For all of you who DO NOT worship Jesus, but think he probably actually existed, what was his purpose in the grand scheme of things? That is, if you think there might be a grand scheme of things... I guess I'm asking you to tell me what purpose he served for the world, humanity, society, etc. and possibly why.
It's a very open-ended question. Personally, I think he gave us as a society a reason for hope in a dull, cruel world that lacked knowledge and technology. While that has sustained us for 2000 years, I think his usefulness is running out, especially when all the "end times" predictions never happen. I think his purpose was to create a foundation for believing in a better world.
2007-03-22 05:31:05 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think he was a wise man, possessing a wise spirit, but I don't think he was any more or less divine than anyone else.
I think the usefulness of *his* teachings endures (NOT Paul's or the OT), but the usefulness of the religion that rose up in his name, departed long, long ago. The difference in the modern era is that more and more people dare to question it, and the political and moral environment is more open to it. It may not seem so, with all the bickering, but once upon a time you'd get burnt and tortured for not falling in line.. Me, I'll take the bickering. There is social protest, but it is now legal to question Christianity (bummer for them).
2007-03-22 05:42:51 · answer #1 · answered by KC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you may be underestimating humanity in your view that the world was hopeless, dull and cruel before Christ.
His gospel isn't really that novel; but what Christianity did do (I use Christianity instead of Christ, that it wouldn't be far fetched to assume that he never existed) is universalize that breed of ethic.
Good men and minds were developed under the institution of Christianity. It provoked and still provokes thought, among some.
His role in the "Grand Scheme" is quite evident; that it was an integral part of humanity's growth.
2007-03-22 13:04:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is a grand scheme of things. Having said that, I think that Jesus saw his purpose as enlightening his culture which had grown rigid with rules and had strayed from its spiritual nature.
I think that the non-christian theistic world may regard him as a prophet. For the rest of us he is an ethical philosopher (as, I will point out, are many christian writers). His lack of divinity in no way detracts from the beatitudes or the golden rule. In this way everyone can gain enlightenment from him just as they can from Socrates.
2007-03-22 12:34:02 · answer #3 · answered by Dave P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
His purpose was no different from yours or mine. He found a cause worth fighting for and he followed it. It's no different than a celebrity today getting involved with a charity. I can't think of a specific example at the moment but it's the same general idea...
2007-03-22 12:35:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the gospel of Mary Magdalene, Jesus was about enlightenment. The second coming was not a apocalyptic event, it was about obtaining new knowledge.
The early church desired control. They ordered the gnostic gospels destroyed and attempted to discredit Mary Magdalene by labeling her a prostitute. She was not. Pope Gregory was the worst, in my opinion, to alter and twist the bible to fit his agenda.
If the true message of Jesus had survived we would have a very different Christianity. One that encouraged knowledge instead of suppressing it.
2007-03-22 12:37:13 · answer #5 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically speaking, you're not making sense. If we don't even believe in Jesus in the first place, why would we bother talking about him? While his works are certainly to be noted (and with a major pinch of salt for his more "stupendous" miracles), why should we believe him "special" at all?
2007-03-22 12:36:28 · answer #6 · answered by optimistic_pessimist1985 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that he had wonderful things to say to the world, as do a lot of men in history. As for purpose, I couldn't guess his motivations.
2007-03-22 12:36:49 · answer #7 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was an enlightened dude who saw the pointlessness of the religion of his birth and thought god should be a loving being instead of the bastard he was in the OT
He realized loving your fellow human is the answer.
There were many others throughout history who were similar
2007-03-22 12:45:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was a man like any other. His purpose was to live life like any other human being.
2007-03-22 12:36:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Same purpose as anyone else who is born. Nothing more, except maybe to make us all argue with each other over it.
2007-03-22 12:35:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