Jesus' teachings. Profound?

[McCulloch]

Perhaps, but for me the miracle things are secondary, in comparison to what Jesus taught. The teachings of Jesus are for me the greatest thing, not the miracles.

In what way are Jesus' teachings extraordinary? Can it be demonstrated that Jesus had great insight? What profound wisdom is there in Jesus' teachings?

[theophile]

In what way are Jesus' teachings extraordinary? Can it be demonstrated that Jesus had great insight? What profound wisdom is there in Jesus' teachings?

How profound would it be if our politicians actually served the good of others, and so demonstrated their greatness?

Or if people shared their wealth with the poor?

Or actually supported the healthcare of others? (For those not living in nation states like Canada...)

Or ensured that children had a good start in life no matter where they started from?

Or welcomed others to their table - even the so-called "ilk" of society - and gave them pride of place?

...

The wisdom is recognizing that these profound teachings would actually improve welfare for all versus, say, this capitalist system we are living in that, yes, has made life better, but also has us stuck in a situation where the rich are taking off and the not-so-rich are going nowhere.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by McCulloch]

For me profound doesn't necessarily mean original or unique, profound means for me deep, thoughtful, moving. Something that is profound has many "layers" to it, with unendingly facinating, intellectually, emotionally spiritually challenging: by these standards I find the teachings of Christ to be profound.

Personal opinion,

JW

"A man’s greatness can be measured by what he leaves to grow, and whether he started others to think along fresh lines with a vigor that persisted after him. By this test Jesus stands first." - H G Wells

[Zzyzx]

.
Thanks for the topic McCulloch

Profound means: penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/profound

or

difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand; extreme in degree, power, or effect https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profound

Words attributed to Jesus that are revered by Christians include (paraphrased) 'be nice to each other', 'share your toys', 'don't throw stones', 'and above all worship God'.

The average first grader understands the first three ideas. Number four is just a commercial.

Were the words attributed to Jesus intended for adult simpletons?

Those who claim to be his followers don't seem to do any better following even such simple suggestions / rules than anyone else (but at least they talk a good game).

[Divine Insight]

In what way are Jesus' teachings extraordinary? Can it be demonstrated that Jesus had great insight? What profound wisdom is there in Jesus' teachings?

How profound would it be if our politicians actually served the good of others, and so demonstrated their greatness?

Or if people shared their wealth with the poor?

Or actually supported the healthcare of others? (For those not living in nation states like Canada...)

Or ensured that children had a good start in life no matter where they started from?

Or welcomed others to their table - even the so-called "ilk" of society - and gave them pride of place?

...

The wisdom is recognizing that these profound teachings would actually improve welfare for all versus, say, this capitalist system we are living in that, yes, has made life better, but also has us stuck in a situation where the rich are taking off and the not-so-rich are going nowhere.

Where did Jesus do any of the things you've mentioned here?

Apparently he only healed a few people to show off his magical powers. He certainly didn't heal the masses. He didn't insure that children will have a good start in life. Jesus didn't welcome others to his table and offer them a place of pride, instead he was constantly bashing and degrading the pharisees.

In fact, I always point to this as evidence that Jesus could not have been the divine son of an all-benevolent loving God. Jesus was supposed to be able to case out evil demons and cure people of their spiritual sickness, yet he apparently couldn't do this for the Pharisees. In fact, his relationship with the Pharisees was always negative and degrading. Nowhere in the Gospels does he ever actually sit down with them and try to reach a peaceful agreement or understanding. To the contrary he constantly did egotistical battle with them trying to make them appear to be fools.

I don't see where Jesus was anywhere near what the Christians wish he would have been.

[JP Cusick]

In what way are Jesus' teachings extraordinary? Can it be demonstrated that Jesus had great insight? What profound wisdom is there in Jesus' teachings?

I find that most people who claim to follow Jesus simply do not ever put His words into realistic action and so the depth of the words being deeply profound is missed by most people.

The late great Mahatma Gandhi was in many ways the one (1) person who showed the words of Jesus to be deep and profound, while many professed Christians still today deny this reality and its implications.

An example is Jesus telling people to = Turn the other cheek. Matthew 5:39

In orthodox Christianity it means to accept violence and to be passive, of course now even that is being changed into = call the police and get the slapper arrested, or if ye want then we fight against those who strike us. LINK.

But the words do not say that at all, as turning the other cheek means to prompt or even to provoke the violent person to strike us again and repeatedly as we defy them.

Gandhi called this as = Civil disobedience. See here SHORT VIDEO.

Jesus teachings having great insight was always meant as being things for us to do (Matthew 5:19) and not to just believe or to analyze, as such many teachings are super simple in words but profoundly deep in actions.

[marco]

Perhaps, but for me the miracle things are secondary, in comparison to what Jesus taught. The teachings of Jesus are for me the greatest thing, not the miracles.

In what way are Jesus' teachings extraordinary? Can it be demonstrated that Jesus had great insight? What profound wisdom is there in Jesus' teachings?

Placed in the time he lived his sayings are pretty insightful but certainly no more so than those of Socrates, Seneca or the reflections of Marcus Aurelius. Drawing conclusions about his divinity, based on what he said, is surely wrong. If we rule out miracles we have Billy Graham.

[theophile]

[Replying to marco]

Placed in the time he lived his sayings are pretty insightful but certainly no more so than those of Socrates

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I am curious what puts you in a position to make such a claim?

[DanieltheDragon]

[Replying to marco]

Placed in the time he lived his sayings are pretty insightful but certainly no more so than those of Socrates

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I am curious what puts you in a position to make such a claim?

Anyone who has read the teachings of Socrates and Jesus are in a position to make such a claim. I probably wouldn't elavate Jesus to the level of Socrates but to each their own. As Socrates gave us the Socratic method and Jesus well didn't really give much except for treat people with respect and the golden rule which were not really new insights.

[theophile]

[Replying to post 9 by DanieltheDragon]

Anyone who has read the teachings of Socrates and Jesus are in a position to make such a claim. I probably wouldn't elavate Jesus to the level of Socrates but to each their own. As Socrates gave us the Socratic method and Jesus well didn't really give much except for treat people with respect and the golden rule which were not really new insights.

That doesn't clarify at all. I've read Plato quite substantially. And he's definitely my top 2-3 all time. But I can't say what you say here.

Is it the Socratic method that makes you say this? Jesus displays method too with his interlocutors... Equally as effective methinks. Is it the rational breakdown and long strings of arguments involved in Socrates' method? I kind of prefer the parabolic nature of Jesus'. Shorter. Pithier. Far more thought-provoking than long-strung out arguments that invite gnit-picking at every point...

But hey, maybe I'm not as discerning as you. Still, some kind of argument would be helpful.