Did Christ crave worship?

[marco]

Jesus comes to us beautifully gift wrapped, especially at Christmas. His biographers have written wonderful eulogies to the extent that many think he had to be a god.


He told his friends not to say anything about his miracles or his identity. (Matthew 8, Matthew9 and Matthew 16) But of course his purpose was to display his divine gift so he wanted publicity.

When he asked: "What are people saying about me?" was he just seeking flattery?

And when he demanded that people love him more than their own children was he encouraging idolatry, like pop stars today?


Did Jesus crave worship?

[marco]

Please tell what translation has your version of the matter?

We are straying from the point and becoming rooted in translations and interpretations. Do you suppose there is ONE correct version? Anyway:


It is the Contemporary English Version (CEV) that gives:

"You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life."

Many versions try to avoid the word "hate" which seems a silly choice of expression for Jesus.

Bible tells God doesn’t live in man made temples. It doesn’t mean the temple is not God’s. It was done for God and for praying, but people turned it to something else, which is wrong.

I wonder how one copes with issues about television or telephones, since the Bible has not pronounced on these things.

Back to the OP: Christ seems to have demanded that people love him more than they love anyone else. This seems very conceited and narcissistic. No?

[William]

[Replying to post 31 by ]

marco: Back to the OP: Christ seems to have demanded that people love him more than they love anyone else. This seems very conceited and narcissistic. No?

William: That depends on how one interprets "Christ" marco.
In the thread "Is This True?" I posted a meme which - if a true interpretation - would mean that Jesus was not demanding they love him (or an image of him) "more than they love others."

[marco]

[Replying to post 31 by ]

marco: Back to the OP: Christ seems to have demanded that people love him more than they love anyone else. This seems very conceited and narcissistic. No?

William: That depends on how one interprets "Christ" marco.
In the thread "Is This True?" I posted a meme which - if a true interpretation - would mean that Jesus was not demanding they love him (or an image of him) "more than they love others."

If people make Christ a deity then he is demanding worship. The complication is that Christ confused love with religious respect. Perhaps Jesus understood love only in religious theory. I find it impossible to believe anyone can "love" God but they can reasonably claim they love the character described as Jesus. Yahweh makes himself inaccessible to love, except in a false sycophantic sense.

[SallyF]

Jesus comes to us beautifully gift wrapped, especially at Christmas. His biographers have written wonderful eulogies to the extent that many think he had to be a god.


He told his friends not to say anything about his miracles or his identity. (Matthew 8, Matthew9 and Matthew 16) But of course his purpose was to display his divine gift so he wanted publicity.

When he asked: "What are people saying about me?" was he just seeking flattery?

And when he demanded that people love him more than their own children was he encouraging idolatry, like pop stars today?


Did Jesus crave worship?

We may never know for certain.

But certain Christians choose (in commandment-breaking images) to depict their Divine Leader as ACCEPTING flattery, idolatry and worship.

While his contemporary followers declare him "King of Israel" (and NOT "Lord and Saviour") as he curiously rides side-saddle through Jerusalem.

[1213]

[marco]

[1213]

[marco]

[1213]

…I do not "think" what the word means - I know what it means…

Please tell, what is the correct meaning?

…You may attribute some good reason for Christ demanding subservience to him and love but the normal interpretation would be that Christ is being selfish.

I think that is Argumentum ad preferentiam.

…Words are cheap.

Also your words?

[marco]

Please tell, what is the correct meaning?

Any good dictionary will tell you what "hate" means.

…You may attribute some good reason for Christ demanding subservience to him and love but the normal interpretation would be that Christ is being selfish.

I think that is Argumentum ad preferentiam.

I have never seen the noun "preferentia" used in Latin, though I agree that after the preposition "ad" one would use preferentiam. Have you any idea what the phrase means?

I am making the commonplace observation that if somebody demands excessive love he is being selfish. I don't think that slips into any logical fallacy.

So, after this etymological diversion, we can ponder Christ's selfishness. I am guessing that you cannot defend Christ in this instance. Nor can I.