough time in the rest of my life to list the others.

[Questerr]

The fact that we were created with the ability to do whatever it is our hearts desire does not mean that we don't pay the price for those decisions.

Man making up rules as he goes along has us in Iraq, unprovoked, getting our butts kicked and making enemies.

That's just one of many examples. I don't have enough time in the rest of my life to list the others.


I still don't understand this. I have a set of rules and morals that I live by and they aren't based on the Bible. That doesn't mean that I change my own morals just to suit my interests. I stand by what I believe in and it doesn't take a 5000 year old book of mythology for me to do this.

[Tsky]

The fact that we were created with the ability to do whatever it is our hearts desire does not mean that we don't pay the price for those decisions.

Man making up rules as he goes along has us in Iraq, unprovoked, getting our butts kicked and making enemies.

That's just one of many examples. I don't have enough time in the rest of my life to list the others.


I still don't understand this. I have a set of rules and morals that I live by and they aren't based on the Bible. That doesn't mean that I change my own morals just to suit my interests. I stand by what I believe in and it doesn't take a 5000 year old book of mythology for me to do this.



That explains a lot.

Thanks.

[xwuhohdh]

The Bible doesn't specify about Jesus as a 'person' per say, because it doesn't necessarily matter. On earth, as a human, Jesus was still the Son of God. The Bible says Jesus had no sin. Yet, it also says that Jesus was human, and it has proof of Jesus having anger, sadness, hunger, and thirst; all humanly feelings.

examples:
(hunger, thirst: Satan tempting Jesus with land, food, and drink up a mt. after Jesus had fasted. (he has no sin, so of course he did not give in) sadness/anger: when Jesus' friend, Lazuras had died, Jesus became upset and raised him from the dead!)

[namguy]

The Bible doesn't specify about Jesus as a 'person' per say, because it doesn't necessarily matter. On earth, as a human, Jesus was still the Son of God. The Bible says Jesus had no sin. Yet, it also says that Jesus was human, and it has proof of Jesus having anger, sadness, hunger, and thirst; all humanly feelings.

examples:
(hunger, thirst: Satan tempting Jesus with land, food, and drink up a mt. after Jesus had fasted. (he has no sin, so of course he did not give in) sadness/anger: when Jesus' friend, Lazuras had died, Jesus became upset and raised him from the dead!)


I agree with you 100+%:innocent:

[SHAYNEohDANG]

In my opinion, anyone who walks EVERYWHERE in one pair of sandals and a robe has to be a laid back guy.

Plus it is written in the bible about the bread fish miracle her performed...I wonder how many passing travellers he entertained and delighted with his skills.

: ]

[piratemonkey]

Using your free will in the absence of what your created expects leads to:

1. Crime
2. Sexual perversions
3. Lack of compassion
4. Haughtiness
5. Greed
6. Lying
7. Hatred
8. Prejudice
9. Independence
10. Death

Think about what you just said:
Anyone who doesn't believe in the religion that you believe in is going to indulge in the above list of actions/attitudes.

Wow. If that isn't seriously out-of-control religious bias, I'm not sure what is. And that's putting it kindly.


The history of mankind proves what I said is true. So now I ask you, is it more 'logical' to use your free will in the confines of God's law are do you think men know better than God?


Really?

You think that history supports the idea that a lack of religion leads to all of those things listed above? Then surely you can show us that most non-Christians engage in those acts and most Christians do not.

Let's see your evidence.

[dlap]

The question "what kind of man was Jesus?" is absolutely legitimate given the analytical nature of people, as stated in a previous post. The answer, very simple, also stated in a previous post, there is no way to know, since the information we have is NOT from historians, but from Jesus' followers. For what we know, there could easily not have been a Jesus at all. Threfore, it all comes down to faith, if you belive you take the bible as a historical book (as far as the events it describes), if you don't, well, you just accept that we don't know.

P.S. Constantine converted to christianity and introduced it as the official religion of his empire.

