THE POWER OF THE CROSS

Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.Photographer Ian Britton.

For Christ died for sins
once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body
but made alive by the Spirit

1 Peter 3:18

The message of the cross is so powerful, that if accepted. it will revolutionize your life. It is no wonder that it has been under attack from the day this world was faced with the dilemma of who Christ was and what He came to do. His sole purpose was to give His life as an offering for sin, to pay the price we could not. The Old Testament is a record preparing the world for His coming; the New Testament is the record of His life, death and resurrection, and His impact on the world. He turned the world upside down, claiming to be God dwelling with man. He was was hated by those who rejected His claims. He saw what was in their hearts and revealed it. He threatened their thinking and their lust for power, their agenda. They had a Christ of their own conception who was to be Messiah, and Jesus didn't fit the bill. In effect, they tried to strong-arm God into accepting their god. And the ages roll on...and the scenario continues...

Today I would like to point you to some posts on other blogs that have been discussing the atonement. The doctrine of the atonement is so vital to our salvation, that if you get this one wrong, you really miss the whole point. You miss the plan and purpose of God for your life completely. We dare not get it wrong for the future of our souls is at stake!

There are many ways the cross is being undermined these days ~ liberal theology (the "social gospel"), mysticism, and interfaith alliances ~ are the ones that come to my mind as being the prevalent ones creeping into the evangelical church these days. They are like parasites, devouring it from the inside out, robbing it of life and power. I may elaborate on how these do that on another day.

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For now please read the postings at the Living Journey Blog:

An excerpt:

"We should all be very wary that there will be those who will preach another Jesus in the last days and because of this you will have to judge which Jesus it is that you are going to follow. Is it the one that is found in the Word of God, the one who is the Word of God in the flesh? Or is it the one that has become nothing more than a political leader fighting against the religious and political domination of his time."

Read the entire post... IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ATONEMENT, AGAIN!


Also from Living Journey~

"Recently there has been a bit of a buzz around the blogosphere concerning the ‘Atonement’, I have even posted a few things on this very subject. And in doing some research on it I have come across certain theories called the “Eucharistic praxis” and the “Atonement Imagery”.

As I understand it, “Atonement Imagery” is not so much about the suffering of the Son but more about understanding the passion and injustice done to a man. It becomes less about the divinity of Christ, as they often refer to that as a mythical story – and more about the historical man Jesus. To understand the crucifixion primarily in this way you may fail to see the whole of Jesus, the God/man.

If the atonement is brought down to the level of praxis and community only, then the divinity of Christ could very well be lost. As a result, the injustice of the cross against a man is exalted above the Penal Substitution act and this is because the emphasis is the man being punished by God the so called ‘child abuser’. If the divinity of Him is neglected, this could ultimately result in an unbalance in the understanding of the triune nature of God because man is amplified."

Keep reading... ATONEMENT PRAXIS

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Book reviews about Stricken By God? (the book questions and attempts to redefine the atonement, and implies that the evangelical view of the atonement amounts to "cosmic child abuse"). Read the book reviews at the More Books and Things Blog:

BOOK ALERT!!! - STRICKEN BY GOD?
SBG PARTS 1-5

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This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness,
but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins,
led away with divers lusts,

Ever learning, and never able
to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses,
so do these also resist the truth:
men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

But they shall proceed no further:
for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,
as their's also was.

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured:
but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution.

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned
and hast been assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

And that from a child
thou hast known the holy scriptures,
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3