"For mankind is the center of the universe for whom everything was created. Upon his creation, the entire world was completed and G-d's desire in the world came to its fulfillment".As many of my old-time readers know, I am the product of convent schools, elementary through college, except for U.C. Berkeley which is - well, Berkeley. To this day, I can see two outstanding diagrams in my high school religion text, one depicting a "Christ-Centered Universe", the other showing a "Man-Centered Universe".
Without getting into a theological debate here, the choice for most believers and certainly for the purpose of religious training of Catholic students, is that we live in a Christ-centered universe. This should not be too difficult to comprehend, though there are varying beliefs across the denominational spectrum. So, it is without question, that my personal belief is, and always has been, that we live in a universe in which Yeshua HaMashia (Jesus Christ) is the center. I will expound on this later.
Now, in regards to the entry quote which has precipitated this missive, let me say I am neither able nor qualified to speak to Jewish law as to whether or not "mankind is the center of the universe". I have put out feelers for clarification in several rabbinical directions and will share them with you should they bring a response. Were I to make a guess as to what it means, I would say that it simply means that man was given dominion over all of the earth,(Genesis 1:26)and as such he was given tremendous authority to do certain things, so in this sense he was the center. The entry quote, by the way, is from an old article, no longer available, at the Jewish site of Chabad.org.
At one time it was thought that the sun was the center of the universe. The church was convinced that Scripture taught that the earth was the center of the universe, while others said the galaxy was the center. Then came the beliefs of Christ-centered and man-centered. Today, scientist tell us that there is NO center to the universe because it is continually expanding. Surely, the Angels are smiling at us. And, an aside here: Did you know that Jerusalem is actually the center of planet Earth?
What should a Christ-centered universe mean to a believer in Yeshua HaMashia?
In a Christ-centered universe, as I remember from the nun, who taught religion, consider what happens if HaMashia is in motion and not limited to only the center of the universe which is represented by a circle. He is moving all around, is He not?
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