Would Jesus have gone to Uni?

[katie ta achoo]

A friend and I were walking to my car after class. We stopped to watch a bird eating a snake.
She posed a question to me, out of the blue: If Universities were around in biblical times, would Jesus have gone to University?

I thought that he wouldn't-- Wouldn't his father have given him all the knowledge in the world that he needed to know? Instead of being cooped up in class, he was out doin' miracles and the like.

What do y'all think?

[kretzy]

Well he became a carpenter under his dad's instruction didn't he? And apparently he didn't really start doing miracles and stuff until he was about 30. So I guess in between all those years he made stuff out of wood.

I'm not really sure if he would have gone to uni or not though.

[devilot]

Yes, I think he would have. I mean, according to the Bible, at one point, he was sent to the temple to learn text off of some of the old scrolls, no? (It's been ages since I've read the Bible, can't really remember any details. :o)

[thedude110]

Not to make my ingnorance too obvious, but was Jesus literate? Google points me here (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%204:16-4:30&version=48) as the "only evidence" of his literacy (somehow I think Google is dragging me into shallow water).

[katie ta achoo]

Not to make my ingnorance too obvious, but was Jesus literate? Google points me here (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%204:16-4:30&version=48) as the "only evidence" of his literacy (somehow I think Google is dragging me into shallow water).

Most people in that time period were illiterate.
a page about Jesus' hidden life (http://www.catholicireland.net/pages/index.php?nd=278&art=971), comes:
Could Jesus read and write?
Was Jesus literate? What sort of education did he receive? His adversaries state that he had not received an education, that is, he had not studied formally with any great rabbi but he could read and comment on the Scriptures (John 7:15).

He writes on the ground as the Pharisees ask him what was to be done with the woman caught in adultery (Jn. 8:6). But the simple explanation is that Jesus was just drawing lines on the ground to show his lack of interest in, or his disgust with, the excessive zeal of the accusers. Luke mentions that Jesus read in the synagogue but Mark omits this fact in his account (Mk. 6: 1-6; Lk. 4: 16-30).

The probability is that Jesus was in fact literate. The natural conclusion is that during his childhood or early adulthood Jesus was taught how to read and expound the Hebrew Scriptures. This most likely happened or at least began in the synagogue at Nazareth. However, there is no indication of him pursuing higher studies at some urban centre such as Jerusalem (although this seems to be denied in John 7:15).

But would he have gone to Uni for the intellectual pursuits of it all? My friends and I aren't doing anything really productive in school (yet). I mean, we're talking about if an ancient figure would've gone to college or not!

[iMeowbot]

Joseph kind of drops out of the narrative after the big trip to Jerusalem, so it's frequently assumed that he died around that time. That would have left Jesus to put off further education plans and help out with the family, as the oldest kid. Being allowed to read at the synagogue, it can be assumed that he did complete his primary education.

[jsw]

I think that he would not have gone. While there were no universities, there were certainly centers of learning - let's not forget that this was during the Roman Empire - and there are no signs he went to any of them.

[obeygiant]

Not to make my ingnorance too obvious, but was Jesus literate?

What? Are you serious? I think young boys/men had to memorize the torah by age thirteen.

The next stage of Jewish education is called Beth-Talmud. This is for those aged 10-14. Here, they would memorize the Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Daniel, all the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures. so the by the end of age fourteen they had the whole Old Testament memorized.link (http://mcdonaldroad.org/sermons/03/0125kc.htm)

[thedude110]

What? Are you serious? I think young boys/men had to memorize the torah by age thirteen.


Am I serious? The question of his literacy seems legit enough to me. While an oral tradition is a form of literacy, I don't see how memorizing a text is conclusive evidence of being able to read/write.

KT -- what if I mess with your question? "If Jesus were an 18 year old westerner graduating High School in June, would he be going to college in September?" Then suddenly we're talking about his dedication to learning vs. his dedication to social action, and, maybe more importantly, whether the two can be wed/integrated in today's post-secondary setup.

Then, maybe I just want to talk about how borked our educational structures are. ;)

[katie ta achoo]

Am I serious? The question of his literacy seems legit enough to me. While an oral tradition is a form of literacy, I don't see how memorizing a text is conclusive evidence of being able to read/write.

KT -- what if I mess with your question? "If Jesus were an 18 year old westerner graduating High School in June, would he be going to college in September?" Then suddenly we're talking about his dedication to learning vs. his dedication to social action, and, maybe more importantly, whether the two can be wed/integrated in today's post-secondary setup.

Then, maybe I just want to talk about how borked our educational structures are. ;)

I think that's more how we meant the question, it just wasn't phrased that way. :p
I think his dedication to social action would completely override his dedication to learning. But what if he were getting a degree in social work or the like? A major that dovetails in with his cause...

*scratches head*

[Chaszmyr]

Who knows?

Jesus was in his early thirties when he was killed, and history has virtually no record of anything about him prior to 1-2 years before his death.

[zimv20]

video of jesus, here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH95UTtbmr8).

[xsedrinam]

Whether or not one accepts the veracity and infallibility of the Luke/Acts document is another issue, so a biblical citing would not serve as any proof text of the literacy of the historical Jesus.

However, Luke 4:16-30 (American Standard Version) is a passage which depicts Jesus as having read, publicly, from Isaiah.

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the book, and found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him....

