Jesus a Liberal

Our Prince of Peace 

Why is Jesus a Liberal?

I do not know who wrote the following, a friend shared it with me. 

Jesus a Liberal

Webster's dictionary defines a Liberal as one who is open minded, not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional or established forms or ways. Jesus was a pluralist Liberal who taught that one need not conform to strict and orthodox views of God, religion, and life. He rejected greed, violence, the glorification of power, the amassing of wealth without social balance, and the personal judging of others, their lifestyles and beliefs.

Over and over again, He taught us to believe in and live a spiritual and ethical life based in our essential, inherent goodness. What Jesus promoted was succinct set of spiritual principals and a way of life based upon the of love, compassion, tolerance, and a strong belief in the importance in giving and of generosity to those in need. 

Our common sense understanding of Christ's lessons as philosophically and politically Liberal are founded upon Jesus' own words (see quotes below), modern interpretations of Liberation Theology, and in the positive, loving and compassionate application of His teachings - from the many early Saints to Mother Theresa and Liberation Theology.

Certainly, Jesus brought a radically Liberal theology to the Orthodox believers of his time. Jesus IS a Liberal even today because now more than ever, His principals align with the very core of Liberal Beliefs.

Biblical Quotes Supporting the Belief that Jesus Is A Liberal

Peacemaking, not War Making: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:9] Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [Matthew 5:39] 

I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you; [Matthew 5:44]

The Death Penalty: Thou shalt not kill [Matthew 5:21]

Crime and Punishment: If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to cast a stone at her. [John 8:7] 

Do not judge, lest you too be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [Matthew 7:1 & 2.] 

Justice: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. [Matthew 5:6] 

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy [Matthew 5:7] 

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.  [Matthew 6:15]

Corporate Greed and the Religion of Wealth: In the temple courts [Jesus] found men selling cattle, sheep and doves and other sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle;  he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. [John 2:14 & 15.] 

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. [Luke 12.15.] 

Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 19:23]

You cannot serve both God and Money. [Matthew 6:24.]

Paying Taxes & Separation of Church & State: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. [Matthew 22:21]

Community: Love your neighbor as yourself. .[Matthew 22:39] So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you. [Matthew 7:12.] 

If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]

Equality & Social Programs: But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the
just. [Luke 14:13 &14.]

Public Prayer & Displays of Faith: And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret… [Matthew 6:6 & 7]

Strict Enforcement of Religious Laws: If any of you has a son or a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? [Matthew 12:11] 

The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. [Mark 2:27.]

Individuality & Personal Spiritual Experience: Ye are the light of the world. [Matthew 5:14]

A Higher Calling

By Aaron K Schwarz 

Christianity, my faith, is all about love. Like most other "Christians" I struggle to express love in all of my thoughts, choices, actions and behaviors. It is important however to acknowledge what God is calling us to do as people because if we followed the word of God and translated love into our Thoughts, Choices, Actions and Behaviors, none of the problems I talk about in my blog would be burdening the world with sickness. I will now recount in a list what I understand to be my higher calling as a Christian. 

1. Love all people, especially your enemies. 

2. Speak words of kindess and support as they heal other people. 

3. Be generous with mercy and understanding. 

4. Abandon pride and vanity for humility and love 

5. Worship the lord our God not just in praise and prayer, but in all of your thoughts, actions, choices and behaviors. We are to act in a way that Honors our loving God. 

6. Negative emotions like Fear, Anger and Hatred are wrong. 

7. Love has the power to overlook any wrong done. Love does not keep score of rights and wrongs. 

8. See other people through eyes of love and through these eyes see the difference between the sin and the sinner. 

9. Focus on Faith, Family and Friendship, not on things, money and the world. 

10. Change your life, do not waste you energy trying to change others. Inspire others by example and live according to the word of God. When you overflow with love by living in Love with God, other people will see this and be drawn to the Lord. 

11. Others will call you lame, boring, looser or strange: but the inequity of their insults will never overpower love. You have to understand that hurting people say mean things: they are misguided and confused when they spew hatred at you or anyone else. 

12. Protect the innocent from evil where its practical and possible. This has a lot of consumer implications regarding our purchase of goods made in sweatshops. This also has tremendous implications regarding our changing the emissions of toxic pollution into the environment where everyone eats, drinks and breaths the toxins. 

13. Constantly study the word of God and allow the devine love of God to reprogram your mind. When you run the worlds broken sick backward ideas through your mind this results in sickness, suffering and premature death. When you run God's idea's (words) through your mind, you will life other people up, feeling healthy in a body, spirit and mind filled with love.