John: Divine Or Designed? | Secular Bible Study (Episode 43)

[@MindShift-Brandon]

John is here! Thanks for watching

[@Johnmhatheist]

Yes. I'm here.

[@rokkitserjun]

High Christological Focus huh? Sounds a lot like a stoner staring at a crystal. Thanks for another great addition to the Magnum Opus that is Mindshift!

[@Fair61918]

The first part of John is not Genesis and whoever wrote John changed the original wording of Genesis to make it sound that Jesus was the creator and existed with GOD before everything. People suddenly claim the first part of John as the absolute truth without comparing it to the original. Try comparing the Christians John to the Tanach's First two lines of Genesis. Totally different words and meanings. ❤

[@Johnmhatheist]

@truthseeker9924 when I was a Christian, I interpreted God's saying of "let US make man in OUR image" and "let US go down to the earth" as God talking to himself the father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, the godhead trinity.

[@ziruideng5158]

Keep in mind Jesus even said get behind me Satan to Peter. The Bible calls the devil the God of this world. So anyone can fall under the devils influence some more than others. And it's more than one evil spirit. This is also the spirit of the Antichrist. Also Jesus showing human emotion is a good thing it shows he was human too and can empthsize with our suffering.

[@KeanuReevesIsMyJesus]

That breakdown of the blind man was so good. I never even noticed it. Imagine God going around saying, “sometimes I hurt people so that you know how great I am when I heal them. And if you don’t believe me, you’re evil.”

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Right?! Just insane

[@kevinnazario1015]

That is why I think to praise God for a child being healed of a disease is non sense. Wasn't god that allowed they to be sick in the first place? I make you sick and now I heal you to show how great I am....that is cruelty. Imagine a human father poisoning ng their child just to prove he had the antidote all the time. Wouldn't that be a crime?

[@KeanuReevesIsMyJesus]

@@kevinnazario1015 yeah, that really irks me. And what about all the sick children that weren’t healed, but were still purposely made sick? I feel so bad for Christians to have to go around thinking that’s their reality. It’s so sad.

[@hypergraphic]

Isn't that what the hardening of Pharaoh's heart was about? To display his glory?

[@littleredpony6868]

How is it possible that Christians don’t understand that their god is evil?

[@nitawynn9538]

For God so loved the world that he condemned billions to hell. It’s a very strange way to show love.

[@harveywabbit9541]

Jesus, the Sun, loves you. But, keep your distance.

[@Truth-Be-Told-USA]

Exactly

[@harveywabbit9541]

Hell, in biblespeak, is the winter season. See Rev. 9.5, where winter is led by the scorpion (Scorpio). These five signs of Hell is composed of Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Pisces is the fish scales which one must remove before regaining eyesight. This is simply the sun's passing through Pisces and entering Aries where on March 15, the gods announce "let there be light."

[@Truth-Be-Told-USA]

@@harveywabbit9541 yet we are forced to worship invisiblity or suffer forever! Not love clearly evil forced will

[@SunflowerLife1]

Very strange indeed!

[@drlegendre]

If there's one thing we can be certain of, it's that the authors of the various gospels never anticipated a future where all of their writings were bound together in a single volume and viewed as a common work.

[@Critical_Explorer-vw5hy]

Bart Erhman discussed this on his Misquoting Jesus podcast recently. He says that the Jews were not expecting the messiah to be divine, and Jesus didn't consider himself to be divine. Bart explained that Jesus thought he was the messiah and would overthrow the Roman government and be king. That's why he told his disciples that they would rule over the 12 tribes in the earthly government.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Yup!!

[@johntiggleman4686]

@Critical_Explorer-vw5hy and why the Jews ended up screaming for Pilate to crucify him; he did not overthrow the Roman installed government. Jesus was crucified for sedition against Roman rule, his claim of being "King of the Jews," and his further claim that "The Kingdom of Heaven" had arrived in him. Jesus "Triumphal Entry" was to the Jews a replay of the Maccabees freeing them decades (centuries?) earlier. Of course he did no such thing.

[@Badficwriter]

Which Jesus? They all seem to be different people.

[@theworldisastage1984]

Jesus never existed. It's all a rabbinical pescher midrash

[@sundayoliver3147]

@@Badficwriter Well, if Jesus is a mythical figure, encompassing a lot of stories of other gods, that tracks.

[@cosmicqt9647]

So interesting to see the divinity of Jesus in John, when in Mark he says "why do you call me good? Only the Father is good."

[@WorshipperOfLife]

Jesus is The Everlasting Fatherr written about in Isaiah 9:6.

[@BluStarGalaxy]

@@WorshipperOfLifeIt says a child is born. Looking at the Hebrew it is a past or present tense so it is talking about something that happened in the days of Isaiah. So not talking about Jesus born hundreds of years later.

[@WorshipperOfLife]

@@BluStarGalaxy How many Everlasting Fathers are there?

[@BluStarGalaxy]

@@WorshipperOfLifeHow many Everlasting Mothers are there?

[@WorshipperOfLife]

@@BluStarGalaxy Okay I'm done, you're not responding to me in good faith.

[@FoursWithin]

John -" no way could I write it all" Marcel Proust - "hold my wine."

[@SeekingTruth2023]

Today my family wanted me to accompany them to a church service. (The first service for me after 1.5 years now). I went with them, because I wanted to make them happy. It was so triggering!!... with every sentence the pastor said, I wanted to stand up and tell the congregation, what is wrong with it. My goodness.... And now there is a new Mindshift video and I can't watch it instantly and have to wait until late evening to watch it. After watching this wonderful channel for a year now, I think I could have countered every sentence of the pastor. I am so happy I don't have to believe in all that anymore. Thank you soooooo much for showing all the problems with Christianity. I feel so much better, finally being free from this nonsensical, contradicting, judgemental, manipulating faith, which demands blind faith and complete obedience. This improved my life a lot.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thats so nice to hear! And man do i feel ya. I end up in a church now about 2x per year and its so rough!

[@jaflenbond7854]

The ENEMIES and HATERS of GOD, JESUS CHRIST, and the BIBLE Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, fanatics of all kinds of Religions, and Atheists are obviously NOT the loving, kind, considerate, and respectful persons on earth but the arrogant, cruel, hateful, and merciless persons and the spreaders of lies and deceits that - 1. the BIBLE is just a worthless book of lies, myths, fictions, fantasies, and fairy tales 2. the Creator is worthless, useless, and undeserving to be honored and respected as the True and Sovereign GOD 3. Jesus Christ is worthless, useless, and undeserving to be honored and respected as the One given by GOD all authority in heaven and on earth. The WORTH, VALUE, and IMPORTANCE of the BIBLE, GOD, JESUS CHRIST and the EXISTENCE on EARTH of LOVING, KIND, CONSIDERATE, and RESPECTFUL PERSONS 1. GOD authorized and sent Jesus Christ from heaven to earth to preach and teach the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead" to imperfect, suffering, and dying human beings as written in Luke 4: 43 and John 11: 25, 26 2. Jesus Christ is the One given by GOD all authority in heaven and on earth as written in Matthew 28: 18 3. GOD's favor and reward of ETERNAL LIFE and existence without sufferings, pains, griefs, sickness, and death on a safe and peaceful Earth without hateful and cruel persons, without liars, slanderers, deceivers, traitors, and murderers as written in Revelation 21: 3, 4, 8 is clearly NOT for arrogant and hateful Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, and all spreaders of lies and deceits against GOD and Jesus Christ but ONLY for lowly, ordinary, kind, and respectful persons on earth who willingly submit to the authority of Jesus Christ and obey his teachings too about the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead". 4. Loving, kind, considerate, and respectful persons on earth who died recently and thousands of years ago like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Job, Naomi, Ruth, King David, Jesus Christ's Followers and disciples, and many others will all be RESURRECTED back to life in GOD's right and proper time so they can all happily and peacefully live and exist on earth forever as submissive and obedient subjects of the "KINGDOM of GOD" and fully enjoy the eternal love, kindness, goodness, generosities, compassions, favors, and blessings of GOD and his Christ for eternity under the loving and kind rulership, guidance, and protection of Jesus Christ as his GOD and Father's Chosen King and Ruler of the heavens and the earth as written in Revelation 11: 15.

