I have been studying the history of the Orthodox Church and at the same time studying Lutheran doctrine. It is amazing to me that the last official Ecumenical Council was in 787 A.D. and the church fathers were still debating on the nature of Jesus even though it was supposed to have been settled at The First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Now 1,227 years later the debate continues as you can see in the beliefs of each faith tradition. The Christology of some faith traditions leads them to believe Christ's death covered everyone without any recognition or act on the part of the individual or world. But other faith traditions believe an individual must acknowledge what Christ did on the cross for them. The views taken from both groups say this belief comes from their understanding of the Holy Bible and at times they will sight the very same verses of scripture to back up their claims. This can lead to high blood pressure.
I could go into a lengthy dissertation but I am not teaching a course in seminary but I realize one can get so caught up in the window dressing of doctrines and miss the big picture right in front of them. The mystery of the cross and the whys associated with it may not be answered until we walk into the New Jerusalem. I do see a Savior who loved us beyond our human comprehension and so laid down His life for us lost sinners. Now whether that atoning God-initiated act brought salvation upon everyone past, present, and future regardless of their own individual belief or non-belief in what God did for them; or it takes also a man-initiated response to God's initiated act is an ancient conversation that leaves many in a quandary inside and outside the church to this day.
I myself tend to believe if you have the opportunity to respond to the Gospel (Good-News) then one is obligated to do so and even no response is a response within itself. I also can see in certain circumstances when a person or group of people do not have the opportunity to ever respond to the Gospel while here on earth then out of God's grace they are covered by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to hear the saving gospel message in the afterlife. In the big picture of Jesus Christ's Passion is the love and grace of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit redeeming humanity both individually and as a whole. Praise be to God for this gift.
I could go into a lengthy dissertation but I am not teaching a course in seminary but I realize one can get so caught up in the window dressing of doctrines and miss the big picture right in front of them. The mystery of the cross and the whys associated with it may not be answered until we walk into the New Jerusalem. I do see a Savior who loved us beyond our human comprehension and so laid down His life for us lost sinners. Now whether that atoning God-initiated act brought salvation upon everyone past, present, and future regardless of their own individual belief or non-belief in what God did for them; or it takes also a man-initiated response to God's initiated act is an ancient conversation that leaves many in a quandary inside and outside the church to this day.
I myself tend to believe if you have the opportunity to respond to the Gospel (Good-News) then one is obligated to do so and even no response is a response within itself. I also can see in certain circumstances when a person or group of people do not have the opportunity to ever respond to the Gospel while here on earth then out of God's grace they are covered by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to hear the saving gospel message in the afterlife. In the big picture of Jesus Christ's Passion is the love and grace of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit redeeming humanity both individually and as a whole. Praise be to God for this gift.
Comments
Post a Comment
Be kind and gracious.