Could somebody please sum these questions up for me? (Jesus Christ, priest)

[Hacker]

Hi,
I have a few questions that I find hard to accept as being understandable and logical in Christianity particularly the bible
1. Why did God ALLOW his only son to die on the cross (bruitally) for our sins, couldn't he have thought of another way for our sins to be forgiven? That seems a little harsh to me, but I'm willing to try to at least understand in my best possible way (by the way, i'm not VERY educated about religions, just a few)
2. How could God, allow himself to punish those who sinned, which the bible refers to him saying "shall be put to death", for things like working on Sunday (forget which verse.)
3. If reincarnation can't be proven in today's bible, then why was it considered an integral part of Christianity way back in history? And if it doesn't exist, then how could a GOd that loves us so much send ANY of his childeren in a burning pit for eternity(MANY references in the bible pertaining to that), for not accepting Christ. I know it's not DIFFICULT to accept him out of this much fear but is this really logical(i will admit, fear part of the reason why I'm questioning this AND my logic won't rest with it.
And if a very educated christian could....I would appreciate a nice condenced EASY understanding of the MAIN concept in regards to christianity...like what is salvation(I grew up Catholic but still don't get it), what is the meaning behind Christ having to die for our sins? Thank you and I'm sorry if I seem hypocritical, and I do respect Christ and can easily accept him, but I just can't seem to grasp some of the quotes pertaining to and angry and vengeful God. Thanks!

[Super Universe]

I consider myself a Christian but the following replies are not mainstream Christianity:

1. God created the universe for free will. Why would He not allow His Son to make this choice? Don't worship the human body, no human lives forever. Jesus did not die for our sins, we have always been forgiven.

2. God has never punished anyone. Free will and punishment do not go together. Those terrible things that the Old Testament writers blamed God for were simply things that the people had no understanding of so they wrote them down as acts of God. Even today we still have the saying but does anyone believe that God still sends storms or causes the ground to shake?

3. There is no hell. Why would God create such a place? There truly is nothing to be afraid of. Live and experience everything you can. Learn and grow.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by tlcmel

Hi,
I have a few questions that I find hard to accept as being understandable and logical in Christianity particularly the bible

Hi, ticmel.

Well, I can't speak on behalf of all Christians, but I'll give you my take on these questions.

1. Why did God ALLOW his only son to die on the cross (bruitally) for our sins, couldn't he have thought of another way for our sins to be forgiven? That seems a little harsh to me, but I'm willing to try to at least understand in my best possible way (by the way, i'm not VERY educated about religions, just a few)

In a nutshell, God gave mankind a law: Obey my commandments -- all of them, all of the time. He outlined (in advance) the consequences for disobedience: Permanent separation from Him. Once a debt is incurred (i.e. a sin has been committed), payment for that debt is required. The debt need not (and cannot, in fact) be paid by the person who incurred it, but must be repaid by someone who is without sin and is therefore worthy to atone for the sins of others. There was only one individual who met the requirement: Jesus Christ. In other words, it is impossible to "be perfect" once you've sinned and perfection is required. I like to think of it this way: What is the sum of a finite, negative number (i.e. my sins) and an infinite, positive number (i.e. Christ's perfection)? It's infinity, of course. Alone, I am a sinner. But when I have entered into a covenant relationship with Him, I am "perfect" in Him.

2. How could God, allow himself to punish those who sinned, which the bible refers to him saying "shall be put to death", for things like working on Sunday (forget which verse.)

If He were to be inconsistent in punishing those who disobey, He would no longer be God. But the fact that He allowed His Only Begotten Son to accept the punishment on our behalf, we will not be punished if we repent.

3. If reincarnation can't be proven in today's bible, then why was it considered an integral part of Christianity way back in history? And if it doesn't exist, then how could a GOd that loves us so much send ANY of his childeren in a burning pit for eternity(MANY references in the bible pertaining to that), for not accepting Christ. I know it's not DIFFICULT to accept him out of this much fear but is this really logical(i will admit, fear part of the reason why I'm questioning this AND my logic won't rest with it.

You're going to have to explain this further. I don't believe in reincarnation, but I don't believe that He's going to condemn anyone to a burning pit for eternity either.

And if a very educated christian could....I would appreciate a nice condenced EASY understanding of the MAIN concept in regards to christianity...like what is salvation(I grew up Catholic but still don't get it), what is the meaning behind Christ having to die for our sins? Thank you and I'm sorry if I seem hypocritical, and I do respect Christ and can easily accept him, but I just can't seem to grasp some of the quotes pertaining to and angry and vengeful God. Thanks!

The point you've missed is that not all Christians believe these things. There is a wide range of opinions between Christians on all of these topics.

