I am finding that some of the most challenging theological conversations I've had as of late are in bars and pubs. I was just was sitting eating & reading at McGonigals in Barrington this evening and first started talking to a couple about texting and phones. They were older maybe in their 50's or 60's and were considering getting an iphone so I showed them mine. Then India came up - I shared a little about IREF and the wife shared how she had been to different parts of India for a work trip & conferences. We started talking about how the poorest materially are often the richest spiritually - then our conversation moved to materialism in America. Then the conversation went into communion and their bring episcapalian and how many Catholics believe that it is the actual body and blood of Christ that we are eating. I shared it's important that we remember the spiritual transaction that can happen during communion and it's about our heart posture before God and others (repentance & remembrance) when we take communion and not putting too much into the 'physical' elements - yes, I believe they are symbols but there is something spiritual that happens in remembering Christ's death through communion.
Then they shared that they also believe there is more than one way to God - that even though they are Christians - Jesus is not the only way to God and since we are not God - we (I) shouldn't judge others. That a good Hindu or a good Buddhist etc can also go to be with God when they die. So I asked questions like who decides what is good? Didn't God say there is no one good besides Him. And Jesus' teaching that He is the only way to the Father - He is the only one who is the incarnate One - and then they agreed but of course there was a but - well, they said who are we to judge and God wouldn't send people away. Then I mentioned we can know truth based on what God has revealed through creation, but specifically in Christ and His Word and that actually there is a scripture in Matthew when Jesus separates the sheep from the goats - he does say "depart from Me I never knew you." So even those who did things in Jesus' name - did not know Him... so how much more so for those who just see Jesus as a mere teacher, a prophet and not as God.
At the end of the day - there are some similarities in different religions - like loving our neighbor as ourselves - Yes that theme is in the Qur'an, teachings of Buddha and Hinduism etc - but it is going to come down to - our being able to answer this question that Jesus asked his disciples "Who do you say that I am?" Is He the Savior of the world or not? Is He the Messiah or not? is He the way, truth and life or not? Is He the only way to the Father or not?
Man may try to create different ways to God but God is the only one who has provided the true way to Him - and that is in Christ through his death and resurrection... through our repentance and faith in Him and Him alone. Who do the Buddhists, Hindus etc - have to cleanse them from their sins? themselves - through works etc - but it is in Christ's blood and atonement that we have forgiveness and cleansing. God has been revealing Himself to people in dreams - giving them revelation of who Jesus is and I'm on fire even more after this conversation to pray for those in other 'faiths' who are still in darkness.
If those who call themselves Christians are becoming deceived and are being tossed with every wind of doctrine, with thinking that is more humanistic than that what is true, from the Scriptures and from Holy Spirit - then we are facing a critical time for the Church. It's really time to pray, to love, and to not compromise the teachings of Jesus because they may not be comfortable or fit a self-made distorted view of God.
When we begin to take the Word of God as another mere opinion and keep it at the same level as other religious teachings - i.e. from Ghandi, Buddha, Mohammed, etc. - we are in trouble. Is it radical to believe that Jesus is still the only way - i'm finding that it is and it both grieves me and challenges me to press in. We as the church need to make disciples - true followers of Christ - the times we are living in call for nothing less. Do we know the teachings of Jesus? Does my mind need to be renewed again, my heart purified even more so that the teachings of this world, teachings of false religion, and the doctrine of demons are removed from the true teachings of Christ.
May we be found faithful and prayerful.
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