Ask A Genius 1226: Merry Christmas, Jesus!
Author(s): Rick Rosner and Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Ask A Genius
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2024/12/26
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Hey, Rick, what would Jesus think of life today?
Rick Rosner: Well, of course, he’d be astonished by all the technology. There wasn’t much technology in the 1st century CE. At that time, the world population was estimated to be around 200–300 million, about 3–4% of today’s population.
Naturally, he wouldn’t have had any way of knowing that. But I think, above all, Jesus was a kind and compassionate figure. He wanted—and, if you believe he still exists, wants—the best for everyone. His goal was to help people live righteously and attain salvation. So, you could imagine he’d appreciate how modern advancements have reduced human suffering and improved quality of life. People today generally live more comfortably and longer than they did in his time.
On the other hand, he might feel deeply concerned about how modern life has distracted people from spiritual values and moral behaviour. At the same time, he would recognize how difficult it is to resist the temptations of the modern world. The sitcom The Good Place explored this idea, showing how the complexities of modern life made it nearly impossible for anyone to live a life “good enough” to enter heaven.
Jesus might need to adjust his teachings to address the realities of the modern world. This raises an interesting question: how would he reestablish his ministry today? Would he wear contemporary clothing, like a suit or casual attire? Would he still present as male, or might he appear differently? Would he use social media, podcasts, or other modern platforms to spread his message?
Considering there are over 5 million podcasts worldwide, it’s not hard to imagine Jesus using digital platforms. After all, this is Christmas Eve—the eve of his supposed birthday, though historical evidence suggests he wasn’t born in December. Early Christians likely chose this date to align with pagan festivals celebrating the winter solstice.
To establish his identity in the modern world, he might need to perform miracles or some other extraordinary acts—perhaps emitting a radiant light or displaying a visible halo. These would conclusively demonstrate his divine nature. In the Gospels, Jesus performed many miracles, so it’s reasonable to think he could do so now.
He might also consult public relations professionals and focus groups to decide on his image. Should he resemble the “traditional” Jesus, with long hair, robes, and sandals? Or should he adopt a modern look, with a T-shirt, jeans, and a contemporary haircut? Would he have a romantic partner, or would he remain celibate?
What are your thoughts on how Jesus might navigate today’s complexities? His ministry lasted only about three years before his crucifixion. How might he approach the challenges of our modern era?
Jacobsen: The standard narrative of the second coming is pretty dramatic compared to the first one.
Rosner: Do you think Jesus would have to conform to the book of Revelation? I don’t want any of that at all. That’s Armageddon.
Jacobsen: I agree. If we’re using the narrative of Jesus as a historical person, much creative license was applied in crafting the biblical stories. If we stick to that mythos, the second coming would likely have to incorporate the same elements because people don’t just come back to life.
Rosner” But the book of Revelation? It’s a mess. It feels like a bunch of apocalyptic ideas tacked onto the rest of the Bible.
Jacobsen: Yeah, it’s part of the same collection of texts people call the Bible. It’s a package deal.
Rosner: But honestly, I’m fine without the book of Revelation.
Jacobsen: True, but if you accept the rest of the Bible, it’s hard to reject Revelation without questioning the whole thing.
Rosner: That said, I’d much rather imagine Jesus returning without all the catastrophic drama—no mass death, no apocalyptic spectacle. Just Jesus is coming back quietly…
Jacobsen: Like the name of that Will Ferrell movie. What’s it called? Blades of Glory.
Rosner: Exactly. For one thing, the math in Revelation is completely outdated. It mentions 144,000 righteous people being allowed into heaven. I don’t remember if that applies to everyone, specifically righteous Jews, but either way, it reflects the population of a much smaller world. Today, with a global population of over 8 billion, 144,000 is absurdly small—like one person out of every 60,000. That’s not fair or realistic. At the very least, I’d hope a modern version of Revelation would revise that number to be more inclusive.
Rosner: Agreed. Have we exhausted this topic for Christmas?
Jacobsen: I think so.
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