Trusting Jesus's prescriptions for living

[Longfellow]

I'll start this thread with some questions that came to my mind when I started thinking about it.

- Is there such a thing as Jesus's prescriptions for living?
- Which Jesus? One of the ones in the gospels? One of Paul's Jesuses? Some historical Jesus? One of the Jesuses of Christianity or Islam or Baha'i or philosophical schools or personal philosophies (mine for example ) ?
- What does "Jesus's prescriptions for living" even mean? What he says in the gospels? Everything that the New Testament says about how to live? What I think the real Jesus said if there was one?
- How can we know what his prescriptions are, if they are not what the NT says they are? Or even if they are, when there is so much disagreement about what it means and what it's all about, and so much missing from the context?
- What does it mean to trust his prescriptions for living? Cut off my right hand if it has an ugly scar (which it does and which I certainly do not intend to do)? If not, just pick and choose whatever I like?
- Are there, or have there ever been, any people anywhere who actually do or did trust his prescriptions for living?
- Is there any reason to trust his prescriptions for living? What happens or might happen if people do it, that anyone would want to happen?
- Is it something that he would want people to do?
- Is it something that God approves of if there is one?

 

[wil]

The Secular Canon: Practical Maxims for Living in accordance with words attributed to our elder brother and wayshower.

Attentive Empathy (The Platinum Rule): Meet people where they actually are. Extend care, dignity, and accommodation according to their specific needs and boundaries, rather than projecting your own preferences onto them.

Radical Non-Escalation: Break cycles of retaliation. Absorb petty slights and insults without mirroring the aggression; respond in ways that neutralize hostility rather than amplifying it.

Quiet Integrity over Public Performance: Eliminate virtue signaling. Perform acts of charity, discipline, and generosity discreetly, seeking internal alignment rather than external applause or social status.

Active Peacemaking and De-escalation (The Beatitude of Peace): Strive to bridge divides and resolve active hostility. Genuine peace is an active practice of reconciliation, not passive avoidance of conflict.

Universal Solidarity Across Tribal Lines: Extend aid and basic respect to outsiders, rivals, and social outcasts. Reject tribal and ideological boundaries when a fellow human requires direct assistance.

Chronic Forgiveness as Mental Hygiene: Release grudges unconditionally. Refusing to harbor resentment prevents personal bitterness from poisoning your own judgment and fracturing community ties.

Ruthless Self-Correction First: Identify and resolve your own massive hypocrisies before attempting to critique or regulate the minor flaws of others.

Material Detachment: Guard against greed and status anxiety. Treat material goods merely as functional tools rather than scorecards for human worth.

Human Need over Dogmatic Rules: Never let rigid policies, social rituals, or bureaucracy override basic compassion and immediate human welfare.

Grounded Focus on the Present Day: Do not let runaway anxiety over future unknowns paralyze you. Focus full attention and agency on the concrete responsibilities directly in front of you today.

Silent Observation: Sit quietly and watch your thoughts flow without judgment. Watch the watcher by remaining the calm witness rather than the reaction.

Prayer & Meditation: Dedicate 15 to 30 minutes daily—ideally first thing in the morning—to anchor your mind in gratitude, seek guidance, and rest in stillness. And last thing at night to analyze intent and reality.

"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

 

[Longfellow]

The Secular Canon: Practical Maxims for Living in accordance with words attributed to our elder brother and wayshower.

Attentive Empathy (The Platinum Rule): Meet people where they actually are. Extend care, dignity, and accommodation according to their specific needs and boundaries, rather than projecting your own preferences onto them.

Radical Non-Escalation: Break cycles of retaliation. Absorb petty slights and insults without mirroring the aggression; respond in ways that neutralize hostility rather than amplifying it.

Quiet Integrity over Public Performance: Eliminate virtue signaling. Perform acts of charity, discipline, and generosity discreetly, seeking internal alignment rather than external applause or social status.

Active Peacemaking and De-escalation (The Beatitude of Peace): Strive to bridge divides and resolve active hostility. Genuine peace is an active practice of reconciliation, not passive avoidance of conflict.

Universal Solidarity Across Tribal Lines: Extend aid and basic respect to outsiders, rivals, and social outcasts. Reject tribal and ideological boundaries when a fellow human requires direct assistance.

Chronic Forgiveness as Mental Hygiene: Release grudges unconditionally. Refusing to harbor resentment prevents personal bitterness from poisoning your own judgment and fracturing community ties.

Ruthless Self-Correction First: Identify and resolve your own massive hypocrisies before attempting to critique or regulate the minor flaws of others.

Material Detachment: Guard against greed and status anxiety. Treat material goods merely as functional tools rather than scorecards for human worth.

Human Need over Dogmatic Rules: Never let rigid policies, social rituals, or bureaucracy override basic compassion and immediate human welfare.

Grounded Focus on the Present Day: Do not let runaway anxiety over future unknowns paralyze you. Focus full attention and agency on the concrete responsibilities directly in front of you today.

Silent Observation: Sit quietly and watch your thoughts flow without judgment. Watch the watcher by remaining the calm witness rather than the reaction.

