"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
If humanity is condemned, it must be condemned for something - this something is the sin of Adam and Eve and whatever sin is committed after baptism - because the only thing God can take offence to is sin - it is the only real evil - perhaps you will tell me that the scripture quote doesn't say that.
I answer that interpretations of scripture rarely stand completely and totally on their own - they usually must be understood in conjunction with the entirety of doctrine and the interpretation of the bible through tradition. This is why the Catholic Church is not sola scriptura.
Moving on...
"Because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only son." What does it mean to believe in the name of Christ? If one believes in His Name, one also believes that He is what He says He is, and will also believe in Him. Had the unbeliever believed in the name of Christ, the ability of Christ's name to save the world, he would not be condemned. Thus, by our association with Christ we are saved. John 3:14-15 states
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up [referring to the pole upon which the serpent was hung, so Our Lord will also be raised up on the pole of the cross]: 15 That whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting."
The association is through the sacrifice of Christ - we were condemned for commiting an offence to an infinite God, thus, for committing an infinte offence. God became man and offered Himself on our behalf ("For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life) - keep in mind the doctrine of the Holy Trinity - and thus, by His infinite offering, for He is God, our infinite offence was wiped out as well as the temporal punishment owed to it.
What is the reason for Jesus Christ, God made man - why would an Infinite God so lower Himself as to become man? Evidently as He Himself claimed, to save the world. From what? From sin. How? By taking the sin onto Himself, thus, sacrificing Himself for the world. How do we avail ourselves of His sacrifice? By believing in His Name, and thus, in everything He says and by following everything He tells us to do.
However, that is all I have to say. It is not worthwhile to continue after this. I believe that I have answered as best I could your question. I'm sorry if you think it insufficient, I'm only human.
This message has been edited by AdminPhat, 03-17-2005 12:39 AM