What is the true nature of Jesus Christ?

[Galmat]

Within mainstream Christianity, Jesus is often seen as the divine Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, fully God and fully human. This Nicene Creed-based view emphasizes the unity of Jesus' divine and human natures, a cornerstone belief in Orthodox, Catholic, and many Protestant traditions. The orthodox perspective underscores the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, His role in salvation, and His divinely ordained mission as the Messiah.

However, various movements ( viewed often as heretical) and alternate interpretations have presented contrasting narratives. The Arian heresy, for instance, held that Jesus was a created being, distinct from and subordinate to God the Father, thereby challenging the orthodox understanding of His divine nature. Similarly, the Nestorian heresy argued for a division between Jesus' divine and human natures, suggesting that they coexisted separately within one body. Such heresies highlight the historical debates and theologies that have shaped our understanding of Jesus. Going beyond traditional interpretations, some individuals hold the view that Jesus may not have been a divine figure at all, but rather a regular human being. From this perspective, Jesus is considered a moral and spiritual teacher whose extraordinary impact on humanity stems from His exceptional teachings, rather than divine attributes. Another perspective asserts that Jesus was merely a prophet, a significant figure in the religious and historical context, but not divine in any way. This view aligns with some interpretations within Islam and other religious traditions that place Jesus in a prophetic role without divinity. Furthermore, there are those who question the historicity of Jesus altogether, suggesting that He may be a legendary or mythical figure rather than a historical person. This view challenges the very existence of Jesus Christ as a tangible, historical entity.

Now, drawing from personal belief, I find myself influenced by a Gnostic-inspired view of Jesus, one that resonates with the idea that Jesus may have been a being from a higher plane, sent to awaken humanity to the divine spark within. This perspective sees Jesus as a spiritual guide who, like us, possesses both human and divine elements. In this view, Christ's purpose was to help us recognize the spark of divinity within ourselves, leading to a transformative spiritual awakening.

I ask you NSG, what is your view on the nature of Jesus Christ?

[Floofybit]

The divine son of God.

[Colonel Hogan]

One of the mightiest prophets of Allah and the Messiah.

[Galmat]

The divine son of God.

A second question if you don't mind. Is he the only Son of God in your opinion?

[Technoscience Leftwing]

Well, in the USSR, where I was born, the view was popular that Christ was a fictional, mythological character. The point of view that he was a real philosopher (an ordinary mortal person), or a collective image of several real wandering preachers of that period, was already considered somewhat marginal in the USSR, but was allowed for discussion in the 1950s. But not in the 1930s, then even such a hypothesis was perceived with hostility. The popular fantasy novel in Russia by Mikhail Bulgakov, “The Master and Margarita,” plays out the conflict of these two hypotheses: the editor of the magazine insists that Christ is a mythical character created like many dying and resurrecting gods of antiquity, but a different version argues with the editor of the magazine, about a real wandering preacher and doctor who knew Latin and Greek, rhetoric, who professed the idea that all people are internally good but victims of circumstances, that in the future all power of man over man will disappear. Well, hypotheses about the divinity of Christ were, of course, not welcomed in the USSR, except perhaps among church parishioners, of whom there were not very many.

[Fractalnavel]

just a dude... <points to christian discussion thread>

[Galmat]

One of the mightiest prophets of Allah and the Messiah.

I have never read Islamic theology or the Quran personally. I wonder where does the theological reasoning that Jesus is a prophet comes from in Islam?

[Galmat]

just a dude... <points to christian discussion thread>

To be fair, the nature of Jesus Christ applies to schools of thought and religions outside of Christianity. I would argue that because of the influence of Christianity, Jesus himself has evolved, even to the point of evolving outside of his own faith. Most Christians can agree on the nature of Christ, but not all outside of mainstream Christianity, or outside Christianity in general can agree. To ask this question in the Christian discussion thread would warrant a common response " Jesus was the Son of God:the Father."

