Why Did Jesus Die?
by Nic Samojluk
After reading Ivan Blazen's article entitled Why Jesus Died in the Spring 2004 issue of the Spectrum magazine, I decided to ask the author the following question. I hope he takes the time to respond so that the readers of the SDA Forum may benefit as well from his unique insight into this profound theological topic.
Dr. Blazen, I noticed that you frased this question about atonement in a slightly different way than most theologians do. When I searched the internet, I discovered that most of the articles dealing with the question of Jesus death bear the following title: Why Did Jesus Have to Die? I lost count of the unending number of articles bearing said title. You titled your article Why Jesus Died? instead. Could you explain the reason you deviated from the way the majority of theologians phrase this question?
I will try to guess, and I wonder whether you would be so kind as to explain if I am guessing right. Could it be that, when I ask Why Did Jesus Have to Die? I am really implicating God in the murder of the Son of God? If the salvation of sinners required the death of Jesus, then it seems to follow that God did plan and required the death of his Son; and if this is true, then why should we blame Satan, or the Jews for the death of Jesus? If God masterminded the death of his Son, then he would be an accomplice in the most atrocious injustice ever committed by human beings.
On the other hand, If I ask Why Jesus Died? I am probably releasing God from the murder of Jesus, and allowing the blame to fall on the head of Satan, who has been a murderer from the beginning. Why did Jesus die? Because he was executed. And why was he executed? Because he threatened the livelihood of those who had turned God's Temple into a "den of robbers," and because Satan, who is God's archenemy, incited evil men to murder Jesus.
Free Mailing List Club!
If you would like to be on our SDA Forum Mailing List, please take a minute to sign up today and join hundreds of others who have done already so. It is free, and you will have the choice of unsuscribing at will. We do not share, nor do we sell your E-mail to others.
