Its been a while. But this text I had to think about and work on. It comes as a response to reading the Old Jewish prophets and to the current debate about the world's religions. As stated earlier, I am interested in truth.
Truth
The Christian message of redemption, called the Good News, makes sense in the following context.
1. It is based on an account of history.
2. This account does not set forth God as good in a humanistic sense. He is free to choose whom He shows mercy, He foreknows who will respond to His mercy. He is not apologetic of this fact.
3. God is set forth as humanity’s maker.
He created man and all he is and does.
He as well created animals and plant life.
He created planet earth, its elements and the air that surrounds it.
He also created the vast universe.
Words do not suffice to speak of the complexity and grandeur of this creation. Only with advancements in science humanity begins to comprehend its scope more fully. The means of this comprehension as well are made by God.
4. Creation is not impacted by God alone.
There is a warfare in ‘the heavelies’ between God’s good angels and fallen evil angels.
God, in other words, has an enemy, which to date is not defeated.
This enemy rules creation.
5. The world was not originally created the way it is now.
Man, made in God’s image, with His characteristics, was given free will.
The world’s current conditions is the result of first wo/man’s decision, not to heed God’s command and warning concerning the knowledge of good and evil.
Their decision brought on the rulership of God’s enemy. With it man’s nature changed and he became mortal.
He now is under the rule of God’s enemy. His nature is marred. He is out of contact with His creator.
6. Centuries after this event God got involved with one man and one woman of His own choosing.
To their off-spring He commanded His law. Them He calls His own. He spoke to them and to all of humanity through prophets, foretelling his plans and intentions. We find an account of these events, a report of His people and of His words in a widely published book.
7. From these people a man was born, to whom a number of different prophets have witnessed in advance some several hundred years earlier.
God chose to reconcile humanity to Himself through this man. He offers reconciliation to all. None-the-less it is indicated and appearant that not all will respond to His offer.
8. Population on earth developes progressively. Knowledge unfolds continuously.
At the time of this man’s life, death and resurrection only a minute percentage of total world population was alive or had already lived and died. Only a small percentage of man’s knowledge was revealed.
9. God’s word foretells an end of this age and creation.
Considering present population developments it may well be that at the end the majority of human population on earth will live and witness this end.
10. A balance in humanity’s history appears to develop, which may very well center around this man’s life on earth.
In human history there are two lines of development. There is a time line and there is population growth. Each man is alotted a number of years within a given population development. Within the time line there is a conspicuous balance.
11. This man’s message centers on a new nature for all who want it.
It as well centers arounds the need for a new nature and a continuous renewal, for which He vouches until, in a new age, God’s enemy, temptation and evil will be done away with. Unlike this creation, into which man is born without being asked, men of the new creation will be there by their own will and choosing.
12. Those who come to Him He sets free from the bondage of a fallen nature.
As for their present life, He calls them the Salt of the Earth. As for life in a new creation He calls them His sons. Concerning that which He offers He says, "Why don't you come and take what I offer for free?"
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