[Newscaster]

The ability to know Jesus the man is made more difficult by his own followers. Every so often, we are asked.....What would Jesus do? or What would Jesus drive, or What would Jesus eat or wear or some nonsense like that. Then everybody guesses and eventually, they decide....this is what Jesus would do, drive, wear or eat without acknowledging that we dont have a clue.

[dlap]

The ability to know Jesus the man is made more difficult by his own followers. Every so often, we are asked.....What would Jesus do? or What would Jesus drive, or What would Jesus eat or wear or some nonsense like that. Then everybody guesses and eventually, they decide....this is what Jesus would do, drive, wear or eat without acknowledging that we dont have a clue.


Well, my impression is that these kind of questions refer to Jesus the son of god, not to Jesus the man, and as such can be answered by the gospels; that's for the serious questions. Now, obviously there are these other material questions (what would he: wear, drive, eat, how often would he go to the toilet, etc), that will always come up as long as some take the bible literally and try to live by it to the letter. The jews experience the same problem when it comes to the Sabbath and the things that could be considered work (= forbidden on the Sabbath); it's disturbingly interesting to see them coming up with solutions to technological problems that couldn't be predicted by torah or other religious books (e.g. having lifts automatically go from floor to floor for the Sabbath in Israel, so they don't have to press a button). The way I see it, religion is more about intensions than actions (sort of the opposite of law), and it would be simpler if we let it be that way.

[Newscaster]

You lift example is very nice except for one thing...Jews are not allowed to ride on the Sabbath whether it is in a car, on a bike or an elevator. Not even an escalator or roller skates. I think it would be simpler if the "laws" were actually "suggestions". All the Sabbath no-nos are in place to prevent the pious Jew from being sidetracked while praying. Since we are in a multi-tasking age, I think people can do both with equal intensity.

[dlap]

Jews are not allowed to ride on the Sabbath whether it is in a car, on a bike or an elevator. Not even an escalator or roller skates.

Technical issue: they can ride, as long as they don't cause the motion (in case of lift, press the button/ in case of car, drive themselves).


I think it would be simpler if the "laws" were actually "suggestions". All the Sabbath no-nos are in place to prevent the pious Jew from being sidetracked while praying. Since we are in a multi-tasking age, I think people can do both with equal intensity.


But like you said, the main goal is the dedication of that day to god. That's what I meant when I said religion is more about intentions than actions, it provides guidelines, or, like you said, suggestions for someone to live constructively for their society. Humans of course tend to concentrate too much on the tree (e.g. "would Jesus be a vegeterian?") and consequently don't see the forest.

[Newscaster]

Still has nothing to do with the basic thread question.....what do we knpow about Jesus the man, not the messiah.

[Buck Laser]

Still has nothing to do with the basic thread question.....what do we knpow about Jesus the man, not the messiah.

From what I read, none of the story of Jesus as a human being is verifiable outside the ambit of scripture. There is a mention of him in the works of Josephus, but that's been suspect for a long time. The gospels and the rest of the NT clearly represent a number of different viewpoints. It is possible to trace the struggles that occurred between Jewish and Gentile Christians in the gospels and certainly in Paul's letters.

When it comes to "biographies" of Jesus, there are two that I like: The Last Temptation of Christ, by Nikos Kazantzakis, and Lamb: The Story of Jesus As Told By His Best Boyhood Friend, Biff, by Chris Moore. Of the two, Chris Moore's book is more entertaining.

