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Pros And Cons Of Avatar

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The challenging opinions of Roy and Hick show that even in the Christian tradition, there is debate about divinity and incarnation, just like in the Hindu tradition. On the contrary, author Subin Raj argues strongly against the notion that the Hindu concept of an “Avatar” is not at suitable to be compared to Jesus Christ. Raj first notes that in the Christian tradition, “incarnation is the root of all classic Christian Trinitarianism, but the Hindu religion also points to “stories of the incarnation of gods as ‘avatars’” (Raj 94). Consequently, Raj builds his argument by first explaining avatars in the Hindu context, then discussing Jesus as an avatar in the Hindu context, and finally expresses why he thinks Jesus is not an ‘avatar.’ Similarities …show more content…

On the other hand, Hindu interpretations suggest “an avatar is not fully God,” and even with Krishna being considered a ‘purnavatara’ or full incarnation of God, avatars are not the full embodiment of God (97). Yet, Jesus is understood to be in union with God who had the power to take away sin which is an ideal that “does not exist” in Hinduism (98). As in John 1:14 explains Jesus as “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” and as the Nicene Creed states that “Jesus was generated, or begotten, not created,” Raj sides against Jesus as an avatar (100-101). In fact, Raj advises to stop using avatar “as a translation for Christ’s incarnation,” and he also proposes that a “proper study” be conducted to clarify the “specific beliefs about the Trinity and incarnation” since the “idea of ‘avatar’ strikes at the root of Trinitarian belief (106). As a result, Raj aptly structures his argument against the notion of Christ as an avatar since his incarnation is a unique occurrence, be he also credits the Hindu notion of avatara when stating his

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