[@skunko1871]

@@MindShift-Brandon Why do you go to church even just 2x per year? I'm curious what would lead you to go there - is it just a curiosity for what church is like? Are you pressured to go in some way?

[@26beegee]

Every time I go around my family all the talk is god centered because both my dad and brother are retired pastors. I really get the triggered! Giving credit to a god for what doctors and science have done, my dad believing the prosperity gospel is god blessing him for work he has done, the total ignoring of relatives dying young while blaming “their free will” for their tragic deaths and most of all - living in a fantasy world and rejecting reality!! Last week after only about 15 minutes I had to leave. I have avoided them for six years because I just can’t handle their magical thinking and fantasies. Today I have to face them again because my dad is 93 and just entered hospice. I need some ear plugs so I don’t say anything I might regret at this difficult time. Ugh.

[@JM-ot8ux]

I hope your family doesn't make things difficult.

[@FLATearthGARY]

I’m so glad I’ve found someone actually teaching the Bible❤

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Glad to be of help!

[@davidrexford586]

Teaching the Bible he picks and chooses what he believes is his truth and not from Gods perspective. Here is one example. He says not everyone has or is given Faith to believe in God and yet we are all given the same measure of Faith to believe in God with Romans 12v3. So listen to him at your own discretion. I truly feel bad for him as he picks and chooses what he wants to believe and even then if it’s taken out of context, he just goes on to another example and some love that stuff and enjoy him supposedly preaching to them. One must be born again and Holy Spirit Baptized to get the whole understanding of the word of God because to understand all the various spiritual applications as well as literal applications you must have the Holy Spirit teach you both. But many Atheists believe they can literally believe everything in the Bible is meant to be understood in a literal manner and completely gloss over the Spiritual applications.

[@18471902]

@@davidrexford586 I attended church regularly, read the entire Bible, much of it 3 or 4 times, feverishly witnessed for christ, and prayed continually, all for spiritual guidance, for 18 years. No results, spiritual or otherwise. When I de-converted, I felt a sense of freedom and joy I had never before known.

[@davidrexford586]

@@18471902maybe you were under something completely different than me.. I have known God over 40 years and are still learning things but I see too many saying whatever they want to say and leaving out those things that might contradict what they say about the Bible.. many love to add to or take away from the Bible and care not what they do .. just because one walks away from God doesn’t mean you get to malign the word of God from your own self imposed perspective.

[@cygnustsp]

​@@davidrexford586the whole "taught by the holy Spirit" thing zero sense. At some point you have to rely on someone else's opinions, of which there exist very many. I was watching a Bible study video the other day and the preacher said to understand the Bible you have to do this and this and this and rely on that and that. The Bible is a huge mess and you think some ghostly divinity that nobody can describe will give you personally all the answers. Basically "trust you, bro."

[@dasbus9834]

Every reboot puts its own spin on the protagonist. And it's funny to understand how there was obvious competition between the different gospel authors, given we've all grown up with the claim that they're all equally true.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

So glaringly obvious once you are outside of it

[@Jcs57]

Not only are they true they are also 100% accurate, that in itself indicates the magical power within.

[@dasbus9834]

@@Jcs57 Good point - how else if not through a miracle can stories be all true when they contradict each other!

[@Explodington]

@@dasbus9834 BEHOLD! QUANTUM JESUS! SCHRODINGER'S CHRIST! THE DOUBLE-SLIT MESSIAH!

[@dasbus9834]

@@Explodington I guess that's why you shouldn't put God to the test, because you'll collapse his wave function?

[@BluStarGalaxy]

It really shows that, for us humans, it is far easier to deify an individual and create a whole religion than it is to admit that we were wrong and followed a weirdo.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Ha! Well said

[@26beegee]

Isn’t that the truth! Pride is a powerful force!

[@BluStarGalaxy]

@@26beegeeYep. They couldn’t be wrong. Then they converted others so that everyone around them would reinforce the idea that they were right. All due to pride, like you said.

[@ziephel-6780]

@@26beegee And they say pride is the greatest sin and blame it on the Devil. Pride = righteousness, and humility = wickedness

[@littleredpony6868]

They think they have humility when they think they have a personal relationship with the most powerful being in the universe

[@franciswalsh8416]

I feel like I have taken a PHD Level course in the study of the Gospels. It would have taken me 100 years to unearth this knowledge on my own, and even then my perspective would not have been a fraction of your incredibly keen vision. Thanks as always Brandon!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

So very glad to hear that!

[@Shuji_the_great]

Ah! the book every Christian loves to point to. I am excited to delve into this.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Hope you enjoy!

[@hatuletoh]

"Christians, did you know there's a biblical solution to getting rid of toenail fungus?" Loved the post roll ad.

[@Reepecheep]

Thank you so much for this series. As an ex pastor, I have not read through the Bible in totality since leaving the faith, especially not from a more secular lens. Your breakdowns are giving me the motivation to really take a deep look at the book again.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Glad to hear it! Thank you

[@clemstevenson]

It is probably unfair of me to judge Christians for accepting these claims without demanding supporting evidence. I grew up in a secular environment, and religious people seemed a little odd. That doesn't imply that my childhood was all plain sailing, and my mother's endless problem with schizophrenia was given as her eventual cause of death.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

I am sure its very difficult to understand if you were not raised in it

[@clemstevenson]

@@MindShift-Brandon It is difficult to understand, because I learned to question claims that couldn't be demonstrated to be true. When you grow up in an environment filled with media fiction, you have to learn to tell the difference between fact and fiction.

[@theworldisastage1984]

To be fair bud, most leftists accept the current thing without any evidence. Androgeny CAGW (rebranded as CC when the temps didn't cooperate) Vaccination theory CRT Nearly every leftist/ non religious type i know buys into all of this as religiously and with equally pathetic examination of the source data, just like Abrahamists. You are all very similar but refuse to acknowledge it. It takes thousands of hours to break down the topics i mentioned from every angle, whereas busting up judeo poison takes very little IQ or time, because it's so painfully obvious how evil it is

[@nathanaellamb8647]

John to me is a book that is bittersweet because I wish the whole Bible was written like John. It is very apparent that it was inspired by Hellenistic literature and plays of the time in Greek culture.

