Was Jesus Christ really a good person?

Question

What did he say about treatment of slaves...?

"And that servant [slave], which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." (Luke 12:47)

Furthermore Jesus with all his messages of love also had this message:

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”

The burning of unbelievers during the Inquisition was based on the words of Jesus:

"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:6)


Hmmm, now I don't think any good person would talk about beating of innocent slaves, or as a matter of fact even advocate slavery.

He would never advise or even talk about killing someone. It truely shows his resistance and tolerance as a moral character.

Any honest individual would tell you, Jesus Christ was a great hypocrite.

Answer 1

Well, yeah... But also, don't we know just *nothing* / *squat* / *zip*, from age ~0 to ~28 or so?

Answer 2

It should be noted that Jesus basically never deals with the institution of slavery one way or the other, at least as such. It should also be noted that the Greek word douloV, or doulos (Strong's Concordance #G1401), translated "servant", can mean "slave," however, or vice versa.

It is the Apostle Paul who discusses slavery. However, one never gets a clear condemnation of the institution as such in the New Testament, nor a justification for it either. Paul does encourage Philemon ( verses 10-18) to take back a slave which had converted to faith in Christ after running away from Philemon. There are texts in which servants/slaves are told to obey, not revolt against, their masters ( Col. 3:22; Eph. 5:5-9; I Tim. 6:1; Titus 2:9). Paul doesn't think the status of being a slave or free matters in the sight of God ( Col. 3:11) as a spiritual matter.

One could use (say) the Golden Rule of Jesus or the Great Commandment of loving one's neighbor as one's self against holding a slave. Hence, if you loved someone equal to yourself, and you wouldn't want to be a slave, then you shouldn't own one. But it's true no explicit condemnation of owning slaves occurs in the New Testament.

Answer 3

"And that servant [slave], which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." (Luke 12:47)"

Error: inability to recognize the context of this verse as being part of a parable.

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”

Part of another parable. You should learn how to read different types of literature before commenting on them.

"The burning of unbelievers during the Inquisition was based on the words of Jesus:"

If someone quoted you out of context, should you be blamed for it? Then why should Jesus?

Answer 4

Brett: That's not quite true. There's an account in Luke where Jesus went missing after a trip to Jerusalem with his parents when he was 12. He was found speaking to the priests at the temple.

Now to the question: First of all.... the reference to casting off branches referred to his dismissing those that claimed to be his servants but were not. It was pure imagery. He said a tree (a servant of his) would be known by it's fruits. What do you do with bad, fruitless branches, you lop them off and burn them, don't you. He was in no way referring to any real burning of these people, any more so that there is a real hell where the wicked go after they die.

As for the account in Luke, Jesus was talking about those that would claim to be christians... who would hold the responsibility of teaching Christ's teachings to others but failed in their task by teaching lies and commands of men. He said those would be found worthy of punishment. However, while wrote in terms people of those days would understandst, it was a prophecy designed for the future.

Answer 5

It might be important for you to note that God is love. But that isn't the whole story. God is also the Master, the Boss. He has power, and cares abuot how we look at Him. If we treat what He said cheaply after believing Him, then we are disobedient and careless towards Him.

I think that's the part you are missing. God has an opinion, a Christian who follows Him closely will care about the way He looks at them. Do you see a connection there?

EDIT: I re read your statement about Jesus being a hypocrite. No, an honest person who isn't ignorant will see that God is more than just love. God is love, but not love only. I think that there are many people who fall into that erroneous ideology.

Answer 6

You're somewhat confused, servant does not equal slaves. He himself said He was a servant of man that does not mean He was a slave of man.

Now that we have that clarified, I think John 3:16 is clear, He wants everyone saved but ultimately, many will choose not to be saved. That's their choice. he forces no one to be casted out or killed.

Answer 7

The belief of hell is beautiful good quashed by means of the notion in an all loving and ever simply deity. Eternal torture of the worst sort simply is not a simply sentence for a basically intellectual/ideological dispute, neither is damnation the movement of a simply deity. Therefore, we need to feel both of 2 matters. A: Hell does not exist, or B: God isn't all loving and ever simply, which begs the query, if God is not a flawlessly loving and simply deity, why could you worship it?

Answer 8

Wow, didn't know you were omniscient...can you tell us more, other than your limited understanding of Scripture, how you KNOW Jesus was a hypocrite? Also, how do you know, that people who don't share your opinion (because they have a better grasp on scripture) are dishonest? Where's the proof?

Answer 9

Those are about things that happen AFTER life, not during life, and you need to read the whole chapter instead of one verse.

Jesus taught us that we are not to judge others, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"


Peace!

Answer 10

You really would have to know Him personally to form a judgement like that, which by the way, could not be further from the truth.