Well, in the USSR, where I was born, the view was popular that Christ was a fictional, mythological character. The point of view that he was a real philosopher (an ordinary mortal person), or a collective image of several real wandering preachers of that period, was already considered somewhat marginal in the USSR, but was allowed for discussion in the 1950s. But not in the 1930s, then even such a hypothesis was perceived with hostility. The popular fantasy novel in Russia by Mikhail Bulgakov, “The Master and Margarita,” plays out the conflict of these two hypotheses: the editor of the magazine insists that Christ is a mythical character created like many dying and resurrecting gods of antiquity, but a different version argues with the editor of the magazine, about a real wandering preacher and doctor who knew Latin and Greek, rhetoric, who professed the idea that all people are internally good but victims of circumstances, that in the future all power of man over man will disappear. Well, hypotheses about the divinity of Christ were, of course, not welcomed in the USSR, except perhaps among church parishioners, of whom there were not very many.

This is intriguing. I personally think that he must have existed, although the hypothesis that he was a mixture of multiple teachings would make sense, as Christianity, in a way, was a combination of different philosophies and beliefs.

[Theodorable]

One of the mightiest prophets of Allah and the Messiah.

I have never read Islamic theology or the Quran personally. I wonder where does the theological reasoning that Jesus is a prophet comes from in Islam?

In Islam, God (swt) is unitary. God is One. This is the doctrine of the "tahwid"- or "oneness". There is no god but Allah. (الله; lit "the deity")
We don't believe in the trinity, or that God can be multiple persons. We believe that God is one and whole. So the concept of Jesus (saw) as not only being the son of God, but the concept that the "son of God" is God is fundamentally at odds with our beliefs.
We believe that Jesus is one of many in a long line of prophets starting with Abraham (saw) and ending up with Muhammad (saw). As I explained previously, since we don't think that anybody other than God can be God and that God is unitary, that Jesus was only a prophet- though we do believe he was the Jewish Messiah.

[Soviet Haaregrad]

There might be a historical figure the fictional character is based on, but I'm not convinced either way.

[Western Theram]

He was a man, not a god or demigod like the holy book would have you believe. He died at his crucifixion for rising against the political authority of Rome at the time. Jesus/Yeshua was also said to have a child with Mary Magdalene but apparently it’s not canon for some reason.

The name Jesus Christ is a Greek translation which means “the anointed one” his birth name was Yeshua (Hebrew for Joshua)

[Eahland]

He's just this guy, you know?

[Pale Dawn]

He is the ever merciful Devine Son of God.

[Bradfordville]

Well, he probably wasn't blonde. We can start there.

[Soviet Haaregrad]

Well, he probably wasn't blonde. We can start there.

Probably didn't have a six-pack either.
This might disappoint the Jehovah's Witnesses who grew up with sexy Jesus.

[Galmat]

I have never read Islamic theology or the Quran personally. I wonder where does the theological reasoning that Jesus is a prophet comes from in Islam?

In Islam, God (swt) is unitary. God is One. This is the doctrine of the "tahwid"- or "oneness". There is no god but Allah. (الله; lit "the deity")
We don't believe in the trinity, or that God can be multiple persons. We believe that God is one and whole. So the concept of Jesus (saw) as not only being the son of God, but the concept that the "son of God" is God is fundamentally at odds with our beliefs.
We believe that Jesus is one of many in a long line of prophets starting with Abraham (saw) and ending up with Muhammad (saw). As I explained previously, since we don't think that anybody other than God can be God and that God is unitary, that Jesus was only a prophet- though we do believe he was the Jewish Messiah.

How does Islam view the scriptures in the Bible? From a biblical perspective In John 10:33-36 it reads:" We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?"

In the Greek version, Jesus says "Son of God I am", suggesting that there are multiple (mankind). However I do agree somewhat with part of God being a central source which all comes from, as stated by Jesus when he says later in John 10 " the Father is in me, and I in the Father." I have the view that Jesus is the same nature as humanity, as we are called gods, just like Jesus, Jesus as Man with a spark of divinity.

(Greek Version here: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/10.htm)

[New Texas Republic]

The son of God, of course! Born through a virgin woman named Mary, and raised by her husband, Joseph, this man gathered some disciples to help spread the good news of his existence. He eventually died due to him being a controversial figure — forgiving all of humanity’s sins in the progress — and coming back three days later. He eventually ascended into heaven, ready to return once the end times begin.

So yeah.