[@DilutedH2SO4]

As a kid at my church once said, John should be the patron saint of yapping

[@christophergibson7155]

Rather, the Word of God describes what comes out of your heart with that statement..."A proud and haughty man-“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride." (Proverbs 21:24)

[@harveywabbit9541]

@@christophergibson7155 Mimas, the mocker, or Satan, is Scorpio, the first of the winter constellations. He was so named because he leads up the winter constellations. In doing this, he not only imitates or mimics the gods, but wars against them - the summer constellations. (See Anthony’s Class. Dict.) Also Rev. 9.5.

[@DilutedH2SO4]

@@christophergibson7155 2 Kings 2:23-24 🙏🙏🙏

[@christophergibson7155]

@@DilutedH2SO4 That's right. You don't mess with the prophet of The Lord. "Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.” (1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalm 105:15) Those youths were rebellious mockers

[@DilutedH2SO4]

@@christophergibson7155 So God killed 42 children because someone’s feelings got hurt? Obviously they shouldn’t have been mean, but a few insults isn’t a reason to brutally murder literal kids. But what can we expect from a God who supports slavery (Leviticus 25:34-46, Ephesians 6:5) or collective punishment (Numbers 31, Deuteronomy 25:17-19) or gen0cide (Numbers 31 again)? Even when someone shows his respect for God, doing what anyone would do and trying to stop a falling object, God kills him (2 Samuel 6:3-8). But hey, God is love 💃💕🕊️🙏🫶

[@BookishTexan]

Intentionally or not preachers, by skipping around within the gospels and the New Testament in general, prevent people from seeing the differences in the gospels and to create the idea of one see less unified story.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Precisely

[@BluStarGalaxy]

John: There is so much more I could write but it's just not possible. The World: You could try. John: No. John is like one of the writers of Game of Thrones.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Lol!!

[@christophergibson7155]

Now that is a total miscontrude misconception of what John the Apostle was saying.

[@BluStarGalaxy]

@christophergibson7155 It says that the whole world would not have room for the books that could be written about what Jesus did. Like Brandon said, 3 years of ministry is not that much to record. Even if a person did a second by a second breakdown, it wouldn't fill up much more than a regular sized town libarary.

[@christophergibson7155]

@@BluStarGalaxy Maybe only by a single person's observation. How about the other Apostles, disciples, and the 500 witnesses to Jesus' resurrection? They could possibly write numerous picks also. John was basically saying that not one person could exhaust the grace of God flowing through Jesus' ministry.

[@johntiggleman4686]

@BlueStarGalaxyy If what John claims, then Jesus must never have slept, or eaten, peed, pooped, etc. From my youth I found that claim to be a bit on the "Ohhhkaaaay" spectrum.

[@Edgarbopp]

Damn, that summery at the end was hard hitting. I completely agree that a perfect book from god should be clear and not need an army of apologists to explain it.

[@christophergibson7155]

No. You need the Holy Spirit to teach you. But that can not happen until you are "born again by the Spirit of God just as Jesus said you must be (John 3:3,5,7)

[@Edgarbopp]

@@christophergibson7155 guess the vast majority of humans are going to hell then. Pretty dumb system really.

[@christophergibson7155]

@@Edgarbopp Not at all. The inivtation is always open to YOU and everyone else. (Revelation 22:17)The Lord Jesus Christ came to save the sinner. (1 Timothy 1:15) It is the proud, and self righteous who do not want to come to Him. They build up prejudices, preconceptions, and arguments in their minds, because they love their sinful ways. (John 3:19) It is the broken and contritre of heart that sees their need of the Savior.

[@Edgarbopp]

@@christophergibson7155 So I love my sinful ways huh? It couldn’t possibly be that the testimony of a 2000 year old book of myths is hilariously insufficient to prove even the mundane claims in its pages let alone the miracles. If god is able to convince me of their existence they’ve clearly chosen not to. Or it could be the obvious answer, no such god exists and your whole religion is imaginary. It’s not hard to understand this, I’m sure you disbelieve the thousands of religions that aren’t Christianity.

[@christophergibson7155]

@@Edgarbopp Ask yourself honestly...Have you ever once lied, stolen, blasphemed God, sexually lusted, dishonored parents, hated someone, etc...? Then you are guilty as charged before a Holy, Righteous, and Just God. You are then currently under the condemnation and wrath of God. (John 3:18 and John 3:36) And this is why YOU desperately need the Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ to save and rescue you from all sin. Jesus suffered, shed His sinless blood, died for You and was buried. Three days later He rose from the dead. He conquered sin and He conquered death. And to experience the new birth (being born again by the Spirit of God) you must take 3 steps toward Jesus....REPENT--BELIEVE--RECEIVE.

[@YNWA-1]

Brandon I need you to call my boss up. I may be a little late to work today. I have to watch this episode now 👍🏼

[@MindShift-Brandon]

On it! Lol thanks😊

[@SteelSquishy]

The ending was amazing, thanks for all your efforts in the study of this Bible from a logical standpoint

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Appreciate that very much!

[@earlt.7573]

30:14 "If the author of perfect truth had just clarified some meaning for us here" Epic statement, right there.

[@ewuraamaetruwaasam7084]

Yayyy🎉 I'm here early! I'm still Christian but this channel is on my list because it gives me new perspectives 😊

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Glad to hear that. Thanks for being open minded!

[@rokkitserjun]

An open minded Christian listening to an outsider's perspective? Damn, maybe miracles are real... In all seriousness though, congrats on exposing yourself to outside ideas.

[@JM-ot8ux]

You have courage!

[@Noise-Conductor]

Just know that the more you watch the less you'll be-lie-eve in the Bible.

[@CatDaddyGuitar]

John 9:2-3 Seems to sort of mirror the same reason he allowed the torture of Job..to prove his power, albeit in a sadistic and unnecessary fashion, him being all powerful, etc.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Yes how many examples do we need to see before we accept this god in this way

[@marcdc6809]

I understood that Job gets a handsome reward for having been such a good boy, and he gets new children... it's not even clear if these are his children resurrected, or new children, when I looked it up it's a bit unclear, most people seem to think they were not the same 'souls'... that would give a bleak idea of the mindset of the people who wrote this story, the children were just property, lifestock...

[@CatDaddyGuitar]

@@marcdc6809 yeah... Job's an object in this narrative. At the end of the book it lays out the intent on God's part, which was dick measuring.

[@christophergibson7155]

Yes, that is how the un-regenerated mind reads the Book of Job on the sure surface level. You must be born again by the Spirit of God to understand the things of God. (John 3:3) And those who are not "in Christ" can not see or enter into the kingdom of God. "But the natural (soulish) man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned....(void of the Spirit)." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

[@CatDaddyGuitar]

@@christophergibson7155 oh stop it, you silly 😜 my mind gets generated every day ☕

[@jjrodriguez6513]

I love this series. Ill watch all of it again to get information I didn’t quite understand the first time around!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

So glad to hear. Thanks!

[@simonkoster]

Even being aware for what seems forever that John's gospel was the odd one out, it is still striking to see to what extent it differs, and how many of the things I used to believe depended mostly on it. Thanks for this one!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Right?!

