Introduction
Much has been said about Jesus, about his humanity, and his divinity. The Bible has many books which are divided into the New and the Old Testaments. Christian doctrine says that the New does not replace the Old, but they point to the one and main objective – the salvation of mankind through Jesus Christ.
Though this is rather debatable as far as the non-Christians are concerned, i.e. the Jewish and the Muslim doctrines, we can go far deeper into this line of thought, and see how non-Christians react to their line of reasoning.
The Bible has been interpreted and translated some times and the only consistent thing that a Bible reader should do in regards to Jesus is not to read the Bible literally, Christians would say. They say the Bible points to many instances proving that Jesus is man and God at the same time. There are instances in the Bible citing the divinity and ‘manhood’ of Jesus. We will cite these instances and then examine how their counter-arguments by non-Christians fare.
Moreover, these three religions – Christianity, Judaism, and Islam – trace their basic teachings to the Old Testament, regarding Abraham as the father of all humanity.
They, however, shift ‘roads’ when they reach the founders of their respective religions. Christians regard the Jews as a hindrance to their religion because the Jews don’t accept Christ as the Messiah. But Christians point to the Jewish non-acceptance of Jesus as Messiah as an asset, rather than a liability, because Christian doctrine states that Christians should preach Christ to the Jews.
Biblical ‘Facts’ on Jesus
The Bible talks of harmony of the Gospels, according to Christian teachings. Theologians and scholars study Christianity through exegesis, meaning looking at or studying Jesus, in his times and teaching days going back to the Old Testament, on what earlier prophets said about him.
Another is Jesus’ resurrection which according to the Christian Bible has been properly documented in witnessed by his disciples and the women who were with him. The resurrection is until now opposed by the Jews and other non-Christians. Christian doctrines state that through Jesus’ resurrection, humanity is raised with Jesus.
One example of the Bible which is interpreted in many ways by even Christians themselves is the concept of “being born again”.
The Pharisee Nicodemus was puzzled over this subject. In John 3: 1-10, Nicodemus is described as a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews who came secretly to Jesus to ask clarifications. He affirmed that what Jesus has done is a sign that he comes from God. He said, “No one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” But Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above” (v. 3).
Nicodemus was more puzzled by the answer. He again asked, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus’ reply is new to the teachings at the time and what Nicodemus and the Pharisees knew and taught. Jesus further replied, “No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Christians say that being born of water and Spirit is not the same as being born physically like what happens when we are born from our mother’s womb. When we are baptized with water, we become born into the Spiritual world of Christianity. But we have to be “born again” in the Spirit, that is, when we allow the Holy Spirit to come into our lives and become “born again” Christians. But “Born Again Christian” does not mean a religious sect or cult, as stated in this particular passage of the Bible.
Christians truly believe in the consistency of biblical passages. They say that spiritual renewal can be attained anytime, anyplace, because Jesus – who is God – is always by our side. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Conclusion
More and more instances and passages in the Bible have what we might call opposite meanings. And there can be more and more interpretations, just as there are more and more religious sects evolving out of those interpretations.
Theologians warn believers that the Bible should not be interpreted literally. There are various things to be considered in reading and knowing its real meaning. We have to consider culture and tradition of the people in a particular time.
Reference
The Holy Bible. New Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition). St. Paul Publication, 2000.