Jesus Christ, Philosopher

Jesus Christ (7-2BC -- 26-36AD), also known as Jesus of Nazareth, was born in the town of Bethlehem in the kingdom of Judea, which is known today as Palestine.

Jesus is best known as the central figure of Christianity and is revered by most Christian churches as the Son of God.  He is also an important figure in several other religions, including Islam, which considers Jesus a prophet.

Of course, there are thousands of sources of information on Jesus, most notably the New Testament of the Bible; however, this particular web page will consider Jesus' role as a great Philosopher.

While known by many other names, such as Messiah, Lord, Savior, Redeemer, or even his occupational trade, Carpenter, Jesus is seldom referred to as a Philosopher, either in religious or academic sources.

Perhaps we may more easily assign the additional title of Philosopher to Jesus if we consider some of the generally accepted definitions of the word, philosophy, as found at Webster's Online Dictionary:

• a discipline comprising as its core logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology
• pursuit of wisdom
• a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means
• an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs

Making the simple assumption that a Philosopher is one who practices philosophy, there should be no question, no matter one's religious belief (or lack thereof), that Jesus Christ brilliantly employed the use of reason and logic and persistently pursued philosophical matters, such as life's meaning, purpose and value.

For a sample of some of Jesus' philosophy, please take a few minutes to read some of his words:

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.

You aren't swayed by men because you pay no attention to who they are.

Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.

If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you.  If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.

The kingdom of heaven is spread out across the earth, only people don't see it.

Even the least among you can do what I have done and greater things.

He who rules his spirit has won a greater victory than the taking of a city.

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Image by Shannon

Comments

[Clint Stonebraker]

Interesting perspective. I had never thought of Jesus in the philosophical context before. Philosophically these are brilliant quotes. Thank you again for the food for thought.

[Kent @ The Financial Philosopher]

Thanks for your thoughts, Clint. Actually, religion is a philosophy -- not the other way around.

Likewise, Christianity is a philosophy and Jesus Christ, therefore, was one of the greatest, and certainly the most widely known, philosopher to ever live...

Thanks again for the comment...