You'd have to be mad to think it.

[Thomas]

Quahom's 'Christianity 101' thread is ticking away in the back of my mind, and leapt to the fore when I read the following, discussing 'the most clearly distinctive doctrine of Christianity,' the author wrote:

"It is also the most astounding thought possible, that the Creator of the universe should for any reason wish to become a creature in his own creation, and share human life as a baby, as a growing boy, and as an adult man, even accepting a criminal's death."

So I throw it out there ...

Could He? Would He? ... Did He?


Thomas

[Silas]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Quahom's 'Christianity 101' thread is ticking away in the back of my mind, and leapt to the fore when I read the following, discussing 'the most clearly distinctive doctrine of Christianity,' the author wrote:

"It is also the most astounding thought possible, that the Creator of the universe should for any reason wish to become a creature in his own creation, and share human life as a baby, as a growing boy, and as an adult man, even accepting a criminal's death."

So I throw it out there ...

Could He? Would He? ... Did He?

Thomas

What you said reminds me of a song called "the humilty of Christ" where the artist speaks about the Creator becoming a man to die in place of mankind. Timothy Brindle, the person who does the song, says: "Let me ask you if you seem confused with this, God passed through His creatures uterus." I thought that was cool! Anyway, in responce to your questions: "Could He?" Certianly. God can do anything He wants. "Would He?" Again. God can do anything He wants. "Did He?" This is the question that you should ask, I feel. According to scripture He did. Why? For two main reasons: To be glorified in His forgiveness of men and because He loves us. God is revealing Himself in totality to all of His creation. The same God who in Justice and wrath, justly condemned the fallen angels for their sins, shows Mercy and Grace to other sinners, namely mankind, by offering Himself as their perfect sacrifice.

Here's the song if you want to hear it.

[Dor]

Actually Thomas you just described the greatest act of love that has ever occured.

[Silas]

Originally Posted by Dor

Actually Thomas you just described the greatest act of love that has ever occured.

Amen!

[Prober]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Could He? Would He? ... Did He?

Thomas

Yes, Yes He did! Thanks G-d!

[Thomas]

D'you know Silas, when I read your name as the first post on this thread, I thought, 'Oh Lord, we're gonna clash again!'

But we ain't! Did you read my comment re a post of yours, along the lines of 'your God frightens me'?

Well I read this:

Originally Posted by Silas

Why? For two main reasons: To be glorified in His forgiveness of men and because He loves us. God is revealing Himself in totality to all of His creation. The same God who in Justice and wrath, justly condemned the fallen angels for their sins, shows Mercy and Grace to other sinners, namely mankind, by offering Himself as their perfect sacrifice.

To me, in light of recent discussions, that's coming from a different place ... I like that place ... I like you ... And if it's from the same place, then I've been reading you wrong. Mea culpa.

In His Peace,

Thomas

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by Dor

Actually Thomas you just described the greatest act of love that has ever occured.

And do you ever ... and I bet you do ... in some quiet moment, hear the voice in your head that says "this can't be so ... it's just too good to be true" ... and then the voice in your heart that replies "But it is ... and yes it is" ...

... but co'mon guys ... we don't want a Christian glee-club here, we'll put the others off!

Thomas

[China Cat Sunflower]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Quahom's 'Christianity 101' thread is ticking away in the back of my mind, and leapt to the fore when I read the following, discussing 'the most clearly distinctive doctrine of Christianity,' the author wrote:

"It is also the most astounding thought possible, that the Creator of the universe should for any reason wish to become a creature in his own creation, and share human life as a baby, as a growing boy, and as an adult man, even accepting a criminal's death."

So I throw it out there ...

Could He? Would He? ... Did He?


Thomas

I dunno, if you're God you can indulge in all manner of astounding things I suppose. You don't think God maybe did it for his own pleasure? I mean, It's not so strange to think that God would want to play with and in his creation; jump into the the game he made- so to speak. And it also isn't that surprising that he would want to experience human death, even a horrible death. Sure it would hurt, but it isn't as if he dies for good, and it's a hell of an experience from his point of view.

Chris

[cyberpi]

Ok, someone throw this dog a bone... how do each of you explain just these two verses in your beliefs:

John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Is the gospel of John corrupt? Are my eyes evil? Should I gouge them out so that I might see it differently? Bad translation? Am I missing the required number of years of ritual programming?

[wil]

If the contemplation is serious...what is it like...what can it be kin to?

Don't let your emotions get the best of you...contemplate...not my question, but yours.

A. We believe in the trinity...G-d, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

B. So did all of G-d come to earth, or G-d's son, or a portion, or a hologram...ie a portion that is both a piece but also all of the whole..

