Is this why Jesus died?

Yes it was for injustice.
But not injustice merely against our fellow man but injustice against God directly.
All injustice is of course a sin against God first and foremost.
BUt more importantly He died to ransom the souls of those whom the Father had given him.

 

There was injustice on the part of Jesus' enemies who crucified them. But Jesus did not die against the forces of injustice. He died for sinners, who deserve eternal separation from God. He died for people just like the perpetrators of injustice.

Jesus railed against injustice during his life and ministry. He railed against it in his preaching. But not in his death.

 

Every time you pray in the name of Jesus do you fully define the reason behind His death and resurrection?

 

I thought the prayer was an appropriate social gospel prayer.

If I could have been in his place (which I couldn't since I wouldn't pray a social gospel prayer) the following might be a good invocation:

"For I pray in Christ's name, who died for our sins and rose the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. Amen."

 

This prayer basically makes Jesus into a martyr rather than a savior.

 

I know you cautioned against turning this thread into a political one, but here's my impression:

He was on a political platform and felt he had to politicize the Gospel.

 

Jesus died because "God so loved the world". He died in my place, for my sin, when I did not deserve His grace or mercy. :godisgood:


I get so tired of people who claim to be Christians, but when given a platform, do not proclaim Christ, but rather dance around the truth for fear of offending someone. It's a shame they do not fear offending God.

 

Jesus died for "whosoever"!! I am included in whosoever, you are included in whosoever, we are included in whosoever, all of mankind is whosoever. The fact that we have sinned, (and all whosoevers' have) makes anything else we do, no matter how good, not enough to get us into the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus died so that whosoever believes on Him shall have everlasting life.

The mercy given us by God through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ is the only way we can receive salvation. Stating this anyway less is being ashamed of Jesus before men.

I would have ended the prayer, "I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ your most perfect Son, who died then rose again for all our sins and our only way to Your Kingdom of Heaven." Amen

In the content of the prayer I would have prayed for the children this nation allows to be murdered before birth, also for our children who are not allowed to pray in schools they must attend. I am sure I would ask God to "unite this nation under God" once more.

But, something tells me this would have made me ineligible to pray before that group.

 

I imagine his prayer/speech was written for him, I doubt they would allow him to ad lib a prayer.

 

Could he have been making reference to Romans 8:31-38?

 

Then his theology allowed him to go along. What else can I say !

 

Marcia, I quite aware of the Emerging/Emergent community. I've read a few of McLaren's work.

Yes, quite unorthodox.

 

While we emphasize the primary reason for Christ died that was to die for the forgiveness of our sins, there are also many secondary reasons. In the Romans passage I quoted, Paul is saying that Christ and His death also brings us closer to God and defeats those things that separate us from him. Things he lists include principalities and powers which include the forces of injustice.

I grant that this is not a very direct interpretation and may not have been what Miller was talking about. I would also be surprised if Miller felt that the forgiveness of our sins was not the reason Christ died. That doesn't nullify other reasons he died.