• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Did god intend to start a new religion by putting Jesus on earth?

Skwim

Veteran Member
In another thread here the question was asked, "Did Jesus preach with intent to start a new religion?" which I found a reasonable question. But carrying this thought a little further, was this god's intent when he put Jesus on earth: to start a new religion?
I ask because of Christianity's limited impact on the world's population. It took hundreds of years before it spread from it's birth place, the eastern Mediterranean, and then only made an impact on relatively few people. Currently it is only accepted by 32% of the world's population, which, in my opinion, denotes a less than a successful operation. Point being, because of Christianity's limited success, did god have some other plan in mind when he put Jesus here?
 
Last edited:

Salek Atesh

Active Member
Yes, that was the intent. Of course, I'm answering from a Baha'i perspective, so perhaps I'm not the intended audience of this question.

We break it down as having two types of prophets. Ones that restore old ideas and ones who bring new ones. Jesus is viewed in the latter category.

I ask because of Christianity's limited impact on the world's population. It took hundreds of years before it spread from it's birth place, the eastern Mediterranean, and then only made an impact on relatively few people. Currently it is only accepted by 32% of the world's population, which, in my opinion, denotes a less than a successful operation. Point being, because of Christianity's limited success, did god have some other plan in mind when he put Jesus here?

This really depends on how you measure "impact". If you think it was God's intent to start Christianity as the one true religion, then the impact is not optimal.

Though Christianity has impacted other faiths as well, notably Islam.

From Baha'i and Muslim narratives, the creation of Jesus' religion was a part of the plan, but it didn't end with that. It's not the final phase of the plan, but merely a phase for that plan. Muslims (except the Ahmadiyya) believe the final phase was Mohammed establishing Islam, whereas we Baha'is view this plan as currently ongoing.

The foundation of Christianity was the intent of God, at least in my opinion, but it was only one phase of an ongoing plan.
 
Last edited:

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
I think Jesus took on the mission of advancing spirituality for the people of His time and culture. Which teachers become the focus of a major religion or not has much to do with man's politics and timing.
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
I think Jesus took on the mission of advancing spirituality for the people of His time and culture. Which teachers become the focus of a major religion or not has much to do with man's politics and timing.
If I understand you correctly; god put Jesus on earth only to influence 's people of his time and culture, and the fact that a religion grew up around Jesus was immaterial to god.
 

George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
If I understand you correctly; god put Jesus on earth only to influence 's people of his time and culture, and the fact that a religion grew up around Jesus was immaterial to god.
I think your assumption that 'god put Jesus on earth' is not the way I see it. Advanced souls take incarnation for the advancement of mankind. Jesus is not unique. Many advanced souls have appeared but as I said because of man's politics and social situations only certain ones happen to grow into world religions.
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
I think your assumption that 'god put Jesus on earth' is not the way I see it. Advanced souls take incarnation for the advancement of mankind. Jesus is not unique. Many advanced souls have appeared but as I said because of man's politics and social situations only certain ones happen to grow into world religions.
Gotcha. :thumbsup:
 

atpollard

Active Member
But why did he do such a poor job of getting the word out, and do it convincingly?
If you are having fun, then ...
Look at the numbers.
What percentage of the First Century population worshiped the God of Abraham? Less than 1%? (a wild *** guess).
Today, the Percentage of people claiming Judaism and Christianity is about 33%? (another rough guess)
If we throw in Islam that claims to have built on the teachings of Jesus with the correct final version then it rises to what, about 60%? (yet another WAG)
From 1% to 60% is a failure? ... Glad I don't work for you. ;)


If you are serious ...
Into what language has the teachings of Jesus not been translated?
What people groups remain completely unreached with the Gospel?
IIRC by 2020-2025 the Gospel will have been made available to all people groups in all languages.
That sounds like a complete success.

Your issue is that not everyone believes.
The bible says they wouldn't ... that whole "Many are called but few are chosen" and "Wide is the road, but narrow is the path" stuff.
All should be told, some will choose to accept.

If you don't like the plan, then take it up with management.
 

Skwim

Veteran Member
If you are having fun, then ...
Look at the numbers.
What percentage of the First Century population worshiped the God of Abraham? Less than 1%? (a wild *** guess).
Today, the Percentage of people claiming Judaism and Christianity is about 33%? (another rough guess)
Why are you including Judaism? You are aware, are you not, that Jesus doesn't fit into the Jewish faith?

If we throw in Islam that claims to have built on the teachings of Jesus with the correct final version then it rises to what, about 60%? (yet another WAG)
From 1% to 60% is a failure?
"Failure" is your term. And Islam was not built on the teachings of Jesus. Jesus is regarded as one of several prophets. And the teachings of Islam come from the Quran through Muhammad.

If you are serious ...
Into what language has the teachings of Jesus not been translated?
What people groups remain completely unreached with the Gospel?
IIRC by 2020-2025 the Gospel will have been made available to all people groups in all languages.
That sounds like a complete success.
Grossly irrelevant.

Your issue is that not everyone believes.
*Sheesh* My issue was clearly stated in my OP. That you choose to ignore it is fine, just don't expect any further exchange from me.
 
Last edited:

sojourner

Annoyingly Progressive Since 2006
In another thread here the question was asked, "Did Jesus preach with intent to start a new religion?" which I found a reasonable question. But carrying this thought a little further, was this god's intent when he put Jesus on earth: to start a new religion?
I ask because of Christianity's limited impact on the world's population. It took hundreds of years before it spread from it's birth place, the eastern Mediterranean, and then only made an impact on relatively few people. Currently it is only accepted by 32% of the world's population, which, in my opinion, denotes a less than a successful operation. Point being, because of Christianity's limited success, did god have some other plan in mind when he put Jesus here?
I don't think so. I don't think it was intended to be a religion so much as it was supposed to be a way of living.

With regard to your success rate: We're told that Jesus' followers are the salt of the earth. When one uses salt, one uses a pinch to flavor the dish -- not the whole darn container. Too much salt ruins the food. 32% is probably too much salt.
 

DawudTalut

Peace be upon you.
.....did god have some other plan in mind when he put Jesus here?
Peace be on you.
Reforms within Moses' dispensation.
Message was same as of all men of God had been i.e. God is One, pay His and right of His creation.
 
Top