[Newscaster]

I look upon Jesus as a benign young Jewish man who, during his younger years, stayed fairly close to his parents and was, as a resut, not too worldly wise about his surroundings. He is said to have been a carpenter. This, in all liklihood meant that Joseph was also a carpenter and any money making skills that Jesus had, he learned from good old dad. There is no evidence or writings of note that as a carpenter he made anything of note nor has any handiwork of his survived to modern times. This should make the carpenter story suspect.
If his parents were devoutly Jewish, then Jesus was too and its a good bed that he may have spent many hours studying Torah with the Rabbis of his area. There is no evidence that he participated in any athletic endeavor including just running or throwing a ball or some such object.
This next is strictly speculative. I believe Jesus was taken in by those who have come to be known as apostles. Some, like Peter, were older and Jesus may have admired them and what they did to make a living. It may be that admiration that caused Jesus to follow them rather than vice versa. And it was that relationship that caused Jesus to begin what Christians now call a mission. I call it youthful activism. He saw Jews around him not being as devout as he thougt they should be and his words were designed to bring them back into the fold. And it was that idea that caused crowds to follow him and to eventually get him in serious trouble. We pretty much know what is alleged to be the rest of the story. Anything else we may know about Jesus comes from his apostles, some of whom actually never met Jesus and some others who may have had motives in crafting the story that is called Gospel today.
I dont not accept most of that story. The philosophy and the advice he is believed to have spoken, is fine. However the miraculous portions of the story is suspect because the time of Jesus was also a time of magic, hocus pocus and slight of hand. Add to that there were about 9 other men in the Jerusalem area at the time claiming messianic powers and the ability to raise the dead and walk on water. Do you think there could have been twin sons of God or even more? Or maybe it was just the hocus pocus of the time?

[namguy]

I am not talking abput the religious Jesus or the supposed Son of God Jesus. I am talking about Jesus the man. Christians read the New Testament over and over and some can recite it chapter and verse. Jews dont read it except occasionally out of curiosity and Muslims probably read it even less.

Now you all know about the Sermon on the Mount, and what he said while facing off against Herod and while on the cross. But what about those years following his birth in the manger and the start of his preaching thirty years later?

What kind of guy was he? Do you think that maybe he told a joke or two or played a prank on a friend? They say he was a carpenter. What did he make and how come none of his carpentry exists today while other relics of two thousand years ago can still be found?
During his teenage years, did he have a girlfriend? Did he play sports of any kind? Did he do the usual things that kids do? We assume he was very studious but do you think he ever ditched school to go skinny dipping? And do you think he ever skinny dipped?

What about girls?

I am trying to see what yoiu folks know about the human side of Jesus. Is there any information along those lines or did everybody totally ignore him until he turned thirty? Or maybe, do you think it is sinful to even consider the human side of Jesus because it might somehow diminish him?

What do you think?


He is The Son Of Man, Saviour of the world. He was/is in capable of committing any and all types of sin....Yes, He was in human form but that doesn't change a thing:peace:

[Newscaster]

Nameguy, if I said Jesus could flap his arms and fly, would you believe me or challenge me to prove it? Do you accept anything that is said or written without question? If so, I have this bridge in New York Harbor that I would like to sell you, real cheap.

[namguy]

Nameguy, if I said Jesus could flap his arms and fly, would you believe me or challenge me to prove it? Do you accept anything that is said or written without question? If so, I have this bridge in New York Harbor that I would like to sell you, real cheap.


I believe in the KJV Bible, if it says as you told me then I believe it. But merely just to believe you, your one of many millions people that I wouldn't trust any further than I could throw them.

[Newscaster]

Nobody is asking 7you to trust us. But do you trust yourself. Do you trust your ability to decipher what is truth and what is myth? Do you trust yourself to believe the writings of men who in their 80s when they wrote those gospels. Could they have been affected by senility or alzheimers or some other such malady? Could you trust the writings of men who allegedly wrote while magic and voodoo ghosts were a big thing among the populace? And could you trust the writings of men who never met the man they are writing about? And finally, do you say you believe because someone told you you would go to hell if you didnt say you believe? I hope you are right in your beliefs.
Do you believe me when I say that?

