If you really, reaaallly, do believe in Agape love, then why isn't that love enough? Why do you need the bloody sacrifice and mythology? It seems to me that if Christianity DID believe in the perfect and limitless love, then a perfectly loving sovereign creator could simply extend that love to be received and relationship entered into on its own merit without any "help" from any kind of formula or system of pre-requisite sacrifice...that sounds like human love to me.
2007-12-29 03:54:16 · 21 answers · asked by Mr. Mandala 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think you make an excellent point and the truth is, it is human love.Jesus said "I will have obedience and not sacrifice".
That's what his will is,and don't we as humans want to please the ones we love and that love us? I just wish more people's mind would open up to this.Thanks
2007-12-29 04:08:29 · answer #1 · answered by jackiedj8952 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
" It seems to me that if Christianity DID believe in the perfect and limitless love, then a perfectly loving sovereign creator could simply extend that love to be received and relationship entered into on its own merit without any "help" from any kind of formula or system of pre-requisite sacrifice"
Well, that's your problem in understanding. You are going by how "it seems to you" instead of learning what God has to say and about who God is and what He requires and what He is like.
In human terms we like to think that God is like some human potentate who can just decide that He is going to let people off for breaking His laws with no penalty because He loves them. It's like we are saying "Hey God, give us a break because you love us OK?".
But God's love is only one characteristic of the almighty creator of Heaven and earth. He is also righteous and holy and He doesn't tell people one thing one day and then change His mind and tell them something else later on.
God's righteousness demands that when a crime is committed a penalty must be paid. All of us have broken God's laws during our lives and his justice requires a sacrifice of the life blood as payment.
In human terms that might seem barbaric but when you consider that God created everything and He owns everything then how else can someone pay God back for breaking His laws? What are they going to do, offer to give God some of their money or something?
But because of God's love for us He has made the payment for our lawless deeds by sending his dear Son who lived a life as a man without breaking any of God's laws so that He could stand in our place without having a sin debt of His own to account for.
Since Jesus is the eternal Son of God, He could by his sacrifice atone for the sins of all mankind but offering Himself in our place.
The Bible teaches that we accept that payment by faith. God tells us that if we trust Him and accept the payment that He has provided then we don't have to suffer the eternal consequences of our disobedience. In order to access that gift we have to believe God.
It's like if a person were standing before a judge and the judge said "You're guilty. The fine is $1,000,000,000 or death". Since we didn't have what we needed to pay the fine we would be put to death. But if the Son of the judge who was watching the trial came up and said "I don't want to see you die because I love you even though you don't know me so I'm going to pay the fine for you" then we would have an opportunity to escape our just punishment.
If we didn't believe the Son then we would perish. But if we had faith and hope that what He was telling us was genuine then we could escape.
Click on the Get Saved button @ http://web.express56.com/~bromar/ to learn more.
2007-12-29 04:57:44 · answer #2 · answered by Martin S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can imagine myself sitting down and playing some piano masterpiece before a crowd of thousands, getting every note perfect, and touching the heart of every listener. In reality, it has never happened that way. There are always things that happen in reality that our imagination does not account for. You can only imagine the absence of the challenges of being God because you are not God. If you could see what He sees, you would do what He did. Besides, He did in fact send Jesus as a sacrifice, because Jesus said that was His mission, to lay down His life for His friends. He did that, and then, to demonstrate the success of this mission, God raised Jesus from the dead, which is an extraordinarily credible historical fact. Therefore, speculations about how it might have been easier are pointless, except to show how little we really know about what it takes to run the universe.
2007-12-29 04:16:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
We are all sinners. There was nothing else that could redeem us in God's mind than a final sacrifice. Jesus CHOSE do be our sacrifice on the cross. This was His choice from before the Universe was ever created.
Hebrews 12:2
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
2007-12-29 04:05:35 · answer #4 · answered by MBlessed (SOC) 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all, I'm not letting you get away with referring to the Bible as myth... it's not!
Having said that, I will answer your question (and I hope it was a serious one, and I am not just casting my pearls b4 swine).
Because of the seriousness of Sin that entered the world through Adam's transgression, a selfless and pure sacrifice large enough to pay the price to eradicate it was necessary.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22
Thus the Father sent His Son for the mission. He was the only one who qualified.
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; ... whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 1:20
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:45
2007-12-29 04:13:23 · answer #5 · answered by skypiercer 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The "bloody sacrifice" is the ultimate proof of Gods love for us. That He came to Earth as a man, lived among us and then died for us so that we might have forgiveness is amazing! God does extend His love to us unconditionally, and you're right, He didn't need help from the sacrifice, but we did. Gods love will always be there for us, but we need to accept it into our lives.
2007-12-29 04:04:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Mr. Wolf,
if I didn't know what I know I could see your point being very valid. Please consider this. we were created sometime after the angels were created. The Bible is not merely about humanities struggle to know or not know God. God has placed Himself before a heavenly court of sorts to prove that He is an equitable God. Satan used his trickery on Adam to plunged man into a severe "spiritually dead" state separating us from God. Even though God can do anything He wants He chose to show himself to be ultimately compassionate towards man in the court of heaven. Satan has certain "Legal rights" that He exercises generously in view of the Heavenly court. God the Father sending God the Son to die for us has checkmated Satan in the heavenly court. When you accept Christ it is a "spiritual victory for you through all eternity, complements of The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.~Peace
2007-12-29 04:16:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Agape Love is selfless Love. To lay down ones life for ones friend.
Jesus Christ died for our sins "once and forever". The Eucharist, is the celebration in this completion of bloodless/selfless Love forever. Jesus gave Himself in this forever miraculous sacrifice. Each Eucharist is connected throughout time and space with Jesus Christ on Calvery, and with Jesus Rising from the Dead.
Remember, Jesus redeemed us from the sin that blocked our path to perfection in heaven. We still must work out our salvation (perfection) in fear and in trembling while we are on earth.
All Love requires a Choice. God who is Love recognizes this basic attribute in human Love.
2007-12-29 04:04:00 · answer #8 · answered by Lives7 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Reaaallly, Mr. Wolf, did you know that "agape" is standing around with ones jaw hanging open in astounded wonder/horror, for example, as I will be when the Rapture comes and everyone ascends into the Heavens...
Everyone, that is, but ME!!!
2007-12-29 04:02:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you love someone with all of your soul but never sacrifice anything for them how would they know?
I love my children more than you could understand , god made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
2007-12-29 04:02:19 · answer #10 · answered by Fl. Guy 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