Heart of Christianity for Sunday, 30 March 2013 at San Diego First United Methodist Church

Heart of Christianity for Sunday, 30 March 2013 at San Diego First United Methodist Church
Dear Hearts,
We'll be discussing Ch. 18, No Atonement, but Glory!  John Clarifies Jesus Death, pp 175-187.
1. We are in the middle of the Lenten season; in  our devotional life we are to find meaning in the events of the season.  How is this going for you?  The theme of the season for us is "Lift High the Cross"  suggesting the all-importance of Christ's death and resurrection.  What does the concept of Atonement mean to you?
2. Spong suggests that the concept of atonement comes from three Jewish liturgical practices.  Let's review their part in Jewish history:  1. Passover (On the night  of Passover, death was banished among the Jewish people in their escape from Egypt);  2. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement);  3. II Isaiah ( concept of the suffering servant to be found in the life and death of a Messiah).  
3. Contrast the mantra "Jesus died for our sins" with Spong's mantra, "Live fully, love wastefully, and be all that you can be."
Some of you had difficulty opening the attachment.  Let me know if you were unable to download it.
I look forward to another lively discussion.
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