[namguy]

Nobody is asking 7you to trust us. But do you trust yourself. Do you trust your ability to decipher what is truth and what is myth? Do you trust yourself to believe the writings of men who in their 80s when they wrote those gospels. Could they have been affected by senility or alzheimers or some other such malady? Could you trust the writings of men who allegedly wrote while magic and voodoo ghosts were a big thing among the populace? And could you trust the writings of men who never met the man they are writing about? And finally, do you say you believe because someone told you you would go to hell if you didnt say you believe? I hope you are right in your beliefs.
Do you believe me when I say that?


Well, Newscaster as I said I believe in the Bible, I don't believe every passage is to be taken literally, some are, some not. I believe that whatever Jesus didn't say Himeslf and other men wrote, such as Paul, Peter and the other great men of the Bible, was divinely inspired by Christ to write what they did. Just like Moses receiving the Ten Commandents, did the finger of God come out from Heaven and actually moved over the side of the rock and wrote them, or did God 'talk' to Moses mind, not brain but mind and inspired him to write them. I don't know, maybe, maybe not, the point being is they existed and are adheared to this very day. As for these men's ages, they lived to be fantasticly old ages, well past 100 - 150yrs., and in full control of their senses. As for hell, yes I believe there is a hell just like I believe there's a heaven.
That's about the best answer I can give you.:peace: (excuse my spelling, I don't spell nor read very well. I do wood work, tables, desks, etc. I use to be an avid target shooter, loaded my own ammo, the whole bit, don't do it anymore)

[Newscaster]

Nameguy, that was a very good answer about trusting the words of Jesus or his apostles but I have to say NO to your explanation of how they lived so long.
The practice of medicine was in its infancy two thousand years ago. People believed the soul lived inside the heart and they had really no clue what the brain was supposed to do. Surgery was non existant. Even trepanning (drilling holes in the skull to let the demons out) had not been invented yet. This means that when a disease hit, there was no way at that time to fight it and people would die in their sixth or seventh decade. The apostles were about the same age as Jesus, with the possible exception of Peter who didnt write anything. The first writings about Jesus came some fifty years after the crucifixion and this means the writers had to be in their 80s. Senility and alzheimers did exist then and the chances that these guys were in their riht minds, is highly questionable.
WOW, THIS IS MY 900TH POST. yIKES.
Therefore, in my view, the best way to approach the Bible, Old or New Testament is to study the parts that guide people in the ways to lead your life but take the bible stories with a grain of salt. Most of those stories were written or concocted to help put across a point, not to represent historical accuracy. For example........which is easier to accept? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." or Jesus walked on water. In all things...check them out.

[namguy]

Nameguy, that was a very good answer about trusting the words of Jesus or his apostles but I have to say NO to your explanation of how they lived so long.
The practice of medicine was in its infancy two thousand years ago. People believed the soul lived inside the heart and they had really no clue what the brain was supposed to do. Surgery was non existant. Even trepanning (drilling holes in the skull to let the demons out) had not been invented yet. This means that when a disease hit, there was no way at that time to fight it and people would die in their sixth or seventh decade. The apostles were about the same age as Jesus, with the possible exception of Peter who didnt write anything. The first writings about Jesus came some fifty years after the crucifixion and this means the writers had to be in their 80s. Senility and alzheimers did exist then and the chances that these guys were in their riht minds, is highly questionable.
WOW, THIS IS MY 900TH POST. yIKES.
Therefore, in my view, the best way to approach the Bible, Old or New Testament is to study the parts that guide people in the ways to lead your life but take the bible stories with a grain of salt. Most of those stories were written or concocted to help put across a point, not to represent historical accuracy. For example........which is easier to accept? "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." or Jesus walked on water. In all things...check them out.


Hi Newscaster
It's just my faith, what I believe in, however I do respect your insight and I have heard of the ancents medical practices, and they worked sometimes. I believe the Egyptians use to drill holes in the head for some conditions and in some cases worked. I've no problem believing that at all. I also agree with what you said about do unto others vs. walking on water. I believe in both, but as I said at that point, for me that is, it becomes a question of faith.