C. So what was the cost...umm gonna spend 33 years...exactly what is that to eternity..a nanosecond? Gonna preach and teach, do some miracles, fulfill some prophecy that by the way...I set up a millenia ago...get this physical body that can't be hurt, beat up, killed, and resurrect it, only to return...

So what would be our equivilant?? Trimming our hair? Cutting our nails? Piercing our ears?

What would be the equivilant to G-d sending Jesus down? Litterally for such a short time it can't be percieved in comparision to our life on earth and eternity...litterally compared to the pain and suffering of the world...worlds..galaxies...life in this universe and how many more...how much did Jesus suffer?? How much did G-d suffer through Jesus?

Was it mad, or a no brainer?

[Thomas]

Hi cyberpi -

Originally Posted by cyberpi

Ok, someone throw this dog a bone... how do each of you explain just these two verses in your beliefs

It is axiomatic of any hermeneutical system or structure that the whole is transmitted in the whole, and parts in parts, and that the parts themselves derive their meaning from the whole into which they are knit – so the meaning of any part in particular can be found, or emerges, from the whole.

Contemplation of Scripture, as a whole, will provide the answer.

+++

John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
That is 'explained' in the Mystery of the Trinity.
cf, for example, 'Trinity higher than being' in "The Mystical Theology" of Dionysius the Areopagite.

John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
That is 'explained' in the Mystery of the Incarnation.
cf "The distinction between natures was never abolished in their union"
as declared by the Council of Chalcedon.

"Be transformed by the renewal of your nous
St Paul advised the Church in Rome (Romans 12:2)

This from Christian Metaphysics: Trinity, Incarnation and Creation:
"At the heart of Christianity stand two mysteries: the Trinity and the Incarnation. The question (for the metaphysician) is this: do these two mysteries manifest some deeper reality or do they themselves comprise the ne plus ultra of metaphysics?"

"By contrast I make no such restriction on the content of metaphysics. Indeed, to exclude the Trinity from metaphysics is in some important sense to falsify reality from the beginning."

Essay in full available on The Veil

+++

As I wrote to someone recently, it is somewhat of a grand assumption to think that anything posted here (and no offence to any postee is inferred) can or does 'threaten' either Christian faith or Christian doctrine.

We've had some of the finest philosophical minds of the last 2,000 years working on the case (and equally some of the finest minds against us) with a rigour and a tenacity that is a marvel of the method (Aquinas, for example, still stands as a model).

We are a robust doctrine, if not bulletproof.

For every Bultmann who would tear it all down, is a Benoit who reveals the fallacy of his argument, a von Balthasar who unveils a new and magisterial beauty ... for every Rahner who renders the whole thing complex and inpenetrable, there is the simple lucidity of a Ratzinger ...

... and if I should appear, at times, sentimental, emotive and naive, please do not be mistaken, I'm just letting my proverbial hair down (I am in fact as bald as a coot) ... as an anam cara of mine observed, 'we are not robots.'

Thomas

[17th Angel]

As many believe, (which is the way I would see it.) Christ is the son of god, he is not god…. Could he send his son? Of course. Would he? He did, didn’t he? I have just recently (very recently) understood forgiveness. It is a awesome thing… I won’t even bother to try and explain it… Because I may have a grasp and understanding of forgiveness… But to describe it, is far beyond my skill, so I wont.

He was giving you, everyone forgiveness… -ANOTHER- chance. On such a scale you may not have even known that you needed forgiveness.. But not even having to ask for it, it is yours…. ;/ Taking the account from the bible, (if true) that would be the biggest showing of love and sacrifice ever, and you will never see it on such a scale ever again.

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

As many believe, (which is the way I would see it.) Christ is the son of god, he is not god…. Could he send his son? Of course. Would he? He did, didn’t he? I have just recently (very recently) understood forgiveness. It is a awesome thing… I won’t even bother to try and explain it… Because I may have a grasp and understanding of forgiveness… But to describe it, is far beyond my skill, so I wont.

He was giving you, everyone forgiveness… -ANOTHER- chance. On such a scale you may not have even known that you needed forgiveness.. But not even having to ask for it, it is yours…. ;/ Taking the account from the bible, (if true) that would be the biggest showing of love and sacrifice ever, and you will never see it on such a scale ever again.

How profound, 17th. Thanks for sharing that.

[17th Angel]

Originally Posted by Dondi

How profound, 17th. Thanks for sharing that.

Profound?

Thanks for reading.

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by 17th Angel

Profound?

Thanks for reading.

Profound - penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding: a profound thinker.