I've been putting off reading Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code . I had serious doubts that there was much substance under all the fuss and I really objected to paying for a hard cover copy. But I was asked to read it for work (and they were willing to let me expense it) so last week-end I grabbed a copy. This week paperbacks hit the shelves. Classic.I thought the book started out pretty slowly but once it got going it was a decent chase. I think this will be one of those rare cases when the movie turns out to be better than the book. There's a ton of controversy surrounding this book and for the most part I wish people would remember that it's a novel. It's not listed as non-fiction for a reason.
For me the most intriguing question is not so much "What if Jesus had a child?" but rather "What difference would it make if He did?" Now hear me out here, I'm not saying "What if Jesus had a child and the Bible forgot to mention it?" But would being a father have made His sacrifice in any way less valid? If I believe that the Scriptures are true when they say that Jesus was both fully God and fully man, would He have been any less of a Saviour if he had had a child?
Jesus came and walked among us and it says that He experienced all the emotions that are common to man. Would that have changed if He had experience parenthood? I've heard it argued that if Jesus had a child He would be less divine (sorry I can't remember where I read that, I'll look for it) and I can't see the logic in that. Afterall, God Himself is a Father. (As a friend of mine likes to point out, God is a single parent family :)
I believe that the biblical account of Jesus is accurate, and that He did not father any children here on earth but even saying that, I don't think that He would be any less the Son of God if He had had a child of His own. I don't know if it would mess with the Trinity but I don't think so. God exists in three persons, one of whom, the Son took on humanity for a time. If in His humanity He had a child that child would certainly be someone special but would it necessarily require a change in theology?
6 comments:
Great photo of you at the top of the blog.
Love Mom XX
Hey Claire,
I think that its very interesting that it never says that Christ went to the bathroom, but certainly we aren't to assume he never did. Marriage and procreation are far from being sinful. I agree that it wouldn't really change anything if Christ did marry, except for 2 possible points. Some would say it would be wrong to leave your wife and family to pursue ministry for 3 years, and some would say it would be wrong to sacifice your life when you had a family to attend to. Now, neither of these complaints are air tight, but certainly some would have a problem with it. Secondly, If Christ did have children, it would certainly complicate things. Would his children be sinless also? Would they inherit their fallennness from the mother? And would those who were direct descendants of Christ somehow be more "special"? More God's children? Again, not an air tight case for or against but certianly does muddy the waters a little.
Good postin', Claire.
-Dave
I think Dave found the key issue with Jesus having a child.
Original sin is passed on through the man's seed (which is why Mary conceived through the HS and not by Joseph.)
Jesus was sinless so original sin would have to be either introduced by a miracle (I can't see God doing that) or the child would be sinless as well.
Dave - good points. I was thinking primarily that having a child wouldn't make Jesus any less devine but I think you raise some good issues that it would make things more complicated. You could argue that there already were people who were "more special" -- the Jews are God's chosen people, but then if now "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free" maybe it we'd all be equally special anyway. Although I think you'd have a hard time keeping people from worshiping the kids.
So, yes, I agree it would make things more complicated. But He would still be God.
Positively.
(Unless of course He was unmarried and fathered a child--that would be frowned upon)
-Dave
hey claire -- just reading Da Vinci myself. can't beat $5 at Costco. I think it's very compelling, but I feel a little defensive reading it. I don't want to take what the book is saying about Jesus lightly -- I think it's so important to only speak truth about the Lord. But perhaps the shock / entertainment value will lead people to think on new avenues, hopefully guided to the important focuses of Christ's message. I like the way you're thinking... very interesting.
I really like your photo too. :)
-de
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