# Are there any culturally controversial teachings in the New Testament? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 3, 2007, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481 "2007-03-03T23:32:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/1 "2007-03-03T23:32:08Z")
When folks bring up seemingly kooky and confusing parts of the Bible to show how silly it is, they usually are quoting things from the Old Testament. Are there many such parts in the New Testament that read as contradictory to our modern culture? The only thing I could think of (and I am no Bible scholar) is the admonishment of “doubting” Thomas. ---
**Author:** ![Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Can_Handle_the_Truth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/2 "2007-03-03T23:38:35Z")
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/3 "2007-03-03T23:38:44Z")
“It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Not an easily digestible message for a capitalist society. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/4 "2007-03-03T23:41:58Z")
Whoops I misread the OP, but leaving it anyway There is a omission on the accounts of Jesus walking on water. In Mathew Jesus walks to the boat, Peter gets out and walks on water for a bit, when his faith fails him he starts to sink, Jesus reaches out His hand and Peter is back above the water standing, John has Jesus walking to get to the boat, no mention of Peter also walking on water, seems like a pretty big aspect not to include. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/5 "2007-03-04T00:18:45Z")
- 6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”\* John 14:6 > **[Bible Gateway passage: John 14:6 - New International Version](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2B14:6)** > > Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Is kinda controversial for non-Christians. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/6 "2007-03-04T00:32:15Z")
Here’s a [good summary](http://www.nobeliefs.com/jesus.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/7 "2007-03-04T00:36:07Z")
[QUOTE=Oakminster] - 6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”\* John 14:6 > **[Bible Gateway passage: John 14:6 - New International Version](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14:6)** > > Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Is kinda controversial for non-Christians. [/QUOTE] The entire thing is controversial for non-Christians. The whole premise of the book is that one should blindly believe something for which there is no evidence. If it were written today, you would pretty much laugh in the author’s face. As for controversial teachings: _Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you._ Except, you know, if they should bite or sting or stab or shoot you, or for that matter burn or rape you. Yeah, you’re pretty much safe. Trust me, what could possibly go wrong? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/8 "2007-03-04T00:43:49Z")
[QUOTE=Szlater] The entire thing is controversial for non-Christians. The whole premise of the book is that one should blindly believe something for which there is no evidence. [/QUOTE] That makes it controversial for skeptics and scientific materialists. “Non-Christians” also includes a lot of people who blindly believe **other** systems of religious doctrine on no evidence; their only objection to the NT would be its specific content, insofar as it conflicts with that of their own scriptures. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/9 "2007-03-04T00:49:27Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] That makes it controversial for skeptics and scientific materialists. “Non-Christians” also includes a lot of people who blindly believe **other** systems of religious doctrine on no evidence; their only objection to the NT would be its specific content, insofar as it conflicts with that of their own scriptures. [/QUOTE] Yes, that’s true.. I should have put a little more thought into that outburst. :smack: I’ve just watched “Jesus Camp” so I’m a little punchy about the whole thing, I sat there for the whole time thinking “Those poor children”. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/10 "2007-03-04T01:29:47Z")
Jesus being the Son of God is pretty controversial for most people I’d imagine. Now whether you believe the OT claims that or not is an entirely different gorilla. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/11 "2007-03-04T01:33:30Z")
The resurrection? ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/12 "2007-03-04T01:57:31Z")
Jesus’s saying, “The poor will always be with us,” causes me big philosophical problems. I don’t know if it’s a widespread controversy, though. Also, “I bring not peace, but a sword.” ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/13 "2007-03-04T02:07:53Z")
[QUOTE=Szlater] If it were written today, you would pretty much laugh in the author’s face. [/QUOTE] [How about if it were written fifty-seven years ago?](http://www.amazon.com/Dianetics-Modern-Science-Mental-Health/dp/088404632X) Lotta folks are buying \*this \*shit. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/14 "2007-03-04T02:08:12Z")
[QUOTE=bluethree] Jesus’s saying, “The poor will always be with us,” causes me big philosophical problems. [/QUOTE] Like The Force™? What’s the problem with that? I don’t know the context, but isn’t the meaning that there will always be a group of people who less fortunate than ‘us’? ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/15 "2007-03-04T02:30:11Z")
