It is obvious, to me, that this Rabbi by the name of Yeshua (Jesus in English) had behavior during his lifetime which was typical of a historical Jew (who believed in traditional Judaism). Yeshua viewed himself as a servant (of his God) not God incarnate (a baby born via a virgin birth via his mother, Mary). What happens with beliefs (over time) is that beliefs get changed/altered and new doctrines emerge to confirm these changes. It's all done my fallible human beings. Let's cover a couple of doctrines which evolved over time (and which corrupted this religion called Christianity).
1. What was the real 'name' of this Jew from Nazareth. Listen to this PBS presentation. The history reveals how 'names' change and also how the understanding of a person changes (with a name change). Who was Jesus Christ (in reality)?
The name Jesus distorts the real history of this Jew from Nazareth. While living on our planet he was known as Yeshua. Why? Because he was an Aramaic Jew...not an American who spoke English. Those who call this Jew by the wrong name distort real history IMO. Yeshua was a Jew who was fully human. He never viewed himself as God (as our Catholic/Protestant believers claim). He viewed his God as the God of the Torah (also called the God of Israel). Yeshua was fully human!
2. The doctrine of Mary (supposedly the mother of God) is another doctrine which emerged after this Rabbi Yeshua had died (had ascended to this virtual realm called Heaven). This doctrine (called the Theotokos) was confirmed by our Catholic theologians in 431 A.D. at the Council of Ephesus. Listen to this video on the idea that Mary was the Mother of God (which many Protestants and Catholics assume as reality). The theology assumes that Mary conceived Yeshua (via a spirit being) not normally (as you and I). This virgin conception idea (via a non human) resulted in the BIRTH of Yeshua as Divinity (God) and Mary as the logical Mother of God. It sounds logical (to those without discernment) but I say this is a total 'corruption' of reality and history. It's theological distortion!
What happened IMO is that Yeshua lived his life on this planet (mostly with little understanding of his beliefs being fully understood by his followers). Yeshua did not write any words in a book...covering his beliefs...and no contemporary person (friend or foe) wrote a book on his beliefs during his brief lifetime (mostly from his baptism til his death at Golgotha). Yeshua was born (normally) IMO and he lived as a normal Jew (a Torah believer) who resided in Nazareth while on this planet. His God was the God of Israel (Yahweh). He then DIED (around 33 A.D.). This death situation is when a NEW set of beliefs started to emerge/evolve. Evolution of words created (eventually) Christianity!
During his lifetime, Yeshua (he was not called Jesus) lived as a normal Jew who attained the level of teacher/Rabbi/Prophet and later Messiah (in spirit). He never viewed his Mother as conceiving him via an immaculate conception process and he did not view himself as PERFECT or without any sin (sin being interpreted as deviations from the Law of Moses)...mostly the ten Commandments. Read Matthew 23 for evidence of Yeshua's mindset in real-time. Yeshua was fully human and fully similar to any other Jew (or Roman person) during his lifetime IMO. He did not view himself as God and/or a PERFECT (without sin person). He was born UNDER the LAW! This implies he was a 'sinner'!
This doctrine of incarnation emerged/evolved gradually AFTER his death (say 33 A.D.). This idea was not held my many followers who believed in this person as a Messiah person. James, the brother of Yeshua, did not view brother Yeshua as God. Messiah means 'anointed' by God (not God). For example the Ebionites (a Christian/Jewish sect) did not view Yeshua as God and/or Divinity. They certainly did not view Mary as conceiving Yeshua as a Divinity (God in the flesh). All this incarnation theology emerged much later (mostly after the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D). The Catholic religion started this idea and it then permeated into the Protestant denominations.
Then in 431 A.D., at the Council of Ephesus, Mary was declared (by the Catholic theologians) as the Mother of God. Yeshua was declared Divinity. This meant they needed an IMMACULATE conception theology to back up this idea of Yeshua being Divinity. So they created this IMMACULATE conception theology (that Mary had 'no' original sin). She was without any 'original' sin. This doctrinal corruption became orthodox theology (in time). It made Yeshua a PERFECT Jew (without any touch of 'sin' in his body/thinking...as he was conceived by an 'immaculate' mother). Mary's mother (her parent) was assumed to be without any original sin (so it implies). Who can believe this corruption?
All these doctrines are a total corruption of reality IMO...but it works when the LEADERS can mandate their theology from a position of INFALLIBILITY. Pope's viewed themselves as the VICAR of the glorified Christ. Believers tend to accept their AUTHORITY (as infallible) when it is mandated by leaders who think they understand reality/theology fully. Today, we can reflect on all this doctrinal corruption and change our thinking on many of these issues! I have rejected many of these ideas of our Catholic/Protestant theologians. I would suggest that you also think seriously on these historical doctrines which originated mostly with our Catholic Popes. You must think for yourself! My views have changed since my youth when I was indoctrinated in these ideas!
This presenter has the idea that Yeshua (he uses the name Jesus) was both God and Man (simultaneously). This is called the Hypostatic Union (Yeshua had 'two' natures is the theology). This presenter has no idea of reality IMO. His presentation is based on the supposedly infallible ideas of his Catholic religion. Beware of our corrupted theological doctrines (both Catholic and Protestant). A mystery is comprehended (according to this person). Really? Beware of presenters who think they have 'absolute' views on issues of reality/theology/history!!! I accept this person as fully human/a friend even as I reject his thinking! I agree to disagree!
Take the time to listen to these videos and then do your own exegesis of scripture. It may be wise to get some real history prior to doing your reading, however. History is not perfect but it does gives us a model of what is real when fully digested. I love history as it guides my thinking on many issues of reality. The history of the American DOLLAR is key to my understanding of these digital currencies of today (for example). Who can understand reality with no prior history. It would be extremely difficult. Fake ideas can emerge as reality when history is ignored.
Have a great day and I hope these videos and my writings will give you a sound understanding of my viewpoint (even if not always YOUR viewpoint). We do think differently on many issues! I say that we should agree to disagree but still accept each other as fully human (friends).
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, donaldswenson.blogspot.com
http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com
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