[Snowbear]

Originally Posted by tlcmel

I have a few questions...

I can TRY to answer.... but I'll also back up my words from the Bible...

Originally Posted by tlcmel

1. Why did God ALLOW his only son to die on the cross (brutally) for our sins, couldn't he have thought of another way for our sins to be forgiven? That seems a little harsh to me...

Because someone has to pay the consequences...

God said the penalty for sin (ANY sin), is death... as in eternal, spiritual death...

1Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, even as through one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed on all men inasmuch as all sinned:
13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14 But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is the type of Him who was to come;

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, the small and the great, stand before God. And books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead in it. And death and hell delivered up the dead in them. And each one of them was judged according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death.
15 And if anyone was not found having been written in the Book of Life, he was cast into the Lake of Fire.

So - anyone who has been found to have sinned will be punished for it... eternal death.

Every single one of us has and will sin...

James 1:14 But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them.
15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death.

... so unless someone without sin pays the price, each one of us will have to pay it for ourselves.

But because God Loves each one of us so much...

John 13:1 And before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come when He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own in the world, He loved them to the end.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

...that as Jesus (a Man totally without sin)...

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
...

14 And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth.

...He took all of mankind's sin upon Himself and paid the penalty for it, even to the point of being forsaken by God the Father for it...

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? (which being translated is, My God, My God, why did You forsake Me?)

John 19:30 Then when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.

Here is a link to an essay that explains this, if you're interested.

BUT - Jesus didn't stay dead. He conquered eternal spiritual death by His resurrection...

Mark 16:6 And he said to them, Do not be frightened. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen, He is not here. Behold the place where they laid Him.

... and in doing so, assured that all who believe in Him will be resurrected into eternal life as well...

1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has regenerated us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in Heaven for you

John 10:28 And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1Corinthians 15:20 But now Christ has risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruit of those who slept.
21 For since death is through man, the resurrection of the dead also is through a Man.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive.

Originally Posted by tlcmel

2. How could God, allow himself to punish those who sinned, which the bible refers to him saying "shall be put to death", for things like working on Sunday (forget which verse.)

See below....

Originally Posted by tlcmel

3. If reincarnation can't be proven in today's bible, then why was it considered an integral part of Christianity way back in history?

Huh? As you noted, this is not Biblical. Can you link to a source of this?

Originally Posted by tlcmel

... how could a GOd that loves us so much send ANY of his childeren in a burning pit for eternity(MANY references in the bible pertaining to that), for not accepting Christ. I know it's not DIFFICULT to accept him out of this much fear but is this really logical(i will admit, fear part of the reason why I'm questioning this AND my logic won't rest with it.

Well, on the day of judgement, all will be held accountable for their actions.

Romans 2:8 But to those who indeed disobeying the truth out of self-seeking, and obeying unrighteousness, will be anger and wrath,
9 tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man who has worked out evil; of the Jew first, and also of the Greek.
10 But He will give glory, honor and peace to every man who works good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
11 For there is no respect of faces with God.
12 For as many as sinned without Law will also perish without Law. And as many as have sinned within Law shall be judged through Law.

Those who have accepted the free Gift of Life have already had that condemnation paid for by Jesus. God does not DESIRE that any should perish...

2Peter 3:7 But the present heavens and the earth being kept in store by the same Word, are being kept for fire until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, let not this one thing be hidden from you, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Salvation is available to every person. But He also gave us free will. So it's each of us who chooses either eternal Life or eternal Death.

John 3:14 But even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
15 so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.
18 He who believes on Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

FWIW ~ I did not accept Christ out of fear, but because of His Love for me.... and His assurance of forgiveness for things I can't even forgive myself for.

Originally Posted by tlcmel

And if a very educated christian could....

That rules me out

Originally Posted by tlcmel

....I would appreciate a nice condenced EASY understanding of the MAIN concept in regards to christianity...like what is salvation....

Paul summed it up pretty good...

2Corinthians 5:17 So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
18 And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 whereas God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and putting the word of reconciliation in us.

In other words (mine ) when you, I, Katz, Super U. or anyone accepts Jesus' free gift of forgiveness (as in washed clean, sin forgotten, buried, never happened!), we are reconciled, made new, perfected in God's eyes.... completely set free from the sins we have and will yet commit.

Jesus is the ONLY one who can grant that salvation. Not a church, religion, prophet, priest, bishop ... No-one ...

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

[PureX]

Originally Posted by tlcmel

1. Why did God ALLOW his only son to die on the cross (bruitally) for our sins, couldn't he have thought of another way for our sins to be forgiven?

Jesus didn't die for our sins, he died because of them. And he forgave us for them even as we tortured and murdered him.

