There are a few perspectives that I think can address or comment on what you've written here.
One is that all the major religions were founded by God based on the cultural, geographical and personality aspects of the people of the time. For example, is it a coincidence that there was a definite and powerful surge forward in religion and faith around the globe approx. 400 years before Jesus came?
Not in my view. The significant religions are like brothers to whom a portion of the truth was revealed according to what they could understand at the time. Brothers who are destined to come together in unity around the eldest brother's arrival. Instead of squabbling over what the other brother(s) got wrong, brothers should be working together to put together the common picture being painted in the various aspects of the larger whole picture they have been privileged to receive.
So, what about the Jewish people, the Israelites? They had a specific mission: to be the landing pad for the elder brother, the Messiah. But Israel failed to recognize and unite with Jesus, thus causing the prophecy of the Lord of Suffering to come true. (There were other prophecies, too, about the Messiah being a Lord of Glory, etc. Because of the human factor of choice, dual prophecies were given. From this viewpoint, Jesus was not destined to die on the cross, but that is a theological discussion.)
When the first Israel failed in their mission to have faith and unite with him, Jesus was forced to pay the price by the sacrifice of his body. Thus, the foundation for physical salvation was lost, but through his sacrifice, Jesus reversed the faithlessness of Adam and established the basis for spiritual salvation.
In this sense, Christianity is the Second Israel, whose mission is to prepare the landing pad (i.e. faith conditions) for the Second Coming.
What if Israel had received and embraced Jesus instead of crucifying him? Israel would have been upgraded in their understanding of truth, more than we even presently see in Christianity. (Jesus was explicit about not being able to share much of what he knew with his disciples). Then, there would have been no "Christianity" but rather, a new, super Israel, who then would have spread and connected with the other parts of the globe, augmenting the existing religions to eventually upgrade them.
The denominationalism in Christianity is clear and direct evidence that Christians do not have "the whole truth". Full understanding of 'the truth' was delayed by the crucifixion. The Truth in the scriptures, specifically the New Testament, has one clear purpose: to guide Christians how to live and practice their faith in order to prepare correctly for the arrival of the Lord.
The real issue at stake is not the various people's interpretation of scripture, but God's interpretation of scripture. In my view, this will only become apparent when Christ returns. At that time, he will reveal a much deeper understanding of the truth that resolves the apparent contradictions in the various theologies and also make clear the relationship between Israel, Christianity and the overall purpose of God. Aka the "kingdom of heaven on earth".
Just as Israel, over its 2000 year history, made plenty of mistakes, got lost, had to suffer tribulation to correct their position (division, exile, reformation, etc), Christianity too has gone through a similar course. The difference is, in Israel, it all played out within one single nation. With Christianity, it has played out over the whole world.
Good things come in threes. Just as we have uncovered the truth about the material world in uttermost detail, humanity is destined to grasp the truth about spiritual reality to the same extent. This means, grasping the very purpose of creation, how (if) that was lost, how it is being recovered, how the spirit grows, what its makeup is, how it functions, etc. Why there are different expressions of the truth, and why they are all only partial. etc.
Paul indicated as much. "Now we see dimly, as in a dark mirror, but THEN we shall see clearly". The real question is, as Jesus himself put it, "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
The Bible includes both old and new testaments, because they are deeply related, and have the same purpose (prepare for the coming of Christ) albeit in very different contexts (National level, physical foundation : Global level, spiritual foundation).
There are a few perspectives that I think can address or comment on what you've written here.
One is that all the major religions were founded by God based on the cultural, geographical and personality aspects of the people of the time. For example, is it a coincidence that there was a definite and powerful surge forward in religion and faith around the globe approx. 400 years before Jesus came?
Not in my view. The significant religions are like brothers to whom a portion of the truth was revealed according to what they could understand at the time. Brothers who are destined to come together in unity around the eldest brother's arrival. Instead of squabbling over what the other brother(s) got wrong, brothers should be working together to put together the common picture being painted in the various aspects of the larger whole picture they have been privileged to receive.
So, what about the Jewish people, the Israelites? They had a specific mission: to be the landing pad for the elder brother, the Messiah. But Israel failed to recognize and unite with Jesus, thus causing the prophecy of the Lord of Suffering to come true. (There were other prophecies, too, about the Messiah being a Lord of Glory, etc. Because of the human factor of choice, dual prophecies were given. From this viewpoint, Jesus was not destined to die on the cross, but that is a theological discussion.)
When the first Israel failed in their mission to have faith and unite with him, Jesus was forced to pay the price by the sacrifice of his body. Thus, the foundation for physical salvation was lost, but through his sacrifice, Jesus reversed the faithlessness of Adam and established the basis for spiritual salvation.
In this sense, Christianity is the Second Israel, whose mission is to prepare the landing pad (i.e. faith conditions) for the Second Coming.
What if Israel had received and embraced Jesus instead of crucifying him? Israel would have been upgraded in their understanding of truth, more than we even presently see in Christianity. (Jesus was explicit about not being able to share much of what he knew with his disciples). Then, there would have been no "Christianity" but rather, a new, super Israel, who then would have spread and connected with the other parts of the globe, augmenting the existing religions to eventually upgrade them.
The denominationalism in Christianity is clear and direct evidence that Christians do not have "the whole truth". Full understanding of 'the truth' was delayed by the crucifixion. The Truth in the scriptures, specifically the New Testament, has one clear purpose: to guide Christians how to live and practice their faith in order to prepare correctly for the arrival of the Lord.
The real issue at stake is not the various people's interpretation of scripture, but God's interpretation of scripture. In my view, this will only become apparent when Christ returns. At that time, he will reveal a much deeper understanding of the truth that resolves the apparent contradictions in the various theologies and also make clear the relationship between Israel, Christianity and the overall purpose of God. Aka the "kingdom of heaven on earth".
Just as Israel, over its 2000 year history, made plenty of mistakes, got lost, had to suffer tribulation to correct their position (division, exile, reformation, etc), Christianity too has gone through a similar course. The difference is, in Israel, it all played out within one single nation. With Christianity, it has played out over the whole world.
Good things come in threes. Just as we have uncovered the truth about the material world in uttermost detail, humanity is destined to grasp the truth about spiritual reality to the same extent. This means, grasping the very purpose of creation, how (if) that was lost, how it is being recovered, how the spirit grows, what its makeup is, how it functions, etc. Why there are different expressions of the truth, and why they are all only partial. etc.
Paul indicated as much. "Now we see dimly, as in a dark mirror, but THEN we shall see clearly". The real question is, as Jesus himself put it, "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
The Bible includes both old and new testaments, because they are deeply related, and have the same purpose (prepare for the coming of Christ) albeit in very different contexts (National level, physical foundation : Global level, spiritual foundation).
Anyway, thems my thoughts on that. Sort of.
Thanks.