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@Stephen
Thanks Stephen,
it is nice to see some people attempting to provide good material to consider.
I think the notion that Jesus returning so soon after he left makes little sense. No wonder we see so much weirdness in the Christian movement.
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@Reece101
Noah's flood just does not stand up to evidence. It is so far fetched it boggles the mind that any rational person could accept it as anything more than the ravings of a madman,
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@Nevets
What is the evidence that Jesus ever existed?
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@Stephen
“ Why are you trying to kill me?”“You are demon-possessed,”the crowd answered. 7: 19-20
Hi Stephen, I had to find which gospel you were referring to - It is John. When I read the passage, it appears that during the Feast v.14 Jesus is teaching such that the Jews were amazed by his teaching. In fact they were so amazed they ask "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
It sounds like they were pretty impressed with his learning and wisdom. Perhaps that is why they thought he was demon - possessed? Perhaps his amazing learning surprised them so much that their only explanation was a supernatural one. Demons, I suppose might account for this in their minds. Although this might be a plausible explanation, it appears from v. 20 the Jews think Jesus is demon -possessed because he is accusing them of wanting to kill him. It actually does not sound so much like they think he is demon - possessed as much as they think he is crazy.. But in either event, it is clear that it springs from his accusation that he believed they were trying to kill him. And if he was making accusations from nowhere their speculation may have merit but John 5:18 indicates that the Jews were trying to kill him. So his accusation was founded in fact. It is therefore arguable that the Jews accusation of demon-possession was without basis in this situation. It would also seem mean spirited to give their accusation any weight, given that we are privy to what the author has indicated about the Jews wanting to kill him.
Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” John8:48
This response by the Jews is because Jesus has not only accused them again of wanting to kill him, 8:40 but because Jesus accused them of being sons of the Devil, not of Abraham. The Jews believed themselves to be the children of Abraham and would naturally take any accusation to the contrary as being demonic. They would see any rejection of their system as being anti-God; therefore demonic.
Jesus however in 8:49 clearly indicated he is not demon-possessed. So the question has to be debatable. Not conclusive.
Jesus's own family appear to agree with those that wanted to kill him too.....saying : "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" John10:20– Mark3:21
John 10:20 is quoting the Jews not his family. And why do you not quote v.21 which provides an alternative explanation? Not every Jew thought he was demon-possessed. Some, it appears believed that demon-possession was inconsistent with healing.
Mark 3:21 is in the context of Jesus attending to the needs of a crowd, so much that he and the disciples cannot even eat. This is when his family came and said "he is out of his mind". There is nothing in that context about him being demon possessed. It might be that they are saying he is mad; yet the more likely scenario - at least from the context is that they thought he was foolish putting his mission above his own health. Was their concern for his wellbeing because he was not eating or because they thought he was mad?
Was Jesus sick, or mad, or possessed as the scriptures describe. It is all doubtful isn't that the son of god aka god to Christians , could be possessed isn't it?
I don't think the passages necessitate your summation at all. In fact the passages seem to indicate Jesus was in his right mind and was not demon possessed and that he was acting quite ok.
So is there a single explanation why these Jews, including Jesus' own family which included the handpicked virgin herself - Mary mother of God - would even suggest that Jesus son of god was possessed with a demon?
I don't see in Mark 3:21 where Mary thought Jesus was demon-possessed. I am not a scholar like you - but if you provide the verse that would be helpful. Saying he is out of his mind is not the same as demon possession. I also am not sure why there needs to be a single explanation. The Jews had two reasons, one Jesus accused them of wanting to kill him. And those who are trying to kill him would naturally resort to such lies and tactics in order to distract attention from themselves. Two, Jesus is suggesting that the entire Jewish system has become so corrupted that it no longer contained children of Abraham. It is natural that those Jews in such a corrupt system would deny their corruptness and again attempt to assassinate the character of Jesus.
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@Bones
Truly fascinating contradictions. like capitalism and oppression. like Biden and smart. Like military and intelligence.
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@Mandrakel
Hello,
Thanks for this post. You said there were thousands of Christians dead before Jesus was crucified. I have never seen this before. Can you explain how you came to this conclusion?
Thanks.
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