jesus as a role model

• value of Jesus as a role model:

  • the more human Jesus is, the more relevant his example is - although perhaps less authoritative
  • the more divine Jesus is, the more irrelevant his example is as no human could ever hope to replicate it, but he has more authority
• Jesus is seen replicating his own teachings from the Sermon on the Mount as he did not resist or try to defend himself when he was arrested
• WWJD = What Would Jesus Do?

  • use by Evangelicals
  • reminds them to act in accordance with Jesus' principle of love
• Gandhi view Jesus as "one of the greatest teachers humanity has ever had"

  • it's not just Christians who view Jesus as a role model
• Jesus could be shown to contradict his message when he had conflict with the authorities i.e. turning over the tables in the Temple + driving out merchants