I have a friend who home schools her child.
One of the benefits to having such a friend is that occasionally I, a product of the public education system, get to learn some things as well.
The other day she mentioned the Jefferson Bible.
This was a version of the Bible written by Thomas Jefferson who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
In his version of the Bible, Jefferson removed any portion of Scripture that referred to Jesus as a member of the Trinity, His Divine Nature and any of His actions that could, and rightfully should, be considered miraculous.
While I find this interesting from a purely historical perspective, I cannot help but realize that this is neither anything new, nor is it confined to the past.
I have lost count of how many times I have heard or read where people try to minimize Jesus.
Some admit that they believe a man named Jesus once walked the earth at one time.
Some will go a bit farther and say that Jesus was a good man who had good ideas.
Others will even venture to say that Jesus was a good moral teacher.
These attempts at describing Jesus fail to measure up to who Jesus really IS and all that He has done for us.
The opening of the book of John clearly lays down the foundation of both His role in the Trinity and His Divine Nature.
John 1:1-5 (KJV) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Of all the miracles associated with Jesus one clearly demonstrates the Divine Nature of Jesus. The account of the woman with the bleeding disease who steals up behind Him in order that she be healed merely by touching the hem of His garment cements this in my mind.
Luke 8:43-46 (ASV) - And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately the issue of her blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who is it that touched me? And when all denied, Peter said, and they that were with him, Master, the multitudes press thee and crush [thee]. But Jesus said, Some one did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me.
Along with all the miracle that are documented for us, the final verse of the book of John underscores many more.
John 21:25 (ASV) - And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.
The fact that people throughout history have attempted to rewrite Scripture and invent their own version of Jesus no longer surprises me.
Granted, I am sorry that it does happen, but it simply is no longer surprising.
I have a good friend whose father was a minister. My friend once told me that his father used to say that a good minister must bring comfort to those who are uncomfortable and make those feeling too comfortable feel a little uncomfortable.
I think something similar could be attributed to Jesus. He brought hope to those who had none. He brought discomfort to those who thought they had all of the answers.
Perhaps some people are a little uncomfortable with the real Jesus. If so, why not simply invent one with whom they are more comfortable.
In the final analysis, we have to accept the Bible for what it is... the inspired Word of God.
Similarly, we have to accept Jesus for who he IS.
To settle for anything less is pointless.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/
One of the benefits to having such a friend is that occasionally I, a product of the public education system, get to learn some things as well.
The other day she mentioned the Jefferson Bible.
This was a version of the Bible written by Thomas Jefferson who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
In his version of the Bible, Jefferson removed any portion of Scripture that referred to Jesus as a member of the Trinity, His Divine Nature and any of His actions that could, and rightfully should, be considered miraculous.
While I find this interesting from a purely historical perspective, I cannot help but realize that this is neither anything new, nor is it confined to the past.
I have lost count of how many times I have heard or read where people try to minimize Jesus.
Some admit that they believe a man named Jesus once walked the earth at one time.
Some will go a bit farther and say that Jesus was a good man who had good ideas.
Others will even venture to say that Jesus was a good moral teacher.
These attempts at describing Jesus fail to measure up to who Jesus really IS and all that He has done for us.
The opening of the book of John clearly lays down the foundation of both His role in the Trinity and His Divine Nature.
John 1:1-5 (KJV) - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Of all the miracles associated with Jesus one clearly demonstrates the Divine Nature of Jesus. The account of the woman with the bleeding disease who steals up behind Him in order that she be healed merely by touching the hem of His garment cements this in my mind.
Luke 8:43-46 (ASV) - And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately the issue of her blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who is it that touched me? And when all denied, Peter said, and they that were with him, Master, the multitudes press thee and crush [thee]. But Jesus said, Some one did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me.
Along with all the miracle that are documented for us, the final verse of the book of John underscores many more.
John 21:25 (ASV) - And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.
The fact that people throughout history have attempted to rewrite Scripture and invent their own version of Jesus no longer surprises me.
Granted, I am sorry that it does happen, but it simply is no longer surprising.
I have a good friend whose father was a minister. My friend once told me that his father used to say that a good minister must bring comfort to those who are uncomfortable and make those feeling too comfortable feel a little uncomfortable.
I think something similar could be attributed to Jesus. He brought hope to those who had none. He brought discomfort to those who thought they had all of the answers.
Perhaps some people are a little uncomfortable with the real Jesus. If so, why not simply invent one with whom they are more comfortable.
In the final analysis, we have to accept the Bible for what it is... the inspired Word of God.
Similarly, we have to accept Jesus for who he IS.
To settle for anything less is pointless.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/
3 comments :
You are right, it is nothing new. We want a Jesus that will fit into our lifestyle. In Africa they want to mix him in with ancestral worship (just to cover all their bases) and here in the US, we want him to accept our lifestyles and accept our sins.
I sm do glad the version I read tells me about a mighty God.
amen, thx for commentaries! blessings
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