The Reformers and the Eucharist

Dorothea · #**101** 2nd June 2011, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by mark1

By His death, Jesus removed the huge burden of the wages of sin that we carry as humans. Upon our acceptance, He removed that which separates us from God, our human nature and the system of the wages of sin. This death allows us to move into a deeper relationship with God each day, as we continue on our pilgrim walk. Jesus has allowed restoration of the relationship of the Garden, and even better, given that we have matured and have more knowledge than Adam and Eve.

By his resurrection, Jesus conquered death, allowing his family eternal life with God.
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No victim, no ransom to the devil, no ransom to God, no legalistic serving of a penalty! Rather we have a loving gift of restoration and eternal life. Rather we have God calling us back to realtionshipn with Him.
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Perhaps it makes no difference whether we think of Jesus as dying as victim (and ransom payment) to a wrathful God. I think that such a view greatly diminshes both our view of Jesus and of God, and of mankind. This view is certainly a view of Gid created in man's image, and therefore understandable and somewhat comfortable. But, IMHO, this view is NOT that of the revelation of the God of Love.

IMHO, we are created in the image and likeness of God. We are the adopted children of God. We have a greatly damaged image. We are being called back to relationship.

Let us accept the gift freely given fom Jesus!

Glory Be To God!

I agree, Mark. I think when you say that God voluntarily was a victim is an oxymoron. I don't see how you can voluntarily be a victim. A victim is one who does not wish to be killed. It happens without their knowledge or preparation of meeting their death.

And I agree that this teaching that came along much later in the Church from the West is not a good understanding of who God is.