Post by lovelace on Feb 1, 2006 9:08:08 GMT -5
Question: "Why is Christianity such a bloody religion?"
Answer: Hebrews 9:16-22 and Hebrews 12:24 seem to associate the shedding of blood with death. Elsewhere this association between the shedding of blood and the death of an individual or animal is repeatedly stated (Genesis 9:4-5; Leviticus 17:11,14; Deuteronomy 12:23; 19:6; Ezekiel 3:18; John 6:53-54).
Obviously, it is possible to kill someone without shedding his blood, but it is also obvious that if one loses enough blood, he will die. Perhaps God ties the two together in the Old Testament sacrifices because the visible shedding of the blood is a clear indication of death (whereas if something is strangled or hit on the head, it is not readily evident whether it is dead or merely unconscious). Perhaps also God uses the shedding of blood because the blood can then be sprinkled or applied as was done in the Old Testament, both at the Passover and at giving of the law, and at other times in order to associate the death of the sacrifice with other individuals, thus as it were imparting the effects of that death on those still living. But I am speculating.
As far as Christianity being a bloody religion, it is. But it is uniquely a bloody religion. Contrary to bloodless religions, it takes sin seriously, indicating that God takes sin seriously, and gives a death penalty for it. Sin is not a small matter. It is the simple sin of pride that turned Lucifer into a demon. It was the simple sin of jealousy that caused Cain to slay Abel, etc. And in Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, they believed the deceiver over a good and loving God, choosing to rebel against His love and denying the goodness of His character. Christianity is a bloody religion because it views sin as a holy God views it...seriously.
Also, because God is just, sin requires a penalty. God cannot merely forgive in mercy until the demands of justice have been met. Thus the need for a sacrifice before forgiveness is possible. The shedding of the blood of animals, as Hebrews points out, could only "cover" sin for a time (Hebrews 10:4) until the intended and sufficient sacrifice was made in Christ's atoning death. Thus, Christianity is different from other bloody religions in that it alone provides a sufficient sacrifice to take care of the sin problem.
Lastly, although Christianity is a bloody sacrifice in these regards, it is the only religion that is bloodless in the end. The opposite of death is life. In Jesus' death, He brought life as is shown in so many verses. And in trusting Christ and His atoning sacrifice for one's sins, one is saved from death and has passed into life (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14). In Him is life. All other paths lead to death (Acts 4:16; John 14:6, etc.). Tell me, then, in light of these things, is Christianity truly the bloody religion or are those that promise life but lead to death because they can do nothing to get rid of the sin problem with its penalty?
Answer: Hebrews 9:16-22 and Hebrews 12:24 seem to associate the shedding of blood with death. Elsewhere this association between the shedding of blood and the death of an individual or animal is repeatedly stated (Genesis 9:4-5; Leviticus 17:11,14; Deuteronomy 12:23; 19:6; Ezekiel 3:18; John 6:53-54).
Obviously, it is possible to kill someone without shedding his blood, but it is also obvious that if one loses enough blood, he will die. Perhaps God ties the two together in the Old Testament sacrifices because the visible shedding of the blood is a clear indication of death (whereas if something is strangled or hit on the head, it is not readily evident whether it is dead or merely unconscious). Perhaps also God uses the shedding of blood because the blood can then be sprinkled or applied as was done in the Old Testament, both at the Passover and at giving of the law, and at other times in order to associate the death of the sacrifice with other individuals, thus as it were imparting the effects of that death on those still living. But I am speculating.
As far as Christianity being a bloody religion, it is. But it is uniquely a bloody religion. Contrary to bloodless religions, it takes sin seriously, indicating that God takes sin seriously, and gives a death penalty for it. Sin is not a small matter. It is the simple sin of pride that turned Lucifer into a demon. It was the simple sin of jealousy that caused Cain to slay Abel, etc. And in Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, they believed the deceiver over a good and loving God, choosing to rebel against His love and denying the goodness of His character. Christianity is a bloody religion because it views sin as a holy God views it...seriously.
Also, because God is just, sin requires a penalty. God cannot merely forgive in mercy until the demands of justice have been met. Thus the need for a sacrifice before forgiveness is possible. The shedding of the blood of animals, as Hebrews points out, could only "cover" sin for a time (Hebrews 10:4) until the intended and sufficient sacrifice was made in Christ's atoning death. Thus, Christianity is different from other bloody religions in that it alone provides a sufficient sacrifice to take care of the sin problem.
Lastly, although Christianity is a bloody sacrifice in these regards, it is the only religion that is bloodless in the end. The opposite of death is life. In Jesus' death, He brought life as is shown in so many verses. And in trusting Christ and His atoning sacrifice for one's sins, one is saved from death and has passed into life (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14). In Him is life. All other paths lead to death (Acts 4:16; John 14:6, etc.). Tell me, then, in light of these things, is Christianity truly the bloody religion or are those that promise life but lead to death because they can do nothing to get rid of the sin problem with its penalty?