Prayer & Meditation: Dedicate 15 to 30 minutes daily—ideally first thing in the morning—to anchor your mind in gratitude, seek guidance, and rest in stillness. And last thing at night to analyze intent and reality.

"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

Thank you for that wonderful illustration of a possible interpretation of Jesus's prescriptions for living. I might go through all my questions and see how it answers them. It might be perfect for that purpose. I love this so much.

 

[Longfellow]

The Secular Canon: Practical Maxims for Living in accordance with words attributed to our elder brother and wayshower.

Attentive Empathy (The Platinum Rule): Meet people where they actually are. Extend care, dignity, and accommodation according to their specific needs and boundaries, rather than projecting your own preferences onto them.

Radical Non-Escalation: Break cycles of retaliation. Absorb petty slights and insults without mirroring the aggression; respond in ways that neutralize hostility rather than amplifying it.

Quiet Integrity over Public Performance: Eliminate virtue signaling. Perform acts of charity, discipline, and generosity discreetly, seeking internal alignment rather than external applause or social status.

Active Peacemaking and De-escalation (The Beatitude of Peace): Strive to bridge divides and resolve active hostility. Genuine peace is an active practice of reconciliation, not passive avoidance of conflict.

Universal Solidarity Across Tribal Lines: Extend aid and basic respect to outsiders, rivals, and social outcasts. Reject tribal and ideological boundaries when a fellow human requires direct assistance.

Chronic Forgiveness as Mental Hygiene: Release grudges unconditionally. Refusing to harbor resentment prevents personal bitterness from poisoning your own judgment and fracturing community ties.

Ruthless Self-Correction First: Identify and resolve your own massive hypocrisies before attempting to critique or regulate the minor flaws of others.

Material Detachment: Guard against greed and status anxiety. Treat material goods merely as functional tools rather than scorecards for human worth.

Human Need over Dogmatic Rules: Never let rigid policies, social rituals, or bureaucracy override basic compassion and immediate human welfare.

Grounded Focus on the Present Day: Do not let runaway anxiety over future unknowns paralyze you. Focus full attention and agency on the concrete responsibilities directly in front of you today.

Silent Observation: Sit quietly and watch your thoughts flow without judgment. Watch the watcher by remaining the calm witness rather than the reaction.

Prayer & Meditation: Dedicate 15 to 30 minutes daily—ideally first thing in the morning—to anchor your mind in gratitude, seek guidance, and rest in stillness. And last thing at night to analyze intent and reality.

"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

I can't find anything resembling this list with any search. Did you compose this yourself?

 

[wil]

I can't find anything resembling this list with any search. Did you compose this yourself?

You instigated it, I discussed it with an artificial intern to align with my thinking on your topic written.so others could understand.

 

[RJM]

Is there such a thing as Jesus's prescriptions for living?

IMO Christ didn’t preach material living standards. He showed the way to personal inner peace. He was concerned with the inner heart and soul. He came for the hopeless and the lost and broken.

 

[RJM]

What does "Jesus's prescriptions for living" even mean?

What prescriptions exactly? Can you quote some? Luke 12 perhaps?

He said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Matthew 2:27-29

He said take up your cross and follow me. He said to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's.

EDIT: He wasn't trying to preach about world peace and unity, or community social living, and so on, imo

 

[Longfellow]

What prescriptions exactly? Can you quote some? Luke 12 perhaps?

He said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Matthew 2:27-29

He said take up your cross and follow me. He said to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's.

EDIT: He wasn't trying to preach about world peace and unity, or community social living, and so on, imo

Thank you.

John 13

5 After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

 

[Longfellow]

The Secular Canon: Practical Maxims for Living in accordance with words attributed to our elder brother and wayshower.

Attentive Empathy (The Platinum Rule): Meet people where they actually are. Extend care, dignity, and accommodation according to their specific needs and boundaries, rather than projecting your own preferences onto them.

Radical Non-Escalation: Break cycles of retaliation. Absorb petty slights and insults without mirroring the aggression; respond in ways that neutralize hostility rather than amplifying it.

Quiet Integrity over Public Performance: Eliminate virtue signaling. Perform acts of charity, discipline, and generosity discreetly, seeking internal alignment rather than external applause or social status.

Active Peacemaking and De-escalation (The Beatitude of Peace): Strive to bridge divides and resolve active hostility. Genuine peace is an active practice of reconciliation, not passive avoidance of conflict.

Universal Solidarity Across Tribal Lines: Extend aid and basic respect to outsiders, rivals, and social outcasts. Reject tribal and ideological boundaries when a fellow human requires direct assistance.

Chronic Forgiveness as Mental Hygiene: Release grudges unconditionally. Refusing to harbor resentment prevents personal bitterness from poisoning your own judgment and fracturing community ties.

Ruthless Self-Correction First: Identify and resolve your own massive hypocrisies before attempting to critique or regulate the minor flaws of others.

Material Detachment: Guard against greed and status anxiety. Treat material goods merely as functional tools rather than scorecards for human worth.

