Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

>	Conversely, how many have found these words to be completely
>accurate?  How many have found Jesus to be the answer in every possible
>situation?

	Me for one.

			Alfred

re: Note 370.0 by Richard "Peace: the Final Frontier"

>	"Jesus is the answer.  Jesus is the only answer.  All you'll ever
>need is Jesus."

I have found these words empty, whenever anyone has said them to me in an 
effort to solve my problems for me
          deny my problems 
          deny their own problems
HOWEVER, when the words have been said to me in an effort to 
          help me work through my problems
          be there when I reach out
          share in the Love of God
then, like Alfred, I find them more valuable than gold.

Peace,

Jim

    :"Jesus is the answers"?  "Jesus is the only answer?.??"
    
    I haven't decided whether I consider myself a Christian or not.  I
    think Jesus is an answer.  As a feminist I cannot consider Jesus the
    only answer.  I doubt whether a male Messiah working within a very
    Patriachal time in history can speak to the female experience.
    
    The message of Jesus can if interpreted be a very inclusive message
    encompassing all the people who were oppressed in the 1st Century AD
    and now.
    
    I am intrigued by the Goddess movement.  The Goddess is also an answer. 
    I need a religion that speaks to the female experience as well as the
    male experience.
    
    Pat   

      So, what's the question ? Seriously, if Jesus is the answer then
     somewhere along the line I missed the question.

                                                        Mike

I, personally, don't think that Jesus is the only answer. There are many 
answers, many different paths to finding the truth. For me, it hasn't been 
nearly enough. I actually think it 's quite scary when anyone says that there 
is only one answer and that you have to believe this or else. 
	I have been doing a lot of work on myself the last few years and that 
has really opened up my world(s). I was stuck in the Catholic picture of 
things for many years where there only is one way and where you can't 
question anything. This isn't for me anymore, at least not by itslef. There 
is so much out there waiting too be explored. If my Native American studies 
have taught me one thing, it's that there is no one reality. Reality is just 
a definition, that a bunch of people have defined. Itdoesn't cover all that's 
out there.
	This has probably gotten off the topic and ruffled a few feathers. I 
am just expressing what I feel. I agree with Pat, there are other answers 
too.

Sam

    I beleive that "Christ is the answer" and no other. He is the WAY, the
    TRUTH, and the LIFE.
    
    At one time, before my personal relationship with Him, I thought that
    this ("Christ is the answer") was just another exaggerated Christian
    catch-phrase. As I have grow as a Christian, my certainty that Christ is 
    THE answer has become more solid. My Christian experiences over the years 
    have confirmed this to me and I think it must have to be the same for 
    others. First there has to be a willingness through faith and trust to 
    turn to Him for guidance; there also has to to be an openness and
    'quietness' to recieve His direction. Both, I think, are developed by
    a good prayer life and a humility that allows God to be God.
    
    Jesus, through His Holy Spirit, will meet our needs or direct us to
    that in our existance that will be beneficial to us. (For example,
    if we're sick, Jesus may give us a miraculous healing, but it is 
    likely that He has already 'raised up' a doctor to meet our health
    need. God provides for our needs through the bounty of His Creation
    and through each other also.
    
    I have found that some people (myself included at times, I must admit)
    have desired God's help, but refused to do as God commands. For
    instance, how many of us wish that the Lord would take our side in some
    kind of turmoil in our lives and bring peace? In those times, how often
    and how sincerely, do we pray for our enemies and wish blessings for 
    them?  The Word of God is often written off as not being aplicable and
    therefore we grumble that Jesus (the Word made flesh) is not sufficient
    for us!
    
    Paraphrasing, 'Seek first the kingdom of God [His Will], and then all
    these things [which He knows you need] will be added unto you.' 
    Matthew 6, verses somewhere between 24-34).
    
    Peace of Jesus,
    
    Mary
    

After losing my brother & my wife in a matter of months, I found
passive acceptance (Will of God) to cause non-quenching rage.
I found I finally understood Job, we are kindred spirits. 

I must admit, when I hear "the Only Answer" admonishments, I remember
Christianity has a predeliction for creating martyrs from theological
diversity. "Only Answer" fundamentalism tends to remind me to check avenues
of escape.

If Christ is the only answer, do we then restrict our Bible to the recorded 
words of Christ and abolish Paulinist thought and even have an abbreviated
prayer? What a pity more of Christ's life is not recorded. Such an event
might satisfy more questions.

Best wishes,
Rollyn

    I've always wanted to ask this question, and now I get my chance.
    
    In the clearest language possible Jesus said he is The Way.
    
    Jesus said many times, explicitly, that he was the only path to
    salvation.  The most explicit form of this is "I am the way, the truth,
    and the life".
    
    Did he mean this?  Is this a fabrication of his followers?
    
