I think first you have to take a look at what was going on during that time, in terms of politics and especially how the Jews were fairing at the time.  Remember, Jews have a long history of oppression, degradation, slavery, and the like.  Jesus acted as the guiding light for them, to give them hope after all the suffering they endured...that's pretty much the audience he was reaching out to.

Or something like that...I'm no religion scholar, but perhaps that'll get you thinking.

~Zoo

then it can't be entirely based on the oppression of the Jews and the history surrounding that period.

Well, I'm talking more about these "crowds of Jews" that were mentioned.  They got the shaft, so they were seeking something to believe in....and I think the preaching was geared toward that...to assure them that someone still cares about them.

As for the actual reading of the Bible...I haven't gotten around to it...it's so boring.  I find meaning on my own most of the time, by experiencing things and watching people.  Though I be Christian, I tend not to bury my nose in the book.  One day I might actually read the whole thing...but I don't know if it'll teach me anything new.

~Zoo

Actually, Costlow...there are theories that those chapters were composed by a few different authors. As in a few authors per one chapter.

~Zoo

Oh...well I stand corrected then.

I've got my own religion class...but it's just comparing religion in the US...nothing too detailed.

~Zoo

Did you include my Amish superhero bit? That would've been great.

~Zoo

I have that...and I used to listen to it all the time.

~Zoo

But Kendra... they already expected me to do that so I went the more lame-o route. I told them about Amish schools and talked about the shootings and such.

It can't be helped...*sigh. I actually gave a speech on that topis also, but it was for Sociology 201...interesting how we find the same topics isn't it?

I have that...and I used to listen to it all the time.

YES! go Shaun! It's on my limewire favorites and I'm listening to it RIGHT NOW!!!

You know, I was just talking about you and Jeffers and your competition to make Mr. Roderick smile each day. I also was telling some of my friends about how we played the white tiles are lava and all those times we stopped French class to have a party.

It's strange to feel so much happiness and so much regret at the same time. I love those times...more everyday. I tell people here about things like that, and I know I can't expect them to appreciate them like I do...but it feels so good to be able to laugh and remeber those things again.
P.S. I TOTALLY made Mr.Roderick smile more than Jeffers did. I put him in my graduation speech-and so i win.

LOVE!
S.C.

Well, our title made it sound like a rant about jobs, which it was, but you also pose interesting questions about Christianity and the argument.

The Bible even teaches that Satan can quote scripture for his own purposes. I've said before, if you're looking for a reason to hate Jews, homosexuals, etc, you'll be able to find it in the Bible. If you're looking for a reason to hate God, or for contradictions, you'll be able to glean that. But if you're looking for God's truth, you'll surely find it. But there's a lot to it. The Bible is a big picture. You can read just a part of it and come away really messed up.

"I know that in a class like this one the professor will undoubtedly force his/her beliefs of the subject on you which is alright with me but you'll never see the New Testament in any way but the way the professor makes you see it. You may want to but we all know that their opinion trumps your own while in the class."

The lack of ideological diversity allowed by today's universities is miniscule. See, they will allow anyone in, blacks, whites, disabled, etc. in the name of diversity, but if you have any Christian values you are intolerant, and considered backwater and even ignorant. Honestly, even at Harvard, where you have to be extremely intelligent to get in, they treat you like you're the dumbest being on Earth for believing in intelligent design. And, due to the other morals related to Christianity, you really can't fight dirty like they do. Also, if it's the professor, and you get an 'F' for quoting the Bible as a source, what are you going to do?

Good luck to you in the conflict.

Also, on the topic of finding proof, there are stories of people who have set off to prove the Bible is false and end up becoming a believer as the evidence supporting the Bible and God and Jesus builds. I know some are true, but not to what extent it happens.