Philippians, part 3

We now continue on in chapter two of Philippians, at verse 5. We are told that our attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ. Verses 6-11 are a poetic description of Jesus's supposed attitude. It is thought that they may have been an early Christian hymn.

Verse 6: "Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped," Of course not, why grasp at what you already have? I don't think most Christians consider how strange it is to say that Jesus was god but not god.

Verse 7: "but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant," That's a bunch of baloney. The gospels do not show Jesus actually being anyone's servant. He called no one master. He was not shown to have actually worked at anything. He appeared to be a free man, able to travel about and do what any other man of that socioeconomic class did. Plus, he had power. Power to heal diseases, exorcise evil spirits, raise people from the dead, turn water into wine, feed 5000 people,  and calm storms. How many servants can do that? On the contrary, he often told other people what to do. He argued with political and religious leaders, and spoke with authority. The only servant-like thing I remember him doing was washing the disciples feet.

Verse 8: "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!" He looked like a guy. He let himself be killed. So what? He had the power to do whatever he wanted. He spent a measly three days (actually much less if you count the hours) dead. So, as they say, he had a bad weekend. Now he's back where he started none the worse for wear.

Verse 9: "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place, and gave him the name that is above every name." What was he before? Chopped liver? Plus if Jesus was essentially God, how could he get any higher?

Verse 10: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." It hasn't happened yet. Christians say that it will at the final  judgment. We shall see. Or maybe not. Who is going to be bowing Under the earth?

Verse 11:"and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father." About god the father, he seems to have been moved into the background, if Jesus is Lord. It's true, christianity focuses more on the name Jesus then on the formerly Jewish god Yahweh. If god the father is almighty, what did he need Jesus for? How does saying Jesus is lord bring glory to Yahweh? Doesn't it just bring glory to Jesus?

Let us notice some things. There is nothing said about any of the events of Jesus's life, his miracles, or his teachings, except that he died on a cross. Jesus is not called the "only begotten son of God" or even just "the son of god." There is a spiritual relationship of some unspecified kind, but no physical relationship. Oddly enough, Jesus's resurrection is also not specifically mentioned. There is no mention of the holy spirit.