Featured What are your thoughts on Jesus quoting "Ye are gods" ?

The Father hasn’t sent the Son into the world to condemn the world, but he entrusts all judgment to the Son. Verse 23 gives us the reason – that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The point is that the Son is at one with the Father. God is the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25). But judgment has been entrusted to the Son. This isn’t an independent judgment but a judgment as reflection of that of the Father. Jesus will be the Judge (yet the judgment has also been pronounced). It is Christ-centered.

Acts 10:42 tells us this. It is Christ who has been appointed to Judge.

That is why Peter can insist that we call on God as Father who is also the one who will judge all men according to their works. This judgment is Christ-centered as through Jesus God is reconciling the world to himself (not through the Law, or moral obedience, etc….but through Christ).

You say that neither the Father or the Son judges men. How do you interpret Acts 10:42 - "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead."?

 

On my way home this evening I was jamming out to Spandau Ballet (curtsey of xm radio). If I had known where this thread would go I’d have chosen Pink Floyd (got that on my iPod). I’ll explain some other time.

But I will note that this is the third time you have either accused me of denying Scripture or saying that God was wrong. I am going to ask that you at least try to address the dialogue and refrain from such ignorant assumptions. Where we disagree is in interpretation and I am more than willing to discuss that with you as it seems to be the reason that you have initiated this thread. I am not offended, I am not asking for an apology, and I am not calling your words an insult. I am asking you to police your statements for such foolishness prior to posting, and I will do the same.

Now to the topic at hand. I’m going to ignore the diversion about my focusing on the physical as more important or equal to the spiritual because I have never mentioned a primacy of the physical nor have offered a statement which would indicate that to be my belief. I have absolutely no idea where you came up with that tidbit, except perhaps in some previous nonlinear conversation. So let’s just ignore it.

Where are we at now? Oh, we got stuck on the judging part. You said that neither the Father or the Son will judge man and I said that there is a sense both will (the Father gives all authority to the Son, the Son will judge). You said that this denies John 5:22 and asked me how I interpreted the verse. I offered my interpretation – God judges all men (Gen 18:15). The Father is an impartial Judge who will judge everyone according to their deeds (1 Peter 1: 17). In John 5:21 Jesus claims not to simply be an instrument of God for restroing the dead to life, but he claims to have that authority to give life to whom he will (as the Father raises the dead and gives them life). In verse 22 Jesus, having claimed authority to raise the dead, also claims authority to execute final judgment…based on that same Authority. He is one with the Father.

Does this mean that neither the Father nor the Son will judge men? Not at all. Why? I’ve already told you my interpretation and reason. Does it deny those passage you bring up? No, only your interpretation of those passages you bring up.

Do you believe that we will be redeemed (physically)….that is, do you believe in the physical bodily resurrection of Christians (that, as Paul said, hope that defines our faith)?

 

Not at all brother. If I believed what ever suited my mind I'd be an Arminian.

I believe that all Scripture is true (even 1 Peter 1:13-21). Perhaps the issue is that I take a more literal approach to Scripture? (I ask this because I still don't see how you interweave "physical/ spiritual/ both/ one" into John 5:22 without some type of extra-biblical methodology).

 

I appreciate the idea that my body is not something I desire to have for the rest of my life.

The idea that the physical body is not important and the minimization of a new resurrected body is, IMHO, gnostic influence. I realize that it has as crept into our culture and churched We ignore the body because it doesn’t matter and pay attention to the spiritual things. In truth, we cannot attend to the spiritual but through our bodies. I suggest we should present our bodies as living sacrifices, which is our spiritual act of worship.

 

Yet you, I take it, are here on earth longing for the redemption of your body.

 

For my understanding will you please clarify if I have misunderstood your comments. I understand you to be saying that you do not believe Christians will be resurrected bodily, but instead will experience eternal life as spiritual (not physical) beings. Have I misunderstood or is this your position?

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I'm not arguing with you, just making sure I am tracking.

And while I'm not agreeing, I like how you summarize your view in that last sentence ...just wondering. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre or Blazing Saddles?

When you speak of Heaven, are you referring to a spiritual world or do you believe that the physical world will be renewed (Creation destroyed or reconciled)?

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Yes, I am positive I want to go there, so much so that I will stand on the conviction that God was through Christ reconciling the world to Himself.

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I don't know about "our" doctrine, but Paul tells us in 2 Cor 5 that through Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, and in Col 1 that through Christ God reconciles all things. We are even told in Rom. 5 that while we were enemies we have been reconciled to God through Christ's death. I'll stick with reconciled.

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