Is Jesus REALLY the "Centerpiece" of Christianity? Or is it really MAN?

Question

From my observation, from everything I've been able to read and assimilate, the existence of God and especially the story of Jesus and the purpose for his crucifixation with salvation, has to do with SAVING MANKIND from hell, giving mankind a choice between heaven or hell.

It appears that mankind (humanity, MAN) is the centerpiece and focus and primal explanation for the existence of god to begin with. MAN's salvation. MANS redemption. MANS entrance into heaven. MANS eternal life. MAN MAN MAN MAN.

This runs contrary to, and contradcts EVERYTHING Christianity presents, as a story of the exaltation of God. God is not exalted: MAN IS EXALTED. The whole purpose of Christ's so-called bloody torture and killing, the whole purpose for his so-called "sacrifice" was so MAN WOULD NOT GO TO HELL. Thats it. Man is apparently the sole purpose for the existence of god himself.

My question then is this: IF IT WASNT FOR MANKIND'S EXISTENCE, WHAT PURPOSE WOULD THERE BE FOR GOD TO EXIST?

THE QUESTION IS: IF IT WASNT FOR MANKIND (HUMAN BEINGS) WHAT PURPOSE WOULD THERE BE FOR GOD'S EXISTENCE AT ALL? Please answer THAT question.

Answer 1

first off, that is an amazing question!
we exist because God created us, so therefore, concluding that God exists because we created him could seem logical. i understand that when reading the bible it may seem that everything, especially in the new testament, is for the glory of man. but in reality, its for the glory of God. by coming down to a filthy earth to die for a sinning race is to show the love of God. it is the love of God for MAN, but it is still the love of God.
so what is the purpose of God?
is it just so save humans? wouldn't that be just a little to convenient?
God's purpose is to love all he created, and yes to save humanity and offer redemption as well. God created humans because he wanted to love something that had the will to choose to love him back, it was the only way to make the love genuine.

i don't really know if i have answered your question, but i have tried.
DO NOT take my answer as the absolute truth, my faith is still young and i have a lot to learn, so if i have not answered your question, please keep looking and searching for the truth, i truly pray you will find it.

Answer 2

Yes Jesus is suppose to be the centerpiece but most religions follow a man pointing us to Jesus because Jesus lived 2000 years ago and died back there, and people today think of Jesus exactly like the Jews thought of Moses in the days when Jesus came to the earth! Today all religions will miss what Jesus or God is doing because like a frog they are looking back saying we do not know when he will come again. You say a religion and I will tell you which man they are looking to besides Jesus. Here is a partical list for you--- 1. Catholics look to Peter as the first Pope
2. Lutherians look to Martin Luther
3. Methodist look to John Westly
4.Pentiostals look to Los Angeles 1906 Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and many leaders such as Oral Roberts and Billy Graham.
5.Mormons look to Joseph Smith
6.Jehovah Witnesses look to Charles Taze Russell
7.Seven Day Adventist look to William Miller
Mankinds existance was to realize who you were and what you were to do in life no different than if you did not believe in any God at all.

Answer 3

You have a remarkable way of completely misinterpreting the facts. However Man occupies a very important place in the plans and purposes of God. God became a man, and God is still a man, the God-man Christ Jesus. He has not honored any other created beings in this way.
But how do you suppose man would have come to exist apart from God? Aren't you missing a few pieces in the equation here?

Answer 4

Lots of questions there, implicit and explicit.

Let me take a crack at a couple:

Yes -- Jesus is the centerpiece of Christianity. The term Christianity is a pretty good clue, but even beyond that, Christianity is all about God coming to us in corporal form. Think of it as a response to those who used to complain about God being to distant - to removed. So he came here and experienced what we do.

As for the appearance that it's all about MAN -- well -- remember who the audience is. When God talks to man, and man records those conversations, is it really surprising that it might seem to be all about man? This isn't a criticism of the bias, however, for how can man understand anything other than from man's perspective? We can try, and it's a worthy exercise, but really we only understand things in our own way (for example -- we can translate infrared into a spectrum we can see -- but we really cannot understand what it is like for creatures that can see in that spectrum)

For me, Christ's sacrifice can be understood on many levels. For the non-Christian I would think at least one could see Christ's sacrifice as a lesson in forgiveness. Watch Gibson's movie -- (horrific - but powerful) watch what they do to Christ. And then, just before he dies, he asks God to forgive his tormentors. If that's not a great example for us all of how someone can forgive in the most horrific acts, then what is?

If you don't think that lesson important (and it is, I think, the most central of Christianity) just look at the alternative. Will the Jews and Arabs ever end their tit-for-tat wars? Without Grace -- which is a Christian word for forgiveness -- the world would be a horrific thing. One of the greatest lessons for us all, which Gahndi and King and so many others learned and implimented, is forgiveness. That's what Christ did for us.

***As for what is the purpose of God? Wow -- I really don't know -- but why would he need a purpose? Most of the really beautiful things in this world really don't have a purpose per se -- What purpose the big beautiful tree in my front yard?? What purpose the softly falling snow? What purpose the Grand Canyon or the California Coastline???

Answer 5

Unfortunately, the leaders of the church in Jesus' day believed the same thing. Jesus called them children of their father, the devil. If Jesus had a higher consciousness, why would he say that? Maybe because it's true. Christians just believe what Jesus said. Look at the most misused Bible verse today, John 3:16, and you'll see that Jesus said that he was " His only begotten Son", ("His" referring to God). That's right. He spoke those words himself. Are you more enlightened than Jesus, or are you calling him a liar or a lunatic?

Answer 6

Is Jesus REALLY the "Centerpiece" of Christianity? Or is it really MAN?

JESUS = for sure.





THE SECRET OF CHRISTIANITY !

1 GOD became a man !
2 HE was perfect in all ways !
3 HE was seen by angels as HE was
originally (THE GOD), and as a man !
4 HE taught the non Jewish ( as well as many Jews) !
5 HIS teachings were (and are) believed by MANY people !
6 HE returned to HIS place - we call that place heaven !

Answer 7

Jesus is really the centerpiece

and actually... Jesus is also the centerpiece of heaven as well

(those 70 virgins make man the center of salvation not God in my opinion)

Answer 8

God should be the not a centerpiece,but the center of all of our lives. Why because of who he was and what he did for all mankind Hung bleed and die just for the sins of the world he could do more no one could but God.This is why you're here this is why we live.no other reason or purpose, but just for me. Ask yourself today. Why am I here? You did'nt come to see me. You live because of God he's our very life and we are but a vapor. One minute up the next minute down, one minute here the next minute gone. So see we ought to count our blessings everyday just to be alive. If I were you I'd be the first one to enter the doors of the church. Why put off for today for what you can do for tomorrow it's not promised to us.So we are the center of attraction when it comes to God. He loves us all and we should be greatful he's not like man.,Judgemental of everything you do.

Answer 9

God has always existed! God created man to worship God.
We are created in the image of God to worship Him.
Christ is the center of CHRISTianity!

Answer 10

BUT MANKIND DOES EXIST, BECAUSE GOD CREATED MAN
FOR HIS FELLOWSHIP.(according to scriptures) He created man in his image a Spiritual being as well as physical.Mans spirit
must be in tune with God to FELLOWSHIP with him Spiritually.
He thus becomes a Spirituall leader. But God recognized It was
not good for man to be alone physically, so he created woman to commune with man physically. She also could commune with God and man Spiritually.