The Idiot's Guide to Christianity
Although the Gospels can hardly be trusted, let's just assume for the sake of argument that they are authoritative. Given then this source for our elucidation, a couple of passages stand out in shining light. I'll use the KJV here.
In Mathew 22:36-40, we read:
36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"
37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind'
38 "This is the first and great commandment.
39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'
40 "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
(A parallel is found in Mark 12: 28-33)
Interestingly, none of this actually appears explicitly in the commandments that were handed down to Moses. It seems that 'Jesus' is extemporizing from the established theology of the time. It is quite clear that 'he' means these two 'commandments' are to take precedence over any rigid code of behaviour that may have been established by past theology.
The other passage is quite well known, Luke 20-21:
20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
21 "nor will they say 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
This is also often written as "The kingdom of Heaven is within you." I can't offer which is a better translation of the source texts, which likely vary anyway, but simply offer both.
Much further wisdom on this can be gained from examining the texts of the so-called Nag Hammadi Library.
These two pronouncements by 'Jesus' ought to form the core of Christianity. All the rest is dross or fluff at best, and outright propaganda at worst by an unenlightened priesthood seeking only temporal power. The only place to seek Christ is in your heart.
May those who have eyes to see and ears to hear find wisdom in this.
In Mathew 22:36-40, we read:
36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"
37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind'
38 "This is the first and great commandment.
39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'
40 "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
(A parallel is found in Mark 12: 28-33)
Interestingly, none of this actually appears explicitly in the commandments that were handed down to Moses. It seems that 'Jesus' is extemporizing from the established theology of the time. It is quite clear that 'he' means these two 'commandments' are to take precedence over any rigid code of behaviour that may have been established by past theology.
The other passage is quite well known, Luke 20-21:
20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
21 "nor will they say 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
This is also often written as "The kingdom of Heaven is within you." I can't offer which is a better translation of the source texts, which likely vary anyway, but simply offer both.
Much further wisdom on this can be gained from examining the texts of the so-called Nag Hammadi Library.
These two pronouncements by 'Jesus' ought to form the core of Christianity. All the rest is dross or fluff at best, and outright propaganda at worst by an unenlightened priesthood seeking only temporal power. The only place to seek Christ is in your heart.
May those who have eyes to see and ears to hear find wisdom in this.