How did you decide what to believe about Jesus?

[SSTeacher]

During our lives we have all accumulated information about Jesus some of which may not be entirely accurate. Consider which of the following sources may have strongly influenced your picture of who Jesus is:

1. A twentieth–century theologian
2. An idea that came to me when I was deep in thought or when I was praying
3. Somebody antagonistic toward Christianity
4. A really clever person
5. An encyclopedia or a book
6. A pastor or minister
7. A kind and compassionate person
8. Somebody in my family
9. A scientist
10. Talks with friends
11. A psychic
12. Ancient documents written by people who actually knew Jesus or heard Him speak

What are the strengths and weaknesses of relying on sources like these?

Curiously,
Mick

 

[chrisb]

By seeking the consensual teaching of the Church throughout history.

 

[Nita]

During our lives we have all accumulated information about Jesus some of which may not be entirely accurate. Consider which of the following sources may have strongly influenced your picture of who Jesus is:

1. A twentieth–century theologian
2. An idea that came to me when I was deep in thought or when I was praying
3. Somebody antagonistic toward Christianity
4. A really clever person
5. An encyclopedia or a book
6. A pastor or minister
7. A kind and compassionate person
8. Somebody in my family
9. A scientist
10. Talks with friends
11. A psychic
12. Ancient documents written by people who actually knew Jesus or heard Him speak

What are the strengths and weaknesses of relying on sources like these?

Curiously,
Mick

You forgot the most important source of all - Our Lord Himself. At least, that was my experience.

 

[SteveGC]

During our lives we have all accumulated information about Jesus some of which may not be entirely accurate. Consider which of the following sources may have strongly influenced your picture of who Jesus is:

1. A twentieth–century theologian
2. An idea that came to me when I was deep in thought or when I was praying
3. Somebody antagonistic toward Christianity
4. A really clever person
5. An encyclopedia or a book
6. A pastor or minister
7. A kind and compassionate person
8. Somebody in my family
9. A scientist
10. Talks with friends
11. A psychic
12. Ancient documents written by people who actually knew Jesus or heard Him speak

What are the strengths and weaknesses of relying on sources like these?

Curiously,
Mick

Strength: The are evangelical in nature, and point one toward the Gospel, toward The Truth, which is ALWAYS a strength.

Weakness: None of them, unless #6 includes a Catholic priest, point me to the fullness of Truth.

So they are all strong inasmuch as they draw me to know Jesus, but fall short of bringing me as close as I need to be if I “rely” on any of them.

God Bless

 

[Rawb]

1. A twentieth–century theologian

Strength: Has the accumulated contents of Divine Revelation, including all Papal Ex Cathedra statements. Weakness: Many are too caught up in the materialistic, atheistic culture we live in.

1. An idea that came to me when I was deep in thought or when I was praying

Strength: Could very well provide you with insight meant to help further your own understanding of Our Lord. Weakness: Could very well be created by your mind as a way to rationlize something.

1. Somebody antagonistic toward Christianity

Strength: Could give you a different perspective on a teaching and so further your investigation of Christ and His Church. Weakness: Obvious bias.

1. A really clever person

The same as above, really.

1. An encyclopedia or a book

Strength: Generally a good overview. Weakness: Usually biased by anti-Catholic or anti-Christian views and secular in nature, so can remove God from the definition, which effectivly destroys the argument. For “Religious Books” see answer 1

1. A pastor or minister

Strength: Has studied theology and Church History, and can give you that knowledge. Weakness: Same as Answer 1

1. A kind and compassionate person

Strength: Helps us to see Christ in everyone. Weakness: When that person is not kind or compassionate for a minute, we run the risk of throwing the baby out with the bath water and assuming Christ is the same way.

1. Somebody in my family

This would depend on the person really.

1. A scientist

I suppose the Strength could be that they help us understand God’s creation, but this is not a scientist’s area of expertise, and so the Weakness greatly outweighs the strength.

1. Talks with friends

Strength: Can help us solidify what exactly we believe, as we debate and argue and have to form opinions. Weakness: Friends may very well ‘agree to disagree’ or say ‘well that’s your view’ rather than search for Ultimate Truth. They also may very well be wrong.

1. A psychic

LoL, absolutely no strength. Weakness: Why would you go to the devil to ask about Christ?

1. Ancient documents written by people who actually knew Jesus or heard Him speak

Strength: Abundant. These form the basis for our knowledge of Sacred Tradition, which is half of Divine Revelation. They help us to realize how our ancestors worshipped and believe and then maintain that belief. Weakness: None I can think of, barring forgeries.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

My first holy Communion started my path on developing a relationship with God. My personal experience when I challenged God and his reality. When he proved to me he existed and I still lived. I have never looked back since.

Now I reverence him always in his Blessed Sacrament the Eucharist.

When I learned of the teachings of the ancients believing what I believe the same today only solidified my faith in Jesus.