[@AmityvilleFan]

When you map it out, and you realise at the time of John half of the original events from Mark simply got lost, skipped over, and straight out were taken out of the text... Fascinating.

[@hamobu]

Why doesn't anyone ever suggest that Jesus was crucified, not because of his ideas and claims, but because he started a riot at the temple market? A lot of money was scattered, animals too, and I imagine that people probably were injured or died. Jesus is like a bank robber in prison who claims that he is there because he's a revolutionary. "It's the system, man! They don't want me telling the truth. " "Nah, you are just a criminal"

[@ratamacue0320]

Would those sorts of infractions have resulted in a death penalty (by crucifixion) at the time?

[@hamobu]

@@ratamacue0320 Back then that was more than enough to get you killed. In the wild west, for example, they would hang horse thieves.

[@hamobu]

@@ratamacue0320 Back then that was more than enough to get you deleted.

[@sparrowthesissy2186]

It's a popular idea but fits John the least well because the temple tantrum happens very early in John (though with a whip) but in the other 3 it's close enough to the crucifixion that it seems more likely to have contributed to his arrest. John, by contrast, has Jesus killed for necromancy, which is cool in its own way, but probably isn't historical.

[@Jcs57]

Where have I heard this messaging recently……..hmmmm

[@survive323]

Turning water into wine! My kind of guy!

[@Jcs57]

Make it into a good 15 year Scotch and I’m in ……thank you jebuss you are lord and savior

[@harveywabbit9541]

water (winter) is turned into wine (summer).

[@jeffbenelli6999]

Absolutely loved this! As a person whose lost almost all his eyesight for obvious reasons certain portions really hit home thank you Brandon

[@Knowledge_Shall_Be_Increased]

BORN BLIND. Brandon looks at life as one and done. In reality, it is far different than that. Insert from letter Eternal Life: In the book of John, Jesus was asked by His disciples, John [9:2], “Master, who did sin” this man, or his parents, that he was born blind"? Jesus didn’t act like it was a strange question to be ask if this man was born blind because of something he had done wrong in a previous life or whether it was something his parents did wrong in this life or a previous life. Jesus just said, "Neither." Surely Jesus would have corrected them if it were a foolish question. They were simply desiring to know whether it was his parents or he himself that was being punished. These disciples had been taught that a persons soul could return to life blind as a punishment for something done in a previous life. Proving the soul journeys on after life. In this case, he was born blind to glorify God. Yes, God can send a soul to life blind if He wants to bring good from it or as punishment for taking someone eyesight in a previous life. An eye for an eye. It's even possible the soul volunteered for a life of blindness. I'm sure the rewards for that kind of love would be great.

[@snoepieeej]

When I was in the middle of deconstruction of my faith, I met a 22-year old Christian who never drank alcohol and thought God forbade that. I thought him about the verses in John 2: Jezus created wine for people being SO drunk that they wouldn’t taste the difference between good and bad wine, according to the master of the feast. I explained to him that I had never drank that amount of wine in my entire life, but that Jesus wasn’t necessarily an enemy of alcohol. I’ll never forget his response: ‘who said this wine contained alcohol?’. Like no one would taste the difference, haha. One important note: in hindsight it would be better if I never drank any alcohol as well. Bodies respond to alcohol like it is poison, and it is. It’s just about the coping mechanisms of Christians about these topics.

[@heavenbound7-7-7-7]

I have never been drunk in my whole life because the bible says we shouldn't get drunk on wine. "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" Ephesians 5:18

[@scvanderhorst]

@@heavenbound7-7-7-7 Jesus isn’t against alcohol given that he himself created it during a party, if I can rely on the scriptures. Would do the same if you were against alcohol abuse and still provide drunk people wine? By the way: Please be aware that most people who watch these videos have more Bible knowledge than the average Christian. I was aware of that verse as well 🙂

[@MalekMagicianPR]

This is man-made!!! That was my conclusion in almost 15 years ago!

[@christophergibson7155]

Those statements are made by sinners who love their sinful ways. They will not come to the light. Jesus said that He was the light of the world, and that whoever follows Him should not walk in darkness (of sin) but have the light of life. John 8:12...For it is the light that always exposes the darkness.

[@lnqxr]

@@christophergibson7155 This is rich. Christians are hardcore sinners but on the outside portray their goodness; they're hypocrites. Christians love their sin or they'd stop sinning. "Those statements" could be made by the person who came to a logical conclusion not because the person is a sinner who loves his or her sinful ways. You are obviously a Christian. When was the last time you were jealous, lied, judged someone? Oh wait you did just judge someone. I think I've made the point.

[@crisgon9552]

John is my favorite Gospel. Can't wait to finish listening to this

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thanks! Hope you enjoy.

[@tomsenior7405]

John; The world's most famous writer of fan -fiction.

[@carlasmith9093]

All scriptures are fan fiction

[@christophergibson7155]

So says the sinner who will not come to the light. Jesus is the light of the world and whoever follows Him shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life. (John 8:12) And many will not come to the light because their sinful ways will be exposed. For it is the light that exposes the darkness (of sin). (John 3:19) Jesus is the only One (for John the Apostle new first hand) that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) I highly encourage YOU to do the same.

[@tomsenior7405]

@@christophergibson7155 So says the fool who thinks he has picked the only correct religion.

[@carlasmith9093]

@christophergibson7155 what about Allah, Buddah, Bahaullah, or Krishna?

[@SonnyMoonie]

It's like someone wrote a fan-fic version of Harry Potter, where the acts of magic are mostly different from Rowling's, and sometimes stronger magic, and Dumbledore and Harry give long speeches about what magic is and how it works, that go into talking about levels of magical power and the ultimate meaning of magic that are barely hinted at in Rowling's. Some would even include the new fan-fic in their canon. That man's name was Eliezer Yudkowsky. Oh no, not another Lazarus.

[@kingmarx810]

Think I am going to rewatch and make a drinking game for whenever you say, "this could be its own video." Can't wait to see those deep dives made. Great job again, I learn so much.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Lol! And thanks!

[@robinette64]

When I was a Christian, I was IN LOVE with John Chapter 1. I have been looking forward to this!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Me too. Hope you enjoy

[@alexandralile754]

Hey Brandon, I’m on a journey of studying church history and looking into the roots of the Bible, as well. I’m digging into the beliefs that I had growing up. I blindly believed as a teenager. Honesty and a genuine, sincere search for truth have freed me. Honesty is so freeing!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. What are your thoughts on this - None of Christianity, nor the Bible, makes sense…unless…you approach it from a view that everything was intended for God’s glory. Everything and everyone were made for Him - His glory and His name to be magnified. Only this perspective makes the story of the blind man make sense, Job's story, suffering...

[@Badficwriter]

I think in the old days, people thought that an entity creating them and inflicting horrors on them was just standard behavior. Its like all gods were Lovecraftian. Then Chtulhu got interested in being praised, so he'd hurt people, then help them, and demand to be loved because of that help. It all only works if you have no higher expectations, if your idea of "love" is suffering submission, and if you do. not. question. Faith is brainwashing the self.

