Derf
Well-known member
I'm just trying to think this thing through. I'm inclined toward the open view of the future, but in some cases it tends to wrap back around toward something that looks Calvinistic. For example, Adam and Eve in the garden...
Here's my scenario. God decides to create a being that can reproduce that can have relationship with Him. To do so, man has to be able to reject Him, because a love that is forced is no love at all. Recognizing this, God knows that at least some men will succumb and will reject him. Probably a lot will. So He sets up a way to save the world He plans to make. Since rejecting the God (or disobeying Him--"if you love me, keep my commandments") who holds the universe together results in rejecting Him holding you together, death is the result.
To save a disobedient man from death, requires a death. I don't know why, but apparently that's the rule God applies to all. So assuming this universal rule, I can see how God would put in place a plan for His own son to die to save those who reject Him/His commands.
Here's the rub: it seems that the only way for God's Son's death to be effective is for His Son to become one of the race that sinned (again, I don't know why this rule is in play, but it seems to be so). If, then God's Son--His ONLY Son--needs to 1) be a part of the race of those He intends to save, and 2) needs to die once and never again, then He's limited in how many He can save UNLESS...
Here's my scenario. God decides to create a being that can reproduce that can have relationship with Him. To do so, man has to be able to reject Him, because a love that is forced is no love at all. Recognizing this, God knows that at least some men will succumb and will reject him. Probably a lot will. So He sets up a way to save the world He plans to make. Since rejecting the God (or disobeying Him--"if you love me, keep my commandments") who holds the universe together results in rejecting Him holding you together, death is the result.
To save a disobedient man from death, requires a death. I don't know why, but apparently that's the rule God applies to all. So assuming this universal rule, I can see how God would put in place a plan for His own son to die to save those who reject Him/His commands.
Here's the rub: it seems that the only way for God's Son's death to be effective is for His Son to become one of the race that sinned (again, I don't know why this rule is in play, but it seems to be so). If, then God's Son--His ONLY Son--needs to 1) be a part of the race of those He intends to save, and 2) needs to die once and never again, then He's limited in how many He can save UNLESS...