thanks for the invite bro Jah bless

"based on the gospels, I don't think you can seriously say all he was concerned about was getting people to worship the right way"

Of course he was, he even mentions it to Pilate when on trial as to the reason behind his birth. Clearly the objective of his ministry was to reconcile humankind to God through his sacrificial death. The other objective was to demonstrate what God's Kingdom would accomplish in the future. Teachings such as turning the other check and giving up worldly possessions had more to do with the fact that being his follower required one to be self sacrificing as he was. So while many things can be gathered and appreciated regarding his message, his intent was never social reform. As far as the levitical Law, Christ would fulfill it by fulfilling the prophecies in connection to the Messiah, with that came the abolishment of certain laws no longer binding, especially in connection to ritual and ceremonial laws.

According to you, he did abolish the laws since you say Christians don't have to follow certain older codes and abide by certain OT passages. "Fulfill" or "abolish" are here resulting in the same idea. But to your point about Jesus not being a social reformer: based on the gospels, I don't think you can seriously say all he was concerned about was getting people to worship the right way. If he wasn't interested in changing things in this world, why would he have talked so much about helping the poor, giving up your possessions, turning the other cheek when you are struck etc.

I don't believe his intentions were to dismantle or disrupt the status quo. Judaism at that time had become largely divided on many matters when it came to scripture. He was definitely trying to draw the lost sheep of Israel back to the correct way of worship, even stating that he didn't come to destroy the law of the prophets, but to fulfill them.

But I don't know or sure. No one does, because these gospels are not historical records, they do not all agree, and they should be read as literature and not factual accounts. My beliefs and speculations about the person we call Jesus are informed by "Historical Jesus" studies and groups such as The Jesus Seminar. I believe he was a man who really did exist, and I think there is some truth to the stories that were told about him after his death. The movement of followers that came after him changed the world and I respect much of what it accomplished. But I'm not a Christian (anymore) myself.

As to why I at one point referred to Jesus as a "free-thinker." Based upon the gospel accounts, the ideas that Jesus introduced were certainly revolutionary. He challenged established leaders on matters of faith and practice, disrupted the status quo, and tried to dismantle some of the cruelest practices and tradition of his time. By today's standards anyway, I think of him as a relative free-thinker.

Thanks for the add, bless you and don't compromise the truth of the Word for anybody. It's a pleasure to have you as a friend. =)

Jehovah Bless you! =)

Thanks for the comments! Glad you enjoy the music : )

Please sub and keep in touch - I'll have new music up soon.

Brett