Posted on 12/08/2004 7:27:47 AM PST by Rachel B ?s
God is one. Jesus is God. There's no need to be cryptic using the words mediator and ransom. God came to teach, not to ransom as in the usual meaning. The word ransom in the passage means consideration given. The consideration given was His efforts out of love, to come here to teach and demonstrate that Jesus, the man, would create the same Spirit as the Father within Him. God also looks upon sin and anything else He sees fit to.
Man was created in the image and likeness of God, body, soul and spirit. God's body, Jesus, did the teaching. "In Jesus" means the teachings, the holdings of God-the Holy Spirit- are internalized and held by you. His body is the "mediator" that conveyed knowledge of Himself - His Spirit. God is one, just as is each man with body, soul and spirit. Folks don't usually refer to their bodies as mediators between their souls and others. Here, it's just to illustrate the nature of man and God.
Rachel, I will not question your motive; however, will question the prejudiced presupposition contained within your question. In pursuit of understanding, prejudices one holds are often greater burdens to overcome than the burden of simple ignorance.
Regarding communication, if you accept the maxim: "seek first to understand and then to be understood" -which in essence implies more listening than speaking is required when seeking understanding. In matters of Truth this is especially important AS Truth is universal -not compromised AND not a result of debate...
Anyway, your question implies that God 'needs' something -by implication you suggest God does not have everything and further, God is not all powerful... The same can be argued regarding 'intermediaries'...
Regarding God, and understanding of Him -assuming the logic of the question you present sound and your apparent contradiction valid -what of this: Proof & disproof are not mutually exclusive.
If one considers all discussions and arguments by numerous intelligent luminaries and philosophers -both proponents and disclaimers over the thousands of years of human history... The conclusion is that no material conclusion can be made factually one way or the other...
This conclusion of inclusion is why Faith is necessary... True Faith is not a concept -Faith is action precipitated by decision at every moment... Faith discards prejudices and in this way predisposes one to gaining greater understanding -in Faith, it must always be Faith seeking Understanding... NOT understanding seeking Faith...
Why love, why the beautiful flower, why the intermediaries, why God...
You need an answer -are you sure it matters? Sometimes we can't know answers BUT we can still choose to love and be loved, smell the flowers AND enjoy the beauty all around us that God provides...
God doesn't need intermediaries, WE do. Read the Old Testament, God scared the crap out of Moses's people. Moses was the only one strong and brave enough to talk to Him.
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Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Viking Kitty/ZOT ping list!. . .don't be shy.
What are you doing up this early?
haha!
She never has been back. I can give you some bookmarked account names that were suspicious at the time and have been dormant for nearly a year...
I see that this is yet another Catholic-bashing hate thread, so you'll understand if I don't participate.
assuming the existence of a deity closely resembling that one described in the JudeoChristian tradition, for the argument: I believe the question is not so much whether this god NEEDS intermediaries as it is why does this god choose to act through or tolerate intermediaries.
answer: *shrugs*
that's ok - I smacked it with some Jesuitic reductionism.
Thinly veiled Catholic bashing post and run troll.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/user-posts?id=186561
I really hate trolls who attempt to use religion to drive a wedge between people.
K4
What are you doing up this early?hehe! It's the old "early to bed, early to rise" thang. :^D
I'm a new Grandpa
Congratulations!
She never has been back.Classic Troll behavior.
I can give you some bookmarked account names that were suspicious at the time and have been dormant for nearly a year...
Reckon they'll be back later on with more Troll posts?? I bet so .....
WTF?
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