For argument sake, lets say Jesus never existed. Isn't the message just as important as the messenger?

Question

Whether or not Jesus existed doesn't change the fact that this message and philosophy was both beautiful and extremely radical.

Answer 1

Excellent point.



I don't think the movement would have taken off if Jesus' message had not been powerful and timely.



The gospel account of John is written almost two generations after the crucifixion, and even though it has whole chapters of Jesus talking, it's very unlikely that there's a single instance in it of recounting an actual event that can be historically linked to Jesus, and yet it stands as a powerful statement of the Gospel, the Good News. The fact that Jesus had nothing directly to do with it is utterly trivial and irrelevant. The message -- The Message -- is all that matters.

Answer 2

The message is so much more important than the messenger. In fact, the main problem with Christians is that they focus too much on the messenger and completely ignore the message. All they care is that you are saved, no matter what they have to say/do to accomplish that.

Answer 3

Jesus was more than just a messenger, he was a perfect man. His death was necessary to redeem mankind from the perfection Adam lost when he sinned. That is why his death is often referred to as the ransom sacrifice - a ransom is a payment considered of equivalent value to that which is being held captive. No other human could perform the same act that he did because no amount of imperfect human lives could ever add up to be equivalent to one perfect man.



If Jesus had never existed, the message therefore would have been of no value as we would never have any hope of being redeemed from our sinful condition. As 1 Cor 15:17 says, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins."

Answer 4

Gandhi had great messages too, but you don't see people blowing up abortion clinics and protesting at gay funerals in his name. The fact that his teachings were supposed to be divine from the mouth of the "son of god" takes a good message and turns it into something people can be radical about since they think their acting in accordance with divine will.



Many of his messages by themselves are just fine, but there were others around that time and before with wonderful ideas and messages, but since they weren't touted as the "son of god" what they had to say doesn't rate as high.

Answer 5

Good point.

He was referred to as teacher for good reason.



Many people, like Fundamentalists, "accept Jesus into their hearts" and can quote Bible verses out of context all day long but have no comprehension of the message that is in the book they so self righteously wave around.

If they did you would see a profound change in their attitude towards caring for others and their behaviors.

Answer 6

Well, from having read the Bible, I would say Jesus's message was "We really need to reform the Jewish religion," which doesn't feel that important to me since I'm not a Jew.



Paul's message on the other hand, which seems to be "believe in Jesus or go to Hell," I wouldn't call that "beautiful." I'd call it "coercive."

Answer 7

Some of the "message" that is attributed to Jesus is beautiful, sure.



However, the problem is attributing it to Jesus. The majority of that "beautiful" message can be found in every other culture and religion all over the world, and it was around even before Jesus's time.



The point is, the message doesn't need Jesus. And it stains the message to have it delivered wrapped up in the bigotry, hate, intolerance, and violence that is the hallmark of religion.

Answer 8

If you dissect the bible into "really really effed up stuff"- like commands to commit genocide & other atrocities, and "really transcendent stuff"- commands to love others & sacrifice for a higher good...



You'll find the parts that Jesus is credited to have said to comprise the majority of the latter category. In fact you won't find the messed up stuff at all in Jesus' words. I don't believe that Jesus was a god, but I also don't think its fair when people try to lump the stuff he said in with the messed up stuff.

Answer 9

It's not only the message but the Person behind the message. That is what makes the message the message it is. If I had a message and the President of the US had the same message, who do you think people are more apt to listen to and follow and welcome the message? For the sake of the message, the message and messenger must be tied together.

Answer 10

In many cases, yes.



The thing about Jesus' message is that it cannot be separated from what he DID. To cut a long story short, without the Cross and resurrection, the message of Jesus would still be a great message, but one without power.

Answer 11

my friend what's important is both . as if u may note first of all the truth jesus reviled was to help people . note that if a person accepts jesus this actually means he accepts jesus's orders , jesus's way of thinking which is not different from god . if a person says he accepts jesus but does'nt get's baptised jesus won't accept him as he did'nt follows the path shown by jesus . if we don't accepts the message how wpuld our life get changed? how will we get peace n happiness? also don't ignore a very imp. fact of god .

when god gets happy with some person he brings him towards a messenger of god , a person who himself is connected 2 god . god does'nt meet people directly , instead send people to his messengers , the messengers say as god says , in this way those people who follow the path of this messenger get to meet god by the messenger's grace . do note there is no difference between messenger n god . u may be getting confused but i am telling u this as both jesus , christ , krishna , Guru nanak dev ji exist ,so do profet mohammad n budha, even today though not in a physical form of body as body dies not soul. now all started some religion n u must be wondering which path or religion is correct or which to follow as given aobve or the fact that whatever happens is by will of god or that these were connected 2 god , all of them

and that these may seem different but they all refer to 1 god .

siikhism which is a young religion removes our confusion ws it tells a person to follow 1 path with full faith n devotion .+ it also incourages people of other religions to follow thir religions eg. quran or hinduism .it joins pices of puzle .

also please do not forget whatever these holy souls did other than showing people the way .

Answer 12

The message is just as important as all the other messages. Who would you follow, a drug abuser who says "love your enemies" or President Obama who says the same thing?



What sets everything apart is the credibility of the messenger - Jesus is God.

Answer 13

He said nothing particularly new or radical, there is much more wisdom available from other sources. Look at the myths that preceded Jesus and you will see that he was just repeating what others had already practiced.

Answer 14

If your asking Jesus.. I think he'd answer yes.... if your asking paul, I think he'd answer no. I'm pretty sure Jesus would just facepalm at how distracted from his message all his followers have become by focusing on who they think he is vs how he wanted us to act.

Answer 15

Remove the messenger and you loose the purpose of the message.

Answer 16

The message is far more important than the messenger.

Answer 17

Jesus is the message!

Answer 18

Personally, I've always found "turn the other cheek" to be a lame message.

Answer 19

Are you talking about the religion where this god person commanded his followers to massacre cities because they didn't exercise their free will the "right" way?

Answer 20

The message was powerful and there were eyewitnesses to Jesus being here.

Answer 21

what message? examine his message carefully and you'll find out that his message calls for social destruction.

Answer 22

It's redundant.

Answer 23

We must have been reading different bibles, then.

Answer 24

I'd have to agree.

Answer 25

not the eternal torture part