Page 195 - Prophet Jesus (Pbuh): A Prophet Not A Son, Of God

HARUN YAHYA 193

Just as during Prophet Jesus' (pbuh) own lifetime, many groups and
individuals strongly opposed Christianity after his time. Thanks to the
disciples' efforts after Prophet Jesus (pbuh) had been raised into the sight
of God, its spread caused them great concern, and perhaps caused them
to make groundless claims or take other measures to prevent its rise. In
his book, Paul Knitter concentrates on the conditions under which the
early Christians lived. He emphasizes that they developed a different

style in order to survive and preserve their communities:
Another aspect of the historical context of the early church was its
minority status within the larger Jewish community and especially
within the vast, threatening Roman Empire. Cultural and religious
pluralism was experienced otherwise than it is today … [T]he com-
munity of Christians faced the danger either of being stomped out
by larger groups for whom it was a threat or a nuisance, or of being
absorbed by an all-consuming syncretism. To defend itself against
these dangers, the community needed to arm itself with clear iden-
tity and total commitment. It did this especially through its beliefs,
particularly its christological beliefs. Such doctrinal language, there-
fore, can be called "survival language"; it was necessary for the sur-
vival of the community. By defining Jesus Christ in absolute terms,
by announcing him as the one and the only savior, the early
Christians cut out for themselves an identity different from that of
all their opponents or competitors. Such language also evoked
a total commitment that would steel them in the face of per-
secution or ridicule… This language was more
moral than metaphysical. Its purpose was
more to define identity and membership
within the community than to
define the person of Jesus
for all time. 73