The Absurd Life, James Still

[Unregisteredone]

This is a response to:
> The Absurd Life: Barabbas and Christ
> by James Still
>
> The true absurdity is this assertion that Jesus and Barabbas were the
same
people. James, you have missed the truth of this moment in history. The fact
that the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus was and is a clear indication of
their lack of discernment toward the prophets and the Word of God, not
because the two were one person. The funny thing is that you are so
philosophically close to the truth. However, as mathematics will attest, the
closer you are to the correct answer while arriving at an incorrect response
is a clear indicator of how one does not understand how to find the correct
answer to the problem presented.
>
> The gospels are a documentary, not fiction. This imaginitive conception
is
a result of a divorce from the threads of life's inherent (and ultimate)
Truth, not any true sense of understanding of the message or its
implications. Maybe the writer (and all who agree with this) need to get
outside themselves for a little while and serve others so he and his can get
a clear sense of what Jesus' life was all about. One can deny the truth of
the eyewitness accounts and delude himself, but one thing remains clear:
James Still needs Christ.
>
> Keep in mind: Nietszche was a deeply troubled man. One would be truly
wise
to not follow in his errant, staggering, footsteps.
>
> Michael

[-DM-]

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[James Still]

Thanks Michael for your interesting comments. I'm not sure I understand where you're going with mathematical constructions of problems, their solutions, and truth. Biblical scholars, most of whom are mainstream Christians without an agenda, agree that the New Testament texts do not capture historical facts. They are largely a reaction to the death of the historical Jesus, attempts to infuse meaning and understanding into this central defining event in the lives of those who carried on his teachings. The Apostle Paul's letters to the various communities strongly seek to describe what he thinks is the significance of Jesus' death and what these communities should do to keep that meaning alive. A great deal of the central teachings of ancient Christianity did not emerge from historical facts but instead were shaped by events and realities that confronted the young movement later in the post-Easter situation. This is why the gospels will be woefully misunderstood if they are taken as straightforward "documentary" as you put it. As for your speculations on my psychological state or whether I delude myself or need Christ I can only say that these comments have no place in a mature discussion about the narratives that came to shape the Christian movement. I should think that you would take seriously that which Jesus taught about treating others as you would have them treat you.