{"id":2051,"date":"2011-04-11T02:47:39","date_gmt":"2011-04-11T06:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/?p=2051"},"modified":"2011-04-09T09:44:46","modified_gmt":"2011-04-09T13:44:46","slug":"why-did-jesus-have-to-die-conclusions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2011\/04\/why-did-jesus-have-to-die-conclusions.html","title":{"rendered":"Why Did Jesus Have to Die? Conclusions"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this series on the death of Jesus, I have presented four different perspectives on why Jesus had to die: Roman, Jewish, Jesus\u2019, and Early Christian. I believe that each of these points of view has merit, and that we cannot fully understand the necessity of Jesus\u2019 death without taking them all into account.<\/p>\n

But many people today disagree. They prefer to accept one perspective as true, and reduce or deny other perspectives. You can see this, for example, in the letters to the editor<\/a> in respone to TIME Magazine\u2019s <\/em>cover story \u201cWhy Did Jesus Have to Die?\u201d One of these letters said:<\/p>\n

Jesus stood up to the injustices of the world and was crushed in the process. That is happening all over the world today, and not only to Christians. People of every religion who see wrongs and try to right them lose their lives. That is what the Christian spirit is all about. LOUIS OSTROM Madison, Wis.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Now it\u2019s certainly true that when people stand up to injustice, as Mr. Ostrom observes, they are often crushed in the process. Remember, for example, the brave soul faced down a column of tanks in Tiananmen Square in 1989. He, as it turns out, wasn\u2019t killed for his effort. But other students who protested against the Chinese government were put to death because they stood against oppression. Yet Ostrom\u2019s explanation of Jesus\u2019 death, however true, doesn\u2019t go nearly far enough, either historically or theologically.<\/p>\n

A pastor from New York City got the historical point in his letter to TIME<\/em>:<\/p>\n

It is inappropriate to look for explanations of Jesus’ death that blame God. God is not the one who killed him but the one who raised him from the dead. Jesus died because those in power ordered him killed. They could not tolerate someone who challenged the status quo as forcefully and thoroughly as Jesus was capable of doing. (THE REV.) DOUGLAS P. CUNNINGHAM New York City<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rev. Cunningham is also correct, to a point. Jesus did die because he challenged the status quo, and therefore people in power ordered him killed. But the Reverend mistakenly believes that this historical explanation tells the whole story. It doesn\u2019t. At least it doesn\u2019t if we take seriously the perspective of Jesus and early Christians. It\u2019s not \u201cinappropriate\u201d to look for theological explanations that \u201cblame\u201d God (though the word \u201cblame\u201d misses the biblical nuance), even though we can accept historical explanations that blame people.<\/p>\n

Yet, even as we allow for divergent perspectives on the reason for Jesus\u2019 death, the New Testament presents the theological reason as foundational bedrock. Though it\u2019s true that Jesus died \u201cbecause those in power ordered him killed,\u201d this answer doesn\u2019t get to deepest truth. The bottom line is this, according to the New Testament: Jesus died for our sins, in fulfillment of God\u2019s plan for salvation. The human agents who killed Jesus, though acting freely and responsibly, were, nevertheless, unwittingly carrying out the divine plan (1 Corinthians 2:8)<\/p>\n

By claiming that the theological reason for Jesus\u2019 death is somehow more basic than others, I\u2019m not thereby denying the importance of historical explanations, but simply placing them in what I believe to be the ultimately proper context. You haven\u2019t really grasped the reason for Jesus\u2019 death until you\u2019ve seen it in light of God\u2019s plan. Of course the theological rationale for the necessity of Jesus\u2019 death is also something that goes beyond historical proof. I can show you on the basis of historical data that early Christians believed Jesus\u2019 death was part of God\u2019s plan, but I can\u2019t prove that this belief is true. If one takes the New Testament as God-breathed and authoritative, as I do, then one will accept that what the early Christians believed is also reflective of God\u2019s own perspective<\/p>\n

Ironically, the immense impact of Mel Gibson\u2019s The Passion of the Christ<\/em> made it both harder and easier to accept the idea that Jesus\u2019 death was part of God\u2019s plan for salvation. The film has made it harder because it exposed us to the brutal, bloody reality of crucifixion. As I have argued elsewhere<\/a>, The Passion of the Christ<\/em> forced people in to confront the scandal of the cross. Yet this film also made it easier for some people to see Jesus\u2019 death as an expression of God\u2019s loving plan. Almost all of those who view The Passion<\/em> through the eyes of faith come away with a much deeper sense of God\u2019s love and grace. They don\u2019t blame the Jews for killing Christ, or Pontius Pilate, or even God. Rather, they take the blame on their own shoulders, realizing the Jesus died for their sins.<\/p>\n

Let me close with the classic words of Isaac Watts. They seek to answer in a poetic way the reason for Jesus\u2019 death on the cross:<\/p>\n

When I survey the wondrous cross,
\nOn which the Prince of glory died,
\nMy richest gain I count but loss,
\nAnd pour contempt on all my pride.<\/p>\n

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
\nSave in the death of Christ my God;
\nAll the vain things that charm me most,
\nI sacrifice them to his blood.<\/p>\n

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
\nSorrow and love flow mingled down;
\nDid e\u2019er such love and sorrow meet,
\nOr thorns compose so rich a crown.<\/p>\n

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
\nThat were a present far too small;
\nLove so amazing, so divine,
\nDemands my soul, my life, my all.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this series on the death of Jesus, I have presented four different perspectives on why Jesus had to die: Roman, Jewish, Jesus\u2019, and Early Christian. I believe that each of these points of view has merit, and that we cannot fully understand the necessity of Jesus\u2019 death without taking them all into account. But…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[207],"tags":[210,240,208],"class_list":["post-2051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-jesus-why-did-he-have-to-die","tag-crucifixion","tag-meaning-of-jesus-death","tag-why-did-jesus-have-to-die"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Did Jesus Have to Die? Conclusions - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2051"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2051\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3476,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2051\/revisions\/3476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}