Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 12:50AM | 
MENU
Advertisement

Following Jesus doesn't require having all the answers

Following Jesus doesn't require having all the answers

Regarding "Five Myths About Jesus" (Oct. 6 Forum) by Reza Aslan: Every so often, someone publishes a book or an article redefining Jesus. Most recently, Mr. Aslan, a Muslim scholar, has published a book about Jesus titled "Zealot," which suggests that Jesus was part of a radical group dedicated to the overthrow of the Roman government.

Mr. Aslan's book has received wide publicity, largely as a result of his live interview on a major television network. The book rose quickly to the top of The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list.

Who was Jesus? Was he God visiting Earth? Was he a God-man walking among us for a few years? Was he a spiritual giant who had the most perfect connectivity with God anyone has ever known? Was he a human being with great wisdom and compassion? Was he little more than a popular Galilean peasant? Was he essentially a "mystery" which none of us can ever completely comprehend?

Advertisement

I do not pretend to be a Jesus scholar, but I do know this: He does not ask me to subscribe to a strict theological definition of his nature. He does not require me to toe the line of dogmatic purity. He simply sets the pace -- as the pioneer of faith -- for who I am called to be and how I am called to live. He presents an image of a new kind of kingdom which God envisioned in creation.

Perhaps the late Albert Schweitzer put it best when he reached this conclusion: Each of us must determine in our own experience who he is.

I am good with that answer. And I am comfortable inviting others to live out that answer as well.

BRIAN BAUKNIGHT
Senior Minister Emeritus
Christ United Methodist Church
Bethel Park

Advertisement

First Published: October 13, 2013, 12:00 a.m.
Updated: October 13, 2013, 12:06 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Hampton Inn, 3315 Hamlet St., Oakland, on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.
1
news
Pitt will house hundreds in hotel, apartments after overbooked housing
The Pirates' Mitch Keller reacts after allowing a run against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 15, 2025, in Chicago.
2
sports
Pirates trade rumors: What the Post-Gazette is hearing as the MLB deadline nears
BNY Mellon and UPMC towering over the Downtown skyline Thursday Sept. 12, 2024.
3
business
BNY's move signals a changing Downtown — and leaves the future of one skyscraper uncertain
New Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) watches a drill with teammates during Steelers Minicamp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
4
sports
Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat transcript: 07.22.25
Pirates first-round MLB draft pick Seth Hernandez poses with general manager Ben Cherington after signing his first professional contract at PNC Park on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
5
sports
Pirates sign 1st-round MLB draft pick Seth Hernandez
Advertisement
LATEST opinion
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story