Human Need over Dogmatic Rules: Never let rigid policies, social rituals, or bureaucracy override basic compassion and immediate human welfare.

Grounded Focus on the Present Day: Do not let runaway anxiety over future unknowns paralyze you. Focus full attention and agency on the concrete responsibilities directly in front of you today.

Silent Observation: Sit quietly and watch your thoughts flow without judgment. Watch the watcher by remaining the calm witness rather than the reaction.

Prayer & Meditation: Dedicate 15 to 30 minutes daily—ideally first thing in the morning—to anchor your mind in gratitude, seek guidance, and rest in stillness. And last thing at night to analyze intent and reality.

"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

Thank you. This is very helpful. Now I will go through my list of questions and see what answers I see in this.

- Which Jesus?
Your post doesn’t specify, but it looks to me like it might be the Jesus who says most of what he says in the synoptics and in the gospel of Thomas, excluding everything that he says about himself.
- What happens or might happen if people do it, that anyone would want to happen?
Cycles of retaliation are broken, less hostility, peace, less poisoning of judgment, less fracturing of community ties.

 

[Longfellow]

I haven't found answers to all my questions, that satisfy me. I'll go through them one by one, and discuss where I am with them now.

- Is there such a thing as Jesus's prescriptions for living?
Yes, in a multitude of versions, including one for every person who thinks they know what Jesus prescribed for people to do. One kind that interests me the most, is whatever he actually prescribed for people to do, which is currently inaccessible. Another is what New Testament stories say that he prescribed for people to do. Another is honest and responsible attempts to reconstruct what he actually prescribed for people to do. Another is what church traditions say that he prescribed for people to do.

 

[RJM]

- Is there such a thing as Jesus's prescriptions for living?
Yes, in a multitude of versions, including one for every person who thinks they know what Jesus prescribed for people to do.

Ok, apart from 'love your neighbour'* do you have other specific prescriptions for living, given by Christ?

*EDIT and even your enemy

 

[Longfellow]

Ok, apart from 'love your neighbour' do you have other specific prescriptions for living, given by Christ?

- Forgive seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21–22)
- Turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39)
- Give to those who ask (Matthew 5:42)
- Love your enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27–28)
- Do not store up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19–21)
- Pray in secret (Matthew 6:6)
- Do not judge, or you will be judged (Matthew 7:1–2)
- Sell possessions and give to the poor (Luke 12:33; Matthew 19:21)

 

[RJM]

Sell possessions and give to the poor (Luke 12:33; Matthew 19:21)

Start here then. Do you think this was addressed to everybody in the world, as a universal social prescription, or to a select few of humanity prepared to give up everything for God? Perhaps monks and nuns and others like them?

EDIT: most of Buddha's teachings were addressed to monks, for instance? I think?

 

[Longfellow]

Start here then. Do you think this was addressed to everybody in the world, as a universal social prescription, or to a select few of humanity prepared to give up everything for God? Perhaps monks and nuns and others like them?

It looks to me like it's for disciples and anyone who wants to be one.

 

[RJM]

It looks to me like it was for disciples and anyone who wants to be one.

Ok. But the way I see it the 'master' teachings to the 'elect' become watered down to become social and society mores, imo.

Not just in Christianity.

When the Great Tao ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. Then appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy.
Tao te Ching 18

The 'master' teachings were never intended for everyday society as a whole?

 

[Longfellow]

Ok. But the way I see it the 'master' teachings to the 'elect' become watered down to become social and society mores, imo.

Not just in Christianity.

When the Great Tao ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. Then appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy.
Tao te Ching 18

The 'master' teachings were never intended for everyday society as a whole?

I don't see how that relates to what I said. It looks to me like it's for his disciples and anyone who wants to be one.

 

[RJM]

I don't see how that relates to what I said. It looks to me like it's for his disciples and anyone who wants to be one.

Perhaps. But it means entire renunciation of the things of the world. How would material society continue to function? Do you have material suggestions? Would the main body of society ever do it?

Otherwise it's watered down. That doesn't mean it's not done good for mankind. Imo

 

[Longfellow]

Perhaps. But it means entire renunciation of the things of the world. How would material society continue to function? Do you have material suggestions? Would the main body of society ever do it?

Otherwise it's watered down. That doesn't mean it's not done good for mankind. Imo

Is there some reason why you think he's telling his disciples to sell *all* their possessions? Anyway, that might have just been a custom for disciples in that culture. Go sell something and give alms.

The Rock didn't sell his home. Was he being disobedient?

 

[RJM]

Is there some reason why you think he's telling his disciples to sell *all* their possessions? Anyway, that might have just been a custom for disciples in that culture. Go sell something and give alms.

He didn't say: Go sell something and give alms. That's something different entirely. It's not about words ...

Anyway God responds to sincere seeking regardless of time and place and religion. IMO It's an individual response and not about world peace and unity or communal social justice, etc ...

 

[RJM]

The Rock didn't sell his home. Was he being disobedient?

Completely muddying the actual issue.

EDIT
@Longfellow
Are you asking how you think Christ prescribes you should live your own life, or how Christ prescribes that society at large should live theirs?