What would Jesus earthly ministry be like today?

[Guest]

If Jesus had His earthly ministry in today's world, who would He be with and what would He be doing? I think Jesus would heal some people of their cancer through their faith and He would hang out around the gang members, drug addicts, porn addicts, refugees, the girls caught up in the porn industry, sex trafficking, and homeless people and be looked down on for hanging with those people. That seems up his alley. Also he would deal with politicians from all poltiical parties while remaining neutral to politics. I would literally love to see Jesus do his mortal ministry in 2017 A.D. ISIS would probably be the ones to fulfill the atonement and crucify Jesus in an even more horrific way than nailing someone to a cross of wood. Today's world has never been more evil.

Edited January 13, 2017 by Zarahemla

[MrShorty]

I don't know if that is true or not.

IMO, Jesus would go about doing good (when that included healing the sick, He would heal them). He would hang around with any and all who would accept His presence. You focused on "despised" classes of people, which many frequently note that Jesus spent a lot of time among the despised classes of His day. A question: Is that because Jesus saw greater value in visiting the despised classes, or is that because the despised classes were more likely to invite Him into their presence? Would he have spent more time with the Parisees and the ruling classes if they had been more accepting of Him?

[zil]

I think this would make a really good topic for personal study.  One could search the gospels specifically, and the rest of the New Testament for second-hand info, for times when those around Christ were described and note who they were and why they were there (as best as possible).

My immediate thoughts are:

• we don't have a ton to go on
• I want to say that it was the pharisees who accused Christ of hanging out with sinners, but this doesn't mean that was the majority of Christ's time, nor does it really address anything beyond the fact that the pharisees were all about outward appearance and things which kept them in power, so that they only concerned themselves with some "sins" and not others (these are also the people who went beyond the mark and made up sins for their own benefit).
• What @MrShorty Just said - many of the sinners who followed Christ appear to have been people who were interested in repenting.  I think a sinner who preferred to keep on sinning wouldn't like Christ's presence.

Anywho, I still think this could be a profitable topic for personal study, one that would bring personal revelation and inspire personal improvement.

[Larry Cotrell]

1 hour ago, Zarahemla said:

think Jesus would heal some people of their cancer through their faith and He would hang out around the gang members, drug addicts, porn addicts, refugees, the girls caught up in the porn industry, sex trafficking, and homeless people and be looked down on for hanging with those people. That seems up his alley.

Mark 2:13-17 "And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

It is important not to miss the point. Jesus' purpose in spending time with these people was not to have fun with them or party with them, it was to bring them to repentance and save their souls.

Proverbs 13:20 " He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

Edited January 13, 2017 by Larry Cotrell

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Larry Cotrell said:

Mark 2:13-17 "And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

It is important not to miss the point. Jesus' purpose in spending time with these people was not to have fun with them or party with them, it was to bring them to repentance and save their souls.

Proverbs 13:20 " He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

Wow.  I was just trying to put this thought together.  Then I saw your post, and it said exactly what I was thinking.  I think it's time for a group hug.

Edited January 13, 2017 by Guest

[Anddenex]

My Initial thoughts:

1) He would have never been able to complete his work in our lifetime, as any other nation that would have experienced the miracles and works of Christ would have known him to be their God. Our laws also prevent the atonement from happening.

2) Jesus would have healed according to the will of his Father, or remained silent as he did in front of the Roman governor. With our media, he would have been all over the news thus preventing in many ways from him doing the work of his Father and completing his mission.

3) Jesus would have hung around those that were willing to hear his message. He wouldn't have chosen any groups, just like our missionaries today do not choose any groups to teach. They teach anyone who is willing to listen and hear the word. Anyone who rejected his word he would have moved on similar to the rich man in the New Testament.

4) I would disagree regarding ISIS, as in scripture we are informed that any other nation would have accepted Christ as their God if they saw the same works he did. I would have loved to live during the same time Christ was born; however, I am also very glad I was born in this day. I experience major headaches and I am glad for modern medicine and many other things we enjoy. I also would like to think that I would have accepted him then, as I do now, but you never know.

[Larry Cotrell]

11 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

 I think it's time for a group hug. 

It's nice when we agree on theology. 

1 hour ago, Zarahemla said:

Also he would deal with politicians from all poltiical parties while remaining neutral to politics.

He would remain neutral on some things because he knows that politics have so little importance in the grand scheme of everything. However, I think he would care about things like abortion. God hates watching innocent babies die.  Jesus would know what's  really important. 

