What do you think about Jesus and contemporary society?
449554
I think he died a while back, so he doesn't have much to do with society anymore
661875
My views will change whether Jesus comes in my lifetime or not.\n\nI know that's not what you mean, but bear with me.\n\nMy views have changed over the years and I hope to have a much deeper understanding of God and how to apply His word to my life as time goes by.  \n\nI'm not afraid of the changes and I'm not afraid to examine new evidence.  I'm not going to jump ship every time some new fad, theory, book or movie comes along.\n\nJesus didn't condemn "doubting" Thomas for wanting to see His hands and feet.  He held them out for Thomas to see.  \n\nRumors, theories, elaborate stories are not going to persuade me.  If "proof" I'm wrong ever comes along, I want to see it.  I want to inspect it for myself.  \n\nUntil then, I know Whom I have believed.
904239
I am very surprised that this had no replies before me!\nI probably am not the best person to answer as Im not particularly religious.  I was brought up attending church but to me Jesus is pretty much just a fictional character in a very old book ( that probably wasnt translated very accurately anyway!)...;
815681
Yes, as a whole, I do think that, as a Christian, I have a better outlook on society.\nGod thinks we are all worth His attention, He seems to think there is good in us that makes us worthy of salvation.\nAs long as He sees the good in humanity, can I do any less?
1173755
The view from history would be "yes."  Many of the historical Jesus' teachings were related to reforming the practice of Judaism to be more assimilationist with the predominent Roman/Hellenistic culture in the region during the period of his life.\n\nSince he was interesting in reforming practice to "fit in," he might also be interested in reforming his looks to "fit in," as well.
1026464
Jesus stayed out of politics.  so it is hard to  transfer what he taught in that day to present times, politically speaking.\n\nExample; Because he saved the woman caught in the act of adultery, does that mean he would be against ALL death penalty cases?\n\nAnd, if you noticed, while he saved her, he didn't back down on saying she was wrong. ("Go & sin no more.") I can imagine liberals screaming, "Who are you telling her what to do with her own body!"\n\nHe obviously wanted the poor to be taken care of, but does that mean he would have wanted the government to be in charge of it? And 50% of the rich man's income being confiscated to pay for it? That sounds more like Robin Hood than Jesus Christ!\n\nHe said you have to pay your taxes, but would he have voted for a politician who advocated fixing things by higher taxes?\n\nHe taught obedience to the government, but does that mean he wanted a big government?\n\nI can't imagine Jesus being anything but disgusted by mid to late- term abortions, but the Bible is not specific on the subject. The issue of "when life begins" would have to be answered, first.\n\nBut as far as issues like trade unions and strong regulation of business, strong environmental regulations, animal rights & gun control, it's hard to say, exactly. \n \nBTW - The mythology of Mary Magdalene is that she was a REFORMED prostitute.  But there isn't actually anything in the Bible to support the notion she ever was a prostitute.\n\nNOW, as to why ANYONE would fork over money to the likes of Bennie Hin is beyond me!\n\nP.S.  You can always count on KooKoo Bananas to spit out the hatred, can't you?
1081331
I can't really rate him, as I have not followed his work closely, just what I've seen on the news or in the paper.\n\nI've heard that he is a conservative personally, and if he had his way he would put the Church back a couple of hundred years lol, but I've also heard that he is known for putting himself last and doing the will of God and the Church, even if he disagreed with them.\n\nI read his first paper (sorry, don't know the latin name it's called) and was very glad to see that his main theme was Love.  Mainly calling Christians to love God, love each other, and keep that as a focus in our lives.  That was good.
1135939
for 2,000 years, there's always been a "contemporary" period. And that means in the year 2150, those people will think they are "contemporary" and we are near-ancient.\n\nSo the real challenge here,.. are we so much different in this "contemporary" period as say... those folks were 200 years ago?? Does the Bible (typically) address outside events, or rather the nature of man's heart, his need for relationships, even with his maker, and how to cross over from sin and error to righteousness and success?\n\nThese things are 'timeless', - no matter how modern you think you are.
655496
Jesus belonged to a Jewish sect of Apocalypticists\nwho believed the end of the world was imminent.\nGod was about to beam down an emissary who would\noverthrow the forces of evil and create a\nUtopian-like existence free of pain and suffering\nhere on Earth. "Jesus told his disciples that his\nown generation would not pass away before these\nthings take place. 'Some of you standing here\ntoday won't taste death before you see the\nKingdom of God has come to power.'"\n\nA necessary step in this pending revolution would\nbe the resurrection of the dead and the\nrestoration of ultimate justice. The\nApocalypticists couldn't bear the thought that\nevil doers would often live long, happy lives and\ndie rich and contented. Therefore a key part of\ntheir theory was that God would raise the dead\nand punish RETROACTIVELY those who had inflicted\npain and suffering on others. By the same token,\nGod would make sure those now dead who had lead a\ngood life would be brought back and be given\ntheir just reward. (Of course those currently\nalive during the End Times would also be rewarded\nand punished according to their deserts.)\n\nJust imagine the ecstatic joy the disciples must\nhave felt when they heard that Jesus had been\nraised from the dead. Hallelujah! This confirmed\ntheir belief that the End Times had arrived.\n"That's why the apostle Paul talked about Jesus\nas the 'first fruits of the resurrection.' It's\nan agricultural image. When you go out and start\nharvesting your crops, you have a party that\nnight to celebrate the in-bringing of the first\nfruits. And then you go out and get the rest of\nthe crops the next day. Paul thought the next\nday was coming very soon and that Jesus was the\nfirst, and that others were going to follow\nsuit. And so the resurrection of Jesus for the\nearliest Christians confirmed the idea that\ntheir Apocalyptic views were absolutely right\nand God would soon intervene in history."\n\n"THE PROBLEM OF COURSE IS THAT IT DIDN'T\nHAPPEN. THE END NEVER CAME." Somehow this\n"problem" -- that the beliefs and\npredictions of Jesus and the disciples were\nwrong -- didn't prove a hindrance to the\nspread of Christianity.
