Actual Christianity

To be honest, Jesus’ central teachings can be distilled into a succinct pamphlet, serving as a practical guide to ensure one’s actions align with his teachings. Once presented in a clear and accessible format, this summary can be a valuable reference for evaluating one’s conduct against the core principles of Jesus’ message. While there are certainly some Old Testament writings that complement Jesus’ teachings, it also includes passages that starkly contrast with them and should be reconsidered or discarded completely. Some of these passages have been misused to justify departures from the values Jesus espoused.

The Old Testament contains laws that seem archaic and harsh by today’s standards, such as the stoning of gay people to death, mandates for women to remain silent, and prohibitions against mixing wool and linen. The principle of “an eye for an eye” found in the Old Testament stands in stark contrast to Jesus’ teachings of turning the other cheek and embracing forgiveness. Jesus distilled complex moral principles into universal values that resonate with both secular individuals and those of faith alike. Teachings such as the Golden Rule, forgiveness, and non-retaliation are principles that transcend cultural and religious boundaries and few would argue against.

From a personal perspective, having been an atheist for many years, I chose to embrace the teachings of Jesus on the condition that we adhere strictly to his core principles and exclude elements that contradict his virtuous and righteous message. In line with this, I present to you the essential tenets of Jesus’ teachings. Feel free to copy and paste them as needed.

What Jesus Taught to Do:

1. Love God and Neighbor:
   • Love God: Jesus emphasized the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38).
   • Love Neighbor: He also taught to love your neighbor as yourself, which he identified as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39). This includes showing compassion and kindness to others.
2. Forgive Others:
   • Jesus taught the importance of forgiveness, advising that we should forgive others as God forgives us (Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:21-22).
3. Serve Others:
   • He highlighted the importance of serving others, even to the point of humility. For example, he washed his disciples’ feet as an act of service and instructed them to do likewise (John 13:12-15).
4. Practice Humility:
   • Jesus encouraged humility and warned against pride and self-righteousness. He taught that those who humble themselves will be exalted (Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11).
5. Seek Peace and Reconciliation:
   • Jesus blessed the peacemakers and taught that reconciliation with others is crucial (Matthew 5:9; Matthew 5:23-24).
6. Pursue Justice and Mercy:
   • He emphasized the importance of justice and mercy, often criticizing those who neglected these in favor of ritualistic or outward displays of piety (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).
7. Live a Life of Integrity:
   • Jesus taught that our actions should align with our words and that we should live a life of integrity (Matthew 7:21-23).

What Jesus Taught Not to Do:

1. Avoid Hypocrisy:
   • Jesus strongly criticized hypocrisy, particularly in religious practices. He warned against doing good deeds for show and emphasized that true righteousness comes from the heart (Matthew 6:1-6; Matthew 23:27-28).
2. Refrain from Judging Others:
   • He advised against being judgmental and harsh towards others. Instead, he encouraged self-reflection and understanding before judging (Matthew 7:1-5).
3. Do Not Retaliate:
   • Jesus taught against retaliation and encouraged loving one’s enemies and turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-39).
4. Avoid Greed and Materialism:
   • He cautioned against the love of money and material possessions, which he said could be a barrier to spiritual life (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:15).
5. Do Not Worry Excessively:
   • Jesus instructed not to be anxious about material needs, but to trust in God’s provision and focus on seeking His kingdom (Matthew 6:25-34).
6. Do Not Engage in Unlawful or Unethical Behavior:
   • He upheld moral standards, condemning behaviors such as adultery and deceit (Matthew 5:27-28; Matthew 15:19).

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