Inspired by religion discussion on Main

[sistermagpie]

Carol:
> The case of Jesus as presented in the Bible is different. He knew that he would have to die--and suffer greatly in the process--to save sinners, but I'm not entirely sure that he expected to be resurrected. "Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise" seems indicates that he expected to go to Heaven just like the good thief who believed him to be the Son of God. And, certainly, he didn't *want* to die (especially through crucifixion) since he prayed in the Garden of Gethsamane, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." IOW, the will of God the Father is to sacrifice his only son to save sinners (and, of course, to resurrect him), but Jesus' own desire is to have this terrible burden taken from him. But he yields to God's will and allows himself to be sacrificed--not only to suffer the agony of dying on the cross but to actually die like any other man. 


Magpie:
Yes, but if Jesus is also God then obviously he couldn't die. Jesus is God's "son" but as a member of the Trinity they're also one in the same, so God was sacrificing himself to himself and death couldn't really be a reality. I know the paradox is that he's supposed to be both fully human and fully divine, but it is still a paradox. And God-who is also Jesus--knows all at all times.

-m