Methinks She Dost Protest Too...
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Words from the cross by Christ. Can I add a tilt to them. They are supposed to be a fulfillment of the OT, but what if, when Christ uttered them from the cross, that they were more than that and utterly true, i.e. God the Father had momentarily forsaken his son ? Imagine for a moment that Christ in hanging there did indeed take all the badness of all time on his shoulders ? Can you imagine a pain any worse and a love any higher ? Just a thought, but by heck it sticks with me.
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.flubber, without any intention of being confrontational, you're response simply flies in the face of Scriptural attestation. If that doesn't matter, then you are as right as anyone else. If Scripture, both the Old and New Covenants, is an historical record of events and if Yeshua is to fulfill all of the prophesies contained in the Old Covenant, then you overlook or disregard some powerful eyewitness evidence. The authorities of the time, i.e., the Sanhedrin and Pharisees clearly knew, without a doubt that Yeshua had performed this and all the other miracles. The witnesses knew, also without a doubt, that the healed blind man was assuredly blind.
You're disregard for the evidence is most clearly pictured in your belief or feeling that Elohim did not turn away from the sin filled Son. "He that knew no sin, was made sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of G-d." (II Corinthians 5:21). Elsewhere in Old and New, it clearly states that G-d cannot even look upon sin because of His indescribable holiness. You see, this is exactly what Yeshua feared so greatly the night before in the garden. Oh, I'm sure, he was aware of the physical pain to come... but that was minor, compared to the separation from G-d the Father, all for us. The cross of Christ was no afterthought in G-d's plan of redemption. Indeed, the Lamb of G-d was "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 14:8, KJV). This eternal plan was about to be fulfilled and Yeshua was facing a terror that we can't begin to comprehend. Then... He was suddenly, for the first time in eternity... alone... But, ... "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of G-d� (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Whenever I think about the crucifixtion, at communion, or even whenever, driving along, walking on the beach, the whole situation fills me with sorrow. Real, shame and real, real, sorrow.
I think the thing for me is because it is so personal. Christ died for me. Even if everyone else in the whole entire world past, present and future were perfect and sinless and I was the only sinful person in the world, even if I had only ever done 1 sin, Christ still would have died just for me. And it fills me with shame to think that even before I knew I was lost, God had already set a plan in motion to save me.
Jesus' words on the cross prove that he was both man and God. God is perfect and utterly incapable of sinning or carrying any sin on him at all. When jesus chose to die (yup, in the bible it says, "then he gave up his breath- this is not just purple prose for "he cahoofed it", he made the decision to be done with it.) he took the whole world's sin upon his shoulders was covered in sin and God could not, was incapable of, sharing in it becuase of his own perfection. From that point, Jesus was on his own, he was severed from the father because of our sin.
the point about Jesus having to be a perfect lamb does go back to OT references and the rules set down to the isrealites regarding sub standard sacrifices etc, of which I'm no expert (Clanad, help me out please).
Christ's suffering is amazing. In Roman times prisoners were usually either scourged or crucified, rarely did anyone suffer both. Usually if anyone was scourged, it would kill them and there wouldn't be anything left to crucify. The Roman's weren't being kind to J and just giving him a bit of a scourging, they went out and out for it, and were shocked that he didn't die. It was a miracle that he didn't die.
God is a merciful God. If a person hasn't heard or cannot hear or understand the Gospel, then God will judge that person according to what he knows. He would not condemn tiny babies, or disabled people who have no understanding to Hell, or unreashcable people, but that is why we are called to make disciples of ALL nations.
But he will judge those who have heard the gospel and displayed a barefaced dislike to it and utter rejection of it. Some people say "I haven't sinned, I don't need anyone to save me; I'm a nice person..." blah blah blah. the truth is, we have ALL fallen short of the glory of God, everyone who has ever lied, gossipped, been unkind, been jealous, been adultorous, everyone who has been spiteful and snide, non-tolerant, sharp tongued, filled with rage; EVERYONE WITHOUT exception has fallen short. When I stand at judgement and my sins are being read out, Christ will step out as my ambassador and tell the father that he knows me intimately and that I am a child of God.
If you would prefer to go to heaven and avoid hell, then I would suggest you get yourself along to the nearest ALPHA COURSE or CHRISTIANITY EXPLAINED course, or any old church, and start asking some questions and start praying. If you are reading this, you have heard the gospel and you need to make a choice. Make it a GOOD ONE!
May I also add to go with my first post, the shame is added to when I look at my own family.
