Today's Wall Street Journal (page A16) inspired me to write this article on Christian theology. My Rabbi friend, Tovia Singer, also has his take (viewpoint) on the issue of Yeshua's nature (was he both 100% man and 100% deity simultaneously)? The implication is that the definition of being human flows from the definition of Yeshua's (Christ's) nature while here on this planet (6 B.C. to 33 A.D.). This is part of the Christian affirmation. If Yeshua was fully human and also fully God...why not me/you being both?
Yeshua is called 'the Christ' by our Christian theologians. The word 'Christ' means anointed one. The idea within Christianity is that Yeshua's life experiences (his core nature) transfer to each of us as believers. If Yeshua, during his earthly lifetime, was both fully human and fully God (simultaneously) then this means that I/You can be similar (fully God and fully human). His nature and his life is representative of everyone is the core message of Christian theology. Let's expand on this theology and what this implies.
In theological jargon, this is called the 'hypostatic union' concept (the combination of divine and human nature in one person). The one personality of Christ (Yeshua) in which his two natures, human and divine, are united (simultaneously)...also as postulated in the Trinity concept. This Jew person, from Nazareth, is viewed as God in the flesh and also fully human. Listen to Tovia Singer, an orthodox Jewish Rabbi for his take (above video).
Personally, I read Pslam 22 and 23 again to get my exegesis of the text. It is obvious, to me, that within this text are the words of King David. King David had a difficult life (at times) and he was rejected by many of his close relatives/associates. David's son, Absalom, (for example) desired to kill him and he wanted the throne of David. This desire, however, did not materialize. Absolom was eventually killed by David's army. What a paradox!
David had many other 'enemies' which did not approve of his rule. His laments were a cry to his God (Yahweh). The word LORD in most scripture means Yahweh. Today, I use the word FATHER GOD when I think of Yahweh God. Others will use Jehovah or HaShem. Did Yeshua also cry out to Yahweh God (in the Gospel of Mark and Matthew) prior to his death on the tree? Did he say: Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani? What was he thinking as he said these words?
The comments above by Rabbi Tovia Singer seem totally valid and logical to me. The real human Yeshua (called Christ by Christians) was crying out to his God (YHWH) while he was simultaneously dying via crucifixion. What does this imply to me? This implies that Yeshua (called Jesus/Christ) was fully human during his lifetime. He was NOT deity and this 'hypostatic union' concept should be viewed as a false teaching.
The theory which Christian theology has promulgated is that Yeshua/Jesus was fully human (man) and simultaneously fully God (deity). This would make Yeshua's behavior a cry to himself (after all he was God in the Christian viewpoint). Yeshua would be 'talking to his God self even as his human self was dying. Does this make any sense? Tovia says this is nonsense and I would agree. Furthermore, if Yeshua/Jesus was God then what was the meaning of his behavior at Gethsemane?
Did Yeshua/Jesus cry out to his God self as if he did not know his destiny. Was he God or not while here on this planet? Is this theology logical to my human mind? It makes no sense to me. In reality, I would assert that Yeshua cried out to his Father God (Yahweh) who was a 'separate' spiritual person from himself. He said the following at Gethsemane: “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
As Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, his first request is for his Father to “take this cup of suffering away from him”. If he were God (this hypostatic union concept) then this would mean he was 'talking to HIMSELF (his God self). He would KNOW what God meant to him (precisely) and he would not need to suffer or cry out to God. Christian theology claims Yeshua/Jesus was God in the flesh (fully) even as he was also fully human. Makes no sense to me!
The theological implication of making Jesus/Yeshua God (in the flesh) makes one's logic meaningless when the 'behavior' of this person is evaluated. How can God (in the flesh) cry out as if he didn't KNOW the meaning of his suffering? There are many other words in this New Testament which I would view as problematic. My view is that this 'hypostatic union' concept is preposterous. If Yeshua is both God and fully human (simultaneously)...then I/You must also be God and fully human (at this moment). This to me leads directly to ANTI-CHRIST thinking!
When the Anti-Christ arrives on the scene, he will likely view himself as fully human and also fully God. This viewpoint will be accepted by many thinkers as it allows human nature to exalt itself. Human nature will exalt itself so that SELF can be viewed as GOD. Submitting to a Higher God is anathema to those who desire to exalt self. This mindset is what I envision for the Anti-Christ. Will this person be a professional Christian? This is certainly POSSIBLE. We could witness the END of Christianity after this person (on a White Horse) arrives to exalt himself.
The real Messiah was/is not a person who desires to EXALT himself IMO. The real Messiah (which I envision from reading the Gospel of Mark) was a SERVANT messenger. This person desired to promote the KINGDOM of God (the God of history). This God, in my view, is the FATHER (also called Yahweh/Jehovah/Most High/Ancient of Days/Creator/King of Kings/the I AM person). This God is 'invisible' and has NO IMAGE (no human likeness). He works via his 'invisible' spirit! I view this God as empowering Yeshua and all the prophets with their spirit power! This God works via the 'spirit' and events happen as the 'spirit' ordains.
Theology is important IMO as it is core to one's belief system. Beliefs have 'implications' and 'meaning'. Personally, I view Yeshua as a fully human...a Jew who desired to serve his God. This God was the God of the TORAH/TANAKH. Read Pslam 22 and 23 for the real theological meaning on this issue of what King David said. Reality does not change with time IMO. Reality in the time of King David and Messiah Yeshua is also reality today. I would maintain that NOW is reality (always)! Think for yourself on all these issues of life!
I am: Donald B. Swenson, donaldswenson.blogspot.com. Also, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com.
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