Ben Wilson

Yes, his revolutionary teachings are also important, but also the lifestyle that he offered. If you wanted to be crass, you would say that Jesus and his disciples were basically unemployed guys who went around hanging out, discussing interesting philosophy and day drinking.

Yes, his revolutionary teachings are also important, but also the lifestyle that he offered. If you wanted to be crass, you would say that Jesus and his disciples were basically unemployed guys who went around hanging out, discussing interesting philosophy and day drinking.

I don't think they were alcoholics, but I do think that the lifestyle Jesus put forward of radical freedom and relaxed convivial environment was really attractive to a lot of people. And so if you want to start a movement like Jesus did, you look at startups and businesses which are built around helping people do what they should do and they fail all the time.

I don't think they were alcoholics, but I do think that the lifestyle Jesus put forward of radical freedom and relaxed convivial environment was really attractive to a lot of people. And so if you want to start a movement like Jesus did, you look at startups and businesses which are built around helping people do what they should do and they fail all the time.

But businesses that offer people what they want to do succeed. Weight Watchers has a market cap of like $65 million and McDonald's has a market cap of $200 billion. What's true of companies, I also think is true of movements. You don't just want to scold people and tell them, you should do this, this, this, this. You have to offer something attractive to people.

But businesses that offer people what they want to do succeed. Weight Watchers has a market cap of like $65 million and McDonald's has a market cap of $200 billion. What's true of companies, I also think is true of movements. You don't just want to scold people and tell them, you should do this, this, this, this. You have to offer something attractive to people.

You have to give them something that they want to do. And a lot of the political movements and social movements today are all about things that you should do. I see this in politics. On the right wing, a lot of the messaging to young men is you should step up, get a job, be responsible. instead of offering something compelling in terms of an attractive way of life.

You have to give them something that they want to do. And a lot of the political movements and social movements today are all about things that you should do. I see this in politics. On the right wing, a lot of the messaging to young men is you should step up, get a job, be responsible. instead of offering something compelling in terms of an attractive way of life.

Same thing, like you can think about the environmentalist movement. A lot of it is, you know, you need to do this and this and this and this in order to help the environment. These are all the things that you're doing that are polluting, that are bad, you should be better. Instead of offering people an attractive way of life.

Same thing, like you can think about the environmentalist movement. A lot of it is, you know, you need to do this and this and this and this in order to help the environment. These are all the things that you're doing that are polluting, that are bad, you should be better. Instead of offering people an attractive way of life.

You know, I think frankly, that like climbing bums who just kind of like live in their van and climb all day are more effective environmentalists than a lot of professional environmentalists, because they are offering an attractive way of life, you know, being in nature, enjoying it. And that naturally makes people want to protect the environment.

You know, I think frankly, that like climbing bums who just kind of like live in their van and climb all day are more effective environmentalists than a lot of professional environmentalists, because they are offering an attractive way of life, you know, being in nature, enjoying it. And that naturally makes people want to protect the environment.

And look, of course, you also need to challenge people to do things, to improve, to be better. And Jesus did both, as we shall see. But I think Jesus's lifestyle of detached, free-spirited living combined with conviviality and sociability created a very compelling social dynamic. And I think that helps to explain some of his early success.

And look, of course, you also need to challenge people to do things, to improve, to be better. And Jesus did both, as we shall see. But I think Jesus's lifestyle of detached, free-spirited living combined with conviviality and sociability created a very compelling social dynamic. And I think that helps to explain some of his early success.

I also think one of the other reasons that Jesus was so focused on eating and drinking is that meals are uniquely good setting for teaching. Paul Johnson writes, Jesus loved conviviality and he never condemned generous hospitality. Many of his most telling lessons were taught around crowded tables.

I also think one of the other reasons that Jesus was so focused on eating and drinking is that meals are uniquely good setting for teaching. Paul Johnson writes, Jesus loved conviviality and he never condemned generous hospitality. Many of his most telling lessons were taught around crowded tables.

And I have seen that, that like when you have a dinner and you're trying to teach in association with that dinner, people are just much more open. Last year, I went down and visited Brian Johnson, who you may have seen in the news recently, Mr. Don't Die. And to introduce his philosophy and his vision, he invited me and about 10 other people to a dinner at his house.

And I have seen that, that like when you have a dinner and you're trying to teach in association with that dinner, people are just much more open. Last year, I went down and visited Brian Johnson, who you may have seen in the news recently, Mr. Don't Die. And to introduce his philosophy and his vision, he invited me and about 10 other people to a dinner at his house.

And it was a very special experience. And if you're trying to start a movement, I think dinners are a uniquely powerful way to do that. Okay. Well, back in the life of Jesus, it's not just turning water into wine. He's also healing. He's about to give his first big sermon and lay out his doctrine. But I think it's crucial that he does miracles first.

And it was a very special experience. And if you're trying to start a movement, I think dinners are a uniquely powerful way to do that. Okay. Well, back in the life of Jesus, it's not just turning water into wine. He's also healing. He's about to give his first big sermon and lay out his doctrine. But I think it's crucial that he does miracles first.