Posted on 09/12/2011 2:56:49 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
As we approach the 2012 presidential election, the issue of religion co-mingling with politics has become central. Momentarily, though, let's set that debate aside and accept, for better or worse, this is the way things currently work.
Gov. Rick Perry of Texas has, early in his candidacy, outrun all other contenders for the Republican nomination when it comes to drawing Christianity into the mix. "Many," Perry claimed in 2008, "want to recognize Jesus as a good teacher, but nothing more. But why call him 'good' if he has lied about his claims of deity?"
The "many" Perry specifically referred to are secular humanists, a group Christian conservatives openly despise. Most likely Perry did not consciously intend to spit figuratively in the collective face of Jews - including conservative Jewish people whom other Republicans, notably U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, with her ardent support of Israel, hope to win over.
The greater problem here is that Perry doesn't know didley-squat about the Bible. His argument is based on a common misconception that Jesus claimed to be "The Messiah." Current biblical modernizations (rewrites in colloquial English) aside, in its original form that simply isn't the case in any of the four canonical gospels that constitute the New Testament.
As end-game neared, Jesus was forced to stand before Pilate, who asked: "Are you the son of God?"
"I am the son of man," Jesus responded, tantamount to denying divinity.
Clearly, Jesus did perceive himself as "a messiah." The Bible tells us that, 31 years earlier, a messiah had been born in Bethlehem. The idea, which as a Jew Jesus embraced, held that a hero would emerge during times of strife.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
Never trust anything from a writer who can’t spell “diddly squat”.
Um...wow...I don’t even know where to start with this one.
Perry’s argument is right out of “Evidence that Demands a Verdict”, by Josh McDowell.
And the author is clueless about what the Bible says about the diety of Christ.
And I’m sorry to say this, but at some level, you can’t possibly be a Christian without offending your jewish friends — to be a Christian is to acknowledge as savior a man they simply cannot bring themselves to see as their Messiah.
But most of us religious folks understand that, when it comes to politics, you aren’t electing a pastor.
I’ve read this and can’t figure out what I am supposed to be offended about.
What? Christians and Jewish people have different theological beliefs? Shocker.
As a Kansas Citian! I didn’t read this article as I don’t take the RED STAR paper anymore. Or is it the FALLING STAR? You tell me...
As a Kansas Citian! I didn’t read this article as I don’t take the RED STAR paper anymore. Or is it the FALLING STAR? You tell me...
The writer makes the following remarks ( which makes ALL CHRISTIANS ( Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox ), Perry included, essentially offensive to Jews ):
1) The idea of the Messiah - as in the one and only - was invented not by Christ (Jesus never brought the issue up) but by several key followers. This likely occurred during the Passover celebration that witnessed an abrupt end of Jesus’ ministry.
2) Jesus was no more God’s servant than other prophets...
When Yahweh whisper to Jesus that “You are my son.”, in the original Aramaic, the words God intoned were “You are my chosen servant.” That same phrase God earlier spoke to Abram/Abraham, Moses, and David.
3) You do not have to be born a Jew to be “a” messiah. Cyrus the Great, who freed Hebrews from bondage in Babylonia, circa 539 BCE, is in Isaiah 44.28; 45.1 cited as one.
4) Jesus never made any claims to diety.
what a complete idiot.
ONLY I AND I ALONE TRULY UNDERSTAND THE ORGINAL LANGUAGE AND INTENT OF THE WORD THAT I JUST MISSTATED.
The writer clearly doesn’t understand that “Son of Man” is a messianic title.
See also John 8, in which Jesus says, “Before Abraham was, I AM”; invoking
God’s reference to Himself in Exodus 3. There are many more examples.
RE: As a Kansas Citian! I didn’t read this article as I don’t take the RED STAR paper anymore. Or is it the FALLING STAR? You tell me...
I read you the first time.
This writer knows diddly squat about the Bible either because Jesus left heavy hints that He is God.
This whole issue is dealt with quite concisely in C.S. Lewis’ MERE CHRISTIANITY, among other sources. It’s not some big scandalous secret.
Some people are so dumb, you just get to stand there and watch them rebut themselves.
Your #4...really? Maybe you’re thinking of Hayseuss your pool boy.
If the writer of this article is qualified to interpret the Bible, am I qualified to interpret Einstein’s work on a unified field theory?
Maybe he was just kidding when he said “I and the Father are one”.
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