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Easter in surrogateville.

2007-04-08

Good morning Boys and Girls and Happy Easter.

Today celebrates the belief held by many Christians that Christ rose from the dead three days after the cruel, though ridiculously common act, of nailing him to a cross.

I too, along with millions of others, celebrate the idea that faith cannot be kept dead simply by killing the messenger, though I do not believe that Jesus physically rose from his tomb. My faith is in the message Jesus taught in as many different ways as there were opportunities for him to preach to groups of people during the three years he worked in his field.

I wish people would remember the style Jesus used to make his points.

He used stories. He made things up. He embellished.

Was he a liar? Many Christians use the resurrection as a "litmus test" for Jesus himself. Many say that if he did not truly rise from the dead, it is tantamount to proving he was a fraud. -This, actually used as an argument as to why believing in the magic and the miracles surrounding the story of Jesus is necessary to "being" a Christian.

I find this "logic" absurd.

I find it as just another thing Jesus himself would shake his head at in dismay were he to show up again; ironic since these same people are convinced he will do just that at some time in the very near future. (It's ALWAYS in the very near future, generation after generation - the "signs" always pointing to the day after tomorrow...)

Jesus, the man, is dead. -Has been for just about nineteen hundred and seventy-odd years. He was killed by people who were offended by his message and his metaphors. Killed by people who didn't "get it."

We are left with what HE said are the most important things we can do to live a good life - regardless if you think he spoke literally at all times, or that, as I do, he tailored his message so it would be best understood by the specific audience he spoke to at any given time.

Let's let Christ's teachings be resurrected. Remember, Jesus wasn't the "original" born again Christian. He was an itinerant preacher with some really important things to say; so important, it killed him.

Let's prioritize like he did.

Here it is, distilled:

Love. Love God. Love your friends and enemies as you love yourself.

If you'd kill your God, or your friends - or yourself? -then go ahead and kill your enemies, or allow it to be done on your behalf.

If not? -then no excuse or rationale is good enough.

We can turn our cheeks as instructed.

Happy Easter.

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N/A (2007-04-11)
After reading your comment modifier I'm not sure we are on the same page. For my part I adopt all scripture (both OT and NT) as God-breathed; but if you don't, our discussion will make no sense. To say Jesus did not rise bodily would be to dismiss huge portions of scripture, including words from His own lips. Re-inventing Jesus apart from scripture is attempting to create God in one's own image. Such a god is powerless.

surrogate (2007-04-10)
I know, I know. Paul, dear lady, wasn't Jesus and did more to screw up Chist's message - as faithful as he thought he was being - than just about anyone. Please, don't quote OTHER people to qualify or justify (or alter) Jesus' message. I've done PLENTY of research and continue to do so.

N/A (2007-04-10)
Sorry, but I couldn't disagree more. The bodily resurrection of Jesus was the focal point of early Christian faith and the reason believers could go to their death without fear, even rejoicing. The apostle Paul stated that if Christ be not raised, then our faith is vain and we are of all men most miserable. Please make the effort to research the scriptures - for they are God-breathed - and also to look into early church history and the writings of the church fathers of the first three centuries after Christ.

Doe (2007-04-08)
With all this in mind, I'm glad I'm your friend :) Happy Easter to you my friend.

figjam (2007-04-08)
This is a great post...so true. Wish I could come to Easter in surrogateville. It's not quite the same in my world. Happy Easter.

surrogate (2007-04-08)
Thanks for reading. Happy Easter.

Amy (2007-04-08)
Thank you Surrogate! I believe this as well and I thank you for saying it so well. Happy Easter to you!

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