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• Jesus sacrificed himself... (Score:1)

  by RobertX (3759)

  That was his whole purpose in coming as a man in the first place. To save his people for their sins. The only way to do that was to be the perfect sacrifice. Being God, he *could have* saved himself at any time he wanted. He chose to sacrifice himself so that his people could have a right relationship with their God.
  • Re:Jesus sacrificed himself... (Score:1)

    by phillup (4419)

    Thank you.
    
    I myself am not particularly religious, but I was raised in a religious manner.
    
    It seems to me that the entire "blame" issue seems to overlook some pretty important issues (and I'll not address the issue of Jesus and God being the same... since Jesus is referred to as the "son of God" I will refer to them as seperate entities... even tho that may not be so).
    
    - Did God know that Jesus was going to die?
    
    - Did God want Jesus to die?
    
    - Could God have stopped the death of Jesus if desired?
    
    - Did God p
    • Re:Jesus sacrificed himself... (Score:1)

      by RobertX (3759)

      I has to do with love. God could have created Adam and Eve as perfect beings that blindly did what he wanted. Where is the love there? Instead he created them innocent with the ability to choose to obey. God knowing they would "fall" into sin created a way that people could be reconciled back to a Holy, righteous, God who cannot wink at sin.

      Q: Did God know that Jesus was going to die?
      A: Certainly. The Bible states the plan was created even before the foundations of this world were set.
      
      Q: Did God want
      • Re:Jesus sacrificed himself... (Score:2)

        by rafael (2125)

        It was the only way to forgive His people for their sins. -- IANAC, but I think I understand Christian mythology quite well. So I don't agree. John the Baptist was born without being tainted with the original sin -- else, he couldn't have baptised Jesus and actually "wash" him from the original sin due to his human nature. So this was not the only way -- because God is infinitely powerful -- but this was the better way to have Christians have a personal relationship with Him. How could have God demonstrated
        • Re:Jesus sacrificed himself... (Score:2)

          by pudge (1)

          John the Baptist was born without being tainted with the original sin -- else, he couldn't have baptised Jesus and actually "wash" him from the original sin due to his human nature.
          
          That's not true, IMO. Nothing in the Bible suggests it, that I know of. John the Baptist was not washing anyone's sins away: baptism was only a symbol of a person's committment.
          
          And beyond me seeing no suggestion that requires JB born without original sin, we see statements from people like Paul -- who went through an experie
          • Re:Jesus sacrificed himself... (Score:2)

            by rafael (2125) <rgarciasuarezNO@SPAMgmail.com> on 2004.02.25 14:49 (#28804) Homepage Journal

            I checked in the Catholic Encyclopedia [newadvent.org], and indeed, it seems that John the Baptist was cleansed from the stain of original sin in the womb. I think that Augustine wrote about this. Add this to the list of truths that differ between the different kinds of Christianisms.

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            • Re:Jesus sacrificed himself... (Score:2)

              by pudge (1)

              I think what the passage means is that John the Baptist was the first to receive the Holy Spirit, just as the disciples did later in Acts, and as Christians have been since then. If that is the sense it is meant I'd agree, but I don't consider myself today not "tainted by original sin" just because the Holy Spirit is in me. Maybe it's just a semantic point.