Despite the attempts by liberal theologians over the last 2 centuries to expand universalism beyond those in Christ there remains a stubborn fact that was expounded by neo-orthodox theologians such as Emil Brunner. That being the fact that relation requires reciprocity, thus to have a true viable relationship with God you must be able to relate to God. The fact is that before Christ and even to those now who are not in Christ you cannot relate to a god who does not relate to you, that is to the human condition, to suffer as you do and be tempted as you do etc. You can love Him in an abstract way, you can fear Him but you simply cannot relate to Him. He is beyond us in all aspects. Thus when Christ came and God manifest Himself, when the Word became flesh, to relate to us in our condition, we now can have a true reciprocal relationship with God. So the liberal theologians can say you don't need Christ yet they can't explain how you can relate to God without Christ. If the point is to have a relationship with God, you need Christ.
rebdobr
The need for Christ - Beyond dogmas
Updated: Apr 21
Comments