245874
i think he was married.\n\ni may not believe that jesus was god, BUT if he was, he ultimately came to earth as MAN. he was human. and i dont understand why people are so offended at the thought of him being married. is marraige a bad thing?
760967
Jesus represents the human self we "put on" when we became afraid in the Garden (a symbol of our perfect state of being); we fell into sleep, but nowhere does it say we woke up.  \n\nThe Christ is our true Self (not a representation, but the actual Self); that is why it doesn't make sense that Jesus seems the only one who is truly loved, while the rest of us must do something, or make a choice (which is hardly a real choice), before God will include us in His exclusive club.  \n\nThe whole concept is twisted; was redone to suit the kings and the clergy in the old days, in order to control the masses.
615358
Honestly, I think that if you're looking for a savior you can find one in Jesus.  I don't believe, personally, but I'm happy that people can feel that kind of joy - no matter where it comes from.
1087774
My most enjoyable word/study program so far has been reading the Acts of the Apostles, and the letters of Paul by myself, for the first time with understanding. \nI recently purchased a NIV Bible that has commentary running through it. Because it is written in everyday language (with no 'thee' or 'thou' running through it) it is much easier for me to understand.\nI learned about the special nature of Jesus. That he is the perfect high priest to represent us to God. Jesus, because he was human, knows firsthand the temptations we suffer through daily, and he can help us to overcome them. Jesus also conquered the world and death, by dying with the ultimate act of love for us, and raising himself from the dead, to assure us of everlasting life with Him.
403818
There are many people like that in the world today. And I don't see any larger following they would have. So why should Jesus be any different?
780205
I became a Christian only two years ago, at age 39.  I was raised in an unbelieving family.  I have met many people who feel as you do.  And I have seen the problem from the outside looking in.  \n\nTwo years ago I received a beautiful testimony of the lordship of Jesus Christ, delivered by the Holy Spirit.  From there, I had to deal with churches and christians.  It was often unpleasant.  \n\nChurch services were boring and irrelevant.  Nobody talked about Jesus, or even seemed to be very aware of Him.  People were gossipy, uncharitable, judgmental, sometimes underhanded and just plain cruel.  People were often suspicious and rejecting of me, as if they couldn't accept that somebody could sincerely become a christian without already having been one their whole life.  \n\nMany christians are obsessed with power, authority, and wielding it over others, even while they are saying that they are full of the milk of human kindness.  Just look at what they do in the name of politics--as if Jesus was going to manifest himself either as a democrat or a republican.  What a joke!  Many also think that having money and objects is a measure of their worthiness before God, despite the Bible clearly saying that this is not necessarily so.  \n\nI heard stories from friends who had been taken advantage of financially, sexually, and emotionally by pastors and co-parishioners.  These stories broke my heart.  You probably saw and perhaps experienced a lot of this too.  You were on the inside looking out; I was on the outside looking in.  \n\nHow could I reconcile all this with my testimony?  The great thing is, I didn't have to.  None of this nonsense is Jesus Christ, and quite obviously so.  I only have to accept Jesus as my savior, not this other stuff.  My creed is, "Thank you Lord God for raising my Savior Jesus from the dead.  I pray for His blessing to be mine.  Have mercy on me and my sins in Jesus' name."  \n\nThe Bible tells you what you need to know about Jesus.  Read it with an eye to learning what He said, to whom, how, and why He said it.  You'll see He wasn't nuts about the religious authority of the day, because it was...well, it was a lot like religions are now--full of self-important, money-and-power obsessed hypocrites.  \n\nJesus strongly urged that the individual have a relationship with God, not with a church.  So study and pray and ask God for everything you need, including a sincere and personal relationship with Him, and for a new perspective on your unfortunate religious past.  \n\nFollow what the word of God says about having a relationship with Him, such as loving Him, loving your neighbor as yourself, and serving others, particularly those who are sick, oppressed, imprisoned, and poor.  Don't confuse the rules and personalities of organized religion with your testimony of the salvation you receive from Jesus.  \n\nDo try to find some Christians you can hang with, whose company you enjoy.  Go to church, and try several of them out.  Don't think you have to find the right religion or the perfect church--it isn't out there.  But do stay away from churches that teach nonbiblical doctrines or that tolerate immoral behavior (again, use the Bible as your guide).  \n\nPray for God to take away your hatred, and to give you a spirit of forgiveness towards those who hurt you.  You're not saying "it's okay" that these people hurt you.  What you are doing is laying claim to the fresh start that Jesus offers through forgiveness.  If you want God to forgive you, you need to forgive others.  \n\nAnd realize something about being an adult, which is that you have to make your own way and create your own good character in spite of what obstacles others have thrown your way.  Don't fixate on how you were done wrong, because this is only going to make you miserable, and stunt your emotional maturity.  \n\nChristian churches can be a pain, but Jesus is delightful.  He had such
972850
Be thankful people don't use the standards of 2000+ years ago! We really are more understanding than in those days. \n\n'Who made GOD?' and other type questions; I see many questions of this nature, and wonder how can humanity put into human understanding GOD and his plan. I mean I understand humanities need to understand things - but we are never going to understand these big concepts. \nDeath, GOD, etc. \nI totally agree that "it's clear Jesus said his Kingdom is not of this world."
1009994
I'm torn in what to believe but it really does make a lot sense. If Jesus did have a child, just think, someone alive today could be a direct decendent of Christ Himself. Now that would be an honor!