You see, that’s the thing about Fishermen and Farmers:  they’re always talking about beaches and hoes.

I personally have never much cared for religion as a public affair. If I ever do have an affair with a deity I will want to keep it discrete.  Nonetheless I do, on occasion, find myself asking questions in the arena of theology that baffle me.  Recently I read a book by Walter Kaufmann called Critique of Religion and Philosophy.

In this Kaufmann argues, among other things, that the ethical arguments presented by Jesus are prudential arguments—that is to say that it would be prudent to behave well so as to avoid the punishments of Hell and receive in their stead the rewards of Heaven.  Granted, continues Kaufmann, Jesus is notably silent about how one ought to behave, but that is another question entirely.  To reiterate, the ethical arguments put forward by Jesus are prudential:  avoid punishment and seek reward.  This seems to me to be an argument based upon fear.  So my question is, why does Nietzsche have such profound respect for Jesus?

Prudential arguments are certainly those most likely to be presented by so called christians—and Nietzsche held those who claim such titles in much disdain.

“Be afraid, be very afraid, and be obedient as a result of that fear” doesn’t strike me as the sort of position for which Nietzsche would have much care.  And yet he holds a great reverence for Jesus.  Of course, he can’t stand the apostles, thinks they’re a bunch of weak-kneed buggers—but that too is a different story.