Considering converting to Catholicism but have doubts about Jesus

[WinterSunrise]

I was an atheist but now I’m finding classical theism to be convincing. However, I have a doubt about Catholicism that I’m hoping can be cleared up since I hope Catholicism is true.

Catholicism teaches that in order for the law to be perfectly fulfilled God the Son took on a human nature in the incarnation. However, human nature is intrinsically imperfect due to being actualised potential, even if Jesus lacked Original Sin. It can’t simply be that the Son’s divine nature pulled the human nature around to finish the actions of the human nature, as the law has to be obeyed by a human. So how could the law be perfectly fulfilled?

Help?

 

[JerryZ]

Ahh but Jesus who is fully human is also fully GOD.
So HIS sacrifice could atone for the sins of all. Past, present and future of all the human race.
The caveat is, one needs to acknowledge the sacrifice otherwise the salvation will not affect me. In other words we can be saved from an eternal life of separation from GOD IF we accept the sacrifice that Jesus offered for us and this is on a very personal level. Lest any one think that Jesus will save everybody just because HE can and wants.
Also human nature is NOT intrinsically imperfect. It became imperfect as the result of sin which separated us from the love of GOD.

Peace!

 

[1ke]

I suggest the book Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed.

 

[CaptainPrudeman]

I suggest the book Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed.

An excellent book that I couldn’t recommend enough. Very helpful for my own theological journey.

 

[Vico]

I was an atheist but now I’m finding classical theism to be convincing. However, I have a doubt about Catholicism that I’m hoping can be cleared up since I hope Catholicism is true.

Catholicism teaches that in order for the law to be perfectly fulfilled God the Son took on a human nature in the incarnation. However, human nature is intrinsically imperfect due to being actualised potential, even if Jesus lacked Original Sin. It can’t simply be that the Son’s divine nature pulled the human nature around to finish the actions of the human nature, as the law has to be obeyed by a human. So how could the law be perfectly fulfilled?

Help?

Adam and Eve were given supernatural grace in addition to human nature which made it possible to remain just if it was freely willed. Supernatural grace was also present at the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

 

[lwest]

One important thing about believing in God and trying our best to follow the Catholic faith (which is true, btw), is recognizing our own limitations…our own littleness…and acknowledging the all powerful, all knowing God. God’s ways are above our ways. A 2 year old can’t possible comprehend everything the parents do or say but the 2 year old trusts the parents (or should be able to trust the parents) to always do what’s best for him. That’s our relationship with God. The Incarnation is a great mystery and we accept it as such even if we don’t understand every little aspect of it. We can ask to understand more deeply in prayer and God can enlighten our hearts if He wants. That’s the beauty of prayer.

 

[Dan_Defender]

On the contrary, God knows better than us. To incarnate is a stroke of genius, the best interface to interact with sinful humans. To be a perfect example for us, to conquer death and to show what the resurrection will be like. To inspire faith and hope.

 

[WinterSunrise]

1ke:

I suggest the book Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed.

An excellent book that I couldn’t recommend enough. Very helpful for my own theological journey.

I read some of Theology For Beginners that relates to my question, and it helps.

It says how acts are done not by Jesus’ human nature but by the person. It had me consider how Jesus in the gospels forgives sins and does miracles by his own power.

So it wasn’t the human nature who would have fulfilled the law perfectly but rather the person.

 

[bpd_stl]

I’d suggest reading the Letter to the Hebrews. This will answer some of your questions raised here.

 

[Diaconia]

The person of Jesus is not 50% human and 50% divine - He’s 100% of both, simultaneously. Hypostatic union, fully divine and fully human.

However, when the Logos became man he willingly and of his own decision, emptied Himself (kenosis) to take on the form of a slave. Jesus voluntarily assumed full humanity and did not draw on his divine power to escape pain, etc.

He was truly angry when he drove the moneychangers from the Temple. He truly wept at the death of Lazarus. He truly suffered agony so profound in Gethsemane that he sweat blood. And he truly felt every stroke of the flagellum, every thorn in his crown and the exquisite pain of the nails through his hands/wrists.

That’s how much your God loves you,
Deacon Christopher