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Bible Questions and Spiritual Discussion
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Chad
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03/29/2013 01:00 |
Yes they surely can because of the words found here 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 we're encouraged to become all things to all people the by means of us some might be saved. Jesus spoke of taking up his yoke in Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Also remember what he said two of the greatest Commandments are love God with your whole heart, love your neighbor as yourself in this you can hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)
Words mean very little when it comes to the ancient of days consider : Proverbs 15:11,Romans 2:16,1 Corinthians 4:5
If we take up his yoke except his teachings do not deny him before man by claiming anything other than what is written he is the son of God he was raised from the dead, his grace is the only way we are saved, which compels us to do good works. Not to be confused with Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:-2 Timothy 3:5
Hopefully this answers the question
chad
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Alison Mary
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03/29/2013 17:44 |
Hi Ray
This is always interesting topic of Faith. I partially read the article on the Christianity today site, in part as it is deep reading and many issues can be covered, not only theological but most important is the spiritual aspect.
As a born again believer I find it very difficult to relate the name Allah to our Heavenly Father, simply because the god that Mohammed speaks of is not of the same nature as the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Also Allah in Hebrew, I am led to believe from the Spirit Filled Life Bible, means 'to ascend' if that is of relevance.
However most spirit filled believers in a Muslim dominated society have had to flee for their lives. Trying to contain the Truth is an awful situation to be in when you know the souls around you are perishing. I am not in that situation with Muslims as such and can not judge another who is but only pray that Gods Holy Spirit work in and through converts to the salvation of souls from hell.
God works in the most incredible ways as we know but personally I do not know the god Allah that Mohammed speaks of as there is no resemblance to our Heavenly Father. Saying that Allah is also called the creator of Heaven and Earth does not satisfy to convince me that we are speaking of the same God. After all does not Allah have Jesus bow before Him in the final days? Just writing that makes my heart thump in my chest and my stomach churn at the thought. I understand it is in the Koran.
Goodness I've probably strayed from your question Ray but I am not qualified in the least to even attempt to answer it only give my opinion based on my limited knowledge. Oh dear my mouth has gone dry at the thought of Jesus being portrayed in such a way in the Koran especially since, He, Jesus is the creator of heaven and earth as He is God incarnate, the Word is God and the Word became Flesh. So if Allah is the creator of Heaven and earth then he should be called Jesus, yes? This could go on and I could have a good rant, not an angry one just simply because it seams like a very strong hindrance to the much needed salvation and release from deception.
It does take an awful lot of courage for me to participate in things like this but I do have a passion for the lost that they may not remain in the state they were born in.
Much Prayer is needed, Amen!
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rhysy
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12/03/2013 00:03 |
Personally, I think the answer to your question is simple. Can people from other religions worship Jesus? Short answer - NO! Can anyone follow Jesus without being born again? No! Are people of Islamic faith born again? NO!!
I mean, explore the Jesus from Islam, and you will clearly see, they talk about a totally different Jesus. For starters, they don't think he's God! That's pretty important. Secondly, Allah is not the God of the bible. Simply compare the characteristics of Yahweh to Allah and you'll find they are polar opposites.
I briefly read the article from Christianity Today (possibly evident in by argument). I agree all Christians need to adopt a cross-cultural or culturally specific language to deliver the Good News, but please note, when Paul walked into a culture dominated by Greek mythology, he didn't say to them - Oh, the god you worship called Zeus is actually the god we worship. We just call him Jesus. This, if I read it correctly, is what the author was stating - Allah is the creator, therefore, Christians seeking to bring people to Jesus in that community should call Jesus, Allah. I take this approach as a blending of the faiths and false teaching.
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rhysy
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12/03/2013 00:06 |
Just to follow on. I quote "Muslims are afraid .....of the Day of Judgment. I have a message from the kingdom of God that addresses all of these spiritual needs. So we are using the Muslim way of thinking about Isa, even if it is incomplete. If Muslims understand even one of these, they will call to Isa, and the Holy Spirit can lead them to understand more benefits of the Cross." What???? This isn't sharing the Gospel. This isn't what Paul, or the rest of the disciples did. Yes, you need to clarify and use terms, but this is just blending two totally different faiths together!! Two words sum this up - false teaching.
