Replies

FK: "The strictest sense of this quote [John 20:21] would be that "God sent God, as God, and now He sends the Apostles, as God"."

Ah. Don't tell me another time your mariophobia has no deleterious effects. God did not send Christ as God. God sent Christ as Man.

What? What do you mean God did not send Christ as God? He was sent as both, since He WAS both. And, what does this have to do with Mary? I'm not following you.

Christ as God could not be sent anywhere. He is God now and forever and outside of time.

If you want to take it from God's POV, that is always fine with me. As you know, I do it all the time. :) In this case, Christ as God is "sending Himself", as it were. I do the same thing when I decide to run an errand. Not a big deal to me. The language used is more suited to the human POV, but it is adaptable to God's also.

Now, Christ, in this verse, plain text, sends the Church likewise, like men. I know it is shocking, but all I do is read what is written.

I presume you mean to distinguish the elite hierarchy from the laity ("Church" vs. men). I would certainly agree that all the Christian Catholic hierarchy are also called to follow Christ, minister, lead, etc. So are all Protestant pastors, ministers, deacons, etc. Nothing shocking there. I think we again disagree on who "the Church" is. Your hierarchy was included in the verse, but not to the exclusion of other Christians. That's the difference.

What do you mean God did not send Christ as God? He was sent as both, since He WAS both

The Incarnation is God becoming Man. The Second Person of the Trinity was "there from the beginning", eternally begotten. The Incarnation happened when Christ assumed human nature through Mary. Of this even He spoke whe He said "As my father sent me".

not to the exclusion of other Christians

The scriptural method of "sending" is sacramental imposition of hands (Acts 6); we also expect unity of doctrine ("is Christ divided?"), and on that basis exclude those who are separated from the Church either sacramentally or doctrinally.

Ah. Don't tell me another time your mariophobia has no deleterious effects. God did not send Christ as God. God sent Christ as Man.

Mariophobia-LOL! as opposed to Mary worship (Jer.44)

God sent Christ as both man and God, begetting Him in the womb, thus, Christ was both man (born of a woman-water) and God (having God's blood-Acts.20:28)-1Jn.5:6-8

As for the Church, God is building the Church (Eph.2:20-22) and sends Pastors, teachers and evangelists (having sent Prophets and Apostles before the completion of the New Testament Canon) for the Church's edification and perfecting of the saints (Eph.4:11).

Note-all believers are called saints.