This Paperback Book item from HarperOne was reviewed on 11-Dec-2008.
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1) Paperback Book The Political Teachings of Jesus by HarperOne. The conventional wisdom of historical biblical scholars is that Jesus was your typical apocalyptic figure; just more historically successful than others. As such his basic message was to announce to mankind to prepare for the kingdom of God; not your typical "political" state. A claim that Jesus´ message was "political" would seem to be highly problematic since the political deals with an ongoing human society.
Because of this I was very intrigued to see what Lindberg could possibly be talking about. Rendering his message down to basically, the "Golden Rule," and that we should treat others well, one has to wonder about the supposed groundbreaking nature of Jesus´ purported message.
Virtually all moral systems, including those prior to Christianity, have had versions of the golden rule as part of their moral maxims. Mankind didn´t need another version from Jesus.
Jesus fortunately or unfortunately, remains an apocalypic figure, unconcerned with the ongoing tribulations of political society. Nice try Tod.
¤ 2) Paperback Book The Political Teachings of Jesus by HarperOne. Todd Lindberg is a political analyst and research fellow at the Hover Institution, Stanford University and editor of the prestigious Policy Review. In his new book, Lindberg wants to examine whether it is possible to separate the political teachings of Jesus from his religious teachings. He is upset with the fact that everyone in the USAmerican political scene is quoting Jesus, left, right and centre to support their political views.
Lingberg´s thesis is simple: It is possible to separate the political and religious views of Jesus. The basis of the political teachings of Jesus is the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." He called this the `Jesusian´ teachings as opposed to his religious or Christian teachings. The Jesusian teachings are about living with one another. A Jesusian society will be one in which there is freedom (within limits) and all men are equal (with limits). This freedom and equality are governed by the Golden Rule. According to Lingberg, the foundations of many of the varieties of democracy we are living in are the results of the Jesusian teaching.
He examined the political teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, the Four Gospels and in Jesus´ parables. This is an interesting approach to Jesus´ teaching. However, I wonder whether it is possible delineate so clearly the political teachings of Jesus from his religious teachings. Lingberg struggled in defining the Kingdom of heaven and the need for a king. He also has problems fitting the miracles that Jesus performed into his Jesusian teachings. However, it does bring out the important point that Jesus´ teachings is not so much for the hereafter as how we are to live with one another in the here and now.
There is an ongoing Quest for a historical Jesus. I hope this is not the start of a Quest for a Political Jesus.
¤ 3) Paperback Book The Political Teachings of Jesus by HarperOne. In this exceptional book, Lindberg clearly articulates our Judeo-Christian cultural/political heritage; what it means, where it came from, and more importantly, it illustrates where and why this heritage is so very different from others. A more thorough debunking of the PC myth of cultural/political equivalence I cannot imagine.¤ 4) Paperback Book The Political Teachings of Jesus by HarperOne. Before I write this review, I want to say that I am not christian...I am not religious....I do not believe in god, divinity, heaven, life after death...doing good on earth and getting rewarded in heaven. My car is plastered with anti-religious stickers.
I found this book a truly amazing examination of the teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Bible. This book examines what Jesus says minus all the divinity stuff. Just focusing on and examining what guide lines he gave for living on earth ...and motivated only by rewards that could be gotten here on earth.
The basis of the message is "Treat others as you would have them treat you." But this book examines what he was saying in the Beatitudes (totally new understanding for me..I have never heard this is Sunday School), how far do you have to go in turning the other cheek, etc.
I highly recommend this book, especially for non-christian, non-religious people like me.
¤ 5) Paperback Book The Political Teachings of Jesus by HarperOne. Tod Lindberg´s book is an inexact commentary on the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. Lindberg´s book develops a set of eight "Anti-Beatitudes" or curses. Compared below are the Beatitudes with Lindberg´s "Anti-Beatitudes" or curses:
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit (Cursed are the "rich," "prosperous,"
"privileged," and "arrogant"). To be exact, these terms do not come from the Beatitudes. The Beatitude "blessed are the poor in spirit" transcends all human conceptions of social class. Contra Lindberg, Jesus says "it is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God" (Matthew:19:24). This must mean that the rich are also "poor in spirit."
2. Blessed are those who mourn (Cursed are those "who have cause for rejoicing"). This is inexact because in Romans 12:15 the Apostle Paul coincidentally writes: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Cursed are the "overbearing"). Lindberg uses the word "overbearing" here rather than bully, tormentor, or even terrorist. To Lindberg, it is apparently impossible for a person in any position of authority to be blessed or to be a follower of Christ. This Anti-Beatitude creates the false impression that the Sermon on the Mount is an anti-authoritarian message which sanctions some sort of extremist libertarian or anarchist politics.
4. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Cursed are the "complacent on account of their privileges and who defend them vigorously"). Again, to be more exact, this Beatitude does not say that blessings should not flow to those who are propertied and who defend their property rights.
5. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy" (Cursed are the "unforgiving" and the "cruel" and "exploiters"). Surely, Jesus implored his followers to forgive "seventy times seven." But what about those who would be cruel with kindness, who would exploit by love?
6. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Cursed are "the cunning in pursuit of their private gain"). Conversely, Jesus said "be cunning as serpents and innocent as doves"-Matthew 10:16). Lindberg´s demonization of private gain can be construed as a code word for the endorsement of socialism.
7. "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Cursed are "those who act to create or aggravate conflict"). Conflict is not synonymous with peace. It is impossible to live a conflict free life. Jesus said "he didn´t come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matt. 10:34). Lindberg dubiously infers that only pacifists can be blessed.
8. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness" (Cursed "are those doing the persecuting"). Contra Lindberg, Paul says to "bless those who persecute you" (Romans 12:14).
In sum, Lindberg´s inexact theology is a seductive heresy of the Evangelical Left that preaches a crude sort of proto-Marxism of the Proletariat. I was disappointed in the book. But buy it and read it for yourself.
¤ 6) Paperback Book The Political Teachings of Jesus by HarperOne. Longtime political analyst and commentator Tod Lindberg goes beyond punditry to address how Jesus´s words and teachings—once a radical set of ideas—have come to define our concept of government and our vision for society. ¤Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 8-Jan-2009, 006137394X9780061373947, 280-4X0-060-410-270-841-8 
The Political Teachings of Jesus, Book, Image © HarperOne
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