[@TylerShainOnYT]

*GOD.. I love this channel so much!!* Pun included

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Ha! Thank you!

[@AcerbusFive]

Thank you so much. I finally had the conversation with my wife about my deconversion and why. She was fully accepting and your channel has help me tremendously. Thank you so very much

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Wow! What a weight off! I am so happy for you and that shes taking it so well!

[@Kirasfox]

I'm glad to see you pop up on my feed after a rough day. I'll throughly enjoy this one . Morning!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Morning! Hope it helps

[@pixel9548]

Jesus has some nicely-layered hair in the thumbnail.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thats my jealousy projecting lol

[@rebekahcarrell4291]

I thoroughly enjoyed your breakdown of the gospels. Back when I believed I used to just gloss over the verse about the blind man, seeing it as another good work/miracle, but looking at it for the first time since then with fresh eyes has me seeing it in a totally different light! Thanks for yet another mindshift, and great work on the videos! I'm excited for what's to come. Definitely eagerly anticipating how you cover Paul. It's really strange how he got wedged in there with how different many of his teachings are to Jesus'. (among some overt contradictions)

[@karenlankford8558]

When I read through the gospels as a teanager, I thought some of these same thoughts. Am I the only one who sees that these books do not agree, do not make any sense together. I did not write out a list or anything, it was just my memory wondering why others did not seem to see any contradiction. It feel so good to hear someone who has done the careful reading say that I was not crazy. These books do contradict one another. Also the whole concept of Trinity makes no sense.

[@maggienewton8518]

the nuns ar my school preempted talk of the trinity by telling a cute story of a kid (secretly an angel) on a beach trying to put all the water of the ocean into a sieve. A man, trying to understand the trinity tells the kid what boy doing is impossible. Yes, you guessed it, the angel kid says there is more chance of him transferring the whole ocean into the sieve than of the man ever understanding the trinity. Uhuh.

[@theresemalmberg955]

@@maggienewton8518 That was St. Augustine of Hippo. I used to go to St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kalamazoo and the cover of the bulletin featured him walking along the seashore in his bishop's garb and seeing a little boy squatting down on the beach trying to pour the ocean into a hole with a little cup and of course St. A says that is impossible and the kid says I can do that sooner than you being able to understand the Trinity. I didn't hear the part about the kid being an angel though. I imagine there are numerous variations of this story.

[@maggienewton8518]

@@theresemalmberg955 Right! St. Augustine! As for the angel bit...well, the nuns also told us we can get pregnant holding hands so there may have been some creative license there.

[@levistromblad2454]

I can't imagine how much time and effort you put into making these videos! Thank you for your hard work🙏

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Appreciate that!

[@chromographia106]

John seems especially keen to describe Jesus as having a physical, rather than spiritual or illusory body. A subtle indication of competing mythic narratives being common before the composition of this alleged eyewitness account.

[@chromographia106]

How could communities in such close proximity to eyewitnesses get it so 'wrong' if the 'eyewitnesses' were not themselves wrong in the first place?

[@EdwardM-t8p]

John especially has Jesus in chapter 20 to somehow physically enter and stand up in the disciples' midst, literally "came and stood among them", and show them the imprints of the nails and the huge wound in the side (which was only a prick wound in ch. 19). He even dares Thomas to insert his hand into the wound! 😮 John apparently was not too pleased with Luke's descriptions of Jesus as a shape-shifter who can pass through walls undetected.

[@Badficwriter]

@@EdwardM-t8p You can hear the echo of old men arguing the exact range of the demigod's characteristics over the years. The Christian Fathers were a fanciful bunch who'd fight over any word.

[@vaiyt]

@@Badficwriter A century or so later they were literally fistfighting over it.

[@Johnmhatheist]

John was always my favorite gospel as a Christian, not because my name is John, but because of all of the statements of Jesus that were unique to John's gospel. I loved this book as a Christian.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Yes its the believers gospel for sure

[@Johnmhatheist]

I'm excited for Acts. I'm also eager for your take on the word Θεοφόλη ​@@MindShift-Brandon

[@marksnow7569]

@@JohnmhatheistΘεόφιλε ?

[@Johnmhatheist]

@@marksnow7569 Theophili or theopholis in English translations.

[@Critical_Explorer-vw5hy]

Same! John 17 was my favorite chapter in the whole Bible because it gave me insight to his relationship with the father. But, it was odd that he seemed most concerned with how his disciples would get along than anything else. 🤔

[@michaelhenry1763]

Wonderful breakdown and analysis of the book of John. There are three things that really catch my attention reading through the book: 1. The polemic against Jesus being born in Bethlehem. John seems to double down on Jesus being from Nazareth. John even calls Jesus “ son of Joseph” thereby denying a virgin birth. 2. No more than 7 disciples are actually mentioned by name. At least two disciples, Nathanael and the “ Beloved disciple”, are inventions by the author and never mentioned in the Synoptics. 3. Jesus never addresses the physical concerns of his audience. Jesus is not concerned about their physical welfare, but only their spiritual. He then gets upset when people would rather have literal unending bread and water. Instead, he thinks the spiritual supersedes the physical needs of his audience. It concerns me because these people were living hand-to-mouth.

[@WillPhil290]

You are so prolific. You're definitely on par with the more prominent biblical scholars, for sure. I know I'm just a random person that enjoys your content a lot... And I hate to be the guy that's like "hey I have an idea that would be good for your channel!" like I have any idea wth I'm talking about... I'm just saying that I think it would be really cool if at some point you feature other scholars and people in this field to have open and honest and interesting conversations with... I would personally love to see that. You do so much great work.

[@CommonSense_Skeptic]

excellent overview. you hammered home some excellent points.. My favorite part is where he calls his disciples the sons of the devil for them acknowledging the Jewish law that supposedly he/and his father started So he's calling himself/ his father/ Old Testament god the devil... And then the other point where he acknowledges no one in his family sinned nor did he sin, yet he made this guy suffer his entire life just so he could prove a point at this point in their life .

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Many thanks! Glad it was informative

[@KGP221]

We have zero documents, document fragments, or words on any page written from the biblical character, Jesus’, own hand. That’s seriously poor divine inerrant record keeping.

[@marcdc6809]

you would expect god to make sure at least for instance the three wise men would have left notes that would have stayed conserved, or moses would have held on to the stone tablets and we would be studying them and find they're not just stone but an alloy that should not exist or be radioactive or whatever, but is perfectly safe and science can not figure it out... but somehow they expect us to take it for granted that the only historian Josephus was actually a citizen of the empire that became the cradle of the vatican... not exactly a witness without a stake in the matter...

