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Baier's distinction is not between "end" and "means," but between "ends," i.e., "ultimate end" and "intermediate end." But if one allows that the significance of Jesus Christ both is and is not constitutive, depending upon whether what he is said to constitute is Christianness (die Christlichkeit) – -- of which he is constitutive – -- or salvation/ultimate transformation – -- of which he is not constitutive – -- one might well use Baier's distinction to make the same point I usually make by saying that Jesus Christ is the primal means of salvation. In other words, just as Baier distinguishes between ends – -- ultimate and intermediate – -- so I distinguish between means – -- primal, on the one hand, and primary and secondary, on the other.

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