User:MWrog

User:MWRog

Summary

Essentially, Thurman examines the applicability of "the religion of Jesus" to the psychology poor and disenfranchised of any period. His intent was to compare the social climate of Jesus' time to that of the U.S. in the 1940's. He argues that the cultural conditions surrounding Jesus could potentially create the same psychological attitude as those of African descent in America. He probes into the consciousness of the oppressed and thoroughly examines the terms "fear", "deception", "hate", and "love" with astounding philosophical savvy. For believers and and nonbelievers alike this book offers insight into the mind's of the oppressed and helps explain how the above terms find their roots and grow out essentially out from a covert or subconscious power struggle which itself stems from a more overt physical power struggle.

An Interpretation of Jesus

Thurman lays out the sociopolitical climate of Jesus’ time and expresses that as a poor Jew in an increasingly Roman-ruled area was quite similar and that Jesus was at once a product of the issues of his culture and a stunning example of how we can overcome cultural restrictions. “Jesus inherited the same traits as countless other Jews of his time; he grew up in the same society; and yet he was Jesus, and the others were not”. Thurman continues by pointing out some different modes of resistance. First there is accommodation whereby the minority looks to adapt to the majority lifestyle. By carefully hiding any apparent difference between the two one feels there is no ostensible cause for violence or opposition. Another technique is to reduce contact with the enemy to a minimum. Thurman offers humility as the approach to resistance taken by Jesus. One who exercises humility rather than exacting vengeance is not giving undue power to the other person. Our personal strength and confidence should not stem and fluctuate based on outside sources.