Preachers look at an Eastern tradition with Western eyes... and thus we end up with "Sacrifice for sins" rather than the "mercy, Not sacrifice" that Jesus actually preached. (Matthew 9:13)
Isn't Christianity in the habit of turning the teachings of Jesus upside-down?
Detailed background for this question: http://gospelenigma.com
2007-09-14 02:24:09 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
All of the various Christian sects accuse the others of turning Christ's teachings upside-down, and all of them can justify their claims with scripture. There were many authors of the New Testament scriptures, and they all had different ideas of what they thought a Christ's message would be. Many of them even contradicted themselves in different passages.
In order to form a coherent Christian theology, you have to focus on some of the scripture and ignore or explain away the contradictory scripture. depending on which you choose, your theology will be different.
2007-09-14 02:33:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Interesting premise; however one doesn't have to be a westerner to accomplish this.
I took a quick look at the book you cite. What the author apparently failed to consider is that Jesus preached the gospel, couched in the terminology of the kingdom of God/heaven.
The apostles preached the gospel in its fullness without the cloud of mystery as preached by Christ.
Christ said he preached the gospel in parables so that the people would NOT understand.
So your "Sacrifice for sins" / "mercy, not sacrifice" is nothing more than a red herring, designed to distract from the real issue.
If you want an example of the real gospel being preached, read what Peter said to Cornelius, resulting in the Holy Spirit coming upon him and those with him.
Anything someone claims to be the gospel that is not there in Peter's words is not the gospel.
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2007-09-14 02:40:16 · answer #2 · answered by Hogie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your point is that Christ taught a different Gospel than that which was taught before and that Christ was not sacrifice for sin?
The Gospel was and is always the same from before the time of Abraham who was told to sacrifice Issac.
Abraham who said this is where the lord will provide himself a lamb.
Isaiah 53 which says the Messiah will be as a lamb and will atone for the sins of his people.
Jesus himself said he would be the fufillment of these prophsies.
Jesus himself interprets this passage as referring to him. Jesus said: "For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment" (Luke 22:37, RSV). The quoted verse is Isaiah 53:12.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
If I'm missing your point please clarify.
The mercy is through the sacrifice.
2007-09-14 02:36:47 · answer #3 · answered by djmantx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not actually upside down. They just adapt local custom and culture into christianity. For the same reason roman paganism is got mixed with teaching of Jesus, which ended trinitarian christianity. Where as Jesus only called toward Lord of Universe.
2007-09-14 02:33:26 · answer #4 · answered by Happily Happy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Christianity in the West has turned into a blessings from God cult. Mercy and support of the poor are no longer priorities.
Instead Christian congregations pay mortgages, and electricity bills. They buy donuts and coffee and spend 2 hours a week talking about God, but don't bother to go into the community to help the people in need. If they do go into the community, it is to raise money, not give it out.
2007-09-14 02:31:23 · answer #5 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
What Jesus actually did was to become the perfect sacrifice for the sin of all mankind.
2007-09-14 02:38:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
To a certain extent, yes. That's one reason why I believe EVERY Christian should study the Jewish roots of our religion. I have personally found that this has greatly increased my understanding of Christ and His teachings.
Here's a recent question posed by a Christian that proves my point: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070910154230AA8rBhp&r=w&show_comments=true&pa=FZB6NWHjDG3N56z6v_2zVkehoFamnUP_IKtSC2ao111zbleUe9ItmzpFeRws12odcKHph7Qsy5ze993do6Stow--&paid=add_comment#openions
2007-09-14 02:48:21 · answer #7 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not all of us, but I have seen some that could benefit from further education. I think we all can, really.
2007-09-14 02:37:06 · answer #8 · answered by Jed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Not in the least.
2007-09-14 02:28:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes i think it is
2007-09-14 02:28:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