Spent the Last 40 Years Studying Jesus--Just Now Believing...Time Well Spent?

Question

Rosalind S asks: "What did you study?.." etc. Of course, the Bible (King James vs., for its purity). And also many religions. I noticed every writer, pretty much, felt compelled to say something about Jesus. This was curious. As something of a scientist, I also conducted experiments: Over the years...at least 1000 (modest est.). Ie: I'd read, call Him/meditate. I could always feel some peace, and more life force flowing through...a definate and very positive sensation, mental, physical too... Good times or bad times...this feeling of tranquility, forgiveness, peace, comfort, without fail. I can't recall a single failed test.

Of course, I can't prove it to the person standing next to me, so this is a difficulty for a scientist. But I believe each individual can conduct the same experiment and in time, duplicate the results, as nothing about me is extraordinary, so, thus...my humble conclusion.

Answer 1

Better believe late than never, no time is wasted in searching for truth.

Answer 2

Correction, you spent the last 40 years studying what people have written about Jesus. Actually, I'm sure during your studies you found out that there are no first-hand accounts of Jesus. The Christian religion was "revealed" to Paul. (Much like Joseph Smith's founding of the Mormons.) Then the evangelists came along over 50 years later to fill in the details. (Unfortunately, they skipped about 95% of his life!)

But, ultimately it was Constantine who brough Christians and Pagans together, and with the First Council of Nicaea in 325 codified the Christian Faith.

I only wish we would have stayed closer to Jesus's message. He was a Jew who wanted to reform Judaism, not destroy it or start some new-fangled religion. I've always said, if you really want to understand where Jesus was coming from, first convert to Judiasm and use that as your base. WWJD? He'd be a Jew!

If you want to go back further than that, check out the Pharoh Akh-en-aton, the original monotheist (worshipped Sun God only) . THis is where the Hebrews got their religion from. They later changed to a more abstract God once they left Egypt. This Sun-God became just plain God to the Jews and later, Son of God to the Christians.

If you really have faith, then you have to ignore the contradictions such as: 3 Gods in 1 is not polytheism and Jesus was God made flesh and died on the cross for our sins but that's not human sacrifice.

Blind faith may be the best faith, but unless God speaks directly to you, you're getting someone else's interpretation. After all, I've never seen a Bible that had God's copyright stamped on it.

To answer your question with a question... are you a better son, father, husband, friend, citizen, person than you were before? If so, then the answer is Yes, time was well spent.

Answer 3

The Jews spent 40 years wandering in the desert as well before they came into the promised land.

40 is often understood as the “number of probation or trial.” For example: the Israelites wandered for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5); Moses was on the mount for 40 days (Exodus 24:18); 40 days were involved in the story of Jonah and Nineveh (Jonah 3:4); Jesus was tempted for 40 days (Matthew 4:2); there were 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3).

Answer 4

that all depends on what you mean by turn against. most of my family were christian. most of them died christian. so I don't have any bad feelings towards christians in general. it is the deception and lies that changed the course of human history that bothers me. intelligent men spoke out and were put down like rabid dogs. freethinking forward geniuses were chained by the church. the dark age was mainly caused by this. how far would humanity have already come if it were not for the hocus pocus of the church? yes, studying of the bible changed me. it opened my eyes to the way of the world. the question "why'' should always have an answer.

Answer 5

Only you can determine whether or not your time was well spent. We're all accountable for our own actions.

However, I think that your belief in Jesus could be paralleled quite easily to your avatar picture ... the longer you spend looking at it, the more apparent the "face" becomes ... and as the "face" becomes more apparent, it seems that the idea of extraterrestrial life must be true. Its what happens if you spend a great deal of time focusing on something.

Answer 6

No. You brainwashed yourself. That's ironic because it can happen both ways. Newton began as a devout man who studied the Bible as voraciously as he studied math. He eventually concluded that Jesus is not God and became an Agnostic in his later years. Were you studying Him to convince yourself it's not true? If you go into it like that, you'll find it's easier to convince yourself that it is true. Study other world religions, your narrow focus caused you to convert yourself.

Answer 7

No. You could have set aside one week during each of those 40 years studying different religions! You could have been the first person to know about 50% of the religions out there.

40 years on a crap shoot. Well, if you live 15960 more years, you can get to the rest of the current religions in the world.

Answer 8

As long as you finally came to Him, that's the most important thing. Forget about the time some doubts in you may consider "lost"- now that you're where you are at, your farther than many self-proclaimed Christians ever go. Use it to the full extent and bask in it. Think not about the "lost" time, but the time left that you can't afford to lose.

Answer 9

it doesnt take 40 yrs to understand that Jesus said: be nice to people. The rest of the bible is a mix of mumbo-jumbo and history of the jews. take Jesus's basic message to heart and be happy.

Answer 10

Thats not a question I would leave up to the Yahoo! Answers community. What you choose to believe is whats right for you. Don't let ANYONE tell you differently.