10-03-2003, 11:59 AM
Kharon Alpua Wrote:Then comes a theologically gray area, but something that I take to -- God exists outside of time, so when he does something for everyone, it's for all of time. Thus when he incarnated himself in the body of Jesus, he was choosing a viable time to make his plans come to fruition (saving everybody for all of time).
That's how I look at it.
Consider the act of sacrifice. Before the death of Jesus, people would have to slaughter animals and sacrifice them to God to atone for their sins. That was always a temporary act, and had no eternal consequences. Now what's the greatest sacrifice someone could make? It wouldn't be an animal, it would have to be something you loved with all your heart. Something you'd never dream of parting with or causing any harm to. One's own son would be as much of a sacrifice as one could give, moreso than taking one's own life, because when it comes down to it, wouldn't most parents rather die themselves than live to see their children die?
Still, the sacrifice of someone's own son wouldn't have ramifications for all of mankind. The death of the So of God, however, that would be enough to atone for everyone, from then on to the end of time. At least that's how I look at it.
Explaining my personal feelings about it, I find that I don't make much sense so I'll spare you my rambling thoughts. For now. Anyway, it's cool to see some deep conversation on the board again.