Biblical Scholars have concluded that Jesus was most likely African-American. Why does this bother some?

Question

His message of peace, love, and tolerance are a LOT more important than the color of his skin, in my opinion....

Answer 1

An African American???

Interesting...

No, this doesn't bother me at all. But just think about what you are saying... Black? Possibly. African? Doubtfully. American? No way...

Answer 2

It doesn't matter anyway what color His skin was. I don't know of any Biblical scholar that would use the term African-American to describe Jesus, because you would have to live in America to be "African-American". And, to my knowledge, Jesus lived and preached in Israel.

And, you are absolutely right about His message. Jesus was all about love and peace and tolerance. The only people He didn't tolerate were the "religious leaders"(the Pharisees and Sadducees) of His time. Because, they thought they were holy, pure, and good when actually they were blind to the truth and judgmental of others. And they were into guess what? Making money! Thus the overturning of the money changers tables occurred.

Anyone who calls himself a Biblical scholar and says Jesus was African-American, has to be more than a bit ignorant. The only exception to ignorance, in my opinion, would be that a Mormon might believe that, because it is written in the Book of Mormon that Jesus visited the ancient Americans.

I believe that Jesus most likely had an olive complexion, and looked like an average Jewish person, seeing that He was Jewish. But, I don't care if He was white, black, brown, red, yellow, or purple. I simply love Him because of who He is.

I'm rambling again. Sorry. Peace.

Answer 3

I think I could stand to know just who these "scholars" might be.

I am a degreed anthropologist and theologian and I can state definitively that Jesus' human DNA was Semitic, NOT Hamitic as is the DNA of sub-Saharan Africans.

And for those who are prone to selective forgetfulness, do try to remember that Egypt is on the African continent and that therefore all Egyptians may legitimately be considered as African. Be aware also that Egyptians are also Semitic.

None of which is germane to Jesus' ancestry. He is of the tribe of Benjamin, a son of David and Bathsheba, who were both members of the tribes of Israel, NOT Egyptians, therefore not African but Israeli, Hebrew, Jewish.

His initial message was to Jews. Only when they refused to listen did He turn to the gentiles. I suspect, knowing how God works, that the original intent was for Jesus to reach the Jews and for them to subsequently go unto the Gentiles; which thanks to Paul, was exactly what happened. So, as usual, God got it His way.

You are quite correct, however, about His message. Merely incomplete in your description of what it entails. You forgot the part about the need for repentance, belief, baptism and refraining from sin. Sorry, but if you're gonna tout Him, tout Him right! Don't go all half-a$$ about it just to try for political correctness. He did say that He and His message would bring a sword. He didn't fear it. Don't you!

Answer 4

Just who are these scholars?America was not discovered until centuries after Jesus' time.He was a Palestinian,with the colouring of present-day Palestinians.It seems some arrogant Americans can't stomach the fact that Jesus was'nt born a redneck in good ol' USA.Btw.skin colour should never be an issue.

Answer 5

American? I get how he could be African, but not American.

Of course, the Bible does condone many types of ethnic cleansing. The Old Testament, especially, is rife with God wiping out some race of men or another. And Christianity has been used fervently to legitimize racism in many places.

So, there are still some vestiges of that racism in the religion, even though they have changed their tune, for the most part, in recent times.

Answer 6

This is almost impossible (nothing with God is impossible), but Jesus was born in the Middle East over 2000 years ago. Therefore, there were NO African Americans at that time.

Answer 7

I thought he was Middle-eastern, from Iraq.
BTW, God doesn't wipe out tribes based on race-It's based on region. I think he was an equal--opportunity murderer as far as race was concerned.
According to the middle-age and renaissance painters, he was a white, long-haired hippie so I guess the people that would be bothered he wasn't a white 'American' would be the ones with the same level of historical and scientific background as a 16th century painter ;-)

Answer 8

Which scholars concluded that Jesus lived in America? Other than lily-white Mormon scholars, that is?

And though Matthew has Jesus spending part of his infancy in Egypt, is that enough to say that he was African?

Answer 9

You are so wrong, my friend. Jesus did not teach tolerance. You need to read the Bible instead of making up your own version. Nowhere in the Bible does it say Jesus taught tolerance. And I don't care what nationality He is, but just for your information, He was a Jew of Jewish lineage. He was not white. He was not black.

Answer 10

Well I would have to say that the ones that it bothers do not have any beliefs anyways. If people believe in God and Jesus they wouldnt be a total racist would they? God wouldnt be happy with racists. In fact he allows life itself to punish the racists and let them rot from the inside out. Do you ever notice that people that drink too much , or druggies, and people that harbor hate usually have this hard look on their face. Eventually the pretty become ugly. Hate does this.

Answer 11

Biblical Scholars should focus on:
"there is no respect of persons with God";
there is only respect of persons against God.

Peace, with God, is "through Jesus-->Christ",
is end focused on "Christ" is the end of the law.

Jesus: "division"(sword) and not peace
Christ: "peace" and not divided
Pst: Mark & Avoid them causing division

Jesus: made under the law, and of woman
Christ: is the end of the law, and of transgression
Pst: ye are not under the law, but under grace

Jesus: standing right of God on high in divided heavens
Christ: seated right of God in heaven: higher than heavens
Pst: if risen with "Christ", pls be seated above the law law

Jesus: Saviour of Israel (of Jacob-->Israel)
Christ: Saviour of the world (John 4; 1John 4)
Pst: To wit, that God was in "Christ" reconciling the world

Jesus: cursed EVERY ONE
Christ: BLESSED every one
Pst: eternal salvation is through Jesus-->Christ

The GRACE(ONLY) of our Lord J-->C with you-->all. Amen.