    To the people who don't think that he is the only way: How do reconcile
    this statement with your belief that there are other ways?

    Re: 370.8 (SDSVAX::SWEENEY)
    
    For answers to your question, you might want to take a look at topics
    300 and 327, both of which discuss that issue.
    
    -- Mike

    Perhaps what this conference needs is a moderator who consolodates
    identical topics when they appear in the conference to make replies
    like the last two unnecesary.

    Re: .10
    
    Actually, issues such as the one brought up in 370.10 might be more
    appropriately addressed in Note 9, The Processing Note.
    
    Pointers also have their value.
    
    Peace,
    Richard Jones-Christie
    Co-Moderator/CHRISTIAN-PERSPECTIVE

    Thank you, SDSVAX::SWEENEY, for that piece of constructive criticism. 
    
    By the way, you might be interested to know that we actually have an
    entire topic (#9, The Processing Topic) devoted to suggestions
    concerning conference moderation.
    
    I might also add that topics 300, 327, and this one are similar, but
    not identical topics.  I often find that cross references to related
    topics are helpful to noters; I know of one notes file that used to
    have a moderator who was primarily designated as the archivist so that
    such pointers could be provided.  I offered what I had hoped would be
    helpful pointers to other topics that would help to answer your
    question--that is, assuming that your question was not merely
    rhetorical. 
    
    -- Mike

    REF 370.8
    
    I guess my observation needs elaboration. Follow Christ, be
    exceeding cautious of others.

    Do you think Paul would have maintained his attitude toward
    women if he had lived with Christ and received the buffetting
    His disciples got daily? 

    My observation is simple, Why should we allow other's to
    interject their experiences into what they 'think' Christ
    would have done. People observed Christ and had their
    observations written down.

    In the same vein, would we have self-martyrdom if Francis
    had lived with Christ instead of trying to imitate him? Would
    stigmatization have an entirely different meaning?

    If Augustine had lived with Christ, do you think he would
    have lived with two women out of marriage before christening
    his traditions of celibacy and sexuality?

    As you have observed there is one source, why do we seek
    others?

    Best wishes,
    Rollyn

Note 370.7

>After losing my brother & my wife in a matter of months, I found
>passive acceptance (Will of God) to cause non-quenching rage.
>I found I finally understood Job, we are kindred spirits. 

I, too, grieve your incredibly profound losses, Rollyn.

God's peace,
Richard

The words "Jesus is the answer" ring incredibly hollow in some of
life's most difficult situations:

You're with the mother who has just given birth to a stillborn child.

			"Jesus is the answer"
				?

You're with a man who has just lost his young wife and three children
because they just happened to be in the path of a drunk driver.

			"Jesus is the answer"
				?

You've just learned you're wife was raped while you were on the annual
Christian men's retreat last weekend.

			"Jesus is the answer"
				?

The words "Jesus is the answer" are often used, it seems, in an attempt to
place an emotional bandaid on the disturbing and the overwhelming.  Jesus
never healed anyone who wasn't ready to be healed.

If we are to emulate the Christ, we must be prepared to experience and
understand the pain of those who suffer.

Peace,
Richard

re Note 370.15 by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE:

> The words "Jesus is the answer" are often used, it seems, in an attempt to
> place an emotional bandaid on the disturbing and the overwhelming.  Jesus
> never healed anyone who wasn't ready to be healed.
> 
> If we are to emulate the Christ, we must be prepared to experience and
> understand the pain of those who suffer.
  
        How ironic that some of us who truly believe that Christ
        lives within us simply offer "Jesus is the answer" to a
        person in pain!  We are Jesus is the flesh for that person at
        that moment.  If Jesus is the answer, then we (or other
        Jesus-filled persons) must be the answer, or we have made it
        to be a lie.

        Bob

    Richard & Bob, .15 & .16,
    
    Yes indeed.
    
    Karen

    I understand the context of the basenote a bit better now.

    "Jesus is the answer" in the context of the means to salvation and
    eternal life is analogous to the question "Are only Christians saved".
    I got the pointers: 300, 327.

    "Jesus is the answer" in the context of how one approaches personal
    suffering is analogous to the question "Why does God permit evil".
    The pointer for that is 55.

    But some of the replies are not dealing with this abstractly, the
    assume some dynamics in one person telling another "Jesus is the
    answer" and making presumptions about the speaker and listener.

    One can construct a straw man as Jesus did of the pharisees and
    then knock him down.  In a spoken transaction between two people saying
    "Jesus is the answer" can be as haughty, rude, and sarcastic as "Have a
    nice day" depending on circumstances.

re: Note 370.17 by Karen "Grab yer candle and dance!" 

>    Richard & Bob, .15 & .16,
>    
>    Yes indeed.
    
Shucks, no mention of .2?  I feel left out.  .-)

Peace and ((hugs)) in this Christmas Season,

Jim

    For me, Jesus is the answer to:
    
    - How should I live my life?
    - How can/should I love?
    - How can/should I relate to God?

