I recently saw a photograph posted on Facebook of a picketing sign which read, "Obama is not a brown-skinned anti-war socialist who gives away free health care. + You're thinking of Jesus. +"
Four people had indicated that they liked the sign and another individual had posted a favorable comment which read, "THAT is fabulous!"
With six people expressing favor for the sign (I'm including the person who originally posted the photo in the count), not seeing the obvious errors in the message, I was compelled to respond, "Jesus was neither anti-war (see Revelation) nor socialist (see Mosaic Law)."
A seventh supporter of the misguided picketing sign replied, "Words in red Dan. Jesus did not write either of those books." Another wrote, "Perhaps. However, the first person accounts of the Jesus described in the bible portray him as a person who more closely resembles a tolerant, peaceful, loving person who wanted people to care for each other (John 15:12)."
I replied, "Since Jesus is a member of the triune God, and since all Scripture is God breathed (inspired), in order to have a comprehensive picture of God's very nature, you must take the whole counsel of God into account (Genesis through Revelation). God the Son has the same nature as God the Father."
Their Response
"I am compelled to point out that your are stating an opinion rather than a fact in saying that what we know as the bible is the inspired word of the Christian god. But that is an argument for another day. What perplexes me is that you seem to be saying that since Jesus and the god of the Old Testament are the same person than we must assume that Jesus while kind and loving at times was also angry, vindictive, misogynistic and genocidal. And that is what we should aspire to?"
My Response
"...if a member of your family had a horrific crime done to them (i.e. murder, rape, etc.), and at the trial the judge passed the appropriate sentence on the perpetrator, would you categorize the judge as "angry, vindictive, misogynistic and genocidal"?
God, the Creator, has provided us with His law as well as the penalty for violating the law. He has stated the penalty for violating the law is death. As king, lawgiver and judge, He alone retains the right to pass sentence on the lawbreaker whenever He chooses.
We, as humans, are all lawbreakers. As a result, we are guilty and it is just a matter of time before our day in court. God as a just judge will pass sentence as dictated by the law. The good news is that God, having love and compassion for mankind, provided a way to escape the judgment required by the law in that He placed the death penalty on His own Son. In doing so, the penalty for violating the law was satisfied (the fine paid) by Jesus so that men and women could go free. We have a choice. To appropriate Jesus payment for our guilt or to reject the offer.
One more thing... my purpose in responding to this post was to point out that the person who made the sign in the photograph, does not have an accurate understanding of the nature of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible.
Regardless of one's religious beliefs, the Bible is regarded as the primary source of information for understanding the tenants of Christianity, including the very nature of the God and Jesus Christ. If we were to be discussing any other historical figure, we would expect this same level of academic rigor be applied to published statements, articles, books, etc.
My explanations above are intended to clarify the misinformation published by the individual in the photograph."
Their Response
"Dan: I think you are making a Straw Man argument. Let me ask you a question: is mass murder justified if it is done in the name of god? There are numerous accounts of mass extermination of human life in the bible which are exalted by Christians as examples of god's judgment on mankind for lack of belief while also serving as an example of his love for his followers. Do you really think that the children in Jericho were guilty of horrific crimes?"
My Response
Although I am getting way off my intended purpose of correcting the assumptions contained in the photograph, let me attempt to address your valid questions, and let me say, thanks for giving me the opportunity to do so.
First, let's look at the assumptions contained in your previous post:
"...judgment for the lack of belief..."
Never in the Bible is judgment passed for a lack of belief...not in the past, present or future. Judgment is passed because of the violation of law.
"...example of his love for his followers."
In the history of the United States, Congress has declared war and Presidents have sent our military into battle many times. We do not look at the war on Nazi Germany and criticize the United States for not demonstrating love. In fact, one might argue that the United States was demonstrating love for not only the Jewish people, but the many countries of Europe which were ravaged by the Germans at that time. War does not indicate an absence of love. Likewise one might conclude that a just judge that passes sentence on a criminal is demonstrating love for the victim.
"...mass murder justified..."
War and murder are two very different things. Governments and nations rightfully bear the sword (have the ability to declare war) to defend itself, to defend the weak or the execute justice. Was dropping the bomb on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor justified? Were the children of Japan guilty? Of course they were not, yet they were the casualties of the war of their fathers."
More to Come...