[QUOTE=Szlater] Like The Force™? What’s the problem with that? I don’t know the context, but isn’t the meaning that there will always be a group of people who less fortunate than ‘us’? [/QUOTE] Context: Matthew 26:6-13 (or Mark 14: 3-9, or John 12:1-8) A woman comes to Jesus with a jar of very expensive perfume, and annoints him with it. Judas Iscariot was appaled because he was a thief and thought that the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. Jesus told them that they would always have the poor with them, but they would not always have him. Important note: this is shortly before he is killed. (It depends on which Gospel you read whether it is described before or after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, now celebrated/rememberd as Palm Sunday). ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/16 "2007-03-04T02:42:45Z")
[QUOTE=Eureka] Judas Iscariot was appaled because he was a thief and thought that the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. [/quote] I don’t get this bit and why it’s supposed to be bad. He sounds like Robin Hood. [QUOTE=Eureka] Jesus told them that they would always have the poor with them, but they would not always have him. [/quote] This sounds like ‘It’s good to be the king (of the Jews)’. [Quote=Eureka] Important note: this is shortly before he is killed. (It depends on which Gospel you read whether it is described before or after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, now celebrated/rememberd as Palm Sunday). [/QUOTE] So it’s foreshadowing his death and the anointing of his body? ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/17 "2007-03-04T02:50:30Z")
[QUOTE=Szlater] I don’t get this bit and why it’s supposed to be bad. He sounds like Robin Hood. [/quote] Oops, that’s because I left out the part where it says that Judas kept the common purse and used to steal what was put in it. So if the perfume had been sold, the money wouldn’t really have gone to the poor. > [@](#): > > This sounds like ‘It’s good to be the king (of the Jews)’. This is not the only time when Jesus or his disciples are accused of being not solemn enough–especially by contrast to John the Baptist’s disciples who fasted a lot. > [@](#): > > So it’s foreshadowing his death and the anointing of his body? Yes, pretty much. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/18 "2007-03-04T04:39:54Z")
I’m surprised no one has mentioned anything from Revelations yet, which is pretty much the kookiest, most insane book in the whole compendium. You’ve basically got God raining a billion 9/11s on the earth for kicks. And then of course there is the concept of eternal torment, an idea that as far as I know was original to the teachings of Jesus and has to be about the most morally reprehensible idea anyone has ever thought of, let alone endorsed. ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/19 "2007-03-04T05:08:14Z")
[QUOTE=Szlater] The entire thing is controversial for non-Christians. The whole premise of the book is that one should blindly believe something for which there is no evidence. If it were written today, you would pretty much laugh in the author’s face. As for controversial teachings: _Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you._ Except, you know, if they should bite or sting or stab or shoot you, or for that matter burn or rape you. Yeah, you’re pretty much safe. Trust me, what could possibly go wrong? [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Oakminster] - 6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”\* John 14:6 > **[Bible Gateway passage: John 14:6 - New International Version](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14:6)** > > Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Is kinda controversial for non-Christians. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Szlater] The entire thing is controversial for non-Christians. The whole premise of the book is that one should blindly believe something for which there is no evidence. If it were written today, you would pretty much laugh in the author’s face. As for controversial teachings: _Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you._ Except, you know, if they should bite or sting or stab or shoot you, or for that matter burn or rape you. Yeah, you’re pretty much safe. Trust me, what could possibly go wrong? [/QUOTE] That is not the sort of stuff I am talking about. [QUOTE=Eureka] Context: Matthew 26:6-13 (or Mark 14: 3-9, or John 12:1-8) A woman comes to Jesus with a jar of very expensive perfume, and annoints him with it. Judas Iscariot was appaled because he was a thief and thought that the perfume should have been sold, and the money given to the poor. Jesus told them that they would always have the poor with them, but they would not always have him. Important note: this is shortly before he is killed. (It depends on which Gospel you read whether it is described before or after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, now celebrated/rememberd as Palm Sunday). [/QUOTE] Yes, that and the part about women not speaking in church is pretty interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481/20 "2007-03-04T06:32:00Z")
Jesus, on several occasions, emphatically forbid divorces (in some quotes he allowed narrow exceptions for adultery). Most Protestant Christian denominations and most people in general have decided to ignore this rule. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-culturally-controversial-teachings-in-the-new-testament/394481.md?page=2)