Someone explain to me what the point of the Crucifixion was again?
I mean I know that the line is that Christ had to die because he was a perfect man so that his sacrifice could somehow count for us but I honestly find myself going, 'But WHY?' right now.
If everyone is responsible for their own sins and for accepting and relying on God's mercy and forgiveness then what was the purpose of the Crucifixion? Why was all the blood necessary?
I wonder the same thing myself from time to time. I don't understand why blood was necessary, why a sacrifice was needed. The best explanation for me ties into the OT system, I guess. Even there I wonder why God would require a blood sacrifice. Was it to show us the awfulness of our sins because we tend to not think they are so bad?
ReplyDeleteGood thinkie question to start out the new year!! Let me know if you figure it out. :)
I asked this on Facebook just now. Not sure if anyone will reply, but we'll see. Hope you don't mind, but I was curious what others might say since you brought it up!
ReplyDeleteSusanne,
ReplyDeleteAh, you know I don't mind. I enjoyed reading the discussion over there though it went a little off topic and of course no one really knows the answer. :)
I don't have much of a religious background past the first communion in elementary school... The way I see the crucifixion is as an inspiration and example of what true faith is. I still find the story as it was told to me as a 10 year old, inspiring.
ReplyDeleteCandice,
ReplyDeleteIt's one way to look at it and I agree that it's a good way. After all, Christ had faith unto death. If that could be divorced from the other thinking about the Crucifixion it wouldn't cause me any trouble at all.
hmm thinking out loud here...
ReplyDeletemaybe it is the fact that MAN tortured and killed him. At that time, that is how the romans made public their executions. and to make more people take notice and follow, Jesus died on the cross in full public view. Was burried and rose again. To show that nothing that man can do, can not be undone by God...? A miracle, but also a sign that he is boss. not a soldier or leader, but God
And to show that he meant business he let his only son die to atone our sins.
And I cant think when you had a post but it was about the internet etc. saw this and thought of you
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16424659
the world has gone mad
The Western Christian tradition focuses on sin in terms of legal justification, but I have found the Orthodox view to be much more cohesive.
ReplyDeleteFor a short summary, read this:
http://www.frederica.com/writings/christs-death-a-rescue-mission-not-a-payment-for-sins.html
Stacy, I enjoyed that link! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteSol,
ReplyDeleteHmmm. That's an interesting take. It was done so spectacularly to draw attention to Christ's message? Dedication to the cause. :)
Oh! I saw that yesterday! Craziness! Why on earth are we making religions out of copying things?
Stacy,
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you for linking to that. That does make a lot of sense and I can grasp it much more readily than the idea of Christ's death paying for something.
I'm glad Susanne put this on Facebook! I've been busy and haven't checked my Reader in awhile, so I'm just getting caught up.
ReplyDeleteI was looking for one of my books that has a long section on the different theories of atonement, but apparently I left them both at the house when I went to visit Mr. Sanil. I don't know when I'll be there again, but if you want me to send you one or both of them whenever I go back, let me know. If I remember right, the books are "The Many Faces of Christ" by Ty Inbody and "Proverbs of Ashes" by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker.
Enjoyed the question and the discussions :)
ReplyDeletesanil,
ReplyDeleteSusanne doesn't admit to it but she steals all her really good questions from me. ;)
Hey, if you think about it and are willing to part with them, I've never turned down a book in my life. :)
Suroor,
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the discussions!
Posted for Cara because blogger & LJ aren't speaking again:
ReplyDelete"Praise the Lord. The point is that we cannot redeem ourselves. God did say clearly in the Garden that the wages of sin is death. The problem is more than just our deeds. It is the spiritual condition that leads to them and is also fed by them. If we want to break the bondage of sin and death, then we need to have death without sin. And that is something no one can offer except God."
Cara,
ReplyDeleteMy problem is not so much the concept of us needing to be redeemed and needing assistance from God in that. My problem is the thought process around it, I think. The one that shows it as Christ paying for our sins and buying God off somehow. It sits very wrong with me for reasons I find myself unable to adequately express. There's something incredibly old school pagan about it, the concept that the gods need propitiating with blood and death.