The Jesus of the Bible was a communist. If you aren't a communist, then you are anti-Christ.

a reply to: ltrz2025

Mine is not an opinion. I'm reading the LITERAL WORDS of Jesus in the Bible.

It's estimated that about 90% of the Jewish population of Roman Palestine around the first century CE could barely write their own name.

Or not read or write at all, and Jesus was a carpenter, not a scribe.

3% literacy i think is the number that gets chucked about regarding the place and time period.

Hence Jesus did not write any book of the Bible, so again whatever he said, if anything at all, would be open to the interpretation of whoever did comprise the religious texts pertaining to the man aka an opinion expressed via words, man's words not God's.

I mean do you imagine there was a stenographer kicking about behind the fellow hanging on his every sentence?

Probably not eh hence your "LITERAL WORDS of Jesus in the Bible" might not exactly be verbatim or anything reminiscent of such.

a reply to: andy06shake

God's words are in RED.

a reply to: iamthevirus

Well, it is the colour of blood.

a reply to: andy06shake

And do not argue with me... my opinion is AUTHORITY!

a reply to: iamthevirus



I will do as i please ta very much within the TnC of the site Cartman.

originally posted by: andy06shake


It's estimated that about 90% of the Jewish population of Roman Palestine around the first century CE could barely write their own name.

Or not read or write at all, and Jesus was a carpenter, not a scribe.

Looks like he taught Himself:

The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How does this man know letters, having never been educated?”
John 7:15

The only record we have of Jesus's writings is that He wrote in the sand, which would have been blown to nothing within the hour. I think this shows the importance of living the Word rather than writing. The entirety of the Truth cannot be elaborated with a pen, it must be Lived (2 Corinthians 3:6)

a reply to: cooperton

kind of lends weight to the tradition of spoken word and passing on knowledge by story telling
"keeper of the records" in Mayan culture , and the Druids and their spoken knowledge and taking 20 years to complete their training and having no written records , focusing on memory and learning through living memory

so living it and sharing knowledge via word of mouth in certain circles ,also a good way to prevent others learning your knowledge

a reply to: cooperton

Sand eh?

Well, the phrase "Don't trust him, his promises are all written in sand" springs to mind there.

The Bible does not specifically say what Jesus wrote in the dust/sand, so there is no definitive answer.

The stories purpose serves to illustrate Jesus's compassion and mercy far as i can determine.

The entirety of the Truth cannot be elaborated with a pen, it must be Lived

I tend to agree with that.

As to Jesus being self-educated well apparently the ability to read and write was highly valued in Jewish society.

Considered essential for religious study and practice.

However that does not change the fact that among the lower classes, to which Jesus was born, literacy rates were generally low, and Jesus's dad was a mere carpenter.

If he was self-taught you have to wonder how as it's not exactly like he would have had access to the knowledge or materials to do so.

originally posted by: andy06shake

Sand eh?

Well, the phrase "Don't trust him, his promises are all written in sand" springs to mind there.

The Bible does not specifically say what Jesus wrote in the dust/sand, so there is no definitive answer.

The stories purpose serves to illustrate Jesus's compassion and mercy far as i can determine.

I was referring to how we have no documents written by Jesus Himself. I think that in itself shows the emphasis on living it rather than just philosophizing about it.

As to Jesus being self-educated well apparently the ability to read and write was highly valued in Jewish society.

Considered essential for religious study and practice.

However that does not change the fact that among the lower classes, to which Jesus was born, literacy rates were generally low, and Jesus's dad was a mere carpenter.

If he was self-taught you have to wonder how as it's not exactly like he would have had access to the knowledge or materials to do so.

I think that was part of the awe that the Jewish teachers had. Especially when Jesus read the scroll of Idaiah in His hometown which was referring to His coming. A mere carpenter being literate and knowledgeable in the Law must have been quite astounding

a reply to: cooperton

I was referring to how we have no documents written by Jesus Himself. I think that in itself shows the emphasis on living it rather than just philosophizing about it.

And yet there is an entire religion and the New Testament of the Bible based around the teachings of the man which is comprised of words.

I think that was part of the awe that the Jewish teachers had. Especially when Jesus read the scroll of Idaiah in His hometown which was referring to His coming.

Take it you mean "Isaiah".

The thing is their awe did not stop the Jewish high priests and religious leaders, who were opposed to Jesus's teachings, and saw him as a threat to their authority, from playing their role in his crucifixion according to the New Testament or thereabouts.

A mere carpenter being literate and knowledgeable in the Law must have been quite astounding

What would have been more astounding is the fact that he apparently was not married given his age.

Then again im lead to believe the Bible does not cover the man's life much until he was in his 30s.

Jesus is a distraction from what is really going on. Keep your eyes open people.

a reply to: PolyATS

There's nothing new under the sun, son.

a reply to: ltrz2025

Ecclesiastes aside that would depend on the star.

One more again.


I'm again, thankful for this OP and thread.

TWICE now that this thread has produced FRUIT.

Love will ALWAYS ABIDE.


Jesus was a teacher of love and mercy for all. He taught forgiveness, kindness to strangers, he healed the sick, opened people's eyes who had never seen before. He helped people that had never walked, to walk. He taught about caring for the poor. Making sure everyone had what they needed, so that everyone was happy. Jesus was teaching to love one another. To forgive one another. That's His COMMANDMENT to us: LOVE EACH OTHER!!!!