    Jim .19,
    
    Ooops. :-)  Yeah, that was pretty good Jim, but not one of your
    best, imo, like the time you related running naked down the beach
    enacting your own rendition of a Zen or Taoist ceremony.  I forget
    which it was now....
    
    
    
    See what you get?!! 
    
    	:-) :-)
    
    Welcome back (and holiday hugs and wishes to *you*),
    
    Kb 

Karen,,

Gosh, I feel better now, thanks!

((hugs)),

Jim

    I agree that saying, "Jesus is the answer" as a one-liner to anyone in
    need is not likely to communicate anything but a cold rejection of 
    either the person or their problems. This might serve as a very gentle
    and loving reminder to some Christian that we know well who is spinning
    their wheels rather than turning to the Lord. Some people can (and do!)
    help me re-focus from time to time with just such a cryptic reminder.
    
    For those who consider themselves Christians, we are either experienced
    in living our Christianity and therefore can affirm that "Jesus is the
    answer", or we are, perhaps, newer in faith and/or practice and are
    still finding out the truth in this. Perhaps we ALL go through cycles
    as we're called upon to live our faith in deeper ways.
    
    What struck me about the questions in .0 is a tendency that I think is
    even widespread in the Church of considering Jesus to be something of
    a overall, yet far-away "answer" rather than someone with whom one can
    be with us in a close and caring way through everything. If we find
    God to be distant from us then we need to be more self-reliant and 
    also seek 'answers' in other aspects of life. 
    
    The closer we experience Jesus the less we need to rely on even the 
    God-given 'answers' in the world around us. If we are close to Him in
    prayer and the way we live then the more we understand that He is 
    there for us in all circumstances and the more obvious the counsel of 
    the Holy Spirit will be in our difficulties.
    
    Peace,
    
    Mary
    

When people say "Jesus is the answer" I think they're really trying to say
that Jesus is the light of the world.

The darkness is something that people will define in their own way, however.
To one the darkness may be poverty, war, hatred, greed.  To another it may be
the ache of loneliness, a life-threatening illness, drugs, alchohol, or
perhaps the loss of a partner, family member or friend.  To some the darkness
is voting not with one's conscience, but instead with one's pocketbook.  To
another it may be a racial darkness or some other darkness bred of fear and
contempt.  To some it may be living with a physical challenge.

Peace,
Richard

	In the movie "City Slickers" one of the characters tells Billy 
	Crystal that the secret to life is "just one thing". Billy asked 
	what one thing and is told that that is something he has to figure 
	out for himself. "Jesus is the answer" is a similar type of thing.
	Sometimes it's up to us to figure out just how Jesus is the answer
	for us. Thus it can be a useful thing to use over a long term but
	is probably not the right thing to use as a "quick fix" for someone
	without an existing strong relationship with Jesus.

			Alfred

    
    There was a fellow in a poor South American country who saw a young
    girl with a tattered dress shivering from the cold.
    
    He asked God why this was so.
    
    Then he realized the answer and gave her his coat. 
    
    Cindy

"'JESUS IS THE ANSWER' for many has turned into a restriction rather than a 
freedom.  Like the Swami character Johnny Carson plays on late night
television, Christians hold the envelope up to their heads, close their
eyes, and utter the answer: Jesus.  No matter what the question is the answer
will always be the same.  The question becomes irrelevant.  Soon, questioning
in general becomes irrelevant, and Christianity becomes a rigid, right,
closed system where the question is viewed as a threat or evidence of
unbelief or lack of faith."

						- John Fischer
						  from _True Believers Don't
						  Ask Why_

    RE: .27
    
    I have to agree with the basenote here. Jesus should be the "answer"
    in the sense that Jesus gave us a message on how to conduct our life.
    But, too often, the reply "Jesus is the Answer" is used as a blanket
    reply without any real attempt at thinking. 
    
    Marc H.

"I don't like answers.
 Answers tend to stop you.

 I like questions that lead to new questions.  I made that choice a long
 time ago.

 A lot of the world is rushing frantically towards answers, and the answers
 almost always involve exclusivity and leaving other people out who don't
 have the same answers that you do.

 There is no answer to why the power that created the galaxies, for love of
 all that is created, then came and lived with us
 and show us how to be human.

 That isn't even in the realm of a provable fact; that's in the realm of faith,
 and I prefer that realm to live in, where one question leads to another.
 We're finite creatures and God is infinite.  How can we expect to comprehend
 with our finiteness the infinitness?

 Each question pushes us, pushes our boundries, make us a little bit open,
 takes us a little bit further.
 But if we insist on answers, we stop.

 Faith and questions are inextricably involved.  We don't have to have faith
 for anything we can answer."

					- Madeline L'Engle