This would only address his literacy. Whether or not he would have enrolled in Uni is left to speculation, as well.

[Ugg]

xsedrinam and obeygiant's quotes show that Jesus was able to memorize and possibly read but that doesn't point to a literate man. The vast majority of knowledge for even the next 1500 years was passed on orally. My guess is that he was more literate than most in his era but not "learned".

I can't imagine him spending all his youth engaged in rote memorization. He was supposedly a man of the people, not of the elite. A learned Jesus goes against the grain.

As far as today is concerned, I doubt it. He would be an activist serving the needs of the downtrodden and oppressed. Empty rhetoric wouldn't cut it for him. He'd be found in youth centers or clinics for the poor or on the streets helping the homeless.

That of course, brings up the point of how Jesus would be treated if he were to appear today. Probably not very well, anyone who washes a prostitute's or junkie's feet isn't going to get a lot of attention from MOST of American's xians.

[solvs]

If Jesus were alive today, the Christian right would be calling him a spineless, hippy, liberal, socialist, communist, terrorist loving, traitor who needed to get a job and a haircut. Not all, but the neocons and extremists certainly who talk a good game, but are hypocrites like Jesus spoke out against. Hiding behind religion to justify terrible behavior and money and power. Most of them wouldn't know Jesus if he smacked them in the face.

And if you didn't just say to yourself "but Jesus wouldn't do that" you've proven my point.

[Father Jack]

Absolutely no idea, but I am fairly sure he would use a Mac :)

FJ

[Chaszmyr]

Absolutely no idea, but I am fairly sure he would use a Mac :)

FJ

Tell me he wouldn't turn Aqua into WINE!

[pengu]

I can tell you 100% without a doubt that Jesus never went to any kind of learning institute, nor COULD he.

do you know why?


They all have this CRAZY rule saying you have to EXIST before you can attend classes.

[dcv]

But would he have gone to Uni for the intellectual pursuits of it all?

Nah, probably for the booze, bongs and nekked ladies :D

[PlaceofDis]

I can tell you 100% without a doubt that Jesus never went to any kind of learning institute, nor COULD he.

do you know why?


They all have this CRAZY rule saying you have to EXIST before you can attend classes.

well see, there are historical records of him, so he did exist, whether or not he was god is another matter and up for plenty of contention, but surely a man who caused some religious trouble for the romans existed at that time, in that area.

[ReanimationLP]

I get the feeling he'd be a party-kinda guy.

[calculus]

I'd like to have seen his application form...

[pengu]

well see, there are historical records of him, so he did exist, whether or not he was god is another matter and up for plenty of contention, but surely a man who caused some religious trouble for the romans existed at that time, in that area.

there are "historical records" that say the world is flat and that it is the centre of the universe.

[a456]

I have seen Jesus at many universities, or at least someone that looks very much like him - long hair, beard, etc. He's been going to them since the sixties.:D

[geese]

there are "historical records" that say the world is flat and that it is the centre of the universe.

Lame arguement. Those assertions were scientifically proved to be false eventually. There is plenty of historical evidence for that. Just as there is for Jesus. His existence isnt under scrutiny. There is alot of evidence that he was a nuisence in Roman times.

[Father Jack]

Tell me he wouldn't turn Aqua into WINE!
He wouldn't turn Aqua into wine. :)

FJ

[katie ta achoo]

I can tell you 100% without a doubt that Jesus never went to any kind of learning institute, nor COULD he.

do you know why?


They all have this CRAZY rule saying you have to EXIST before you can attend classes.

Hey, I'm an atheist, too. I think that a guy named Jesus did exist, but whether or not he was a miracle worker/prophet/etc. is up for debate.
He's a historical figure. Many people think he was a savior and all that jazz.
Even if he didn't physically exist, he's a literary figure in the most sold book of all time.

[solvs]

Nah, probably for the booze, bongs and nekked ladies :D
Well, I've heard he does like the prostitutes. ;)

Hey, I'm an atheist, too.
Atheist, or agnostic? There's a difference. If you believe in fate, Mother Nature, or any of that stuff, you might be more of an agnostic.

I converted to Taoism. It's ok. Not bad, but not that great either.

(if you were a Taoist, that joke would be hilarious, but you'd mostly be laughing on the inside)

[Sun Baked]

I think that he would not have gone. While there were no universities, there were certainly centers of learning - let's not forget that this was during the Roman Empire - and there are no signs he went to any of them.

Your family had to pay somebody to teach you a trade ... the learning centers were likely more expensive than this and for the richer families, unless you were a sex toy for the teachers.

[Thomas Veil]

video of jesus, here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH95UTtbmr8).Ya hooked me in on that one, but it links to an auto wrecking company commercial. (And why somebody'd want to put that on YouTube is another story. :confused: )

[princealfie]

This has to be one of the silliest threads I've ever read here. :D

[devilot]

This has to be one of the silliest threads I've ever read here. :DYou obviously haven't read enough threads then.

[zimv20]

Ya hooked me in on that one, but it links to an auto wrecking company commercial. (And why somebody'd want to put that on YouTube is another story. :confused: )

that commercial has been playing in the chicago area for years. the joke is that, if jesus were here now, he'd be some burnout kind of guy going from job to job and having to sell his broken car for cash.

notice how, once the door fall off, he looks up to God in exasperation.

[Queso]

Did Jesus go to Uni? Probably not, but I reckon his kids did ;)