One of the constant tensions in attempting to correctly interpret the Bible is the issue of cultural context. Because I wasn’t alive back then, don’t speak Greek or Hebrew and read an English translation of the Bible, I look at it through very different eyes to the writers.
I think it would be easier if Jesus was Australian. I cannot prove that Jesus actually liked fishing – he did however hang out with fishermen a lot – If Jesus really did like fishing he would have fitted in well in Australia where fishing is a national obsession. We even have a ‘Fishing Party’ that puts forward candidates at our national elections.
However, if Jesus was born in Australia (cue old joke….why wasn’t Jesus born in Australia? Answer…they could not find any wise men) things would be very different.
Jesus would have gone to the wedding feast at Caana (see also) and turned water into beer.
Jesus would have entered Jerusalem in a Holden ute and instead of spreading palm branches – the people would have queued for hours to have a look under the hood at his V8.
Jesus would have gone to the football after temple – after all there are ready made crowds at the footy.
If Jesus was an Australian, he would not have had disciples – he would have had ‘mates.’ Collectively they would be known as ‘the boys.’
And finally, based on a complex set of time honoured Australian naming conventions they would have been called….
Johnno, Thomo, Andy, Matt, Luke, (this one can’t be shortened or have an ‘o’ added – as I said – complex set of rules) Nat, Jimmy and Rocky. (Matt 16:18)
I think it would be easier if Jesus was Australian. I cannot prove that Jesus actually liked fishing – he did however hang out with fishermen a lot – If Jesus really did like fishing he would have fitted in well in Australia where fishing is a national obsession. We even have a ‘Fishing Party’ that puts forward candidates at our national elections.
However, if Jesus was born in Australia (cue old joke….why wasn’t Jesus born in Australia? Answer…they could not find any wise men) things would be very different.
Jesus would have gone to the wedding feast at Caana (see also) and turned water into beer.
Jesus would have entered Jerusalem in a Holden ute and instead of spreading palm branches – the people would have queued for hours to have a look under the hood at his V8.
Jesus would have gone to the football after temple – after all there are ready made crowds at the footy.
If Jesus was an Australian, he would not have had disciples – he would have had ‘mates.’ Collectively they would be known as ‘the boys.’
And finally, based on a complex set of time honoured Australian naming conventions they would have been called….
Johnno, Thomo, Andy, Matt, Luke, (this one can’t be shortened or have an ‘o’ added – as I said – complex set of rules) Nat, Jimmy and Rocky. (Matt 16:18)
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