The following came to mind when I was reminded that Easter was approaching. It got me thinking. . . . .
If I remember correctly, Jesus was put on Earth to save sinners from Hell and insure they could go to heaven.
And, as I recall, Jesus was one of three consubstantial expressions (a term I took from the definition of the trinity) of god.
So, in fact, god put himself on Earth to save sinners from the Hell he had created for them, or at least permitted it to exist.
God therefore went about his work on earth in the guise of a human, and being omniscient knew what lay ahead---the impending betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection from his human form.
Knowing how his earthly life was to play out, and purposely orchestrating the whole thing, insuring that he would be betrayed, arrested, crucified, etc. why do people find his "suffering" on the cross and his resurrection so admirable? I don't get it.
First of all, he created Hell (or if you prefer, exclusion from Heaven), but why? The only answer I've been able to come up with is that he wanted his creatures, us, to need him. Need him to get us out of the predicament he set up for us. However, he didn't need it for quite a few years, during which time he sent millions of people to his Hell. Then he comes along and offers a way out to some of his creatures, but only if they sing his praises for being a good guy who had himself killed.
In light of the foregoing, isn't Christianity simply an insurance policy that demands that one buy into the notion that the crucifixion and all was some kind of true sacrifice, when, in fact, it appears there was no actual sacrifice at all? It is all a ploy to get people to praise him, and those who don't can go to H - E - double hockey sticks.
If I've missed some critical aspect of the story please bring me up to speed.
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