[@thing1thing2themediamaniac43]

I've learned more about The Bible watching your channel Brandon than I did spending 30+ years in The Church I also rarely read The Bible by myself. You're encouraged to because you need regular alone time with just you and God. That probably helps to maintain The Schizophrenic Illusion of Your Imaginary Best Friend Who's The Creator Of All Life As We Know It. I got more out it when I would go to Bible Studies with my peers But I learned so much more from your channel LOVE YOU MAN.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Appreciate that! Thank you

[@thing1thing2themediamaniac43]

​@MindShift-Brandon I could never go longer than 20 minuets reading The Bible by myself. When I would go to weekly Bible Studies I could go an hour mabey 2 I could never sustain interest in studying The Bible alone. Also whenever I went to Christian Summer Camp for a week or two is when I would REALLY TRY TO REDEDICATE MY LIFE TO CHRIST But it wouldn't last more than a month or two

[@kevinnazario1015]

The idea of generational sin is very clear. In Exodus god clearly states that he punishes the sins of the father even as far as a 3rd our 4th generation. That is why the part of the disciples asking why the blind man was that way, it makes perfect sense. Is an obvious reference to Job. God can and will do anything for any reason. He will squash you and make you suffer whenever he wants. As a former catholic I never heard of generational sin before. I started to pay attention to the concept after leaving the faith.

[@maggienewton8518]

"He was a big fan of the number 7." Heh...I was a big fan of 7 in high school. He was a power house of the ice (and the hottest guy on the hockey team)

[@lutek1]

Round about the 37m mark when you made your final statement I could hear myself think/say a spontaneous A-Men!!!..... and had to laugh out loud.

[@louisnemzer6801]

Great video

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thanks!

[@tobymartin2137]

"The symbolism made me feel uneasy and I soon came to realize that this book was not written for people like me, but for sighted people. No other book in the Bible is so dominated by the contrast between light and darkness, and blindness is the symbol of darkness." - John M. Hull. The breakdown you did of the story with the blind man is great, and thanks also for pointing out that Jesus didn't try and correct the idea that disability is caused by sin, because this individual was an exception to the rule. Before the paralysed man lowered through the roof in Capernaum was able to stand up, first his sins had to be forgiven, and in a similar healing of paralysis in John 5:1-18, when Jesus meets him later at the synagogue, he warns him: 'do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.' Just a standard series of narratives in the ugly history of ableism.

[@deb6252]

These gospels treatments are so interesting and insightful. Thank you.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Truly my pleasure!

[@TopTickerTrades]

Good stuff! I watch your content daily!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Appreciate that so much!

[@kenhoover1639]

Wow! There is so much information in this video. I am going to have to watch it again at least once. A couple of things that struck me today is how the healing of blind man illustrates Jesus's true attitude toward our suffering and the points you made in your powerful wrap-up of the Gospel of John.

[@harveywabbit9541]

The blind man (winter) is alway healed at the pass over from winter to spring.

[@Knowledge_Shall_Be_Increased]

BORN BLIND. Brandon looks at life as one and done. In reality, it is far different than that. Insert from letter Eternal Life: In the book of John, Jesus was asked by His disciples, John [9:2], “Master, who did sin” this man, or his parents, that he was born blind"? Jesus didn’t act like it was a strange question to be ask if this man was born blind because of something he had done wrong in a previous life or whether it was something his parents did wrong in this life or a previous life. Jesus just said, "Neither." Surely Jesus would have corrected them if it were a foolish question. They were simply desiring to know whether it was his parents or he himself that was being punished. These disciples had been taught that a persons soul could return to life blind as a punishment for something done in a previous life. Proving the soul journeys on after life. In this case, he was born blind to glorify God. Yes, God can send a soul to life blind if He wants to bring good from it or as punishment for taking someone eyesight in a previous life. An eye for an eye. It's even possible the soul volunteered for a life of blindness. I'm sure the rewards for that kind of love would be great.

[@exoplanet11]

Now that were done with the Gospels, I thought I'd do a little mash-up, combining the first book with the last gospel to show how well they harmonize...how's this? "For God so love the world that he sent a world-wide flood and killed almost every plant, animal and human" --Johnesis 3:16, 6-9

[@TheRatzor]

Brandon, Do you wish there was a God that loved us, in a way I feel a sense of loss and emptiness that there is no Jesus or God, and in another way I feel a sense of relief!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Of course. A true higher power that actually loves and cares would be great

[@ThroneofDavid8]

Don't live in deception.

[@maggienewton8518]

I'm very happy with people (and dogs) that love me. They care, and more importantly, I can love them back on an equal, relatable level.

[@DM-he1ug]

​​@@MindShift-BrandonGreat candid 'confession'.

[@QuestionThingsUseLogic]

​@ThroneofDavid8. We don't live in deception, that's *because* we left christianity.

[@floccinaucinihilipilifications]

Well done.., I always loved the rich, mysterious,poetic symbolisms of John .

[@DCox87]

Standing ovation, brother!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thanks so much!

[@tulpas93]

Thank you so much, Brandon! 🎉

[@UNCLETQB]

Very insightful comparison of Genesis and John. Religious indoctrination cluttered up the mind and prevented believers from seeing the obvious. Whoever wrote John had a good imagination.

[@Badficwriter]

There is a wealth of religious writing similar to John in Greek literature. If you study it, it is shocking to realize all the pieces of Christianity were already there. It was as if these religious scholars decided the Jesus cult was the perfect place to unload it all, and build "proper" theology from the ground up, without all the ancient folk tales making deities foolish.

[@robertmoore2049]

Hi, Brandon! 👋 I look forward to the Book of Acts. I’ve always wondered if it was historically accurate or not. It will be interesting to hear about it from a secular perspective since I have always heard about it from a Christian viewpoint. See in the next video! 😊

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Catholics love the "there's so much more I can't even write it all". The other stuff - it was all Catholic. Of course.

[@nathanaellamb8647]

I find it interesting that in John, people are judged because God already knows people’s heart for not believing him, even though he is the one that chooses them. So it seems like he is judging them for simply not being predestined. Kind of a weird paradox. I can definitely see how this creates a deep subconscious FOMO and guilt complex within believers because of this.

[@Badficwriter]

God yes. I've talked with people torn apart because of their doubt but believing that their god set them up to doubt. So if that was God's plan then maybe they weren't damned to torture in Hell? Its all so pernicious and the smugness of the believers who exult in trying to make people afraid so they can have power over them is the worst.

[@DarqueSyde66]

Another great video, sir.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thank you!

[@valh3503]

John said go big or go home

[@robertmiller8823]

Another banger.. He's cookin day in and day out. If you don't like, comment, and sub with the little bell wtf are you doing? Take this channel to the moon.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Haha! Love this. Thanks so much!

[@tulpas93]

You pose two what ifs: 1. What would Christianity be like without the G of John. 2. What would Christianity be like without the Synoptic Gs. If you're up for one or both, I think these would make amazing MindShift videos! Thanks, B! 🎉

[@Rhewin]

But Brandon, don’t you know this one is definitely word-for-word eyewitness testimony? The author says you can trust it so it much be true! /s I never picked up the brain drain among all of the other characters compared to the Synoptics. It reminds me of the original Star Trek series. They made every other captain and admiral incompetent so Kirk would look better.

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Great comparison!

[@TheOriginalSupreme]

These videos are so helpful. Thanks for what you do!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Glad you like them!

[@hzoonka4203]

BRILLINT jUST BRILLIANT!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thank you!

[@cooltune]

Once again, great episode. These are so informative. Can't wait for the push-back, cause it sounded like my man John is everyone's favourite ....and to be fair, really could land a seat at Marvel Comics. And that makes you wonder right, "Why didn't Jesus just write the book himself?!" The divinity would splash off the pages and nobody would have to be blinded in the womb just to be made an example of!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Spot on!

