[bpmartyr]

Jesus Christ
By Phil Harris
Wednesday, December 5, 2007

My next statement is one-hundred percent correct. Not one person who saw my headline thought to himself or herself, "Jesus Christ… who is that?" Perhaps some of you thought I was swearing. Others, no doubt, are offended that I should use the name of Jesus in such a manner. In any case, the name rings a bell for everyone.

The name Jesus is familiar in nearly every corner of the globe. For the Jews, Jesus was a Rabbi who stirred things up at a particular time in history. The Muslim's Quran speaks of Jesus as one of the great Prophets, created miraculously. Muslims believe that Jesus did not die on the cross, but ascended to Heaven while still alive.

Christians believe Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. Then he arose from the dead and ascended to heaven. This is central to the Christian faith, because the entire reason for Jesus' coming was to defeat the consequences of sin, and eternal death. Christians believe that Jesus took the death penalty of sin upon Himself, and paid the price on our behalf.

Of course, there are people who declare themselves to be Christians, but for no significant reason other than an adherence to a social philosophy. Sort of like wearing a tee shirt, that declares an allegiance to the writings of Voltaire or Rousseau.

Other religions (including Islam) have arisen since the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. All of them are forced to deal with the name and person of Jesus Christ, in order to make room for their own existence. Jehovah Witnesses declare that Jesus Christ was really Michael the Archangel prior to his birth. Upon his death, they believe that He did not return to Heaven as God the Son, but once again as Michael the Angel.

Mormons believe that Jesus was a created being: the elder brother of Lucifer (otherwise known as Satan, or the Devil). They believe that Jesus was "a god", rather than an inseparable member of the one Godhead, otherwise known as the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). They also believe Jesus was not conceived by the Holy Spirit, but that "God" had sex with Mary as a man, and conceived Jesus just as any other man would have been conceived.

Our secular or atheist brethren deal with Jesus on a sliding scale, from recognizing Him as a historical but insignificant figure, all the way to an absolute denial that there ever was such a person. I presume that agnostics could not care less, one way or the other.

Such is the name of Jesus Christ, known to billions of people throughout history. Yet once again, we see a battle raging in America, simply for the acknowledgment of the reason for the season. The same process is at work as occurs in the peripheral religions, which is to marginalize the importance of Jesus, and to dethrone Him from his identity as God the Son.

This is why I continue to speak of the religion of secular purity. There exists a burning need to cleanse the "public square" of Christ's name, even while accommodating the special needs of other beliefs, such as those held by Muslims. It is the same dynamic at work. Do you hear the howls of protest, coming from those who wail at the wall of separation between church and state?

The commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ has been observed for centuries as Christmas. There is no scriptural commandment to celebrate Christmas, but the significance of Christmas should be obvious to anyone. It roughly marks the day to remember, when God gave to us the greatest gift ever given in the history of mankind. He gave Himself as God the Son, Jesus, who would choose to die in our place. His unique blood was destined to wash our sins away then, now, and forever.

Faith is believing without the benefit of seeing. Jesus suffered and died horribly on the cross for our benefit. Believing, without seeing, should not be much of a burden to bear. The name of Jesus does not demand death for those who use it inappropriately, but offers life for those who write it upon their hearts.

As we move through the Holidays, let us love one another and share what we have with those who have less. There truly is a wonderful spirit of peace and joy in this season for the whole world, as was so beautifully set to music in George Frederic Handel's Messiah… "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

[Heat Miser]

There would be no Christmas without the Christ.

[pistonpump]

that was good stuff.

[Reaper329]

I will say this, the start of your last paragraph is the most important aspect IMO

[pistonpump]

Originally Posted by Reaper329

I will say this, the start of your last paragraph is the most important aspect IMO

exactly. it made me think of someone giving to me genuinely, helpin me out. that made me think that i actually have some friends that are homeless right now, and others who might need my help. Id like to do that this season, help them out even tho i dont have much. Maybe they will see that there is good in people and that some people will lend out a hand.

[ReaperX]

A lot of people are fairweather Christians. It takes more than going to Church only on Easter/Christmas. It even takes more than just going to church on Sunday and being 'good'.

I think a lot of people have a misguided and skewed view about what it is to be a Christian and Christianity. As a believer it requires a very active role on our parts seeking out God and not being passive/picking apart what we like, what we don't like, what we feel like doing, etc, etc.


People tend to believe in God when it is 'convient' for them like 9/11.

[Reaper329]

To me this is not a religious issue at all. This is a good nature issue. THe most important thing to me is to try and help when and if you can, regardless of any religious connect it might have.

I am not a religious man at all, in fact I am a nontheist, but that should never take away from ones moral obligations

[thewilman]

Originally Posted by bpmartyr

He gave Himself as God the Son, Jesus, who would choose to die in our place. His unique blood was destined to wash our sins away then, now, and forever.

Amen Brother! Merry CHRISTmas!

Jesus IS the reason for the season!

[bludevil]

Merry Christmas and God Bless, very nice post.

[Mulletsoldier]

Faith is believing without the benefit of seeing. Jesus suffered and died horribly on the cross for our benefit. Believing, without seeing, should not be much of a burden to bear. The name of Jesus does not demand death for those who use it inappropriately, but offers life for those who write it upon their hearts.

Where's that Religious thread now?

[Irish Cannon]

Great post!

Just a reminder, though... there still are areas of the world that have NOT been touched by the Word of God, or have ever heard of Jesus. Just a reminder to share your faith.

[Reaper329]

just curious, by sharing you mean when asked of course?

[Mulletsoldier]

LOL, to the graphic above.

As the aboriginal of Nunavut do not practice christianity, they obviously do not exist.

[BLADE74]

One thing I love most is when one is as outspoken about me about Jesus and his role in our spritual quests. Faith IS Blind and never lead life with your human eyes for they can not comprehend the works of what God can do. Amen to that post!! One thing I we all must remember is that there is one church or body of the church and that one IS Jesus. There aren't any true religions there are true christians. True Christians don't slander other churches for their beliefs. Like Jesus said to the apostles when they tried to stop people from praying in Jesus' name. If they be for me, then who be against me? Love your negihbor no matter how htye worship, love your enemy evenif they do not believe what you do. Don't try and force God on one who's in question. Just lead your life and let all those see what it is about you that makes you so different from the rest of the world. Be fisherman of men.