Bad Theology In The Messiah?

[EllenMaksoud]

I am sat here listening to Handel's, "Messiah", #5, "A Son is given".

I am quite astonished at what I am hearing. They are calling The Son, The Messiah, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father.

I need some spiritual counseling on this. You mean that Jesus the Christ is The Everlasting Father? Am I hearing this right, or is this just some medieval opera that sort of left some key points out?

I'll be sitting here waiting.

[HairBear]

Those words in Handel's "Messiah" come from Isaiah 9:6

[Kevin Christensen]

I'm both a son and a father, and no one seems particularly confused. That is because I have roles both as a son, and as father and therefore, I am entitled to use both titles.

The key is simply in seeing when and why a particular title applies to Jesus.

Brant does a good job of explaining here:

http://www.fairlds.org/fair-conferences/2003-fair-conference/2003-monotheism-messiah-and-mormons-book

Best,

Kevin Christensen

[Stargazer]

Because of the Fall, we are unworthy to deal directly with the Father. The Son therefore is our intermediary, and by divine investiture of authority, becomes the Father to us, for this mortality.

You might find this discussion of interest:

http://ldsseminary.wordpress.com/2010/11/16/jesus-christ-father-by-divine-investiture-of-authority/

[Maidservant]

Also you might like Mosiah 15 in the Book of Mormon.

[Stargazer]

This is one of those sections of Messiah that I cannot listen to without tears.

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given!

And the government shall be upon his shoulders,

And his name shall be called

Wonderful! Counselor! The Mighty God! The Everlasting Father! The Prince of Peace!

[EllenMaksoud]

This is one of those sections of Messiah that I cannot listen to without tears.

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given!

And the government shall be upon his shoulders,

And his name shall be called

Wonderful! Counselor! The Mighty God! The Everlasting Father! The Prince of Peace!

Yes, I know this is traditionally a Christmas piece, but I listen to it several times a year. "Spem in Alium" is inspiring also.

[EllenMaksoud]

Those words in Handel's "Messiah" come from Isaiah 9:6

It is so inspiring to me.

[EllenMaksoud]

I'm both a son and a father, and no one seems particularly confused. That is because I have roles both as a son, and as father and therefore, I am entitled to use both titles.

The key is simply in seeing when and why a particular title applies to Jesus.

Brant does a good job of explaining here:

http://www.fairlds.o...nd-mormons-book

Best,

Kevin Christensen

The variety of my religious exposure leaves me confused at times. Thank you.

[Calm]

One has to work hard at figuring out all the assumptions one picks up over a lifetime without really noticing. I can imagine it is even more complicated when one has participate in many faith or other types of communities which include major belief positions.

[The Nehor]

He is not the Messiah; he is a very naughty boy.

[volgadon]

He is not the Messiah; he is a very naughty boy.

I'm probably voicing heretical views, but I like that film better than the Holy Grail.

[HairBear]

It is so inspiring to me.

My dad would play the cassette tape of it every Sunday on the way to Church, so when I hear it it reminds me of Sunday's as a child

[rpn]

It says what He was called. Clearly He isn't "the Everlasting Father", but that doesn't mean He hasn't been called that, or that He doesn't act like that from time to time, or that He isn't fully representing the Everlasting Father.

Mozart was after all a creature of a time when Jesus Christ was believed by most Christians to be all of the Godhead (as remains the case today).

Edited August 4, 2013 by rpn

[thesometimesaint]

Yes, I know this is traditionally a Christmas piece, but I listen to it several times a year. "Spem in Alium" is inspiring also.

Ave Maria