[skalenfehl]

I believe He would do the exact same thing He did before. He would hang out with the poor, the sinners, the downtrodden, while correcting the traditions of the Pharisees and teaching correct doctrines and principles. 

[Guest]

Who are the pharisees in 2017?

[Guest MormonGator]

2 minutes ago, Zarahemla said:

Who are the pharisees in 2017?

The self righteous who focus on legalism and pedantry. They are from all social classes, all walks of life and all backgrounds. 

[skalenfehl]

1 hour ago, Zarahemla said:

Who are the pharisees in 2017?

Ultimately, they are they who would have Jesus cast out for His "radical" teachings.

[Guest]

On 1/13/2017 at 7:22 PM, skalenfehl said:

I believe He would do the exact same thing He did before. ... correcting the traditions of the Pharisees and teaching correct doctrines and principles. 

I believe this is exactly why the OP doesn't really make any sense.  Or at least it isn't a very practical question.  Christ had two missions in His earthly ministry: The Atonement, and the establishing of His Church on the earth with correct doctrines, taught and administered through his Prophets and Apostles with proper priesthood authority.

Today, we already know of the Atonement and we study it and depend on it.  We already have a church organized with Prophets and Apostles with proper priesthood authority.  So, what would He actually do at all?

So, what would his ministry be like if we didn't have those?  Well, that isn't easy to answer either since much of what our present life is like is due to Him having accomplished those to things already.

Edited January 15, 2017 by Guest

[Traveler]

I believe that the real question is how would you recognize Christ in our day and time?  I believe that part of the answer lies in when you will expect him to show up.

 

The Traveler 

[skalenfehl]

4 hours ago, Carborendum said:

I believe this is exactly why the OP doesn't really make any sense.  Or at least it isn't a very practical question.  Christ had two missions in His earthly ministry: The Atonement, and the establishing of His Church on the earth with correct doctrines, taught and administered through his Prophets and Apostles with proper priesthood authority.

Today, we already know of the Atonement and we study it and depend on it.  We already have a church organized with Prophets and Apostles with proper priesthood authority.  So, what would He actually do at all?

So, what would his ministry be like if we didn't have those?  Well, that isn't easy to answer either since much of what our present life is like is due to Him having accomplished those to things already.

During Christ's mortal ministry, there was already an established priesthood and authority, whose line of authority traced back to Moses. Jesus used the same pattern as before. Twelve disciples (apostles) patterned after the twelve sons of Jacob. Seventy (Luke 10:1) elders were also chosen, hearkening back to Moses (Numbers 11:16). At that time, Caiaphas was the presiding high priest. They claimed authority as they sat in Moses seat, yet they taught traditions, although, correct doctrine was plainly recorded in scripture. Before then, the Deuteronomists were what you might call today, a correlation committee. History has a way of repeating itself. There was the written law and then there was the oral (traditional) law. Oral law tended to supersede written law, which Jesus Christ endeavored to correct. But because Jesus was just a hippie (Nazarite) outsider from a little podunk town of Nazareth with no recognizable credentials or "authority" recognized by the presiding high priests, his authority was constantly challenged, and he was not only denounced, but was cast out. He did NOT recognize their baptism (JST, Matthew 9:18-21). If Jesus were born today to minister as he did back then, I believe He would do the exact same thing and experience the very same treatment. His authority would be challenged as he challenged church traditions (commandments of men), while teaching pure doctrine, He would be cast out for "apostasy," "heresy," etc. Very few would recognize Him for who He really is.
 

 

Edited January 15, 2017 by skalenfehl
typos

[Just_A_Guy]

1 hour ago, skalenfehl said:

During Christ's mortal ministry, there was already an established priesthood and authority, whose line of authority traced back to Moses. Jesus used the same pattern as before. Twelve disciples (apostles) patterned after the twelve sons of Jacob. Seventy (Luke 10:1) elders were also chosen, hearkening back to Moses (Numbers 11:16). At that time, Caiaphas was the presiding high priest. They claimed authority as they sat in Moses seat, yet they taught traditions, although, correct doctrine was plainly recorded in scripture. Before then, the Deuteronomists were what you might call today, a correlation committee. History has a way of repeating itself. There was the written law and then there was the oral (traditional) law. Oral law tended to supersede written law, which Jesus Christ endeavored to correct. But because Jesus was just a hippie (Nazarite) outsider from a little podunk town of Nazareth with no recognizable credentials or "authority" recognized by the presiding high priests, his authority was constantly challenged, and he was not only denounced, but was cast out. He did NOT recognize their baptism (JST, Matthew 9:18-21). If Jesus were born today to minister as he did back then, I believe He would do the exact same thing and experience the very same treatment. His authority would be challenged as he challenged church traditions (commandments of men), while teaching pure doctrine, He would be cast out for "apostasy," "heresy," etc. Very few would recognize Him for who He really is.