What do you think?
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Lanny Carlson
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12/03/2013 13:30 |
Jesus never said,"Worship me," he said "Follow me." People of other faith traditions aren't going to worship Jesus, but they can certainly follow him. Gandhi is a prime example, as he put the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount (which he carried with him and read constantly) into practice, in ways that put many who call themselves Christians to shame.
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rhysy
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12/03/2013 15:58 |
Lanny, you have to be joking?? Worship and follow me are used essentially in the same way. But that is beside the point. The point is whether Gandhi or whoever else you pull from your heretical bag are born again? Lanny, in your opinion and from what you can ascertain from the fruit Gandhi bore, was Gandhi born again? Was he a child of the Kingdom of God? A man who trusted in the cross of Jesus?
The article wreaks of syncretism - the attempt to blend two religions. Christian must preach Christ crucified and risen, not Isa, or Gandhi or whoever is the flavour of the month.
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Lanny Carlson
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12/03/2013 18:15 |
Of course you know I'm not joking! There are many who worship Jesus, who say "Lord, Lord," but who don't really follow up, living as he lived, follow his example. Jesus said that a tree is known by its fruit, and from the fruit born by Gandhi, for example, it is obvious that he was following the way,truth,and live Jesus demonstrated. As for the cross, jesus said that to follow him, we must bear our own cross, something Gandhi and others did far more faithfully than many who claim the name of Jesus. One of most faithful and fruitful people I know is Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk who was a deep influence on Martin Luther King (who nominated him for the Nobel Peace prize) and who Thomas Merton and Daniel Berrigan considered a brother. We're not talking about syncretism, ignoring the real differences among traditions, but recognizing that all truth is of God and can be found within many traditions. We are also recognizing what Jesus said, that those who are not against him are for him, if they are doing his work. And again his work of love and peace is being done by people within many traditions. Jesus came to build bridges, not to build walls. As Frost said, "something there is that doesn't like a wall, that wants it down." God is a wall destroyer, but we - lime the subject of "Mending Wall" - seem more intent on maintaining fences of division.
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rhysy
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12/03/2013 20:48 |
Lanny, my friend, I'll pray for you tonight.
This isn't about syncretism? I quote you "but recognizing that all truth is of God and can be found within many traditions." This, Lanny, is a great definition of syncretism. Thanks for proving my point!!
I think you are so far from biblical Christianity, Lanny. Sit down, with some warm chocolate milk and read 1 John. You misquote scripture on a regular basis. Again, what does it mean to be born again?
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Lanny Carlson
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12/03/2013 21:27 |
No, that is NOT the definition of syncretism. To say that all truth is of God - and if there is actual truth which isn't from God, then where is it's origin? - is hardly a radical view. I certainly hope your God isn't that small. Nor is it syncretistic to recognize that truth can be seen in other traditions. Paul was quoting a non-Christian philosopher when he said, "in God we live and move and have our being." So I guess Paul was being syncretistic when he accepted that truth or when he said that God has never left himself without a witness. Believe what you want to believe, but I refuse to put God in a box and make God small enough to fit my narrow conceptions. I don't want to resort to labeling you or to name-calling. I would hope we can - in the Spirit of Christ - be more loving and charitable than that!
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rhysy
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12/03/2013 21:42 |
Define syncretism then. And, answer the question - what does it mean to be born again?
Let's take a step back. In the article, the missionary didn't acknowledge truth in other religions; he essentially blended the two. Basically, Isa was Jesus - syncretism.
In a way, you did this by stating if someone is for Jesus then he's not an enemy. Yes, if the person is on the SAME mission as Jesus - Jesus' mission was to reconcile his people to him through the cross. Now, was that Gandhi's mission, or anyone else you've brought into the argument? NO it wasn't.
I agree, as I also said in a previous post, Paul would use the beliefs (truths like creation etc)to share the gospel, but he'd clarify and point to the ultimate truth, that being Jesus.
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