What
exactly is the cause behind the fascination with blood sucking
vampires in the western culture that has given rise to a plethora of
vampire themed movies like Twilight and the like? Christianity is the
predominant religion in the west. It spends so much time talking about
drinking blood and its importance for the attainment of “eternal life”.
Could it be that this blood based salvation/atonement doctrine is the
impetus behind the popular culture phenomenon of vampires? In the
vampire myth the creature sustains its existence by consuming blood. In
Christian theology to attain eternal life one must accept the blood of
Jesus and in Catholicism in particular the partaking of the Eucharist
which involves the drinking and eating of the actual blood and flesh of
Jesus is foundational. Can you see the parallel? Is it possible that
the popular vampire myth has its roots in the Christian obsession with
blood? I leave that for the readers to dwell upon. In this article we
shall explore the issue of forgiveness in Christianity and if what it
teaches is coherent and true or just plain false.
As
we have mentioned above in Christian theology the shedding of Jesus’
blood is foundational. In fact, it is the key to forgiveness and
salvation. One Christian blogger named John Chingford
wrote an article entitled “Reply to a Rabbi Why There Can’t Be
Forgiveness Without Blood Sacrifice” in which he argues for the
Christian case that blood is absolutely necessary to render void the
sins of man. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary in its commentary on Hebrews 9 says, “God’s principle is that blood must be shed before sin can be forgiven (Lev. 17:11).”[1] The People’s New Testament Commentary
on Hebrews 9:22 says, “Without shedding of blood is no remission.
Every sin under the law required atonement, and no atonement could be
made without blood.” [2] The average Christian says that the only way for sins to be absolved or atoned is through the blood of Jesus.
When
we examine the Bible closely we see that what is preached by
Christians and Hebrews 9:22 which says that “without the shedding of
blood there is no forgiveness of sins” are not compatible with the
overwhelming verses and passages found in both the Old and New
Testaments that convey the idea of forgiveness without the need of
anyone’s blood, Jesus or otherwise. In Mark 1:4 we read,
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
This
was years before the alleged crucifixion ever took place. There was no
blood involved. He was calling for the remission of sins from the
baptism of repentance. The People’s New Testament says that John in the above verse, “makes the temple sacrifices unnecessary for forgiveness and reconciliation with God…”[3]
which means that blood is not really necessary for forgiveness of sins
after all! In the next chapter in Mark 2, verse 5 we read the
following,
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Where
was the blood atonement to remove the sins of the paralytic? This too
took place long before the alleged crucifixion yet he was forgiven!
What was the purpose behind the alleged sacrifice of Jesus exactly?
Christians tell us that it is to facilitate the forgiveness of sins
which is necessary for entrance into paradise. But we have just
illustrated with two explicit verses that God is not incapable of
forgiving sins without the shedding of blood. Be it the blood of Jesus,
sheep, ram, bulls or cows. If God can forgive without blood then that
clearly renders the alleged crucifixion redundant and simply cruel,
inhumane and barbaric.
In Luke 15, verses 11 to
32 we read about the parable of the Prodigal Son. In this story the
son runs away from the father and goes into difficulty and suffering.
He later comes to his senses and makes a return to his father. The
father is overjoyed and calls for celebration. The son confesses that
he sinned against heaven and against his beloved father, but because of
his realisation and repentance the father remarks, “For this son of
mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found”. This
parable captures the true and original teaching of Jesus about
forgiveness and atonement. One has only to make a sincere resolution
not to commit past errors and sincerely pray and ask God for
forgiveness to earn His pleasure and be cleansed of sins. Blood is not
necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
More passages dealing with this issue are cited in Salvation Only Comes Through Sacrifice!
References:
[1] Wiersbe, W.W. (2007). The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook. p. 830
[2]
Boring, M.E. & Craddock, F.B. (2004). The People’s New Testament
Commentary. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press. p. 701
[3] Ibid. p. 107
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