Joyce Said:

In your opinion was Jesus a Liberal or Conservative?

We Answered:

When it comes to people like Jesus, or Ghandi for example, its much more complex than the general "liberal" and "conservative" left and right.

Ronnie Said:

Does Jesus, that Liberal, love Conservatives even if they deny health-saving care to newborns?

We Answered:

....Jesus was actually the son of God...

He preached helping those who need help.. Not stealing from someone else and giving to another.

Charlie Said:

Was Jesus liberal or conservative?

We Answered:

Liberalism and Conservatism did not exist in the time of Jesus in the way they do now. Jesus was a Jew and there were a number of ways that Jewish people organized themselves; in other words, there were a number of ways to express yourself politically in Jesus' time.

One option was the Essene option. The Essene's were political sectarian's who withdrew themselves from 'public' society and formed their own communities away from other people. Some people consider this group the 'apolitical' option, but that isn't correct... they are political insofar as they organize society, which they do; they just happen to organize society differently.

Another option is the Saducees. These were a group of ruling Jewish elite who worked together with the Roman authority and the Herod dynasty. They maintained the status quo and were offended at Jesus' teachings and movement because it threated the socio-political calmness that they were interested in upholding.

Another common option in Jesus' time was the Zealot option. Zealots were a group of 'zealous' Jews who awaited the coming of the Messiah/liberator who would free the Jews from Roman rule. The Macabees are an example of this movement. Numerous Zealout would-be Messiah's attempted to reclaim Jerusalem and fight against the Romans, none being significantly successful.

These were some of the political options that were open to Jews at Jesus' time. Becoming directly involved in Roman politics was not an option for Jewish people, except indirectly through the Sadducean 'sell-out' option. Scholars disagree on which of these political options was preferred by Jesus or the early church, although most would agree that the Saducean and the Essene option are furthest from the virtues and practices that Jesus espoused.

My favorite theologian, John H. Yoder, suggests that Jesus did not fully accept any of the above-mentioned options, instead offered another perspective: the kingdom of God as a political option. Yoder's case is far too complex to state here, but if you wish to get a bigger picture on Jesus and his political options, I recommend reading John Yoder's "The Politics of Jesus"

Julie Said:

Why do some liberals call Jesus a liberal?

We Answered:

REASONing with any liberal is IMPOSSIBLE.

Julie Said:

Yeshua(Jesus) was liberal, Why do Republicans claim to be Christians?

We Answered:

Also keep in mind that Jesus got totally ticked off and threw the moneylenders out of the church, certainly not a republican action

Cassandra Said:

How is living like Jesus = liberal? Just because the shooter in AZ look, lived, grew his hair like Jesus?

We Answered:

why are liberals labeling him as a tea party member?

Elaine Said:

What's with liberals claiming Jesus was the most liberal activist in history?

We Answered:

I think that Flubbety has it right. He certainly was liberal in his approach to challenging both the conservative Jewish community and the Roman ruling authority. His views on women and poor people as valuable members of society are in every respect liberal. But he had a strong faith in his God (let's throw out the whole Triune thing for just a moment, and talk about him as a man.) and this is why he can not be considered a Liberal with a capital L. Martin Luther would be a liberal activist also for the reforms that he introduced to the Roman church, yet the Reformation actually had very conservative results. "Liberalism emphasizes individual rights and equality of opportunity". This has nothing to do with whether one is a Democrat or a Republican. Jesus was a liberal individual because he challenged that which he viewed as corrupt, unjust and unfair. He certainly would not be an advocate of abortion. He probably would not have been a champion of gay rights. He was no fan of high taxes. He would have been a Equal Rights Amendment supporter, and would challenge the fundemental churches over their teachings. Not because he was a non-believer though, but rather because he was such a true believer. The RIght should really not get all worked up over this claim. Yeah, he was a liberal thinker and doer, but it was a lower case L, not an upper case like they would like to spin it. George Bush has been liberal with funding to Iraq. Does this mean that he is a card carrying Democrat? I don't think so.