Jesus Christ: Who was Jesus Christ? Did Jesus Christ Exist?
Without the figure of Jesus, Christianity doesn't make much sense - but who was he and what did he really have to say? Here you can find material on questions of Jesus' historicity, ethics, alleged resurrection and more.
The Good Shepherd: Does he Get the Sheep or Just Mail them a Map?
The idea of Jesus as a "shepherd" of humanity is pretty standard in Christianity. It invokes images of Jesus being very caring and loving, watching over humanity in a protective manner. Some regard it as patronizing because it treats humans like they are unable to care for themselves at all, but Christians seem to find it comforting. There is, however, at least one curious problem with it.
The idea of Jesus as a "shepherd" of humanity is pretty standard in Christianity. It invokes images of Jesus being very caring and loving, watching over humanity in a protective manner. Some regard it as patronizing because it treats humans like they are unable to care for themselves at all, but Christians seem to find it comforting. There is, however, at least one curious problem with it.
What Would Jesus Eat?
Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins of Christian tradition, but you don't hear much about it when Christian leaders attack sin in America - usually they focus on things like sex. In fact, sex is just about all they focus on. Gluttony, greed, sloth - they all seem to get a free pass these days. Why is that?
Gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins of Christian tradition, but you don't hear much about it when Christian leaders attack sin in America - usually they focus on things like sex. In fact, sex is just about all they focus on. Gluttony, greed, sloth - they all seem to get a free pass these days. Why is that?
Was Jesus Married? Is it Possible that Jesus Married Mary Magdalene and Had Children?
A question which has intrigued many biblical scholars, and which has been made more popular by fictional books like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, is whether Jesus ever married. There are no explicit statements in the Bible that Jesus was married or that he was not married; thus, any conclusions either way must be based upon circumstantial evidence. Orthodox church tradition says that Jesus was unmarried, but could orthodoxy and tradition about Jesus be wrong?
A question which has intrigued many biblical scholars, and which has been made more popular by fictional books like Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, is whether Jesus ever married. There are no explicit statements in the Bible that Jesus was married or that he was not married; thus, any conclusions either way must be based upon circumstantial evidence. Orthodox church tradition says that Jesus was unmarried, but could orthodoxy and tradition about Jesus be wrong?
Jesus: Lord or Lunatic?
Critical thinking skills are a precious commodity - far too precious, in fact. They reason why they are precious is that they are in such short supply. People need them and need to use them, but so often we find people who appear to have never heard of basic logic and principles of reasoning. It is also unfortunate that such people's poor reasoning so often occurs in the context of religion.
Critical thinking skills are a precious commodity - far too precious, in fact. They reason why they are precious is that they are in such short supply. People need them and need to use them, but so often we find people who appear to have never heard of basic logic and principles of reasoning. It is also unfortunate that such people's poor reasoning so often occurs in the context of religion.
Did Mary Ever Spank Jesus?
There are certain things which people probably aren't supposed to ask about Jesus' life growing up; one of the most interesting may be whether Mary ever spanked Jesus. I don't know what the social conventions among Jews of the time were, but corporal punishment was probably expected. Did Jesus ever do anything that merited punishment? Did Mary ever punish Jesus?
There are certain things which people probably aren't supposed to ask about Jesus' life growing up; one of the most interesting may be whether Mary ever spanked Jesus. I don't know what the social conventions among Jews of the time were, but corporal punishment was probably expected. Did Jesus ever do anything that merited punishment? Did Mary ever punish Jesus?
Is Jesus' Resurrection an "Extraordinary" Claim? Evaluating Extraordinary Claims
Whether we call something extraordinary obviously must depend on what we're calling ordinary. A claim that a miracle occurred will perhaps not seem extraordinary to people who are already convinced that miracles happen every day. They therefore will, with some justification, accept evidence that will not convince us who doubt that any miracle has ever happened.
Whether we call something extraordinary obviously must depend on what we're calling ordinary. A claim that a miracle occurred will perhaps not seem extraordinary to people who are already convinced that miracles happen every day. They therefore will, with some justification, accept evidence that will not convince us who doubt that any miracle has ever happened.
Holy Foreskin! Whatever Happened to Jesus’ Foreskin?
The power and popularity of relics in Medieval Europe was dependent upon the saintliness of the original "owner." The ultimate source of relics was Jesus himself, but there was just one problem: it is clear in the New Testament that after his resurrection, Jesus was "carried up to Heaven" - but not all of him. Jesus was a faithful Jew would have been circumcised. So where was his foreskin?
The power and popularity of relics in Medieval Europe was dependent upon the saintliness of the original "owner." The ultimate source of relics was Jesus himself, but there was just one problem: it is clear in the New Testament that after his resurrection, Jesus was "carried up to Heaven" - but not all of him. Jesus was a faithful Jew would have been circumcised. So where was his foreskin?
About Jesus Christ
Christianity is unthinkable without the figure of Jesus Christ. Some Christians treat him as a historical figure and the New Testament stories as literal while others regard him as a wise man and the New Testament stories as only partially reliable. Understanding more about how Christians and others treat Jesus is important to understanding Christianity.
Christianity is unthinkable without the figure of Jesus Christ. Some Christians treat him as a historical figure and the New Testament stories as literal while others regard him as a wise man and the New Testament stories as only partially reliable. Understanding more about how Christians and others treat Jesus is important to understanding Christianity.
Jesus' Ethics
From the Guide: Was Jesus really such a great moral teacher? What did he really advocate?
From the Guide: Was Jesus really such a great moral teacher? What did he really advocate?
Jesus Downsized
In todays job market, fewer people are expected to do more work - and that means that people who don't go the extra distance can't always count on keeping their jobs. Apparently, the same is true of saviors as well: if you don't show a profit, you may be downsized
In todays job market, fewer people are expected to do more work - and that means that people who don't go the extra distance can't always count on keeping their jobs. Apparently, the same is true of saviors as well: if you don't show a profit, you may be downsized