If you could only imagine how much has gone into covering that one simple truth up....
Well, if you learned that this was what they were actually trying to prevent you from learning, and you realized that everything youve seen your whole life was to cover this SIMPLE TRUTH up, it would definitely make you wonder about Jesus and His Power.


Jesus was not a communist. Nor were the disciples and the spreading of the Good News.
It was about spreading love.

ETA: if you find love (Gods love).....you'll realize I was speaking the truth right here.


Beware of propaganda.

Render unto Caesar what is Caesars.

Communism an Religion ain’t so different, both are great fictional works that sound great with the promise of Heaven while being state enforced with Authoritay. Just one been around an u

We maybe the Gods, but are still of clay…clay comes from dirt, which has poop, which is Sin. You know what else is full of poop, Space, the very Heavens that are promised. I heard one of North Korean dictators has not defecated the face of Gods green earth, but many a man have sought such claim.

And it has tones of crap which belong to a state enforced imaginary customary tribal figure that Communist didn’t believe

Wealthy people might have less of a spiritual need compared to poor people.
Anybody who has had money and been poor knows, what both variables do to you.

Honestly when I had no job and was thousands in debt I sure prayed more, I needed so much more help from God in those moments. Lot's of money by it's very nature makes us less dependent on God.
If you never know where the next meal is coming from, verses freezers full of food and you can go out for a 5 star dinner at any time and not think twice about it because it is comparatively pocket change in the overall scheme of your finances, it makes a huge difference.

That doesn't mean wealthy or solid upper middle class people totally throw away their need for God.
But it does lesson the chance for sure, that is a reality of life.

I knew a millionaire in the seventies who was the nicest humblest person you could ever meet, he was also a minister by choice when he didn't have to be, he never got a dime from the church, his money was all inherited.

There is a lot of wisdom in Proverbs 30: 7-9

There are two things, Lord,

I want you to do for me

before I die:

8 Make me absolutely honest

and don't let me be too poor

or too rich.

Give me just what I need.

9 If I have too much to eat,

I might forget about you;

if I don't have enough,

I might steal

and disgrace your name.

a reply to: andy06shake

Jesus's dad was a mere carpenter.

"Mere" carpenter?

During that time, carpenters were one of the highest sought-after and highest-paid professions. Joseph was far from poor... as a carpenter, he was likely in great demand. Carpenters built homes, vehicles (carriages/wagons), shafts for tools (many tools were entirely made of wood), and even bowls/utensils.

One error that seems to persist is that when Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph were too poor to stay at the inn. That is incorrect. The inns were full; there were no rooms to be had at any price. The Roman Emperor (I believe it was Herod IIRC) had decreed that all Jewish citizens were required to travel back to their hometown for a census, which of course meant that inn owners made out like bandits trying to accommodate travelers. The inns were full.

Jesus grew up far from poor. His family was well-off thanks to Joseph. Think upper-middle-class.

There are also reports form Biblical scholars that one of Joseph's brothers was a trader who regularly imported goods form the Far East. That is not specified in the Bible itself (that I have found) but if so, that was another highly lucrative profession.

TheRedneck

a reply to: TheRedneck

I just want to add, if Jesus was the perfect carpenter for an entire decade, he must have saved up at least some money for his ministry. Good trades people have always been in demand, still are. Imagine being absolutely perfect at your craft, word would get out and you would be in high demand for doing jobs, you could even charge a little more. But I am sure Jesus charged a fair price for his services.

a reply to: TheRedneck

Luke confirms that Mary and Joseph were poor because instead of a lamb they offered “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” the lesser sacrifice allowed for poor couples (Leviticus 12:6-8).

And they did come from Nazareth which at the time was apparently a small village not exactly the height of opulence.

There are all sorts of reports from Biblical scholars TheRedneck like for instance one of the parents being of royal lineage.

End of the day though i don't think many carpenters could read or write back then or taught their sons to do so.

Guess it is just one of the multitude of questions or queries regarding the life of Jesus that simply cannot be answered with any sort of real veracity.

As i said through, up until his 30s my understanding is that the bible doesn't say much regarding what Jesus got up to or where he went, some people even speculate he traveled to the UK for instance.

I certainly do not think the man was a communist because the fact of the matter is communism was not even a thing back then far as im led to believe.

a reply to: Blue_Jay33

It is logical to make that assumption. Joseph, in line with the times, likely taught his children carpentry. As the son of a well-known carpenter, Jesus would have been in demand as a carpenter. Had He not chose to follow God's will (yes, He had a choice), He would likely have lived a very good life in relative comfort.

Carpentry at the time was a very hard, laborious process. There were no power saws, and precious few metal tools even. It was a very different profession than it is now, yet how many poor contractors (home builders) has anyone known? Most carpenters were illiterate, not because they couldn't afford to learn, but because they didn't have time to learn to read. Reading was not something that was taught in public schools... it was rather taught by teachers and some low-level scribes that would teach children for a price. Only the most affluent could afford such services. The fact that Jesus could read is indicative that He was trained at a young age by a teacher, which reinforces the belief that Joseph was well off financially.

TheRedneck