authority to forgive sins

[NancyJ]

Good Morning,

How do CS explain Jesus forgiving sins along with the healing?

In the Bible, the Jews say to Jesus only God can forgive sins.

Jesus seems to be using the example to show He is God.

Different denominations will apply some scripture to what they believe and not always include the total context.

I would like to understand better what CS believe about Jesus forgiving sins.

Thank you!
Nancy

[adyer]

Nancy,

I think it's important to study Science and Health to get the understanding you seek. This is not something one person can tell another, because Christian Science does not teach an institutional doctrine.

The Christ is the spiritual consciousness within each of us. Christ leads each of us to Truth; it is not for one person to lead another to truth because human thinking is fallible.

You will see in S&H that the forgiveness of sin includes the destruction of sin (p. 497). Where there is light darkness cannot replace it nor can they coexist. Light is what is; darkness is what is not. Light does not forgive darkness for existing, it proves darkness does not exist. Sin is darkness. It is the belief in that which cannot be; it is not a real something to overcome you.

We must each grow spiritually to understand how this embodiment of Christ allowed Jesus to see beyond all doubt that sin cannot subvert or impede anyone's spiritual selfhood...and how each of us can demonstrate the same thing.

In healing one man, Jesus first declared his forgiveness from sin. Note also that he never said, "I forgive you." It reads, "thy sins be forgiven thee." It was not personal pardon. Jesus answered the objection to his statement by asking whether it was easier to forgive sin or to heal disease. He proceeded to do both. If sin and disease are both unreal, neither has intelligence, entity, or a place to exist. If disease can be eradicated through a change of thought, then sin also is destroyed by reforming (changing) thought.

I know that when you seek this understanding you will find it because you have within you the Christ, the ideal expression of the Truth you seek. I suggest you study the tenets on page 497...always a good place to start.

[imjim]

In the Bible, the Jews say to Jesus only God can forgive sins.

Jesus seems to be using the example to show He is God.

Jesus, on a couple of occasions when healing said, “Thy sins be forgiven thee”. (Matt 9:1-6, Mark 2:4-10) Let me give my understanding of this . . .

Part of the reason he used this phrase had to do with the beliefs engendered in the age. The Jews of the time believed that sickness was visited upon people as a punishment for some supposed sin. This is evidenced in the questioning by the disciples “Who did sin, this man, or his parents that he was born blind?” (John 9:2)

Jesus answer to the apostles, “Neither this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:3) points to a higher view of cause and effect. The Message translates this verse: “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. . .”. He then healed the man.

Going back to Matt, we read that part of Jesus answer to the scribes and Pharisees was “For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins. . .”

Ezekiel, referred to himself, using the term “Son of man” extensively in his writings - a term Jesus must have been very familiar with. Ezekiel used the term “Son of man” (with a capitol S) when he had a vision or felt “the spirit enter him” (Ezekiel 2:1-3 is a good example). At other times he used “son of man” (small s) when in reference to the human, physical, or mankind (Ezekiel 2:8 is a good example). Ezekiel equated “Son of man” to a glorified, exalted, or spiritual view of himself - as did Jesus.

Ezekiel, experiencing this exalted view of himself as the “Son of man”, was able to perceive and to do Gods will. Likewise Jesus, having an even clearer vision of this exalted view (to the point that it was always-present) was able to perceive and to do Gods will. Both Ezekiel and Jesus point us in the direction of recognizing man in the exalted image and likeness of God, of Spirit (as recorded in the beginning of Genesis).

It is also my understanding that Jesus, as well as Ezekiel, were showing us not that they were God(s), but that they, and we, can experience that exalted image and likeness giving us power to forgive sin, to heal sickness, and to correct the mistaken concept of ourselves as the “son of man“.

Jim

[NancyJ]

Thank you for your replies. I will do as you suggest.

After believing one way for years, and questioning the belief now, it is a process that takes prayer, time, and the willingness to be open.

I appreciate the gentleness in your answers, too.

Nancy

[adyer]

It is a life work and a wonderful journey.

BTW I've looked at the word "glory" for a long time in the Bible and thought a lot about how to interpret it for my own use. Eventually I learned that one way to use it is to substitute illumination (as a noun, or illumine as a verb). So when I read that God is glorified I substitute it with the phrase, God is illuminated. Alternatively, I can talk about the illumination of God or the illumination of Christ.

This gets back, again, to the idea of light. As you continue in your life work of self-knowledge, Christ will become illuminated in your life. I find that a very helpful way to think about it.

[Jael]

Romans 3:21-26 Rightenousness Through Faith

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Happy Easter