Originally posted by Agerg
but again, let's be sure what the gift is:
God decides the toll for displeasing it is spiritual death. This god supposedly has monopoly on such decisions (no other entity can provide spiritual life). It then sends its son to get the shaft, paying off some of this debt (levied by itself with the pompous claim it's a just(???) thing to do!). How is this bette y off Jim's debt....can I be any less awesome?...what a guy I am!...what benevolence!!! 😵
gee you sound bitter. lets look closer at your argument shall we?
God decides the toll for displeasing it is spiritual death. This god supposedly has monopoly on such decisions
yes that is correct. who am I to question the motives of the creator of the Universe? For a further understanding on this I would suggest you read Job chapters 38-40. Here is a small sample, God is speaking with Job after Job questions God's motives:
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
then later in chapter 40: The LORD said to Job:
2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!”
you further state:
It then sends its son to get the shaft, paying off some of this debt (levied by itself with the pompous claim it's a just(???) thing to do!)
I think you misunderstand who Christ is, and the purpose. John chapter 1 says: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
Jesus is God. God himself in his infinite mercy suffered and died so that he could be with us and one of us. His sacrifice is the gift of forgiveness offered to any who accepts it. It is a gift, but it is not free.
belief is a part of free will, that other gift, it is up to you whether you make that leap of faith. You decide. You want to "blame" God for your being condemned (yes I know you don't believe this), but the reality is that you yourself decide your own fate.