Those who never heard about Jesus?

[Antipas]

Originally Posted by aegsm76

I guess the Cross wasn't necessary...

Aside from the theological assertions of the Christian religion concerning Christ's cross, did not Jesus ultimately suffer the death of the cross to demonstrate that God is not the narrow, racist, legalistic, bloodthirsty, and vengeful God of Pharisaical Judaism? Did not Jesus warn of that system's soon coming demise? Did not Christ's sacrifice open the revelation of God up to be inclusive of all people and redefine God as love itself? The beauty of Christ's revelation is unparalleled.

But all that Christ and the Apostles taught has become frozen in time. And nearly every 200 to 400 years it is confronted with forces that cause it to change drastically. Even today the vast majority of what we know as "Christianity" doesn't reflect what was originally taught within the first two centuries of the faith. And today, is it not more of a business and a body politic than a truly "spiritual" path for all?

I assure you, the cross was absolutely necessary. But that doesn't change the fact that there is much more to knowing GOD than what the Christian religion realizes.

[Jito463]

Originally Posted by Antipas

Aside from the theological assertions of the Christian religion concerning Christ's cross, did not Jesus ultimately suffer the death of the cross to demonstrate that God is not the narrow, racist, legalistic, bloodthirsty, and vengeful God of Pharisaical Judaism? Did not Jesus warn of that system's soon coming demise? Did not Christ's sacrifice open the revelation of God up to be inclusive of all people and redefine God as love itself? The beauty of Christ's revelation is unparalleled.

Oh, so Jesus didn't come to save us all, He came to tell the Jews that they wrong. And He had to die on a cross in a horrible manner, just to tell them they're wrong? Wow, seems there'd be an easier method than that.

Heck, He told Saul/Paul he was wrong, just by shining a bright light on him, and shouting at him from Heaven. Why couldn't He do that for the whole of Judaism?

If Jesus' death wasn't for salvation, exactly why did He have to suffer on the cross?

[Antipas]

Originally Posted by Jito463

Oh, so Jesus didn't come to save us all, He came to tell the Jews that they wrong. And He had to die on a cross in a horrible manner, just to tell them they're wrong? Wow, seems there'd be an easier method than that.

Consciousness is a creative force. What we perceive, we experience. You perceive that I'm saying these things, when I'm not. Let's use the creative force of consciousness to shift this into a more real perspective so that you might truly understand what I'm saying.

Jesus (the One in Jesus) has come to save us all from alienating ourselves from him. While yes, Jesus testified that ancient Pharisaical Judaism was tragically errant, Jesus revealed the way of love that transcends all religious laws and traditions. This path of love is comprised of loving God and loving others. This raised the bar from religious rule keeping to having to evaluate all that we do through the lense of love, a superior ethic compared to any form of law keeping. Christ's death upon the cross has much theological significance for Christians (Atonement and Propitiation). But from a broader more global perspective, we see that God is willing to suffer anything to set us free from religious bondage that we might be our true selves under the umbrella of his unfailing love.

You see, you created a false reality that no doubt got your blood pumping and your fingers feverishly typing away. You created a problem, just to attack it. You really didn't contemplate the realities I was trying to explain to you. Frankly, you should have written this to someone else. Because it certainly didn't pertain to anything I had said.

Heck, He told Saul/Paul he was wrong, just by shining a bright light on him, and shouting at him from Heaven. Why couldn't He do that for the whole of Judaism?

If Jesus' death wasn't for salvation, exactly why did He have to suffer on the cross?

What I wrote above addresses this question also. I'll paste it here so that you don't have to scroll up to read it again....

Jesus (the One in Jesus) has come to save us all from alienating ourselves from him. While yes, Jesus testified that ancient Pharisaical Judaism was tragically errant, Jesus revealed the way of love that transcends all religious laws and traditions. This path of love is comprised of loving God and loving others. This raised the bar from religious rule keeping to having to evaluate all that we do through the lense of love, a superior ethic compared to any form of law keeping. Christ's death upon the cross has much theological significance for Christians (Atonement and Propitiation). But from a broader more global perspective, we see that God is willing to suffer anything to set us free from religious bondage that we might be our true selves under the umbrella of his unfailing love.

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by Antipas

Jesus (the One in Jesus) has come to save us all from alienating ourselves from him. While yes, Jesus testified that ancient Pharisaical Judaism was tragically errant, Jesus revealed the way of love that transcends all religious laws and traditions. This path of love is comprised of loving God and loving others. This raised the bar from religious rule keeping to having to evaluate all that we do through the lense of love, a superior ethic compared to any form of law keeping. Christ's death upon the cross has much theological significance for Christians (Atonement and Propitiation). But from a broader more global perspective, we see that God is willing to suffer anything to set us free from religious bondage that we might be our true selves under the umbrella of his unfailing love.

ya.

[mfblume]

Antipas never answered my question as to what his standard is to know which passages of scripture are right and which are wrong.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Antipas never answered my question as to what his standard is to know which passages of scripture are right and which are wrong.

Well, the one's he doesn't agree with of course! LOL

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Well, the one's he doesn't agree with of course! LOL

That's what I am afraid of. The standard of one's own preference.

[Jito463]

Originally Posted by Antipas

Consciousness is a creative force. What we perceive, we experience. You perceive that I'm saying these things, when I'm not. Let's use the creative force of consciousness to shift this into a more real perspective so that you might truly understand what I'm saying.

Jesus (the One in Jesus) has come to save us all from alienating ourselves from him. While yes, Jesus testified that ancient Pharisaical Judaism was tragically errant, Jesus revealed the way of love that transcends all religious laws and traditions. This path of love is comprised of loving God and loving others. This raised the bar from religious rule keeping to having to evaluate all that we do through the lense of love, a superior ethic compared to any form of law keeping. Christ's death upon the cross has much theological significance for Christians (Atonement and Propitiation). But from a broader more global perspective, we see that God is willing to suffer anything to set us free from religious bondage that we might be our true selves under the umbrella of his unfailing love.

You see, you created a false reality that no doubt got your blood pumping and your fingers feverishly typing away. You created a problem, just to attack it. You really didn't contemplate the realities I was trying to explain to you. Frankly, you should have written this to someone else. Because it certainly didn't pertain to anything I had said.

I wrote what I did, in direct response to what you wrote. That Jesus came, not to save us from sin, but from the wrong impression of God that you claim Judaism had.

did not Jesus ultimately suffer the death of the cross to demonstrate that God is not the narrow, racist, legalistic, bloodthirsty, and vengeful God of Pharisaical Judaism?

Let me ask you this, do believe that sacrifice of Jesus was necessary for our salvation? Yes or no.