WorldWide Drilling Resource

31 MARCH 2022 WorldWide Drilling Resource® The Un-Comfort Zone II by Robert Evans Wilson, Jr. Jesus’ Secular Philosophy - Part Two (I respond to questions from readers.) In my last article, I wrote about the ethical/moral system Jesus taught. I claimed it is a secular philosophy that stands alone from his theology. I would be naive to believe writing something controversial about Jesus would not step on some toes, so not unexpectedly, I heard from some of my readers. A few of whom challenged my position or asked some questions; I will address those in this article. Question: “What Bible verses back up your claim it was Jesus’ contention that rules and laws take away a person's knowledge and experience?” First of all, let’s look at some NIV (New International Version) Bible verses that show how Jesus didn’t believe in following the law. In John 8:1-11, the Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery and state the law requires she be stoned to death. Jesus replies, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” No one threw a stone, and eventually everyone left and the woman was free to go. Then in Matthew 15:11 and 15:17-20, Jesus shows he doesn’t believe in following Kosher rules when he says, “What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” He further elaborates, “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts - murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person.” In Mark 3:1-6, Jesus asked the Pharisees, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” Then he healed a man’s hand in defiance of the rule not to work on the Sabbath. In the following verses (all NIV) Jesus lays out how men are to live by their own conscious understanding of morality: Matthew 7:12 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:2 “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 12:37 “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 6:12 “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” In this verse, Jesus states that our knowledge and experience is better than rules and laws: Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness [understanding of morality or what con- Wilson continued on page 32.

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