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Single Idea 7351

[filed under theme 29. Religion / B. Monotheistic Religion / 4. Christianity / a. Christianity ]

Full Idea

Jesus was a member of the school of Hillel the Elder, and may have sat under him. He repeated some of the sayings of Hillel, ...and turned his ideas into a moral theology, stripping the law of all but its moral and ethical elements.

Gist of Idea

Jesus turned the ideas of Hillel into a theology reduced to its moral elements

Source

report of Jesus (reports [c.32]) by Paul Johnson - The History of the Jews Pt II

Book Ref

Johnson,Paul: 'A History of the Jews' [Phoenix 1993], p.128


A Reaction

The crucial move, it seems to me, is to strip Judaism of its complexity, and reduce it to very simple moral maxims, which means that ordinary illiterate people no longer need priests to understand and follow it. Jesus was, above all, a great teacher.


The 12 ideas from Jesus

Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth [Jesus]
It is almost impossible for the rich to go to heaven [Jesus]
Jesus said learning was unnecessary, and only the spirit of the Law was needed [Jesus, by Johnson,P]
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy [Jesus]
Love your enemies [Jesus]
Love thy neighbour as thyself [Jesus]
Treat others as you would have them treat you [Jesus]
Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter heaven [Jesus]
If you lust after a woman, you have committed adultery [Jesus]
Don't resist evil, but turn the other cheek [Jesus]
No one is good except God [Jesus]
Jesus turned the ideas of Hillel into a theology reduced to its moral elements [Jesus, by Johnson,P]