Let us take a look at the prophecy : )
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.
Was Mary barren? I don't think so.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Was Christ ugly? All the references I have seen indicate that he was comely, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." That doesn't sound stricken by God to me.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
When was Christ crushed? He wasn't. Am I healed by his wounds? I don't think so.
And who can speak of his descendants?
Christ had descendants? Are they Gods too? Are you a Dan Brown follower?
He was assigned a grave with the wicked
Was Christ buried in a grave of the wicked? I think not.
though he had done no violence
Christ didn't whip and drive out the money changers?
he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
My, my, my I don't even know what to say. That obviously didn't happen. I almost feel sorry for your feeble attempt at trying to show a true prophecy.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
Obviously this isn't a reference to Christ, unless God is schizophrenic.
Every bit of it came to be.
I just pointed out that the bulk of the prophecy never happened or wasn't true. Did you even read the prophecy before you offered it up? I especially liked the part about Christ having kids and an extended life.
In a post last week you told me you are an atheist - I find it interesting that you spend your time on FR in the Religion section? Do you see yourself as an antagonist, or someone who is seeking and would like to be proven wrong, or none of the above? Just curious ...
I am a seeker of truth. In general I am trying to understand why people like you believe the way you do. I find it fascinating that people believe an illusion, despite seeming to see the reality at the same time. In other words, I find how you deal with cognitive dissonance fascinating.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. It's awesome to have an absolute like Christ to stand upon. He's a foundation that can not be shaken even when our own world's quake with circumstances. Consider the temporal versus the eternal and that helps to put things in perspective.
: ) And that is what I find fascinating, your faith trumps everything. Challenges to your faith actually reinforce your belief, that is incredibly powerful. It is a power harnessed by armies, religion, leaders, etc. You would be willing to lay down your life because of your belief. It explains the Muslim suicide bombers thinking.
I find trying to understand that kind of thinking, fascinating : ) I think it is tied directly to the belief in prophecy, which in turn is all about control of the future.
More later - con calls from 2-3 and 4-5 CST :)
Was Mary barren? I don't think so.
Not sure how you arrived at that out of that verse.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
Was Christ ugly? All the references I have seen indicate that he was comely, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." That doesn't sound stricken by God to me.
His appeal and power were not based on the way he looked but on who he is. By definition, glory and beauty are not the same thing.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
When was Christ crushed? He wasn't. Am I healed by his wounds? I don't think so.
He was crushed in spirit (not physically) before the crucifixion (Luke 22:44 - And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.)
And who can speak of his descendants?
Christ had descendants? Are they Gods too? Are you a Dan Brown follower?
Believers, that's me and all other Christians, are heirs and descendants of Christ (see the promises to Christians in the New Testament).
He was assigned a grave with the wicked
Was Christ buried in a grave of the wicked? I think not.
Christ was on one cross among three crosses - the other two men being crucified were thieves (wicked) whereas Christ was unblemished (holy).
though he had done no violence
Christ didn't whip and drive out the money changers?
He did - that was righteous violence - Christ's violence was not out of hatred but out of love and defense for the Father.
he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
My, my, my I don't even know what to say. That obviously didn't happen. I almost feel sorry for your feeble attempt at trying to show a true prophecy.
There's nothing feeble about the Word of God. No pity is required for me. I'm an heir of the King. :)
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
Obviously this isn't a reference to Christ, unless God is schizophrenic.
Every bit of it came to be.
I just pointed out that the bulk of the prophecy never happened or wasn't true. Did you even read the prophecy before you offered it up? I especially liked the part about Christ having kids and an extended life.
None of the prophecy is wrong and it was fulfilled in the New Testament (read the crucifixion account in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
I am a seeker of truth. In general I am trying to understand why people like you believe the way you do. I find it fascinating that people believe an illusion, despite seeming to see the reality at the same time. In other words, I find how you deal with cognitive dissonance fascinating.
For me it's not an illusion. It's reality. Otherwise, why bother? I have an extremely full and busy life. Affiliating myself with a God who doesn't exist would be a waste of my time. He's real and the relationship I have with him is real. Even though he can not be seen, he is fully responsive, fully acts on my best interests (even if they don't always feel like it) all while managing the universe the way he chooses. He's not a puppet master. He's a sovereign God and Father.
: ) And that is what I find fascinating, your faith trumps everything.
True, it does.
I find trying to understand that kind of thinking, fascinating : ) I think it is tied directly to the belief in prophecy, which in turn is all about control of the future.
Only God is in control of the future. Believers are the sheep that hear and follow his voice and follow him, the great Shepherd (see Psalm 23). I personally focus little on prophecy and focus more on Him. He's the one who has it all mapped out so I really don't need to worry about it because I take Him at His Word.