Ed Pearlstein

Jesus is called a great teacher. But was he that, or just a great preacher?

Preacher? Yes, and very successful, judging from the number of followers eventually attracted. (However, not successful by modern standards, since he didn't get rich!) But teacher? Poor! What are the distinctions between a teacher and a preacher? A teacher has students, not followers.

A good teacher explains, and he respects his students. He doesn't just make statements to be believed simply on authority. He welcomes questions, and doesn't ridicule the questioner. He will put things in clear language, and not rely on slogans or jargon. His own actions reflect the ideas that he is trying to teach. Jesus was much more of a preacher than a teacher. He seldom explained things — just made pronouncements. He had followers, not students. Jesus talks in hard-to-understand language. When his followers ask him to say things more clearly (Matt.13:10, also Mark 4:34), he persists. (The disciples asked why he spoke in parables to the people, and he answered by showing contempt for the the people's ability to understand. He did, though, explain the parables to the chosen twelve, Matt 13:36ff.) Matt.13:34 says that he said nothing to the crowds without a parable. He puts down his listeners on several occasions — calls them “ye of little faith” (Matt. 6:30. Luke 12:28), “oh, ye hypocrites” (several places), “vipers”, “serpents” (Matt. 12:34 and 23:33) In Matt.15:1ff, he is asked a simple question about the tradition of hand-washing before meals, and changes the subject to an accusation against the questioners. (He does, however, defend himself, weakly, to Peter (Matt.15:15ff) A good teacher sets an example for the students, at least in the areas that he is trying to teach. Supposedly he taught morals and humility; yet he has his followers steal a horse so that he could ride into Jerusalem in style. Although Jesus tells people to give to the poor (Matt. 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22), he then ridicules the idea when his disciples suggest that he himself make a minor sacrifice (Mark 14:7, Matt. 26:11, and John 12:8). Although he speaks favorably of the commandments, he and his disciples eat from a field of corn without asking permission of the owner (Matt.14:1), and on at least three occasions he pointedly does not honor his mother (John 2:4, Matt. 12:46-50, Luke 11:27-28).

Many religious "teachings" are really just indoctrinations. Repeat it many times, associate it with ceremonies and pleasant family affairs, and it is believed deeply (that is, emotionally). Such ideas are not allowed to be subject to the question “why”. The authority is not that of reason, but of someone's person.

Even St. Thomas Aquinas said “Locus ab auctoritate est infirmissimus.” (The argument from authority is the weakest.) Durant, The Age of Faith, p.964 Jesus shows little in the way of humility — another sign of a preacher as opposed to teacher.

Text ©2008 Ed Pearlstein

Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Nebraska - Lincoln