Monday, January 13, 2025
Letter to - Welcome to Gentile Christianity!
1/13/25
Francis William Bessler,
Laramie, Wyo. U.S.A. willieb@wyoming.com
una-bella-vita.com and francisbessler.com
Hello, Everyone!
Perhaps it evolved as an offshoot, so to speak, of my claiming to signoff my letters with a “Gently,” but however it happened, on New Year’s Day – or maybe New Year’s Eve - it occurred to me that perhaps “Gentle” could be considered an offshoot of “Gentile.” From there, one could consider the “Gentiles” of the time of Jesus to represent a branch of Christianity almost completely overlooked that represents a “Gentle Christianity” that regards Jesus only in that light. In other words, like taking off an outer wear of some sort, take away Judaism from Jesus – and presto, you have a whole new Jesus.
I know many, if not most, will claim – you can’t do that. Jesus was a Jew. That is all there is to that. Well, maybe the “Gentiles” of the day of Jesus did not see it that way. Maybe they regarded Jesus as like a Socrates was for the Greeks, 400 years before Jesus lived. Maybe Jesus appealed to them as simply a “Sage” who offered “wisdom for all” and at least some of them paid little attention to his being part of a tradition called “Judaism.” Maybe!
Well, perhaps given my practice of seeing all life as Sacred and in no way, “sinful” in some substantial way, I think it’s very possible that some in the time of Jesus saw him purely in the light of a “General Sage” and not a “Jewish Messiah.” It seems likely to me now that some wrote gospels with that kind of Jesus in mind – like perhaps, the “apostle,” Thomas, and the “apostle,” Mary Magdalene. In a manner of speaking, Thomas and Mary Magdalene may have been among the “Gentiles” of the time of Jesus and wrote gospels from a “non-Jewish” standpoint. If so, that would explain why their gospels would eventually be banned by a “Traditional, Jewish oriented, Christianity.”
Way out there? Crazy? Maybe, but given my life as I offer in a letter I wrote a few days ago that I am attaching as a file to this letter, it may not be “way out there” or “crazy.” Let’s just say, for some, it may be something to think about. If true, what can we do about it? I don’t know. I am not sure we need a new church, but perhaps we could use an “alternate service” that some existing churches could allow. I do not know how to deal with this “new idea,” but I do believe it is worth considering.
Imagine a Christian service that does not rely on reciting from the so called “Old Testament” and recites only from “Gentile Gospels” like those of Thomas and Mary Magdalene. Again, I do believe it is worth considering. How about you? Perhaps a “regular” Christian church could offer a service and install a sign outside the church saying “WELCOME! We offer an alternate Gentile Christian Service every Saturday from 11 to 11:30.” or the like. If desired, I would be glad to offer some of my own “Gentile Christian songs” to a service. I have actually written over 200 – of which perhaps 100 could be useful – like the song with which I complete my attached article – Can The House Of God Be Divided?
Regardless, I am what I would now call a “Gentle or Gentile Christian.” I explain more in my attached letter. I will leave it at that for now. OK? Respond as you wish. If you are not reading this online and would like a copy of my attached letter and article, ask and you will receive by other attachment to another email or by mail or by handout if you live in Laramie. Alright?
Hey, I would like to pay attention to this being an anniversary of sort for me. 22 Years ago, December 13th, 2003, my oldest sister, Dorothy, passed into a peaceful beyond, just 2 days prior to her 73rd birthday – mostly from heart related failure. Dorothy – who many of the family called “Dot” or “Dottie” was – and probably is - a peace minded soul. Referencing 22, I was 22 when I backed into my main idea about life. If interested, my attached letter will go into that a bit; but Happy 96th Birthday, Dear Dottie! I am glad you are at peace because I know you were in life – and will be wherever you go.
Be in touch!
Thanks, Everyone!
All My Love,
Gentle (or Gentile) Christian,
Francis William Bessler
(Frank, Will, or Sonny as I was called in my youth)