Apologetica Christos: 2nd Disputation

Most Excellent Theophilus, I begin my second disputation with the following words on the salvific problem our adversary sought to create for man.

“The race in consequence of sin was at enmity with God. Christ, at an infinite cost, by a painful process, mysterious to angels as well as to men, assumed humanity” [Ellen White, SDA Bible Commentary vol 7, pg.915]

It is indeed a real problem in the minds of many Church folk to think that God can suffer as God or that God can feel pain. Yourself likewise Theophilus, I am aware I could be taking you somewhere you’ve previously never paid a visit and to grounds you may not have known even existed. But we have now crossed the Jordan and we must go where Jesus takes us, as it is written, “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth” (Revelation 14:4). As you study with an honest heart “Christ will lead you to the threshold of the Infinite.” [COL pg 149] and pull back the veil, showing you even more. This is a high privilege only for honest hearts. He says in promise, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalms 32:8) And in due course, you shall testate together with the psalmist “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.” (Psalms 119:99)

So let us step on that ground, with our shoes off of course. This is what all the Churches miss. You have to have a body to have or feel pain. You have to have nerves, and Jesus as a God was experiencing pain. God has a body, a divine body, and Christ had a similar body while in heaven. How then does a God join the creation? He’s got to tear Himself apart to do that. No small wonder that this very action is elaborated to be ‘an infinite cost’. Jesus had to 'ungod' Himself physically. Hence the following excerpt from the statement above, "Christ, at an infinite cost, by a painful process, mysterious to angels as well as to men, assumed humanity" (ibid). Only then could our Lord join His creation physically.

"In order to fully realize the value of salvation, it is necessary to understand what it cost. In consequence of limited ideas of the sufferings of Christ, many place a low estimate upon the great work of the atonement.” (Ellen White, Testimonies vol 2, pg 200)

What most are taught concerning the cost is unfortunate and a fairytale, that it was merely a man called Jesus dying on a cross. But we see Jesus in pain, as a God. Yes there is a divine body, a body which only Gods/divine beings possess, for Paul writes that Christ in heaven was “in the form of God” (Philippians 2:6) meaning God has a physical form/body and Christ had one as well. This cost was too high, and the Father actually struggled with this. I want to explore that in my next letter. Until then, the love of God and the spirit of His Christ be with you.