I have a son. A son who in my view is the most perfect son alive. If you asked me to sacrifice my son to save a people who i didn't even know, to save people who would reject his sacrifice and laugh at his suffering and cast sneering and snide comments on what he had done, I would never give my son for that.
I wouldn't even give my son's life to save my own dear mother's life.
God gave his son's life for me. A nobody.
mimififi, an aside referencing your description of the Lamb... It's truly amazing, having read and re-read the Bible for many years, that, when the Spirit of G-d wants you to see something, it's there... always has been, but you've only now seen it. Look at Genesis Chapter 22.... you know the story. Abraham (used to be Abram, but that's another subject) has been called to Mt. Moriah (present day location of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem) to sacrifice Isaac. Even though he knows full well that he is to sacrifice Isaac, he tells his servants in verse 5, to stay here and "... we will come back to you". He believed G-d enough that even if he was to go through with the sacrifice Isaac would, somehow be raised from the dead. But the most important prophetic part is where, vs. 13, after being stopped by G-d, Abraham looks up and sees a ram caught by it's horns in the bramble. This became the sacrifice, but only for that time. Notice, in the previous verses 7 and 8, in response to Isaac's query about where the lamb was for the sacrifice, Abraham says, Adonai himself will provide the lamb! Abraham must have had a glimpse of Calvary to come some 2000 years hence.
Thanks for covering the question about those who haven't heard the Good News. That subject is covered as well... firstly, all people are accountable to know that G-d exists. "For since the creation of the world G-d's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). The complexity of the world around us tells us that there is a G-d (even though people can suppress that knowledge in their heart). Even those who haven't heard of Jesus are accountable for knowing that G-d is.
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Secondly, we're all accountable for knowing that we are sinners. The Old Testament law proves that we're sinful. Who has perfectly loved G-d or their neighbor? Therefore, "through the law we become conscious of sin" (Romans 3:20). But what about people who do not know the Old Testament law? The Bible tells us that even people who don't have that law nonetheless have their own "law" -- their own moral standard within their hearts (Romans 2:14-15) and they are held accountable to their performance of that standard. But know that no matter who is saved, they will receive salvation on the basis of G-d's grace, not by their works.
Finally, I would offer in difference, you will not stand in front of Yaweh and be confronted with sins you committed here on Earth. G-d clearly states that, not only has He forgiven them, but He has forgotten them! G-d has forgotten my sins, even tomorrow�s sins. Heb. 8:12 � "And I will forgive their wrongdoings, and I will never again remember their sins." Psalm 103:12 � He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west. I John 1:9 Good News... We are spared even appearing at the Great White Throne judgement of Revelations 20, Verse 11... So, it's not difficult at all being full of joy...
Hmmm... El D.... you know... you're right! I've just been made a convert to your atheism. Now, please enlighten me. I'm going to visit some terminally ill patients in the hospital tomorrow. I need some words of comfort and hope to take to them. Please give me something I can take to them. Of course, it would be nice if you could provide some basis for your tender and caring insights. Thanks, I just know you'll come through on this...
On the other hand.... could it be that in order to have love reciprocated, Omniscient G-d created angelic beings and, later, humankind to have perfect freewill? Freedom to make any choice... even the choice not to return a perfect love? And, in knowing this freewill would be perverted make a sure and certain way to re-establish the severed relationship? Call me silly, but that sounds, well... G-d like to me. Not something I would do as a creator. I would certainly make it so those stupid createds would do exactly as I wanted... End of problem...
Ah... ElD... how ironic that you accuse me of illogical reasoning... look at your own post. You make the leap from "God creates a world in which He knows sin and evil will exist" to "God creates sin and evil." One doesn't equate to the other... but then I would never expect you to accede to this.
I've been on the AB for about a year now. When I first started, you were El deurino, if memory serves. In numerous forums we've debated back and forth. (One ran for over 600 entries). Usually, the debate is terminated when you begin one of your rants. I also notice that, you used to engage in forums other than "religious" ones. You provided well reasoned and generally balanced points of view. That all ceased and the only time you show up now is as one of "the usual suspects". I find that interesting.
I recall, early on (I think when Merlin was still around) your expansive explanation of the Fatima occurrences and was impressed at how knowledgable you were. I assumed, and mentioned that you were probably Roman Catholic. I especially noted this later, when your inexplicable animus became apparent. You responded that wasn't the case. The point being, most of the other responders in these types of discussions (such as blinkyblinky) have input that is reasoned and considerate of others opinions. But you are really focused on attempting (mainly through intimidation) to destroy any opponent representing "the other side". You've been uncharacteristically muted so far... Anyway... it would be interesting to know the real story behind your hatred of anything relating to Christians.
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