What’s with this insatiable need that the post-modern church has to explore “alternative views’ of what Jesus did on the cross? First it was the '
alternative atonement theories'. Just when I finally put those things to rest, I came across an article the other day at
Open Source Theology that presents another '
alternative view.' This one proposes that when Jesus died on the cross, the
outer curtain was torn, NOT the
inner curtain between Holy of Holies as our dusty old presuppositions and traditions have led us to believe.
I thought this would be an interesting thing to look at, even if only to solidify what I believe. What follows is my own personal examination of this thing (just one of many link-filled ramblings which gets stored on this little brown blog for future personal reference that people who happen to stop by may or may not find too boring to read).
So here's an excerpt from
Temple Tantrum/ Which curtain was torn?:
“We all know “the curtain of the temple was torn in two as Jesus died.” And most assume it was the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, meaning Jesus provides direct access to God. Good and true that he does that, and it is the proper “evangelical answer”.. but what if the temple torn in two was not the second curtain (or second curtain only), but the first.. what would the implications be?
…I am glad at least a few pastors… are brave enough admit to their congregations that there were two curtains, and that this “alternative view” might be correct.”
-http://www.opensourcetheology.net/node/3117
First of all, there are other words I would use to describe those pastors other than "brave." Secondly, if you study the actual temple layout, you can find out about the two curtains, if you dig through these things:
Herod’s temple
www.bible-history.comSchematic Plan of the Temple
www.bible-history.comJERUSALEM
Jerusalem, Holy City of David - Site, Temple and Palaces; scale models, reconstructions
www.bible-architecture.infoSo yes, it is true, there was another curtain.
The Open Source Theology article goes on to say…
“Many people teach that the curtain that was torn in the Temple was the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. Did you know that there were two curtains in the Sanctuary?
Hebrews 9:3 “Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,” And Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance has this to say about the second “curtain” (the Greek word used here is “katapetasma”) in the Sanctuary: katapetasma { kat-ap-et’-as-mah} “The name given to the two curtains in the temple at Jerusalem, one of them at the…
[NOTE: by the way, there is a PICTURE RIGHT HERE in the middle of this article, which is of no help as it’s the Dome of the Rock]
…entrance to the temple separated the Holy Place from the outer court, the other veiled the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place.”
There were two curtains in the Sanctuary. I don’t think that the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place was the curtain torn in two [Matthew 27:50-51]. Rabbi Sha’ul (the apostle Paul) reminds us that Messiah (Yeshua) is not divided or torn in two [1Corinthians 1:13]. All of this would mean that God is calling all believers (male and female) in the New Covenant to become ministering priests before Him…”
-G.M. Maurer
-Temple Tantrum/ Which curtain was torn?
by fresno dave
http://www.opensourcetheology.net/node/3117
Okay, so this Maurer person doesn’t think that the curtain into the Holy of Holies was the one that was torn in two, and reminds us that Jesus was not torn in two.
But here’s the thing. The Bible has this very nice way of interpreting itself, so when we read all of it (the whole counsel of God), we soon see that there is really no reason to entertain silly questions and “alternative views.” The answer to this alternative view is in the Bible...
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” Hebrews 10:19,20The Bible confirms over and over again that the dividing curtain into the Holy of Holies is what separated us from God, and that because of Christ’s sacrifice as our high priest once and for all, we now have access to God.
The article is correct in saying that Jesus was not divided or torn in two (his legs were not broken, just like the Passover lambs modeled in the Exodus (
Exodus 12:46,
Numbers 9:12), and fulfilled in
John 19:31-36 as prophesied in
Psalm 34:20. But He was beaten, bruised, stricken, tortured, wounded, whipped, pierced, and bled and died in our place. And as He said the night before He willingly went to the cross (
1 Cor.11:24), this is what that piece of unleavened bread represents that is broken in two every time Jewish people celebrate a
Passover Seder (the
afikoman)....
Early in the Seder, the Host takes the middle matzo and breaks it in two, leaving one half in the middle and puts the other half under the cloth for the “afikomen.” It is always wrapped in linen and hidden in a dark place.
- Christ in the Passover (www.khouse.org)
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”1 Cor 11:24This was symbolic of the tearing of the curtain, and now all have access through faith to the throne of mercy, whether Jew or Gentile, by the final sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our High Priest and the Lamb of God. (Hebrews
4:15-16;
6:18-19;
9:1-15;
10:19-22) (See also
Veil of the temple @ www.bible-history.com)
“For through him we both have access by one spirit to the Father. Now therefore you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph.2:18-19)I guess what it boils down to is that I don't really see what the discrepancy is. There are so many voices today saying all kinds of doubt instilling things like “this is the traditional view we have always been taught about such and such, but here’s a new thing we are looking at - an 'alternative theory' that might be the actual correct way.” When I hear that opening line, the best thing I have found to do is to open my Bible and search the scriptures, like a good little Berean, to see what it really says on the subject. God has promised to help us find the truth, and He's very good at helping those who are truly seeking find the right things, since He wrote the book. :)
And like I've said before, I don't know much, I just blog here, and unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this blog are the personal opinions, rantings, and meanderings of this blogger.
<~>
Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at the time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in the ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph.2:11-16)
Related:
Those that deny ‘penal substitution’ are “the enemies of the cross of Christ” [Philippians 3:18]
moriel.orgShack Author William P. Young Denies Penal Substitution
www.davidwesterfield.net
