I don't fully understand how Jesus suffering and dying on the cross redeems humankind and offers us salvation.
Wouldn't simply following Jesus' teachings, and believing that He is divine and God incarnate be enough for salvation?
Why do we need a horrible act of torture, violence, and murder to be saved or have our sins forgiven?
Could it be that early Christians made up this idea in order to reconcile what had been done to Jesus?
I believe that Jesus Christ is divine. He was God. I believe in a full, physical Ressurection. But I sometimes have trouble with the idea that his suffering and death bring about our forgiveness.
2007-12-26 00:25:24 · 25 answers · asked by Zezo Zeze Zadfrack 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This one of the reasons I don't believe in any of it. God condemned his only begotten son aka himself to a horrible death. Why? Because we turned out to be no matter than he made us in the first place.
If someone offends me, I don't feel the need to sacrifice my son. They can just buy me a drink and we'll let bygones be bygones.
If God was really omnipotent, he would surely have come up with a better idea than this.
2007-12-26 00:43:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
In the days of the Old Testament in order to ask for forgiveness you had to go to the alters with a perfect sacrafice. Not with your dirtiest lamest lamb, but with your most beautiful, cleaniest lamb. Not with the least wanted but the most coveted. With Jesus's torture and death on the cross he made the Ultimate Sacrafice for only he could do this. He was the only pure and holy sacrafice. Jesus had to die on the cross to fullfill the Bible Prophephy's. It was written and so it was done. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our inequities. He bore our sins in the thorns upon his head and the nails in his feet and hands. The question to you would be? Would you simply follow him 2000 years later had he not been cruicified and rose again three days later. These things were prophesized and so they became. Read the book of Isiah the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and through him alone are we saved.
Great question, and at this time and always we should reflect upon the ultimate sacrafice that bought our forgiveness and salvation. The old testament said that Christ would die amongst Thieves and be buried with the Kings. He was hung between two thieves and buried in a tomb above ground, perserved in a 100 pounds of aloe and Myrhh. The prophecys were fulfilled and many were saved that before this occurance did not believe, including the Roman Soldier at the foot of the cross.
2007-12-26 00:48:06 · answer #2 · answered by fire_side_2003 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Interesting question. Let me try to make it as simple as possible.
What do you think should be the punishment for going against God, that is against the Lifegiver? One does not deserve to live. Right? In other words, death. That is exactly what Adam and Eve deserved. But if God would have carried out His punishment, creation would have been wiped out. That would have made Satan victorious in that he would have succeeded in destroying God's creation. On the other hand, not punishing them would mean that God or His word need not be taken seriously. In other words, people are free to go against Him. Again, that would have given the victory to Satan since he went against God and was thrown out of heaven. How does one strike a balance these two positions?
This is where Christ's role comes in. Mind you, it was Christ who had created this world. So ultimately when Adam and Eve sinned, Christ was responsible for it - much like someone's child doing something bad ultimately makes the parents responsible for it. And if there's something that can be replaced, it is they who will have to do it. Moreover, Christ could take the punishment because He Himself was sinless. This event was foretold in the Old Testament many, many times. All the sacrifices they offered pointed to the sacrifice of Jesus (or else animal sacrifices don't mean anything). Once that sacrifice was made there was no need for anymore sacrifices.
What does the death of Jesus do? It not only pays the penalty for sins (because no sinner can pay for his own sins and still live), thereby making God a just God, but it makes the sinner aware of the cost of sin - the Creator's own death. Sin is not something to be played with. When we accept His death we, in effect, tell God that we would be obedient to Him just as Jesus was. Our pledge of obedience is what makes us fit to get back the life we forfeited by sinning. Hope this helps.
2007-12-26 01:11:52 · answer #3 · answered by Andy Roberts 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The basic explanation from Christian theology is that God required the 'shedding of blood' for the 'remission of sin' as seen in the OT's sacrifice of animals. Animal sacrifices were only temporary coverings for sin until the Redeemer came. The Saviour had to be slain as a Lamb of God to pay for human sin.
2007-12-26 00:41:40 · answer #4 · answered by Tuxedo 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your problem is that you do not understand sin. God is holy. God can not tolerate any sin what so ever-none.
The "law of sin and death" requires the sinner's life blood. If you were to pay for your sins-which you could-but it would take your life-forever, because you are guilty as charged. But, since you are guilty-you can not redeem yourself. But Jesus was/is sinless. His blood is more valuable-because He is innocent. Not only innocent-but he is God. He knew that we can not save ourselves-so he had to do it. God loves us. Only Jesus can redeem.
Why can't we just follow the commands of Jesus??? Think about it-do you know anyone who has?-- no. God gave Adam and Eve just 1 command. But they did not trust God, and followed Satan. Sin entered the human at that point. The end result was that God had to kill everyone on earth (save 8) because sin had taken over the human race. Then God gave man the laws-and the blood sacrifices. This was just a temporary fix, but they could not keep them, and sin continued. So God made a new covenant with man. He sent Jesus to make the last and final sacrifice, one that was powerful to redeem all of mankind.
