Dear Fran - To keep with this thread this is something I could consider strange about Catholicism and for this reason.
I of course appreciate you consider Jesus was the Last sacrifice, it may be worth considering that history has recorded a few more since then and apart from One which mirrored Jesus the Christs Sacrifice to save us from Sin (Bab), two others covered 23 years (Muhammad) and 40 years (Baha’u’llah) of Sacrificing all for the Knowledge and Love of God. Each of these messages were revealed for us to consider that we must consider the
message was to turn us from our ways, and there was more to come…"so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Would you also not find it strange then, that an event has been recorded that mirrored the events of Christs Life and Message and had much the same result in people embracing Gods Word, that people would be able to place no importance on one and put all importance on another without the least hesitation, question or research?
I acknowledge that God does not make mistakes
what history has taught us is that it takes time for us to understand what is from God and what may not be!
Regards Tony
Good morning Tony,
Jesus being the last sacrifice is not only strange to Catholicism, it’s also strange to all of christianity.
Even though His sacrifice may be seen in slightly different variations of truth, we christians all agree that it was the last sacrifice. For instance, one belief is that He died for love. He loved us so much that He was an example in life and an example in death. He was willing to go to His death for the Love of God and man.
Another variation is that He died as expiation for our sins, to redeem us from the stronghold of satan, to cover for our sins and to be our protector in the eyes of God since we are sinful by nature and can not stand in the presence of such a perfect being as God. So when God sees us, He sees His son whom we follow instead of our sinful soul.
I prefer the second. We bring our experiences and preconceived notions with us wherever we go. After all my studying and reading and listening I’ve decided that it cannot be the first way because it would reduce Jesus to being like Buddha - a man who wants to teach us to be nice - and I think He is God so that idea would not work for me.
I know what you’re talking about. Many others have sacrificed for their faith, not only the ones you mention, including Baha’u’llah. What about St. Joan of Arch? Tyndale was burned at the stake for printing the bible in English. Now, you’ll say that Baha’u’llah’ was in a different category and I’d have to agree. The problem you’re going to have with Christians is that we believe Jesus was God incarnate. Which is different from how you see Him as The Light.
We understand that God Himself, as Jesus, became a man specifically to forgive us our sins. The other Lights came to reveal God to us and teach us how to live a Godly life. Am I wrong about this? I believe you do state this above. Their death, or sacrifice for their faith, was a result not a reason. Jesus was also a Light, but His primary reason for living was to sacrifice Himself - He was the Lamb of God as in Exodus 11, 12. He saves us from the “plague”, by offering His blood, which must be put “around the door post” or around us.
People who believe they have found the truth, are not going to be doing any research on other revealers of the Light. Especially when they are having problems even admitting that other persons outside the christian faith might be saved! I used to have a friend many years ago who was adamant about the fact that only believers in Jesus were making it to heaven. I’d ask her, But what if they can’t know Him? And she’d say flat out they couldn’t go to be with God. As I’m sure you know, I think this is nonsense. I mean, how small do we want to make God anyway?
So yes, they would believe they have found THE Light and none other is necessary. Does this explain? Catholics and christians in general are taught not to belittle other religions and to have respect for them. But then, of course, it’s up to each individual person to bring their understanding to this.
I’d be interested in understanding what you mean by:
"…message was to turn us from our ways, and there was more to come…"so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Why do you think Jesus is coming back a second time? What do you mean by Apart From Sin, Salvation?
God is Love
Fran
