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Bible Questions and Spiritual Discussion
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Bible vs other religions
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Hi. I work in an international setting. Lately my coworkers from other countries are discussing their religions with me.I have been a Christian since childhood but don't know how to disscuss my religion with them. This will be my first year reading through the entire bible. My coworkers from other countries seem to be of the belief that the Christian God is the same God as the gods of other religions--the usual comparison is to Allah, although other gods are referred to as well. They say people have confused the direction from the one true God of all and thus have produced the Bible, Koran, etc. Can you direct me to some sources that would help educate myself on this subject? I don't believe that the father/God of Jesus Christ is Allah. Any thoughts? Thank you--Kris
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Kris 09/22/2012 12:59 |
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Ray
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09/22/2012 15:33 |
I would suggest a different view of your position. Some say that one of the things that Jesus did is bring a end to the need for religion. If you accept that idea, and there are strong arguments for this idea, then we have a whole new ball game here with Jesus, and all the religious stuff is rather "old and in the way" of real life by the offered holy spirit.
In short, I'd submit your position is not one of comparing religions. Your position is that our relationship to God is complete by what Jesus has accomplished. What we are here for is to live with him and do this:
Matt 22:34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
A quick way to take a look at your new position is by a series of teachings by Bruxy Cavey called "Why Did Jesus Die?" found here: http://feeds.themeetinghouse.ca/TheMeetingHouseAudiocast or on itunes from the Meeting House. Here Bruxy makes the strong argument for you.
If you are not an audio type, Bruxy's book covers this also:
http://www.amazon.com/The-End-Religion-Encountering-Spirituality/dp/1600060676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348345226&sr=8-1&keywords=the+end+of+religion
Andrew Farley's books are real good on this end of religion view thing, also:
http://www.amazon.com/God-without-Religion-Really-Simple/dp/0801014875/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348345318&sr=1-4&keywords=andrew+farley
Andrew did a two part talk on your new position called "The Naked Gospel" a few weeks back found on that same meeting house page that really does a compact job of presenting a new way of looking at things, also.
In short, unless you see your faith as something completely different from religion, you really don't have a very strong position. All the religious approaches to the faith are just more of the flesh. Farley calls it "christiany flesh," a long string of useless, fruitless self-improvement programs. When really, our real place is as Jesus said: John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Oh yeah, prayer is critical in this effort you are in.
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