Jesus In Religion

The claim that all religions teach the same thing is false. Understanding the basics, one can easily document broad similarities among religions, such as various translations of the Golden Rule. But when the historical and theological elements of each religion are examined drastic differences can be discovered. For example, the role of Jesus. Jesus, beholder of many titles, is a pivotal figure and nevertheless is a divisive factor between the religions of the world. However, Jesus as a divisive figure does and does not hinder the fact that Jesus is a unifying force. So, this paper will examine the understandings of Jesus in the world religions and how the person of Jesus could and could not be a unifying force in inter-religious understandings
and cooperation.

Christians hold Jesus as their central figure and believe Jesus was a teacher and more importantly Son of God. The Sermon on the Mount, which emphasizes Jesus’ moral teachings, was delivered to tell Christians how to live according to Jesus and how to reach God. The Sermon on the Mount is in harmony with Buddhist ethics, which were used as a guideline of how to become enlightened. “Matthew 15:11-20, are in harmony with Buddhist ethics… the command that Jesus gave to his disciples harmonises with the discipline of the Lord Buddha,” (JBC, 243). The quote shows that the moral teachings of Jesus and those of the Buddha are in harmony. Because Jesus’ teachings are similar and in harmony with Buddhist ethics creates a sense of unity between the two religions. However, Jesus also creates a gulf between these two religions. Buddhist’s have diverse views, but are variably described as non theistic, meaning they are not concerned about the existence of a God or Gods. Rather than accepting Jesus as Son of God Buddhists view Jesus as a Bodhisattva. Thus, Christians claiming Jesus as Son of God creates a gulf among the religions. Moreover, Buddhists believe Jesus was an imposter misleading and casting everyone into hell. “Christ was an imposter who came to the world with the view of casting everyone in hell. Let them therefore remember that no salvation in a future state could reasonably be expected by believing on such a being, ” (JBC, 239). This quote shows Buddhists rejecting Jesus and his resurrection. Christians believe Jesus was Son of God sent down to rid the world of sin; salvation. Buddhist belief of anatman, or no-self, butts heads with Christians belief of salvation. Buddhists argue that there is no single essence, that one must liberate oneself; creating a gulf between the religions.

Unlike Buddhism, Hinduism believes in atman, the spirit or soul of an individual that indicates the essence which underlies one’s existence.
Brahman, another Hindu belief, is the eternal essence and ultimate reality from which all other reality comes from. Jesus realized Brahman manifested inside of himself deeming him worthy of worship and veneration. “Keshub Chunder Sen, shortly thereafter, developed the concept of divine humanity, in which God becomes manifest in humanity through the life of humans. Jesus Christ in not God come down as human as much as a human manifesting God,” (JWF, 84). Hindus view Jesus as a realized soul, that he recognized the divinity within himself and that he and God were one. However, Hindus view this as God-in-man not God-as-man which takes away from the Christian belief that Jesus was as Son of God. Nevertheless, Christians and Hindus are in agreeance of the divinity of Christ, unifying the religions. Moreover, Hindus, like Christians, recognize Jesus as a great teacher of universal values. According to Gandhi, “He was one of the greatest teachers humanity has ever had,” (JBC, 186). Although, Hindus claim that Christians, as a whole, have failed to live up to Jesus’ examples and teachings. “For all I have then been given to understand was that to be a Christian was to have a brandy bottle in one hand and beef in the other. The Sermon on the Mount, however, falsified the impression” (JBC, 189). Gandhi is bashing Christians for not living up to
the teachings of Jesus. Nevertheless, Jesus is a unifying force between Christianity and Hinduism.

Jesus was chosen by God to serve and to spread the word of God. In the Gospels and the Qur’an, the teachings of Jesus were a proclamation against idolatry and encouraged the people to submit to God. Both, the Gospels and the Qur’an, stress the importance of monotheism; unity of God that there is one and only one God. Along with, thou shalt love thy neighbor like one loves thyself. “[Jesus] A human sent by God to present both a judgment upon humanity for worshipping idols and a challenge to turn to the one true God” (JBC, 90). Christians and Muslims believe that Jesus will once again return to earth for judgment day. He will award punishment to those who idolize and stray from the path of God and will reward those who submit to God, creating Jesus a unifying force. However, the crucifixion of Jesus strays completely and is a famous divide between the two religions bringing it apart. Muslims hold no notion of original sin, so they use logic, and say that Jesus did not die on the crucifix and is now resting; waiting for judgment day. Whereas, the Christians believed he died on the cross, saving mankind and ending original sin, then rose again and is now seated at the right hand of God.

As the other world religions consider Jesus a great teacher and prophet, so does Judaism.
Jews do not believe what he taught was original however they found Jesus’ originality somewhere else. “The combination at least was news: Jesus was teacher, pastor, and prophet in one, and in this combination too lies something of his originality,” (JBC, 52). Jews reject Jesus’ originality but admire him as a teacher who practiced the law. Jews accepted Jesus as a prophet because his message and manner in which he delivered resembled that of the old testament prophets. Jesus is a unifying force between Christianity and Judaism because he was regarded as a great teacher and prophet. However, Jesus creates a gulf. Christians believe Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the old testament. Jews, on the other hand, do not think Jesus was the messiah as he failed to fulfill the prophecies according to
them. Throughout the world religions Jesus is divisive figure who unifies religions but at the same time creates a gulf between them. It is evident that Jesus is mainly a unifying force because of his moral teachings, being a prophet, a servant, and divinity. Also, Jesus does not solely belong to Christianity but to the world. “I believe that Jesus belongs not solely to Christianity but to the entire world; to all races and people,” (JBC, 188). The lives of all have been impacted, to a certain degree, by Jesus Christ.