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In what sense is Christianity “the good thief” religion?




In what sense is Christianity “the good thief” religion?

The Gospel’s narrative is emotionally overpowering, as it claims Jesus was God’s true Passover lamb, who was sacrificed in order to redeem all men, regardless of their race. As is written: “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival… And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again”- 1 Corinthians 5: 7-8, & 2 Corinthians 5: 15 (New International Version).
What’s the problem with claiming Jesus to be the literal fulfillment of the Passover feast described in the Law? Well, the problem is that “the facts, don’t match the theory”. In other words, the gospel states that Jesus was killed in order to redeem all men, by the method of crucifixion, on an open mount (mount Calvary), and by murdering foreign soldiers (Romans) representing an enslaving regime. Finally, Jesus was supposedly raised from the grave on the third day, thereby making good his sacrifice.
But God’s Law tells otherwise, as it says by the third day the Passover lamb was already spoiled [so it could no longer be eaten by anybody]; it tells that the lamb’s throat had to be cut, and it’s body roasted over fire (not nailed to a cross, in order to be crucified); it tells that only the loving Hebrew parents could kill the lamb (and not any cruel, blood stained soldier from any oppressing regime); it tells that the lamb had to be sacrificed indoors (and not outdoors, nor upon any hill, as the latter would have been considered idolatry); and it finally tells that only the firstborn son of the Hebrew household’s would be redeemed by the lamb’s sacrifice (and not any other person from any other family, let alone other race).
Thus, the discrepancies between the two narratives are so great [and so many], that we could fairly say that the Christian claim of Jesus being “God’s Passover lamb” is an elaborated forgery; an ancient case of “identity theft”. On the other hand, we could also say that, if Christianity has stolen the Passover narrative, it’s theology can be considered to be that of “a good thief”; sort of like the person who steals someone’s else identity [or bears a false witness], in order to achieve what he [or she] considers to be a good and worthy goal (which for Christians would be to bring people into faith in Jesus).
And the pages of the Hebrew scripture are full of similar cases, were even good and noble people were tempted to do the same: Think of Sarah, pretending to be Abraham’s sister (in order to keep him safe from those who would lust after her); think of Tamar, pretending to be a harlot (in order avoid a childless death); think of Jacob, pretending to be Esau (in order to receive the firstborn blessing); think of Leah, pretending to be Rachel (in order to obey her father, and get married before her younger sister); think of Joseph, pretending to be a native Egyptian (in order to eavesdrop on his unsuspecting brothers); think of the Gibeonites, pretending to be members of a far away nation (in order to strike a peace deal with the unsuspecting Israelites).
So, although definitely a sinful behavior to be avoided by all true believers, to falsely impersonate someone else [or to bear a false witness] doesn’t necessarily means that you [or your religion] does not count with God’s favor, as “doing good” often means choosing the lesser of two evils. May the God of Abraham bless and guide all of our beloved Christian brothers!

 

Reformed Samaritans do not worship Jesus. Instead, they worship the God that Jesus himself worshipped (the Heavenly Father). And from whence do we know that Jesus also worshipped this God? We get it from the Christian writings, when they go on to say: " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ... " - 2 Corinthians 1: 3, King James Bible

 

 

Did Jesus [peace and blessings be upon him] really raise from the grave? Or was his resurrection instead the product of bold conjectures and speculation?

Although Christianity is noble and perfectly valid religion, we must admit that, when it comes to the subject of Jesus own resurrection, the Christian Writings are [at best] ambiguous.
In other words, if we pay close attention to the doctrine that, concerning the resurrection of the dead, is articulated by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15: 44, and 1 Corinthians 15: 50), we would have no other choice but to question the truthfulness of Jesus resurrection.
Why? Simply because Paul’s definition crashes against the Gospel description of the very nature of such event. You see, speaking about the resurrection, the former verses state the following: “ It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body... ”; and they also say, “... flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God... ”.
In other words, Paul claims that, after a person dies, what comes out of the grave isn’t a body of “flesh, bones, and blood”, but rather a spiritual body. But, against this interpretation, the Gospel quotes Jesus telling his disciples that he has risen in a body of “flesh and bones”. As is written: “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; touch me and see; because a spirit does not have flesh or bone, as you see that I have ” (Luke 24: 39).
In addition, the very Gospel states that, those who saw Jesus after his [alleged] resurrection were not completely sure if the person in front of them was actually Jesus [as he didn't physically look like him], or was instead someone speaking in Jesus name. As is written: “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And [though they did not physically recognize him] none of the disciples durst ask him, who art you? knowing [by conjecture] that it was the Lord ”- John 21: 12, King James Bible.
And this uncertainty concerning the identity of the person who claimed to be the resurrected Jesus lingered until the very end of the narrative, as some of the apostles still had doubts about the whole issue of resurrection. As is written: “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying... Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”- Matthew 28: 16-19, KJV.
But if the record of Jesus resurrection is so incoherent, why would “The New Testament” willingly include it in his pages? Well, the answer is quite simple [though known only by a chosen few]. You see, the Christian writings make extensive use of what ancient Roman politicians used to call, “the power of ambiguity”.
For example, while on one hand the New Testament claims that Jesus will come back soon («The one who bears witness to these things says, “ Yes, I’m coming soon ”»- Revelation 22: 20, Common English Bible); on the other hand it claims that, in the eyes of God, a thousand years are like one single day (“Don’t let it escape your notice, dear friends, that with the Lord a single day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a single day”- 2 Peter 3: 8).
So, when you confront any Christian believer with the fact that Jesus has failed to fulfill his promise of returning soon, the believer can always take advantage of this ambiguity, claiming that Jesus hasn’t really been delayed; as, “in the eyes of God”, the last 2000 years have been like 2 days! (a very short time!! ).
Thus, just as it happens with the campaign promises of a shrewd politician, the ambiguities purposely built into the New Testament give all Christian believers the “unlimited power” to prove [or disprove] almost anything he wants.
And the former explains why we are better off focusing on Moses Five books of Torah, as the theological content of these books is clear, and unambiguous; teaching us that there’s only one God [not a Trinity]; a Just and merciful Being who wants His people to strive on the path of goodness; A fair God, who rewards us whenever we do the good described by His commandments, while punishing us whenever we stray away from the path [without resolving to repent and return].
So, no gimmicks, no Monday morning quarterbacking, and no mental gymnastics are required in order to honestly serve the God of Abraham.
As is written: “ This commandment that I'm giving you right now is definitely not too difficult for you. it isn’t unreachable… Now in light of all that, Israel, what does the Lord your god ask of you? only this: to revere the Lord your god by walking in all his ways, by loving him, by serving the lord your God with all your heart and being, and by keeping the Lord’s commandments and his regulations that I’m commanding you right now. it’s for your own good! ” - Deuteronomy 30: 11, & 10: 12-13 (Common English Bible).

 

 

 

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