I think one difference is that the voice of the Lord was utterly silent in the selection of the "high priest" by Jesus' day.  Theoretically the high priest could trace his genealogy back through one of the priestly lineages; but high priests could be (and were) removed and replaced based on the whim of the secular authorities.

I agree that Jesus, today, would challenge us in our assumptions and traditions; but to suggest that Jesus would be excommunicated from the LDS Church and/or that the church's presiding authorities would fail to recognize Him, strikes me as nuking the fridge/jumping the shark (or whatever other equivalent analogy one chooses to draw).

[skalenfehl]

Naturally, I could be wrong, but I disagree. When Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith, He was a resurrected, glorified being who spoke with power and authority. His voice thundered and his appearance was glorious as in the first vision, Kirtland appearance, etc. What I am talking about is if Jesus was born into mortal ministry today, the general circumstances would be identical. I see no reason for Him to change anything unless it was His purpose to change something. But He only had one purpose. Anyway, He would most certainly be cast out. The only difference between being cast out of any church today (excommunication) is that a person is not crucified or stoned to death. One is not burned at the stake as was Johannes Huss, William Tyndale and others during the Reformation period. A careful study of human nature, history, an ample amount of case studies from the scriptures and also history shows us this would be the likely outcome. A mortal Jesus would, as the OP conjectures, hang out with gang members, drug addicts, homeless people etc. But perhaps His purpose couldn't be accomplished nowadays, because we in modern society, of course, are "civilized" and "advanced" and not barbaric so we don't torture and horribly execute people. (We just empower others like the government and soldiers to do that for us). 

Edited January 15, 2017 by skalenfehl
typos

[Guest]

3 hours ago, skalenfehl said:

During Christ's mortal ministry, there was already an established priesthood and authority, whose line of authority traced back to Moses. Jesus used the same pattern as before. Twelve disciples (apostles) patterned after the twelve sons of Jacob. Seventy (Luke 10:1) elders were also chosen, hearkening back to Moses (Numbers 11:16). At that time, Caiaphas was the presiding high priest. They claimed authority as they sat in Moses seat, yet they taught traditions, although, correct doctrine was plainly recorded in scripture. Before then, the Deuteronomists were what you might call today, a correlation committee. History has a way of repeating itself. There was the written law and then there was the oral (traditional) law. Oral law tended to supersede written law, which Jesus Christ endeavored to correct. But because Jesus was just a hippie (Nazarite) outsider from a little podunk town of Nazareth with no recognizable credentials or "authority" recognized by the presiding high priests, his authority was constantly challenged, and he was not only denounced, but was cast out. He did NOT recognize their baptism (JST, Matthew 9:18-21). If Jesus were born today to minister as he did back then, I believe He would do the exact same thing and experience the very same treatment. His authority would be challenged as he challenged church traditions (commandments of men), while teaching pure doctrine, He would be cast out for "apostasy," "heresy," etc. Very few would recognize Him for who He really is.

You make some very good points.  But that doesn't change the fact that there were no authorized prophets of God who ran things on earth during His earthly ministry.  He had to ordain Peter, James, & John, et. al.

And unless you're saying that Pres. Monson is not a true prophet?...

My primary point previously, as well as now, is that our current lives and society as a whole are completely different from Mary and Joseph's time because we have the living gospel on earth today with living prophets and apostles.  That sentiment doesn't change just because there was a structure that was in place devoid of the will of the Lord or living prophets.

Tell me what the world would be like today without a living prophet and we can begin to actually address the OP.

[skalenfehl]

Carborendum, I am making no accusation against our leaders or anyone. I am at a point in my life where nothing matters but the truth, however harsh it may be. It is true that the presiding high priests in Christ's day were authorized to preside and officiate. It is true that Jesus Christ was also consecrating new apostles to take the gospel into the Gentile world. Jesus gave the Pharisees a parable about this. I am merely addressing the OP with my perspective and conjecture. Unlike your point, the OP does not stipulate a world without a living prophet. He only asked what Jesus' earthly ministry might look like today. I wouldn't mind addressing your point in another topic, though, but it wouldn't go far. The world today without living oracles would likely be much like first century Europe. 

