Rediscovering Jesus: How Modern Christianity Strays from His Original Teachings

This is what historians feel that Jesus actually looked like.

I was raised a Christian, but in my early education and more recently in doctoral studies, I have struggled with the beauty of Jesus’ teachings set against what I experience from so many modern Christian communities and spokespersons.

In the two thousand years since Jesus walked the earth, Christianity has evolved in ways that often diverge from the simplicity and depth of His original teachings. While modern practices emphasize worship and doctrine, Jesus’ life was a profound call to action—focused on love, service, and a deep, personal relationship with God. This essay is not to denigrate modern Christians, but to seek to understand where and how modern Christianity may have strayed from the paths Jesus laid out, inviting us to rediscover the essence of His message in our lives today. Of course, there may be exceptions to the points I raise. They do, however, appear to be just that—modern exceptions in today’s Christianity.

1. Material Wealth vs. Spiritual Poverty

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus emphasized spiritual poverty and warned against the accumulation of material wealth. He famously said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24).
• Modern Deviation: The “Prosperity Gospel” movement, which claims that financial success and physical well-being are the will of God for Christians, has been criticized as a deviation from Jesus’ original emphasis on humility and spiritual wealth over material gain.

2. Love for Enemies vs. Political Hostility

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus taught love for enemies and forgiveness, instructing his followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44).
• Modern Deviation: In some branches of modern Christianity, political hostility and division have become more pronounced, with Christians sometimes supporting harsh rhetoric or policies against perceived enemies or other religions, contrary to the teaching of unconditional love and forgiveness.

3. Peacefulness vs. Justification of War

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus is often seen as a proponent of peace, famously saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9) and admonishing Peter to put away his sword during Jesus’ arrest (Matthew 26:52).
• Modern Deviation: Throughout history and into modern times, some Christian groups have justified war or violence in the name of faith or defense, which can be seen as a departure from the peaceful ethos Jesus advocated.

4. Simplicity of Worship vs. Ritualism and Tradition

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus critiqued the religious leaders of his time for their emphasis on ritual over genuine faith and relationship with God. He advocated for a simpler, more heartfelt approach to worship.
• Modern Deviation: Over time, various Christian denominations have developed complex rituals, traditions, and hierarchical structures that some argue overshadow the simplicity and directness of Jesus’ teachings on worship.

5. Inclusivity vs. Exclusivity

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus reached out to the marginalized and outcasts of society, dining with sinners, tax collectors, and those considered unclean. His message was one of inclusivity and love for all.
• Modern Deviation: Some modern Christian groups have been criticized for being exclusive or judgmental, particularly towards certain groups such as the LGBTQ+ community, which contrasts with Jesus’ inclusive approach.

6. Humility vs. Power and Authority

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus lived a life of humility, emphasizing that “the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16). He washed the feet of his disciples, modeling servant leadership.
• Modern Deviation: The rise of powerful religious institutions and leaders who seek influence, wealth, or political power has been seen as a deviation from Jesus’ example of humility and servanthood.

7. Focus on the Kingdom of God vs. Nationalism

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus’ teachings focused on the Kingdom of God as a spiritual realm transcending earthly nations and borders.
• Modern Deviation: In some instances, modern Christianity has become closely aligned with nationalism or patriotism, where the interests of a particular nation are seen as inherently aligned with God’s will, which can overshadow the broader, more inclusive vision of the Kingdom of God.

8. Personal Relationship with God vs. Institutional Mediation

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus taught that individuals could have a direct relationship with God, encouraging personal prayer, introspection, and devotion. He taught that the answers to our questions rest within us.
• Modern Deviation: Over time, some Christian denominations have placed significant emphasis on the role of clergy, sacraments, and church hierarchy as mediators between individuals and God, which can be seen as a shift away from the direct personal relationship Jesus advocated.

9. Forgiveness vs. Punishment

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus emphasized forgiveness and mercy, instructing his followers to forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22) and showing mercy to those caught in sin.
• Modern Deviation: Some modern Christian groups or individuals have been criticized for focusing on punishment, judgment, and condemnation rather than forgiveness and mercy, particularly in matters of social or moral failings. The idea of fear and a Hell was popularized many years after Jesus by Pope Gregory I, also known as Gregory the Great (Pope from 590 to 604 AD). He, and not Jesus, emphasized the fear of God’s judgment, and the reality of Hell as a place of eternal punishment for the wicked. His teachings significantly influenced the medieval Christian view of sin, salvation, and the afterlife, embedding the fear of Hell deeply into Christian doctrine and culture.

10. Service to Others vs. Self-Interest

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus taught that the greatest commandment was to love God and love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37-39). He emphasized service to others, especially the poor, sick, and marginalized.
• Modern Deviation: In some cases, modern Christianity has been criticized for focusing more on personal salvation, prosperity, or institutional growth than on selfless service to others, especially the vulnerable and oppressed.

11. Care for the Poor vs. Wealth Accumulation

• Jesus’ Teaching: Jesus emphasized caring for the poor and the needy, telling the rich young ruler to “sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Matthew 19:21). He often highlighted the importance of generosity and warned against the dangers of wealth.
• Modern Deviation: Some modern Christian communities, particularly those influenced by the Prosperity Gospel, have been criticized for promoting wealth accumulation and personal success as signs of divine favor, sometimes at the expense of caring for the poor and marginalized.

13. Following Jesus vs. Worshipping Him:

• Original Teaching: Jesus often emphasized living according to the values and principles he taught, such as love, compassion, humility, and service to others. He taught his disciples and invited people to follow him, to live in a way that reflects the Kingdom of God, and to prioritize the well-being of others. In essence, Jesus was more concerned with how people lived their lives and treated one another rather than demanding worship.
• Modern Practice: In contrast, much of modern Christianity places a significant emphasis on worshiping Jesus as a divine figure, sometimes to the point where the act of worship takes precedence over the practical application of his teachings. The focus often shifts from embodying the values Jesus lived by to ensuring that rituals, prayers, and acts of worship are performed correctly. This can lead to a disconnect between the spiritual practices of worship and the ethical and moral actions that Jesus emphasized.

The deification of Jesus and the establishment of dogma around his divinity over time contributed to this shift. The early church councils, such as the Council of Nicaea, codified the belief in Jesus’ divinity and the need to worship him, which has become a central tenet of many Christian denominations. As a result, worship practices have become a dominant aspect of Christian life, sometimes overshadowing the call to live out Jesus’ teachings in everyday actions.

This deviation highlights the tension between faith and practice, raising questions about whether Christianity today aligns more with the original spirit of Jesus’ message or has evolved into something different. Biblical scholars will tend to agree that His message has been altered to meet the demands of the time and secure power over the followers. Many books were purposely left out of the New Testament for various reasons. Do your own research with an open mind if you don’t agree with me. I feel that Jesus’ original teaching still remain the best guides and are in general agreement with the original teaching of the other great religious philosophies. The basis is in love and its cousins, and not fear-based.

Conclusion:

The above points reflect areas where I believe modern Christianity has deviated from the teachings of Jesus Christ. Many reflect a shift from love-based to fear-based practices. These deviations may have arisen from the complexities of interpreting and applying ancient teachings in a modern context, and the domination of men and the subordination of women long present over that few thousand years.

The points I mentioned are not necessarily the beliefs of all Christians, but there are many formidable Christian organizations that embrace these deviations. It is not my purpose to attack or offend, but to serve as reminders for Christians that they may want to continually reflect on the core messages of Jesus and strive to align their practices and beliefs more closely with his teachings. More critical than how does your Christian congregation measure up, is how do you as a person believe and operate?