Reply #15: Good post, pertinent questions.

[saltpoint]

Just my take, but I think of Jesus primarily as a political revolutionary, reinforced iinternally by spiritual intelligence. Small 's' on "spiritual."

The more he became public and confrontational, the more notice the local Roman authorities paid, and the less likely his survival became.

If he existed (I have no proof on hand), my guess is he was far more interesting in private conversation or in small groups than he was as a political figure understandably rising against tyranny and cruelty.

If the test was public, he would pass it on points but not in the practical realm of first century Palestine. Clear vision and collective action often lgot itinerant spiritual figures nailed onto boards.