cosmic Christ

[acemona]

What is the general take on this?

 

As a Christian I believe that God's complete revelation of God's self has come by way of Jesus Christ, that in some unique way, beyond explanation, God has manifested God's self in the person of Jesus, who is the Christ, the Lord. Do I believe that for people who never have the opportunity to know Christ, or because of birth and circumstances beyond their control, and are immersed in other religious traditions--can they know God in a transformational way? Yes I do. I believe that Jesus is the way that leads to truth and life, and through him we have a special relationship to God, but I also believe he is the cosmic Christ, who can be present to people who address him and know him by a different name.

 

This is quoted from a friend of mine - just getting your thoughts. I have a hard time disagreeing.

[ladiesbballcoach]

There is a Scripture that indicates that every person knows God in their hearts. Whether they choose to follow the life he asks of them is the question.

 

The idea that God will save everyone is an idea I hope is true. Just don't see that view being supported in Scripture. And if I am going to err on either what I WANT to be true and what I SEE in Scripture to be true, I will go the Scripture route.

[Hearsay]

If the intent of the statement was to suggest a "Cosmic Christ" that manifests Himself differently to people of all different backgrounds, creeds, and religions, such that everyone will go to Heaven, I think it ignores the following:

 

1. If everyone is saved, what was the point of Christ dying on the cross?

2. Jesus the Nazarene was a REAL person, not a nebulous concept, who lived, breathed, bled, and died. A routinely underestimated fact.

3. The most difficult concept for people to grasp is that there IS a Hell, and that those who fail to believe in Him are going there.

[Alabama Larry]

John 14:6 is pretty clear how we get to the Father.

 

A person has to be a believer of Christ, and once they are they will obey him and his teachings.

 

Jesus Christ will judge every man and Women.

 

Man looks at the outward apperance, God looks at the heart.

 

We cannot question God, we are just his creation, he is the Potter, we are the clay.

 

"All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age".

[acemona]

I think the question is really -

 

Can Christ make himself known to people of different backgrounds who have not had the benefit of hearing the scripture?

 

If not - then why allow someone to even be born if they are going to hell b/c they never hear the word?

 

Are all of the people from the outback they never had missionaries visit and the people from the inner parts of Africa that passed before missionaries visited doomed to hell?

 

Sounds like an awfully harsh God, does it not.

[acemona]

John 14:6 is pretty clear how we get to the Father.

 

A person has to be a believer of Christ, and once they are they will obey him and his teachings.

 

Jesus Christ will judge every man and Women.

 

Man looks at the outward apperance, God looks at the heart.

 

We cannot question God, we are just his creation, he is the Potter, we are the clay.

 

"All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age".

 

Kind of an off topic question, and someone may want to move it but . . . Why does Jesus need to come back if he is with us already?

[ladiesbballcoach]

Alright let me give you a Scripture that will muddle everything up......

 

1 Peter 3 18-20

 

18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom[d] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

[acemona]

Col 1:19 ff

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself ALL things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds becasue of your evil behavior. Be now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation if you continue in your faith, established and frim, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and THAT HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED TO EVERY CREATURE UNDER HEAVEN, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

 

Now we now not everyone has heard the new testament preached, so how is the gospel proclaimed to them?

[ladiesbballcoach]

Kind of an off topic question, and someone may want to move it but . . . Why does Jesus need to come back if he is with us already?

When Jesus comes back the second time he comes back as a warrior ready to deal justice. First time he came to deal salvation. Second time, you doesn't want to be messing with Jesus.

[acemona]

Alright let me give you a Scripture that will muddle everything up......

 

1 Peter 3 18-20

 

18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom[d] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

 

ooh, good one - I don't know what to do with that.

[ladiesbballcoach]

Col 1:19 ff

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself ALL things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds becasue of your evil behavior. Be now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation if you continue in your faith, established and frim, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and THAT HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED TO EVERY CREATURE UNDER HEAVEN, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

 

Now we now not everyone has heard the new testament preached, so how is the gospel proclaimed to them?

 

Romans 2:14-16 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

 

 

14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

 

I have been told that these Scripture speaks to those who have not had the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But once you hear the Gospel, you have two choices, a)choose Jesus or b)reject Jesus. The above Scripture no longer applies to.

[acemona]

When Jesus comes back the second time he comes back as a warrior ready to deal justice. First time he came to deal salvation. Second time, you doesn't want to be messing with Jesus.

 

 

But the verse cited above my post says that Jesus says "I am with you, even unto the end of the age".

[ladiesbballcoach]

ooh, good one - I don't know what to do with that.

We didn't either. Spent a long time discussing it with not getting any true place.

[ladiesbballcoach]

But the verse cited above my post says that Jesus says "I am with you, even unto the end of the age".

I would assume the you is his followers. Doesn't he come back to gather up his followers and then deal with the minions of Satan and the unbelievers.

[acemona]

Romans 2:14-16 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

 

 

14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

 

I have been told that these Scripture speaks to those who have not had the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But once you hear the Gospel, you have two choices, a)choose Jesus or b)reject Jesus. The above Scripture no longer applies to.

 

Does this mean that Muslims who have never heard the scripture have to opportunity to go to heaven?

 

You know what you are stating is pretty radical.