[@harveywabbit9541]

Jesus is estimated to be 4 1/2 billion years old. Seems the crucifixions have not harmed him in the slightest.

[@spidertheateo4344]

I’ve always said that the Bible comes off like you’re reading a old comic book

[@adammaginnis719]

One thing I always found weird or disturbing is that people would put faith and trust into a person who can torture them forever.

[@DannyS177]

The story of Lazarus is so important to the Christian faith that it's crazy that it's only in John. It's "proof" that Jesus is more powerful than death and a "foreshadowing" of Jesus's own resurrection.

[@jaflenbond7854]

The ENEMIES and HATERS of GOD, JESUS CHRIST, and the BIBLE Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, fanatics of all kinds of Religions, and Atheists are obviously NOT the loving, kind, considerate, and respectful Followers of Jesus Christ on earth but the arrogant, cruel, hateful, and merciless persons and the spreaders of lies and deceits that - 1. the BIBLE is just a worthless book of lies, myths, fictions, fantasies, and fairy tales 2. the Creator is worthless, useless, and undeserving to be honored and respected as the True and Sovereign GOD 3. Jesus Christ is worthless, useless, and undeserving to be honored and respected as the One given by GOD all authority in heaven and on earth. The WORTH, VALUE, and IMPORTANCE of the BIBLE, GOD, JESUS CHRIST and the EXISTENCE on EARTH of LOVING, KIND, CONSIDERATE, and RESPECTFUL PERSONS 1. GOD authorized and sent Jesus Christ from heaven to earth to preach and teach the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead" to imperfect, suffering, and dying human beings as written in Luke 4: 43 and John 11: 25, 26 2. Jesus Christ is the One given by GOD all authority in heaven and on earth as written in Matthew 28: 18 3. GOD's favor and reward of ETERNAL LIFE and existence without sufferings, pains, griefs, sickness, and death on a safe and peaceful Earth without hateful and cruel persons, without liars, slanderers, deceivers, traitors, and murderers as written in Revelation 21: 3, 4, 8 is clearly NOT for arrogant and hateful Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Atheists, and all spreaders of lies and deceits against GOD and Jesus Christ but ONLY for lowly, ordinary, kind, and respectful persons on earth who willingly submit to the authority of Jesus Christ and obey his teachings too about the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead". 4. Loving, kind, considerate, and respectful persons on earth who died recently and thousands of years ago like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Job, Naomi, Ruth, King David, Jesus Christ's Followers and disciples, and many others will all be RESURRECTED back to life in GOD's right and proper time so they can all happily and peacefully live and exist on earth forever as submissive and obedient subjects of the "KINGDOM of GOD" and fully enjoy the eternal love, kindness, goodness, generosities, compassions, favors, and blessings of GOD and his Christ for eternity under the loving and kind rulership, guidance, and protection of Jesus Christ as his GOD and Father's Chosen King and Ruler of the heavens and the earth as written in Revelation 11: 15.

[@harveywabbit9541]

The resurrection from death (winter) is the pass over, of the sun, from winter to spring.

[@Truth-Be-Told-USA]

There is zero evidence that it ever happened

[@peterhughes8699]

Thanks again Brandon :)

[@1eviledy]

Just to help the algo.. There is no cold, just a lack of heat. There is no dark, just a lack of light.

[@kettei7743]

Seems like my favorite part of the series of come to an end, even tho of my disagreements with many of your takes, this was fruitfull🎉

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thanks!

[@Helloitslina13]

In John 8 Jesus sounds crazy! Like throwing a tantrum while the Jews where literally calling him out and Jesus just went around the bush and hid instead of being accountable to what he was saying contradicts everything his book said lol

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Yup!

[@tylertucker2608]

That verse always stood out, for me as well. He could raise the dead, heal the sick, walk on water, feed the masses, but hid when called out?

[@brianredmond3199]

The biggest contradiction in John is no 40-day temptation in the wilderness. John has Jesus baptism, then a few days later goes to the wedding in Canaan.

[@trina2100]

I hadn’t noticed that one

[@blazedas4451]

Oh this was a juicy one

[@EdwardM-t8p]

When I read John for the first time as a non-Christian right after reading the synoptics I was struck by the contrast with the Jesi of the synoptics - the Jesus of John comes off as a man who's really full of himself!

[@DrakeTimbershaft]

When you read John 6:53-56 (I hope I got those right), it made me think of the ritual of “transubstantiation” in the Catholic faith. When Jesus says “Truly I tell you…” the Catholic Church wanted to dodge the bullet with confusion with cannibalism and vampirism. So the ritual of physically “transforming” the substance of the wafer into flesh and “transforming” of the wine into blood was a way of having your cake (or wafer) and eating it too. Perhaps the followers of John had founded this ritual, or at least I hope they have! The thought of any early Christian literally enacting this flesh and blood sacrifice just chills me to the bone. I mean no God fearing early Christian would engage in such act, right? RIGHT???

[@harveywabbit9541]

Water = Winter, Bread = Spring, and Wine = Summer. Water into Wine = Winter into Summer. Gold = Spring, Silver = Summer, and Iron = Winter. Earth is baptized with Water = Winter, Air = Spring, and Fire = Summer. Earth (Vesta) is baptized with Water aka Neptune (Water), and Juno (Air), and Jupiter (Fire). Jesus washes the feet (Pisces) of the apostles (12 signs) with water. Pisces (12th sign) is a water sign.

[@marcdc6809]

blood for baal? anyone? I was raised catholic, had to go to church, somehow the belief never really stuck on me, my brother was older, and an atheist, and he told me stuff that made a lot of sense, so I was lucky to not absorb it too much, but indeed, if you take a step back and look at the aspects of sacrificing a child (abraham - almost, Jephtah - sacrificed his daughter, god himself - sacrifices jesus), the zombification of jesus, mary (catholics), the drinking of the blood by the priest and ritualistic cannibalism by the believers... it's spooky stuff.

[@theresemalmberg955]

I was raised Catholic and one of the points that apologists make when discussing John 6:53-56 is that when Jesus said eat my body the author of John has him using a Greek verb that describes the act of eating in a very graphic and physical way, in other words, something like to munch and to tear. They argue that that means that when the priest says the words "This is my body" during Mass that this is the actual physical flesh of Jesus and not something metaphorical or symbolic. Not knowing Greek I have no way of knowing whether these claims are true, and since we are getting all this information filtered through John/his community/the Church in a language that Jesus himself didn't speak, there really is no way of knowing now what Jesus actually meant. I'd say the reaction of the crowd indicates that they were pretty repulsed by this as this is NOT a Jewish concept at all--far from it!--and Jesus didn't bother to call them back and say, oh I just meant it spiritually (which would have been bad enough). It is strange, though, that the institution of the Eucharist isn't mentioned in John. Could it be that John was written for "initiates" into the Christian tradition in the way that the synoptics were not, and if so, could there be levels of meaning that weren't put down in writing but were transmitted orally only to be lost? The reason I say this is that I remember old pre-Vatican II missals dividing the Mass into two segments: the Mass of the Catechumens (now called the Liturgy of the Word) and the Mass of the Faithful. According to the nuns, it used to be the custom in the early centuries of the Church to dismiss all those who had not been baptized at the end of the Mass of the Catechumens and only those who had been baptized and properly instructed could attend the Mass of the Faithful. Nowadays this custom is only followed during Lent when those taking instructions to become Catholic have to leave after the Creed; only at Easter when they are officially received into the Church are they allowed to stay for the full service. But the Eucharistic part was very much a secret for much of the Church's early history, which may be why John (or his redactors) left it out as it was not meant for the general public.