[skalenfehl]

Carborendum, furthermore, it seems to me that you have projected the OP's setting onto Salt Lake City where Thomas S. Monson presides. The OP suggests Christ's ministry to be somewhere in the middle east, where Christ's mortal ministry actually took place. My answer is a general one regardless of which religion/church prevails. You see, regardless of what religion would dominate the region where Christ would minister, He would be rejected as a radical. But since this is a Mormon forum, it is natural to project a biased Mormon view.

Edited January 15, 2017 by skalenfehl
typos

[Fether]

1 hour ago, skalenfehl said:

But since this is a Mormon forum, it is natural to project a biased Mormon view.

In the Millenium, the righteous will be the only ones that stand. There are plenty of righteous people who are not Mormon... however... if one is to "confess" Christ as their savior, they must also confess his doctrine. His doctrine is found in the LDS church... so eventually everyone will be LDS.

but I guess this comment won't make much sense until we answer a pretty important question.

is this fictional "ministry" a replacement of the New Testament? Is it in addition to the NT? Or is it his second coming?

[skalenfehl]

Since you quoted me, I will reply. I believe the OP was just having fun and so was I. There are as many different ways to answer it as there are people answering. But that does present an interesting question. If Jesus had waited two thousand years to fulfill the law, it would not replace a not-yet existent New Testament. And being the law giver, would then give His law. Anyway, this topic isn't fun anymore. Have a nice day.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, skalenfehl said:

 Unlike your point, the OP does not stipulate a world without a living prophet. He only asked what Jesus' earthly ministry might look like today.

I'm not sure what you are getting from what I posted.  But we seem to be missing each other by quite a bit.

I did not say whether or not the OP stipulated a living prophet or not.  My point was that the question doesn't make sense until we make that stipulation one way or the other.

2 hours ago, skalenfehl said:

it seems to me that you have projected the OP's setting onto Salt Lake City where Thomas S. Monson presides. The OP suggests Christ's ministry to be somewhere in the middle east

I made no such projection.  And I don't believe the OP did either way.  If we at least assume we have today's level of communication, it wouldn't matter if He were only in one nation or many.  But whether or not we have living oracles will make a HUGE difference.  

2 hours ago, skalenfehl said:

It is true that the presiding high priests in Christ's day were authorized to preside and officiate. 

Whether the Pharisees and others had credible claim to the priesthood is unimportant without an authorized apostle who holds all the keys to the Kingdom on earth.  The Old world did not have any such keys present.  Without those keys, the priesthood is lacking or perhaps without any real power.  Authority without keys will get you nowhere.

Consider what He did in the Old World vs what He did in the New World.

The Old World required a LOT of correction.  And He ordained men, not the extant ecclesiastical authorities.  He did not go among the religious leadership to teach or to organize.  He did it from scratch.  He ordained apostles himself.  There were none.  If we don't postulate living oracles, then He would have to parallel those actions.

In the New World He called upon Nephi who was the living oracle of the time.  Then He organized the Church with Nephi as its earthly head.  The teaching He did was  primarily with regard to the change between the Law of Moses and the New and Everlasting Covenant.  If we do postulate living oracles, then we would follow the New World model.

Edited January 15, 2017 by Guest

[Blackmarch]

On January 13, 2017 at 0:38 PM, Larry Cotrell said:

It's nice when we agree on theology. 

He would remain neutral on some things because he knows that politics have so little importance in the grand scheme of everything. However, I think he would care about things like abortion. God hates watching innocent babies die.  Jesus would know what's  really important. 

I think so too, however i doubt he would go out of his way on it, more likely the modern day pharisees would bring the subject to him, to try to trap him.

 

 

[Blackmarch]

duplicate

Edited January 20, 2017 by Blackmarch

[Blackmarch]

On January 13, 2017 at 11:11 AM, Zarahemla said:

If Jesus had His earthly ministry in today's world, who would He be with and what would He be doing? I think Jesus would heal some people of their cancer through their faith and He would hang out around the gang members, drug addicts, porn addicts, refugees, the girls caught up in the porn industry, sex trafficking, and homeless people and be looked down on for hanging with those people. That seems up his alley. Also he would deal with politicians from all poltiical parties while remaining neutral to politics. I would literally love to see Jesus do his mortal ministry in 2017 A.D. ISIS would probably be the ones to fulfill the atonement and crucify Jesus in an even more horrific way than nailing someone to a cross of wood. Today's world has never been more evil.

Id wager he'd get called to lead the lds church in relatively short order. Supposing in the hypothetical that it exists and is lead by the Spirit.