Fundamentalism teaches us that God is much like a military general; a hard-nose who loves us, but loves us somewhat reluctantly (When you Really get down to how fundamentalism represents God). In general, the system hinges on Biblical Literalism and Substitutionary Atonement. God loved us so much that he sent a law-based religious system of sacrifice. When that failed, God loved us so much that he sent the Lamb of all lambs to die for our sins in the same way unblemished lambs of old did. So, God's love (grace) is not enough on its own; it needs a religious system to help it do what it falls short of. We get to accept it or reject it; God loves us so much that He places our eternal fate in our hands, so fundamentalism says.
I wholeheartedly believe that in Jesus, God breathed on the human race. As the early church developed, it had the task of interpreting and explaining God's Pneuma (that's greek for "breath" and "spirit"), which they had experienced in Jesus. Now, what God did originated outside of time and space, therefore, when God acted within time and space, the activity was "layered," so to speak. It covered the basis on different levels at the same time. I believe the theory of Substitutionary Atonement is certainly in the New Testament, but served as a tool to aid the Jews in making a transition out of core beliefs cemented in their psyche that were founded upon the sacrificial system and the law. They needed to transition from that, into a grace-based trust in God's love for them; not in the external system that had gotten so deeply imbedded within them. The meaning the church attributed to Jesus' death served that purpose. However, Biblical Literalism, in our day, has come to the conclusion that Substitutionary Atonement is a literal, or "scientific" truth in the broadest sense of the word. I believe this is false. It presupposes that God was angry toward us and needed help forgiving, so he made a way for himself to be able to forgive. God never held a grudge to begin with. The whole system short-changes the Covenant Love of God something fierce and the whole church is suffering from an inability to stretch its inner being to enter into a new understanding of how deep, wide, broad and long the Agape love of God is toward us. God’s love for us is the heart of our atonement. The primary way it is fleshed out in the crucifixion is by showing how deeply depraved our carnal order of life is; our understanding of power, government and ourselves. It shows us our depravity; individually, socially, culturally, politically, religiously... This approach to atonement is consistent with Jesus message of the Kingdom of God.
2006-12-05 14:10:37 · 10 answers · asked by ? 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What you have so articulately explained is religion by what ever label you give it. This is why Jesus explained the Father God wants your heart not your religion. James said it well, If any man seeks Wisdom, let him ask Father God.
2006-12-05 14:18:56 · answer #1 · answered by martha d 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Amen. One point I would "debate" is the traditional view that the Law is a bad system and failed. I have lived so much better since I have observed the Law. He created us, it is a manual for How to live. When else did G-d give us a bad gift. Remeber, he GAVE us the Law.
I agree 10000% Jesus fulfilled the Jewish faith. I pray more Jews see it. I am a Christian that has gone the other way, going back on a search of Judaism with Christ, the Messianic Jews. Its truly beautiful. Great speech, brother
Be Blessed
David
2006-12-05 22:17:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very long, but if I'm reading correctly, yes. Something about God's grace and forgiveness, right?
2006-12-05 22:18:06 · answer #3 · answered by sister steph 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU SURE SAID A LOT OF WORDS NOT TO HAVE SAID ANYTHING.
NO OFFENSE<><
show the love don't report
2006-12-05 22:15:51 · answer #4 · answered by funnana 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm sorry, I fell asleep. What was the question again?
ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz............
2006-12-05 22:15:58 · answer #5 · answered by Squirrley Temple 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try the KISS principle.....'keep it simple stupid'
2006-12-05 22:15:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
so you have a question? or is this a speech.
2006-12-05 22:15:16 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Um... god doesn't exist... didn't you get the memo?
2006-12-05 22:14:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
lol lol lol y'all are mean lol oh i got a headache now thanks alot
2006-12-05 22:24:49 · answer #9 · answered by mimi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
and, why should i even bother reading your diatribe?
2006-12-05 22:13:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