[@ShatteredWindowpane]

A video on the many textual variants would be awesome, that has always been a topic I've been curious about.

[@rokkitserjun]

So John fills in the gaps. Then would he be the real god-of-the-gaps or science incarnate? When a Christian quotes from this gospel can he be considered 'using the John'?

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Lol tried to fill the gaps only to cause more issues

[@rokkitserjun]

@@MindShift-Brandon - Ain't that the truth!

[@pinky9440]

Thanks Brandon. Another great breakdown. The death and resurrection of Lazarus was always my favourite chapter in the bible. I could recite it word for word at the age of 7. Now I look at it and just feel sad that I believed the lie for so many years.

[@jaflenbond7854]

ATHEISM and ALL KINDS of RELIGIONS versus JESUS CHRIST Atheists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, SDAs, Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Born Again Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and fanatics of all kinds of Religions KNOW and are fully aware that they will never ever submit to the authority of Jesus Christ as written in Matthew 28: 18 and will never obey his teachings too about the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead" written in Luke 4: 43 and John 11: 25, 26 while GOD KNOWS that lowly, ordinary, kind, and respectful persons on earth who willingly submit to the authority of Jesus Christ and obey his teachings too about the "Kingdom of God" and "Resurrection of the Dead" will definitely bring themselves honor and his favor and reward of ETERNAL LIFE and existence on earth without sufferings, pains, griefs, sickness, and death as written in Revelation 21: 3, 4. The VALUE and IMPORTANCE of the LIVES and EXISTENCE of HUMAN BEINGS on EARTH Atheists, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and fanatics of all kinds of Religions KNOW and are fully aware that they will never be glorified in their make-believe and fairy tale Heaven nor tortured for eternity in their invented and fictitious Hell but just become worthless and useless dusts on earth forever after their deaths while GOD KNOWS that all his loving, kind, considerate, and respectful Worshippers who died recently and thousands of years ago like Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Job, Naomi, Ruth, King David, Jesus Christ's Followers and disciples, and many others will not remain as worthless dusts on earth forever, instead, in the right and proper time, he will let Jesus Christ RESURRECT them back to life so they can all happily and peacefully live and exist on earth forever as submissive and obedient subjects of the "KINGDOM of GOD" or His Kingdom and fully enjoy his and his Christ's eternal love, kindness, goodness, generosities, compassions, favors, and blessings for eternity under the loving and kind rulership, guidance, and protection of Jesus Christ as his Chosen King and Ruler of the heavens and the earth as written in Revelation 11: 15.

[@DavidRichardson153]

Maybe it's because of how I spent the previous weekend, but John feels like a certain famous prequel - i.e. the first three stories, which were written and produced long before it, were full of questionable writing decisions, were not that well received at the time of their release (especially the second one - yeah, you might be surprised about that one), and they changed a whole lot that had already been built up - even completely disregarding some rather important details - just for the sake of this one's writing. Quite the clone wars here, you could say. Well, at least this prequel has some actual exciting scenes (and one of the best soundtracks ever), unlike John.

[@maggienewton8518]

I was thinking that exact thing. And the story of the very famous Dr...wow.

[@AngelOrrandMore]

You know what you should do? You should do some interviews from ex-religoius people and share their stories about their experiences and deconversion. I would absolutely join!

[@18471902]

Derek Lambert of MythVision, Tim Mills of Harmonic Atheist, and some other KZbin channels, do just this.

[@jjrodriguez6513]

Algorithm boosting comment🎉🎉🎉

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Always appreciated!

[@JimmyTuxTv]

love it, gonna watch again later

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thanks!

[@cosmicqt9647]

Jesus is Chuck Norris in John 😅😅

[@rik80280]

John was always my favorite. It’s crazy to look back at the differences between the gospels and when they were written. I’m super curious about all the things you didn’t take the time to go into, especially the reinstatement of Peter. Never even thought about how we would need to legitimize his leadership. More videos!

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Thank you!

[@robbyroba]

Of course the old "you have unbelief not because you're skeptical, but you secretly believe in Jesus but reject him because you're evil" excuse. Something apologetics tosses into the fray to ignore people that have serious issues with their religion. Then what about natives on distant isolated islands who have never had a reason to buy into Christianity since they were never taught that given their location?

[@MindShift-Brandon]

Exactly!

[@marcdc6809]

they made up a bit of a loophole there that if you never heard of jesus you'll be judged by if you were a loving, caring, honest person and such, if you honoured the commandments... somehow it would be fairer if religions just stopped telling people about jesus and give as many people as possible a chance to get to heaven based on their own kind nature... without muddying the waters.

[@riseofdarkleela]

@@marcdc6809nothing makes me believe in something more than finding out that learning it is supposedly more dangerous than not learning it.

[@marcdc6809]

@@riseofdarkleela they just made that up, I have this thought that when I hear people like Frank Turek and William Lane Craig make stuff up, it's like they're 100% confident that there is no god that looks at what they're making up and might ever correct them and point out that this is 'bearing false witness' in his book... a big one to break...

[@theresemalmberg955]

@@marcdc6809 Except that loophole is nowhere to be found in the New Testament . . .

[@dantallman5345]

IJohn 20:30-31 is a good, sensible ending, captioned as “the purpose of this book” in my NRSV. Then chapter 21 got bolted-on and knocked things wobbly.

[@EdwardM-t8p]

I suspect it was originally meant to be the 17th chapter of Mark right after Mk. 16:8 - note the disciples' surprise when they see Jesus at Lake Galilee -, but for some reason ended up on the cutting room floor. Of course a rewrite was necessary because Mark's thuggish Greek just wouldn't do for a closing chapter of a gospel written in elegant prose of the same language.

[@dantallman5345]

@@EdwardM-t8p 👍Makes sense. I don’t know the first lick of Greek but have heard Mark’s style is “choppy”. But why the heck did the writer of John 21 include Peter being naked while fishing with 6 other disciples in the boat? Then put on his clothes to swim ashore? I guess the writer cleverly anticipated the “criterion of embarrassment “ 2000 years ahead. Or maybe a diss on Petrine leadership? It’s seems pretty clear John 21 is in part a work- around for the death of John, who people expected would not die.

[@EdwardM-t8p]

​@@dantallman5345 I don't think it was an anticipation of the "criterion of embarrassment" 2000 years in advance. There are depictions in Roman mosaics and walk paintings in Italy, Israel/Palestine and elsewhere that depicted agricultural field workers, fishermen, and construction workers naked. Remember, nakedness and nudity back then wasn't a cause of embarrassment unless the circumstances were otherwise sus/sketchy. And you said John ch. 21 was written to factor for the beloved disciple's impending death? Another reason to give what was going to be the original ending to Mark beyond the empty tomb.