Jesus' teaching as I see it.

It did not come to me through the Christian Bible. It came to me through the movie: The Greatest Story Ever Told.

George Stevens was the story teller, and Jesus took the form of actor Max von Sydow. And the movie was not shot in the Middle East. It was shot in the South Western part of the USA. What are the chances of the truth, of that teaching, getting though to me? The only way to find out is through having a dialogue between me and you. Are you up to it?

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FreddieUK · 70-79, M

I always find the book better than the movie. There's more in it and you get a better idea of what the author intended.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@FreddieUK

I always find the book better than the movie. There's more in it and you get a better idea of what the author intended.

What author? At any rate, the story of Jesus is not a transmission of anything by anyone.

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@sree251 as someone who studied it in detail partially in its original languages I would beg to differ. There were many people who contributed and they were writing for a purpose. They were transmitting their knowledge and understanding of Jesus either is contemporaries or very soon after. Obviously, this is no place to have a serious discussion about an academic and faith matter which has engaged people for many centuries.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@FreddieUK

as someone who studied it in detail partially in its original languages I would beg to differ.

Studied what, Freddie? This topic is about Jesus' teaching and not about biblical research.

There were many people who contributed and they were writing for a purpose. They were transmitting their knowledge and understanding of Jesus either is contemporaries or very soon after.

True but the understanding of Jesus' teaching is what you have gotten for yourself. Do you want to discuss it?

Obviously, this is no place to have a serious discussion about an academic and faith matter which has engaged people for many centuries.

Quite right. This thread is not for scribes and pharisees arguing about the Talmud.

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@sree251 I studied the Bible at university as and academic discipline and have taught (and continue to learn) as a devotional discipline. I have learned from teachers and preachers and, yes, know intimately the teaching of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. Having said that, I don't regard myself as having a definitive understanding as I still have more to learn. I am very happy to discuss what I found for myself on that basis.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@FreddieUK

I studied the Bible at university as and academic discipline and have taught (and continue to learn) as a devotional discipline. I have learned from teachers and preachers and, yes, know intimately the teaching of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. Having said that, I don't regard myself as having a definitive understanding as I still have more to learn.

I have nothing more to learn from books. Like you, I also studied biblical scripture as a devotional discipline but couldn't cut it and gave up my attempt at being a Jesuit.

I am very happy to discuss what I found for myself on that basis.

What have you found? What is Jesus' teaching as you see it?

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@sree251 Wow! Becoming a Jesuit would have required much stricter adherence to non-Biblical material and quite a different approach to my own. I have respect for that branch of the Church, but many reservations too.

Jesus teaching in simple form is to invite (not cajole, force, intimidate) following Him by faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. He shows how that might display itself not just in His words, but His life and sacrificial death. If we try to follow the instructions of, say, the Sermon on the Mount 'religiously' we will fail and be no better than those who tried to impose the Jewish Law and declare it as the way to Heaven. He included those normally excluded from society, he forgave those who would normally be condemned and ostracised and he forcefully condemned religious hypocrites.

He welcomed people who came trusting and taught His disciples to treat God not as a remote, frightening person, but as a father to his children. He said that if you have seen Him (Jesus), you have seen the Father. He promised His Spirit to those who follow on.

He accepted crucifixion even though He had done nothing wrong and His resurrection is a promise that death is not the end for those who follow.

This is becoming a book, so I'll stop there. Others will no doubt pile in and add their bits, but that's something of my summary. You will note a lot of assertions: this must be so when confined to such a medium as this.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@FreddieUK

This is becoming a book, so I'll stop there. Others will no doubt pile in and add their bits, but that's something of my summary. You will note a lot of assertions: this must be so when confined to such a medium as this.

You have given excerpts from your "book" but they are commentaries on your reading of the Christian Bible. They do not reflect Jesus' teaching as you see it. Jesus' teaching as you see it, is the very living of it. You don't tell stories about Jesus walking on water. You walk on water.

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@sree251 Are you asking how my understanding of Jesus teaching is reflected in my life? You asked about my understanding: that’s a head question. Your clarification seems to be about how I live my life in the light of that understanding. Have I got it right now?