Jarlaxle

If Christianity is true, why did God put such importance in believing that Jesus was the Son of God? What is so important about the story of Jesus besides the fact that the story itself says it saves us? Does the belief in the story save us, or is the story telling us how we were / are saved? What is the "philosophy" behind making ones salvation dependant upon believing a story or not?

~Jarlaxle

NialScorva

Neither Christianity nor it's apologetics are philosophy. You'll probably get a better result in EoG.

Jobar

Not intending to be booting your topic around Jarlaxle, but this should be in Misc. Religion, as it is not directly addressing the existence/nonexistence of God(s).

I've often wondered why belief in the (supposed) sacrifice of Christ is needed, since his crucifixion was intended to save all humanity. Why is it necessary that the story be spread around?

Perchance

Hi Jarlaxle (I like your name ),

I never understood this, either. I've read Christian apologetics that say (in almost the same words each time) "Jesus died for your sins. You are already forgiven."

Yet almost all of them follow this with, "You are not saved unless you accept Jesus."

Is there some kind of difference between "forgiven" and "saved?" I know there is within the context of Christianity, where forgiveness applies to specific sins and salvation applies to not going to Hell in general (as far as I can tell), but are non-believers forgiven, in the eyes of most Christians, as well as unsaved? Or perhaps neither?

I, too, don't see how belief in a story can save you. Sacrifice, perhaps; at least that has some semi-philosophical roots behind it, such as quid pro quo and sympathetic magic. But a story?

-Perchance.

Bible Humper

Yes! The Gospel saved against breath weapon, and took half damage!

It failed to save against poison and magic though...

[ August 15, 2002: Message edited by: Splashing Colours Of Whimsy ]</p>

Jarlaxle

Thanks Perchance, are you an R.A. Salvatore <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" /> fan or do you simply like the name?

I think maybe Jesus (or the story about Jesus) is an anthropomorphic image of God. Some Christians are unable to comprehend such an idea and therefore can not get past the thought that the story is the actual thing that saves. Does this make any sense at all?

Perchance

Hi Jarlaxle,

Yes, I am an R. A. Salvatore fan, so I recognized the source of the name .

I think I know what you mean. I suppose that, if more Christians I'd met or talked to online had said "Jesus saves you" rather than "Believing that Jesus died for your sins saved you" (which is what it's always come down to in the end), I might be more inclined to listen. Like you, however, I don't understand how a story can save anyone. I've known stories to inspire people, fill them with depression, even convince them that the world has somehow changed since they read those words- but I don't understand how a story offers salvation.

As to why people get stuck on the idea of belief, I don't know. Maybe there's a calm ("the peace that surpasseth all understanding" is the most-favored phrase, I think) in surrendering one's ability to doubt, or being overwhelmed by a rush of belief.

Not for me, though.

-Perchance.