Throughout history most people who have lived in various cultures have always desired to believe in a superior, all powerful, super intelligent omnipotent being that provides a reason for why we exist. Most people cannot accept the opinion that there may not be a reason, or a God responsible for our very existence. So, many have created a God that is kind, caring, loving, and genuinely interested in his creation. Most people believe that their God would ultimately provide them with an opportunity to become self-existent by giving them eternal life.
There are approximately 6.6 billion people that currently live on the earth. What does this mean? There are 6.6 billion ideas and beliefs about God and how a person individually accepts, rejects, and/or defines the relationship they have with their God.
Ronald Weinland is not any different from any of the countless billions of people who believe in an all powerful, kind and genuinely loving God. Ron has defined the relationship that he has with his God, and has shared those values, ideas, and beliefs with his followers. This happens in all religious organizations. The books that Ron wrote define his ideas and beliefs about his God who created the universe, the angelic realm, mankind, and the creation of his Christ. His books also discuss God’s predetermined plan for the salvation of all mankind, and an opportunity for most people to become self-existent and eternal beings. Thus, becoming part of the God family. This according to Ron Weinland and his highly esteemed teacher, Herbert Armstrong, is the purpose to our very existence.
Herbert Armstrong, as well as many religious institutions throughout history have developed a set of values, ideas and beliefs about a God, that they perceive is the one-true God of the universe. They have shared these beliefs with others and have created their own individual organizations and belief systems. Ron Weinland followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Herbert Armstrong, and continued on with most of his teachings. However, Ron deviated and had a different point-of-view regarding Jesus Christ and whether or not he existed prior to his earthly existence. Armstrong and various modern day religious organizations believe that Jesus Christ existed prior to his earthly birth in Jerusalem and was the God known in the Old Testament or simply the “Word.”
Ron Weinland creates an argument and discusses that Christ could not have existed “eternally or physically” prior to his earthly birth. Many biblical scholars, individual people, and Weinland have given various scriptures, known as text proofing, in order to support their positions and prove that their position is true, correct and accurate. The last chapter of Weinland’s most recent book, God’s Final Witness, discusses the various text proofs that he uses to support his position. It is not my intent to get involved in text proofing and providing evidence to support Weinland’s position or Armstrong’s position on each of their views on resolving the issue of whether or not Christ eternally existed.
It is interesting that Weinland decided to change the long held beliefs of his teacher, Herbert Armstrong, which Christ has always eternally existed. What are the ramifications of such a doctrinal change?
Many religious institutions as well as Herbert Armstrong embraced the belief that Christ eternally existed. What does it mean to eternally exist? There are two possible meanings.
1. Christ was a created spiritual being before his earthly physical birth, or
2. Christ existed as a spiritual being without a beginning.
The angelic realm had a beginning because they were created beings, according to text proofing. Nonetheless, they are eternally self-existing spiritual beings with a beginning.
Here is the dilemma, many religious institutions believe and support that Christ eternally existed before he was born a physical human being. If a person accepts that Christ eternally existed and gave up his eternal existence (spiritual powers) to become human, then Christ can die a physical death and a spiritual death. Thus, there is probability that Christ could have ceased to exist both physically and spiritually. According to literal scripture this is the case. Yes, Christ could have ceased to exist eternally, forever, if God the Father did not resurrect him and provide him once again with eternal life. Christ was mortal, physical and had no spiritual powers while he was on earth. He was not a spiritual being, manifesting himself in a physical body, because he had to rely on God the Father to resurrect him after he died a physical death. According to text proofing, God made the decision to resurrect and grant eternal life to Christ. If Christ was already eternal, then he would not have to rely on God the father, but could merely resurrect himself.
Can the God that you serve – Die? This is the question that each person who believes in a God must answer. If your God can die, then is your God all powerful? If your eternal God can die, then eternal life is not permanent. Christ eternally existed, yet he died, and lacked the spiritual power to resurrect himself. If this premise holds true, then God the Father could have decided not to resurrect Christ and not offer eternal life a 2nd time. Is this the God that you serve?
Weinland, however, denounces the ideas that Christ eternally existed without a beginning and/or was created a spiritual being before his earthly birth. Since, Weinland denounces these ideas then his eternal God is not subjected to death, cannot be destroyed and therefore is all powerful. Weinland’s God is a true omnipotent God. Weinland’s Christ is not giving up eternal powers (or eternal life) and becoming subjected to the possibility of “eternal death,” if God the Father did not choose to resurrect him after his physical death. Can Weinland’s God – Die? Weinland goes to great length to support his position and eliminate the possibility that his God is inferior or can die.
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