The doctrine of Christ's personal preexistence as the second
person of the Trinity is taken for granted by most
orthodox Christians and has been since New Testament times. The effect
of its denial is a god who differers radically from the Biblical
God.
Yes and it is taken for granted
also by most orthodox Christians that the orthodoxy coming from the
patriarchs is on the same level as the Word of God which explains things a
little differently. The preexistence of Christ can be seen in the OT but
never as an "eternal son"
"The way the pre-existence of Christ is understood
determines how one speaks about the theology of God and of human salvation."
(R. T. France)
Explain please - and who is this R. T.
France??
God did not merely send an agent to make things OK or a
repairman to perform some fixes-he came himself. The doctrine of preexistence
reminds us forcefully that God himself entered our circumstances in order to
redeem and restore his human creatures along with the rest of creation.
Are the above France's words or
yours Lance? It was no "resoration job" In a Covenant both parties
pledge to the death. He came to institute a New
Creation ... The old has been judged already. 2 Cor 5:17. As for the
creation -
It will be destroyed by fire before the New Jerusalem descends from heaven. He makes ALL
things new.
This is the truth that gives meaning and power to Jesus'
affirmation that God so loved the world that he sent his son to save it. If
preexisten is mythical or some other nonfactual nature, then Jesus is not
deity and this affirmation of God's love for and intervention on behalf of his
creatures becomes an empty promise.
He gave His ONLY begotten son to die and those who
come to the Risen Christ agree to become "living sacrifices"
themselves.