[Technoscience Leftwing]

Well, in the USSR, where I was born, the view was popular that Christ was a fictional, mythological character. The point of view that he was a real philosopher (an ordinary mortal person), or a collective image of several real wandering preachers of that period, was already considered somewhat marginal in the USSR, but was allowed for discussion in the 1950s. But not in the 1930s, then even such a hypothesis was perceived with hostility. The popular fantasy novel in Russia by Mikhail Bulgakov, “The Master and Margarita,” plays out the conflict of these two hypotheses: the editor of the magazine insists that Christ is a mythical character created like many dying and resurrecting gods of antiquity, but a different version argues with the editor of the magazine, about a real wandering preacher and doctor who knew Latin and Greek, rhetoric, who professed the idea that all people are internally good but victims of circumstances, that in the future all power of man over man will disappear. Well, hypotheses about the divinity of Christ were, of course, not welcomed in the USSR, except perhaps among church parishioners, of whom there were not very many.

This is intriguing. I personally think that he must have existed, although the hypothesis that he was a mixture of multiple teachings would make sense, as Christianity, in a way, was a combination of different philosophies and beliefs.

In the 1990s, there was a surge of interest in religion in Russian society; numerous distributors of the Gospels appeared, both local Orthodox and foreign, including missionaries from the United States and representatives of various sects. For example, I remember they were passing out a book of Billy Graham's sermons, etc. What were left-wing activists and adherents of materialism supposed to do? It was necessary to broaden one’s horizons in order to engage in polemics with opponents. And then a Marxist friend, I remember, gave me a book by the English author Archibald Robertson, “The Origin of Christianity,” where the version about a collective image of several real preachers was defended. The book interested me! It was published in the USSR in 1959, here is its cover, under the spoiler - but here in Russian, and perhaps it was also published in the West:

[Bradfordville]

Well, he probably wasn't blonde. We can start there.

Probably didn't have a six-pack either.
This might disappoint the Jehovah's Witnesses who grew up with sexy Jesus.

He didn't die because his AR-15 ran out of ammo before he ran out of roman soldiers to shoot at. Lauren Boebert doesn't know this.

[Paddy O Fernature]

A fictional character created to assist in an establishments push for political standing, attainment of wealth, and general control over a clearly gullible populace.

[Galmat]

The son of God, of course! Born through a virgin woman named Mary, and raised by her husband, Joseph, this man gathered some disciples to help spread the good news of his existence. He eventually died due to him being a controversial figure — forgiving all of humanity’s sins in the progress — and coming back three days later. He eventually ascended into heaven, ready to return once the end times begin.

So yeah.

I pose this question not only to you, but to all Christians who subscribe to orthodox views on Jesus. As I asked Floofybit, is Jesus the only Son of God? Is his nature unique to him?

[Soviet Haaregrad]

Probably didn't have a six-pack either.
This might disappoint the Jehovah's Witnesses who grew up with sexy Jesus.

He didn't die because his AR-15 ran out of ammo before he ran out of roman soldiers to shoot at. Lauren Boebert doesn't know this.

I thought Supply-Side Jesus was her lord and saviour. Supply-Side Jesus defeated the Romans with an AR-15 from the back of a bald eagle, planted the American flag in Rome and dumped bourbon on Constantine and handed him the KJV, making him convert to Snake-Handling Pentecostal Christianity.

[Ethel mermania]

A nice Jewish boy who should be listened to more.

[Galmat]

A fictional character created to assist in an establishments push for political standing, attainment of wealth, and general control over a populace.

I am curious what is the logic behind this? I often hear people say that Jesus never existed, but not really explain how. I agree partly, I think the modern character known to many as Jesus was fabricated, in the sense that Jesus was this white, conservative, blond hair dude. However, I think there was a spiritual teacher and spiritual master known as Jesus.

[Paddy O Fernature]

A fictional character created to assist in an establishments push for political standing, attainment of wealth, and general control over a populace.

I am curious what is the logic behind this? I often hear people say that Jesus never existed, but not really explain how. I agree partly, I think the modern character known to many as Jesus was fabricated, in the sense that Jesus was this white, conservative, blond hair dude. However, I think there was a spiritual teacher and spiritual master known as Jesus.

Common sense?