Why Jesus Matters to You

The following is taken from the last chapter of the book "Why Jesus Matters" by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz.

" It is undeniable and indisputable. Jesus was the most extraordinary life the world has known. Even atheists and those who are cynical of any spiritual nature in Christ and humanity readily acknowledge the overwhelming impact Jesus has made on our civilization. The famous historian - and self professed skeptic - W.E.H. Lecky conceded the importance of the life of Jesus Christ with this statement.

"The character of Jesus has not only been the highest pattern of virtue, but the longest incentive in its practice, and has exerted so deep an influence, that it may be truly said that the simple record of three short years of active life has done more to regenerate and to soften mankind than all the disquisitions of philosophers and all the exhortations of moralists."

But just as His impact cannot be denied, we can't ignore the controversy He has generated. No individual has caused more debate than Jesus Christ. For such a central figure in history, there is little consensus about Him. Jesus has split public opinion about Himself into two divergent camps. It seems that either He is respected and revered, or He is despised and denigrated.

So what is all the fuss about?

Is it about morality? No! He is universally recognized as the greatest moral teacher of all time. No one argues with His admonitions on interpersonal relationships or His concepts of right and wrong.

Is it about the legitimacy of the miracles? Not really. Whether they were supernaturally caused or were a grand illusion is not what impassions the debate.

Is it about the fact or fiction of the resurrection? Nope. It didn't appear to be the issue that fueled the controversy in the first century A.D., and it didn't appear to be the center of the dispute now.

There would be no controversy if Jesus was merely: (a) a respected ethicist; (b) with a knack for supernatural theatrics; (c) who appeared to defeat death; and then (d) disappeared into thin air without a trace. Those listings in His biographical profile would make Him famous and mysterious, but they wouldn't put Him at the center of the world's greatest debate.

The controversy about Christ centers on His theology. In the holy hullabaloo that swirls around Christ, some consider His theological doctrine to be His greatest attraction; others consider it to be a grand offense. The different viewpoints are understandable considering that He claimed to know God. Beyond that, He claimed to be God. And most controversial of all, He claimed that His death on the cross was the only way a sinful humanity could be forgiven by God and experience eternal life.

Any honest study on the life of Christ will embroil you in the debate. It is not possible to look only at the extraordinary part of Jesus without dealing with the controversial part. His teaching, miracles, and resurrection are integrated with His theology. His promises for a life of truth, peace, and meaning were all based on a belief in Him...not just an intellectual assent of His existence, but a faith that He was the sole solution for humanity's spiritual void.

Every person must take a side in the controversy. You must decide if Jesus was just a good man, or if He was the God-Man. Your decision will take you far beyond knowing why Jesus matters. On a more important level - a very special level - you will know why Jesus matters to you. "

By George Konig
1/13/2008
www.konig.org

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Why Jesus Matters to You