Marginal Christianity

Third Sunday of Advent 2016 Matthew 11:2-11 2  When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3  and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4  Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5  the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6  And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” 7  As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8  What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9  What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10  This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, ...

http://howardsnyder.seedbed.com/2014/03/25/atonement-theory-and-atonement-fact-part-ii/ Posted on March 25, 2014 by Howard Snyder Way back in May 2013 I posted a Seedbed blog on atonement and promised a Part II. Since then people have been asking: When? Well, here it is. The focus here is on a few specific biblical texts, but this is part of an ongoing larger discussion. (The original blog is here: http://howardsnyder.seedbed.com/2013/05/25/atonement- theory -and-atonement-fact-part-i/). Atonement is woven all through Scripture. It is part of the large story of rescue, redemption, covenant, and the promise of creation restored that runs throughout the Bible and that centers above all in Jesus Christ . There is of course an Old Testament theology of atonement, culminating in the great Day of Atonement. However my focus here in Part II is on some familiar New Testament passages that are and often cited when discussing God’s work through Jesus Christ in providing ato...

Hebrews 5:5-10 5 In the same way Christ also didn’t promote himself to become high priest. Instead, it was the one who said to him, You are my Son. Today I have become your Father, 6 as he also says in another place, You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. 7 During his days on earth, Christ offered prayers and requests with loud cries and tears as his sacrifices to the one who was able to save him from death. He was heard because of his godly devotion. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. 9 After he had been made perfect, he became the source of salvation for everyone who obeys him. 10 He was appointed by God to be a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Despite our Western conceit that we can and ought to avoid suffering, suffering is unavoidable. But there is suffering, and there is suffering. Some comes from simply being a fallen human being and living in a fallen world. Bodies deca...