to not understand why Christians think Jesus died for our sins?

[switcheroooo]

If Jesus died for everyone's sins, does that mean people are not accountable for their actions? You can kill people, steal and lie but have a protected status because Jesus died for your sins.

How does this work? Why are people not responsible for their own sins? Where is the justice?

When Jesus's came along he brought a new covenant that got rid of the rules of the Jews. In my opinion because those 'rules' were wrong.

But the Bible is about the relationship between humans and God. Makes total sense that its authorship should be a collaboration too.

I think it was the Jews that decided this. Personally, I think they were wrong.

You sound quite disturbed, @3ormorecharacters – the emphasis on blood sacrifice, animal death and on blood ‘paying’ for sin sounds more like the ravings of someone who kills household pets. There’s no scriptural basis for any of this.

😂 luckily Jesus died on the cross so my cats are safe! Just trying to answer people's questions 👍 and I think there's plenty of scriptural basis. Have you read the OT?

The thing is I don't believe God's nature has changed. I believe God is loving. And I don't believe he ever wanted anyone making these sacrifices. It was what the Jews thought was right at the time, but I personally think they were wrong.

Interesting, I do see the OT God as more vengeful but maybe that was just the interpretation of contemporaneous Jews. As for whether God wanted those animal sacrifices, I can't speak to that - just trying to contextualize the sacrifice of Jesus.

Not all Christians believe the bible is direct writings from God. I believe in reading it in the context of the time/culture etc.

So are the rules about not wearing mixed fabrics or not eating shellfish also unchanging? Do we still have to stone unruly children? Is it still the rule that a rapist should marry his victim? Or don't these 'unchanging' rules not count?

Yes, I grew up in a devoutly Catholic household in a devoutly Catholic society, and was educated in a convent school from the age of 4 to 17 with a strong concentration on religious education. I haven’t previously come across someone who appears to think that OT Jewish ritual practices are key to Christianity.

I believe that the sacrifice of Jesus represents a new covenant with God which overrides that of the Old Testament. And before you say that's inconsistent with the quoted post, that's why I qualified to say I was talking more about the "structures" around what God will and won't do in regards to our free will.

I only think they're key to Christianity in as far as understanding them helps to explain the significance of Jesus's death on the cross, which is what the OP was asking about and others have asked me to clarify further.

I think it is exactly that. God hasn't changed but people do interpret things differently. Of course modern people do the same too.

Thanks. An interesting list. I don't think Christians suggest that Jesus' commands are unique to Judaism and Christianity - it's clear there is influence from Egypt (monotheism) and from Greece, at the very least. However, from the list I am particularly struct by the instruction to King Yudisthira, who is an addicted gambler. In the Mahabharat he gambles away his kingdom, himself, his brothers and his wife, who is handed over to be raped by his opponents - only the gods save her by making her saree endless. Brihaspati doesn't appear to have got the message through about not doing things to other people you wouldn't like to be done to you! Another way of looking at the story is that Yudisthira did not see being gambled into slavery as an injury to him and thus considered it no injury to his brothers (who protested saying once he had los) or his wife. One might compare Hector's empathy for his wife on the walls of Troy, lamenting her probable fate (roughly same date, I think).
Attached to wrong comment. I was replying to the point about the ethical ideas of Jesus being found in other religions, which is the case. Sorry!
As to the dinosaur bit the stories in Genesis are myth making for a nation, they are not meant to be scientific explanations and should not be taken as gospel (sorry, couldn't resist).

There is so much confusion & now we are much more sophisticated could God not clear things up with a re-visit? We’d not need so much metaphor. Is it not really possible he left us to it & tried again elsewhere for those who believe?

He/she is all around. You need only look.

Ok.

So your misunderstanding of it comes from you not considering free will. If you take that into consideration, you should then be able to see the point I was making.

😂😂😂 I wouldn’t blame Him! But then that wouldn’t be godly of Him so I guess no he didn’t.

he did leave something to help our confusion, the Holy Spirit.

answersingenesis.org/creationism/young-earth/young-earth-creationist-view-summarized-and-defended/

I still can't see your point

Edited: realised I had read post wrong

Yeap.
he tried the « do as I say »…but it ended up with people doing with a fully bad heart.
then he tried the « do as I do »…but we killed the guy.
so he ended up having people writhing about the two firsts try and the coming of the HS to help them understand.

If he is that viable, why hasn’t everyone “seen “ him?

No, it doesn't take away personal responsibility. God recognises that humans are fallible, weak, will always sin. What He asks is that we do our best not to sin and to follow Jesus/the way of life He knows is best for us. He wants us to love and follow Him because He loves us and wants the best for us. If we commit our lives to Him, to following Jesus, if we do our best not to sin and repent when we do, then our sins are forgiven and we will live with God in Heaven one day.

People who didn't repent, don't follow Jesus, are not covered by this forgiveness. God still loves them just as much and He is willing to forgive them if they follow His path.

We have free will, we can do as we choose.

And if we don’t follow his path - what will happen?

Same as if you don't follow the laws of the country - threats 😂