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Like the first two of the five Fundamentals that we have thus far examined, this third one has also become not just unbelievable but bizarre to modern ears. Yet it remains so powerful that it still shapes the liturgy of Churches across the spectrum from the Roman Catholics to the Pentecostals. The words: "Jesus died for our sins," derived from this concept, have actually become an undefined mantra. The concentration on guilt by the Christen Church is a direct manifestation of this theology, feeding the anger that seems to flow out of Christianity toward whoever is its current designated victim. At various times in Christian history Jews, heretics, infidels, women and homosexuals have all been forced into the role of victim. If one is told often enough that he or she is evil, and that this evil is what caused the death of Jesus, the human psyche will project this pain onto another. The violence of Christian history makes no sense apart from this understanding. Christians have interpreted the cross as the place where the price of our sinfulness was paid by Jesus. So in this final column on the third Fundamental, I seek to develop a new understanding of the cross that might free Christianity from its unconscious sado-masochism that threatens even now to squeeze the very essence out of this faith tradition.

Let me begin by raising to consciousness just how nonsensical the statement "Jesus died for our sins" really is. How can the death of Jesus 2000 years ago affect you or me today? Behind these traditional religious words lie two concepts that need to be challenged. First, there is the theistic image of God as a divine, record-keeping judge, who sits on a heavenly throne demanding that we be punished for all our sins. Since we are not able to bear the divine wrath Jesus becomes our substitute by stepping in and enduring the punishment from God that we deserve. This punishing "Father God" carries out this sentence on the willing divine son. This strange theological claim enables us to sing of God's "amazing grace" saving a "wretch" like me.

It never seems to occur to the proponents of this theological twaddle that God just might exercise the divine power of forgiveness? Is that not what human parents would do with their wayward children? Would any one today call this punishing deity either moral or noble? Would we applaud parents who required the death of a surrogate before they would reach out to love and forgive their disobedient offspring? The church seems to confront us with an understanding of the cross that reduces God to a sadistic ogre or a punishing parent who delights in evening up the score. Who would want to worship this heavenly monster? This theory of atonement also reduces Jesus to being a hapless victim, perhaps even a masochistic one, who so enjoys suffering that he can hardly wait to mount his cross. Finally, this idea of salvation fills you and me with crippling guilt. We are said to be responsible for causing the death of Jesus. God required it, Jesus absorbed it and we are redeemed by it. These are the ideas that have traditionally shaped the Christian view of salvation. If that is what Christianity is, then please deliver me from this demonic religion! I do not believe in the God that this theology assumes. I am not drawn to the Jesus that this theology reveals. I do not want to live under the burden of guilt that this theology creates. The reformation of Christianity, for which I deeply yearn, will have to address this crucial and serious concept that I believe distorts Christianity totally.

The reformation of Christianity, for which I deeply yearn, will have to address this crucial and serious concept that I believe distorts Christianity totally.

truth dancer wrote:Hi Roger...

Great quote!

Actually this point speaks to the core of my disbelief ... what is God?

All the historical issues, the dishonesty, the horrific practices, teachings, unusual doctrine... ALL of it pales in comparison to what this all says about God.

My thoughts as to what is good, decent, caring, compassionate, and loving are in conflict with the God as taught in the Bible and in the church.

~dancer~

I don't see how it is possible to reform it and leave out the core concepts of the belief. What would be left?

We are said to be responsible for causing the death of Jesus.

And to their words are added those of new generations, as foolish men crucify the Christ anew—for they modify His miracles, doubt His divinity, and reject His Resurrection.

Gazelam wrote:According to the terms and conditions of the great plan of redemption, justice demands that a penalty be paid for every violation of the Lord's laws.

This necessarily must be so or this mortal existence could not fulfill its purpose as a probationary and preparatory state.

Since mortal man is on probation to prepare himself for eternity, and since he is endowed with the great gift of free agency, it follows that he must be held accountable for his disobedience. otherwise this sphere of existence would not provide the test nor give the experience which would qualify him to return to the presence of God hereafter.

Alma 42, D&C 88:40, 2 Nephi 2

Tommy wrote:Brother Morrison,

I'm somewhat troubled at the words you have offered us today. You wrote,

We are said to be responsible for causing the death of Jesus.

We are in fact responsible collectively, but individually only insofar as we personally rebel against his doctrines. It was once said by a prophet of God,

And to their words are added those of new generations, as foolish men crucify the Christ anew—for they modify His miracles, doubt His divinity, and reject His Resurrection.

http://www.LDS.org/conference/talk/disp ... -9,00.html

Are you, Brother Morrison, doubting his miracles, his divinity, or rejecting his resurrection? Changing the literalness of Christ's ministry into merely a self-help metaphor sets the nail to His hand.

Are you, Brother Morrison, doubting his miracles, Yes his divinity, Yesor rejecting his resurrection? YesChanging the literalness of Christ's ministry into merely a self-help RM: I think Christ was really into "SELF-HELP"--a personal responsibility to self AND others. His whole curriculum was one of hands-on-rationality--cause & effect.. metaphor sets the nail to His hand. Irrelevant bit of poetry??

Gazelam wrote:In answer to your questions, lets pull something from todays headlines. Well, how about two somethings.

1) Why all the fuss about wheter or not Paris Hilton should be in jail, and

2) Why all the fuss about whether or not illegal aliens should be given amnesty?