Originally Posted by tlcmel

2. How could God, allow himself to punish those who sinned, which the bible refers to him saying "shall be put to death", for things like working on Sunday?

Those were the "old rules". When Jesus came he gave us a new command: to love God with all our hearts and to love each other as we love ourselves. As long as we do this, God's will is fulfilled, and you needn't concern yourself with the old religious rules.

Originally Posted by tlcmel

3. If reincarnation can't be proven in today's bible, then why was it considered an integral part of Christianity way back in history? And if it doesn't exist, then how could a GOd that loves us so much send ANY of his childeren in a burning pit for eternity(MANY references in the bible pertaining to that), for not accepting Christ.

God doesn't send anyone to hell. God has forgiven everyone for everything even before we existed. We are told, however, that "with the forgiveness you forgive others, so shall you be forgiven". Conversely, I would assume this means that if we don't learn to forgive others in this life, then we will not be able to forgive ourselves when this life is over and we can finally see truly who and what we have been. Thus we will condemn ourselves in the end, when we can finally see ourselves as we really are. However, if we have learned the practice of forgiveness, by practicing it in our lives here on Earth, we will be able to forgive ourselves when the time comes that our lives here are over, and our eyes are opened to who we really have been. I believe that "hell" is a self-imposed state of loathing brought on by our own inability and unwillingness to forgive.

As to reincarnation, all that does is prolong the situation by spreading it out over many lives, instead of just one. So I don't give it much thought, really.

Originally Posted by tlcmel

I know it's not DIFFICULT to accept him out of this much fear but is this really logical(i will admit, fear part of the reason why I'm questioning this AND my logic won't rest with it.

You have nothing at all to fear. God loves you unconditionally, has forgiven you for everything even before you existed, and will never condemn you.

All that's left to you now is to decide how you will respond to this gift of God's love. Will you revel in it, enjoy it, and share it with others as Jesus commanded? Or will you ignore it and go on with life feeling alone, and finding meaning only in the endless pursuit of personal desires?

Originally Posted by tlcmel

I do respect Christ and can easily accept him, but I just can't seem to grasp some of the quotes pertaining to and angry and vengeful God.

Ignore them. Christ is all that matters. And Christ is God's love "made flesh", meaning in human form. That's your form, and my form. God's love lives in us, and is expressed by our loving each other. That's all there is to it. The other stuff you've heard is just religion trying to make itself into something it's not. I find it's best to just ignore it.

[Hacker]

Thank you all so much for the replies!

Now, I still just can't seem to grasp why God denotes that paying the price for a sin requires some kind of death! Yikes!! Couldn't he just allowed us to repent without having his son to go through such torment? It sounds to me like whoever wrote the Bible was putting fear in those so they can follow his religion, because it's filled with so many quotes that make it SO obvious that..if you don't become Christian then guess what? You'll BURN, whoever wrote that bible(remember the Bible is man made) is one SICK pup, SICK!!! I hope the coming of CHrist happens soon because we need the truth. And before Christ, did everyone go to hell? Hmmmmm, can't grasp it and I guess I never will thanks folks! ANd to blame some devil when GOd is powerful enough to just get rid of him sounds like some fairy tale to me! And if we are created in his image, then why would sin be of such a concern? It's just not logical at all, I think people just go along with it because of all of the fear incorporated into this Holy(yah right) bible!! I just get to angry to talk about it, I guess I'll believe what I want to believe. NO wonder there is so much violence and confusion today, look at what our supposed moral code(the bible) represents! SICK!! I can't seem to read the bible cause I get this sick feeling everytime because of SOME of the things I read. I want to accept everthing that is said in the bible so bad, but these questions continue to haunt me. And no it's not the Devil because I've been doing some intense praying to Jesus and GOd(because Jesus prayed to God)for the truth that will shed some light and ultimately comfort. SOrry but this is just how I feel and it's so sad.

[Super Universe]

Christ already came to the earth once. There are pages and pages of His teachings. What more do you need?

You cannot resolve why the Old Testament and the New Testament disagree? One promotes an eye for an eye while the other preaches forgiveness. Both cannot be true. Decide for yourself which you will follow.

Do you think this is a difficult decision for God? Harm life or give endless mercy?

You think all this confusion was created by God or Jesus? It was created by man who refused to accept revelation. Men could not just forget their old tribal ways of animal sacrifice and so they wrote it into the Old Testament. Man installed an eye for an eye into the Old Testament. Ancient man did not understand meteors so they say that God sent fireballs from the sky. They did not understand the cause of drought and plague so they blamed it on God. God has never done these things.

It's up to you to decide because only you are responsible for your beliefs.