Now, instead of having a long list of laws and rules to have to conform to, God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us from the inside. We have a conscience (spirit to spirit) that should tell us right from wrong. If we listen and obey that good conscience then we will not sin. Thats why Jesus had to suffer-He had to pay for the sins of everyone. And, to provide the Holy Spirit to all who would trust Him for their salvation.
2007-12-26 00:57:38 · answer #5 · answered by Poor Richard 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Great questions.
In this case theology is attempting to reconcile Jesus teaching, with his death and our history.
I think history reveals clues to a grace which was always there. Without history it's still there. I also believe that was Jesus teaching. God has saved us without all these things. Nothing IS enough for salvation. We contribute nothing to our birth and nothing to our reconciliation (God created the world with nothing - He does wonders with nothing). God did not need the horrible act of torture for salvation, but we seemed to like it. It provides a convenient image of atonement for understanding grace (which just about every other answer on Y&A will call an iron clad requirement). Sure they could have made it up to reconcile what was done to Jesus and God is probably fine with that. That's what theology is all about.
I recommend taking a theology that has the nicest story. The best ones that are honest, don't try to answer all the questions and recognize that it will alway be a mystery. "I don't know." is an OK answer.
2007-12-26 00:31:36 · answer #6 · answered by johnatplayct 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Dear A truly amazing person
As salam o aly kum(Peace and blessing of Allah be upon u )
ur Question has 3 parts and I think each part be dealt seperately
Salvation The bible says "the soul that sinneth , it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father,neither the father bear the inquinty ot the son: the righteousness of righteous shall be upon him, and the wickdness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all sins that he hath commited,and keep all my statutes, and do the that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live,he shall not die " Ezekiel 18:20-21 .
In Islam the notion of origanal sin is regarded as inconsistent with justice of Allah (God) . How could a just and loving God make an innocent child responsible for, or at least bear the guilt for the sins of a distant ancestor?
So God will do justice as per our deeds how it is possible to assume Jesus died for our sins and crimes . This means if somebody rapes someone sister we will forgive him is this the teaching of Jesus i think this is not Jesus himself said "Think not that I have come to break the laws but to full fill it " matt 5:17
Divinity
Jesus as God: |Do not call anyonew on earth ur father.for One is ur father , He who is in heaven. matt 23 :9
God cant be seen with bodily eyes asa said in john 1:18 " no man hath seen God at any time "
Jesus even stopped people calling him good where the question arises of being called as God " One came and said unto him, Good master ,what good thing shall I do that I may have etrnal life?' And Jesus said unto him, why callest thou Me Good? there is None good but One, that is God " matt 19:16-17
The Quran lays bare the true position of Jesus in a single verse , followed by a note by Yusuf Ali's commentory on the verse 3:59
1. "That he was the son of a women, Mary and therefore a man"
2. "But a messenger, a man with a mission from Allah(God), and therefore entitled to honour"
3."A Word bestowed on Mary, for he was created by Allah's word 'Be' and he was " 3:59 Quran
A sprit proceeding from Allah (God) , but his life and mission were limited than in the case of some other messengers, though we must pay equal honour to him as a prophet of Allah.The doctrinr of trinity , equality with God ,and sons ,are repudiated as blasphemies,Allah (God) is independant of all needs and has no sons to manage His affairs. The Gospel of John (whoever wrote it ) has put a great deal of Alexandrian Gnoistic mysticism round the doctrine of the word (Greek, Logos), but it is simply explained here.
2007-12-26 02:09:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. Jesus paid the final price for sins. Jesus is God and the only way into heaven. John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Everyone has the chance to get saved and everyone needs saved so get saved now. =) Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Please pray a sincere prayer with all of your heart admitting to Jesus you are a sinner. Have full faith that His blood pays off all of your sins and accept His gift of everlasting life. I pray that God blesses you with peace. Amen.
2016-05-26 06:58:39 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Old Testament period, the redemption of sin was done through blood sacrifice of animals. It was a law of God which is unquestionable. But it didn't really wash away the sin of mankind completely. So God made this option of sending His own son to die for us. If only the Holy Blood was shed for us He could purchase us from Satan.
God so loved all of us that He was ready to sacrifice His own son. The death of Jesus on the cross shows the depth of our God's love towards us.
2007-12-26 00:38:53 · answer #9 · answered by maranatha 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
because sin required a debt to be paid. Even in the Old Testament they killed innocent animals for the sins of man kind.
Edit: Look at the man who was possessed with many devils who ran among the tombs. The devils said we believe you are Jesus. So even the devils believe. So belief is not enough. One must believe and be saved.
2007-12-26 00:30:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