Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Why did Jesus die, Giles Fraser?

Giles Fraser has written a commentary published in the London Guardian where he takes issue with that whole "Jesus died on the cross for our sins" thingy and illustrates in a rather stark and blatant way that the core divisions in the Anglican Communion are indeed profoundly theological.

"For too long, Christians have put up with a theory of salvation that has at its core the idea that God requires the sacrifice of his own son so that human sin can be cancelled," Giles Fraser complains. "The fact this is a disgusting idea, and morally degenerate, is obvious to all but those indoctrinated into a very narrow reading of the cross." "Disgusting" and "morally degenerate" Canon Fraser says of Christ's atonement. And anyone who disagrees with him, including "the present pope" and "evangelical Christians" is, well, "indoctrinated."

The yearly observance of Good Friday is such a cross to bear. In fact, it is.

For Giles Fraser, vicar of Putney - he says Holy Week observances "brings home to me quite how important it is for Christians to insist upon a non-sacrificial reading of the death of Christ."

Read it all here.

Then why did Jesus die?

3 comments:

Peter Carrell said...

Telegraph?

Unknown said...

What was I thinking???!!! It's fixed. Thanks, Peter!

bb

Anders Branderud said...

Hello!

You wrote: "For too long, Christians have put up with a theory of salvation that has at its core the idea that God requires the sacrifice of his own son so that human sin can be cancelled,"

I want to comment about atonement.

How to live in order to enable the Creator in His loving kindness to provide His foregivness is outlined in the Jewish Bible ; and was also taught by the first century Ribi Yehoshua from Nazareth (the Mashiakh; the Messiah).

You will find Ribi Yehoshuas teachings here: www.netzarim.co.il

Anders Branderud