Let's make a comparison. When we speak of our hope in the future, what do we work for, or what do we hope for after death, in the final judgement? OK, not all religions believe in a final judgement, but let's compare Islam and Christianity. What is the final state that we seeking?
The Muslim's hope?
The way I understand salvation in terms of the Quran, one works their life in living up to the standard set by Allah, outlined by the five pillars among other practices. Islam claims to be more than Christianity, more than religion in that their scope is beyond just belief, into many prescribed practices to please Allah. On judgement day, they seek to pass judgement in Allah's will through the balance of good deeds weighing heavier than their bad deeds. If they pass that judgement (no one knows Allah's will for sure) their reward or promise is: an afterlife of pleasure. Filled with 70 companions purified, feasts, etc...
The Christian's hope?
For the Christian, they do not earn their salvation. They do not have to worry about if they did enough good deeds to out-weigh ther bad deeds. They simply believe in God's Son, Jesus Christ, who justified them through his death on the cross. Their sins ('bad deeds') are wiped clean! God set the punishment for sin, as death; we can't make up for a murder simply by doing 100 hours, or days, or years of community service. No amount of community service will make up for the life that was eliminated. By faith in Jesus Christ, he completely covers (and pays the penalty for) our bad deeds so we may receive our reward. The promise for the Christian is: an afterlife with the abscense of evil and suffering, in the presence of God.
The Muslim's hope and promise seems to be one of 'delayed gratification', putting the burden on one self. This does not seem very consistent to me. Is having more than 4 wives a bad deed or not? Why can't they have more than 4 wives on earth, but they can in the gardens of paradise? To me, it's either evil, or it's not.
The Christian's hope is more consistent, it doesn't involve a double standard. It provides a true reward, not just a temporal pleasure or escape.
Which promise or reward is better? Which one is lasting?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
We shouldn't compare?
Recently, while I was speaking, a man in the audience made the assertion that, "We shouldn't make comparisons with other religions, we should just preach the Gospel"
While, I understand his sentiment, I disagree. Why?
Comparison is a powerful teaching tool!!!
When I attended college, one of my professors used the approach of "compare and contrast" on many of the tests. This was very effective because you had to think and understand more deeply in order to explain what was the same and what was different.
Often people think they understand the Gospel or passages in the Bible, but when pressed by other ideas, they are unsure of how to defend or explain their belief. If you don't know the difference between how Christians and Muslims understand 'mercy', you may be led astray by fine sounding arguments. (see Colossians 2:2-4)
Much of the New Testament consists of Paul and others defending Christianity and the Gospel against other ideas and religions. Christianity and other religions, as a whole, are mutually exclusive, despite some similarities.
While, I understand his sentiment, I disagree. Why?
Comparison is a powerful teaching tool!!!
When I attended college, one of my professors used the approach of "compare and contrast" on many of the tests. This was very effective because you had to think and understand more deeply in order to explain what was the same and what was different.
Often people think they understand the Gospel or passages in the Bible, but when pressed by other ideas, they are unsure of how to defend or explain their belief. If you don't know the difference between how Christians and Muslims understand 'mercy', you may be led astray by fine sounding arguments. (see Colossians 2:2-4)
Much of the New Testament consists of Paul and others defending Christianity and the Gospel against other ideas and religions. Christianity and other religions, as a whole, are mutually exclusive, despite some similarities.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
What about marriage?
I have a couple thoughts on the whole marriage issue and civil union debate. I think there are fundamental questions that need to be addressed or determined. I put my disclaimer on this for lack of time to fully research or document, it's just a thought.
Origin of Marriage (religion or government?)
The Biblical picture would indicate that marriage is a religious institution or origin. Marriage is a religious union between man and woman as ordained and joined by God. (see Mark 10:7-9), also referring back to Genesis where God made them male and female in his image. This also refers to the married couple becoming ONE. This also points a bit to Ephesians 5 where it compares (maybe equivalent) husband and wife to Jesus and church.
In some quick searches on the Internet (google/wikipedia/others) most attribute the origin of marriage to human invention and politely pass off or ignore the "recorded history" of the Bible in Genesis indicating prior institution than what they indicate by 'man'.
If this is truly the case (that marriage origin is religious, and not a human/civil invention) then I would get the picture that God originated marriage, then humans (civil government) recognized the value chose to encourage it through civil recognition, and granting additional civil rights and benefits.
Who has the right to re-define marriage?
If that is the picture, then civil government, really has no right to re-define a religious institution, such as marriage. The church really has no right to re-define it either, since it was clearly instituted by God (not religious leaders such as Pharisees, Elders, Apostles, etc...) They do not own it, but must either define their own, or try to hijack this wonderful religious institution.
There are all sorts of implications and options that one could take from verifying and understanding this. If you have thoughts about what this would mean (positive or negative implications), please comment.
Origin of Marriage (religion or government?)
The Biblical picture would indicate that marriage is a religious institution or origin. Marriage is a religious union between man and woman as ordained and joined by God. (see Mark 10:7-9), also referring back to Genesis where God made them male and female in his image. This also refers to the married couple becoming ONE. This also points a bit to Ephesians 5 where it compares (maybe equivalent) husband and wife to Jesus and church.
In some quick searches on the Internet (google/wikipedia/others) most attribute the origin of marriage to human invention and politely pass off or ignore the "recorded history" of the Bible in Genesis indicating prior institution than what they indicate by 'man'.
If this is truly the case (that marriage origin is religious, and not a human/civil invention) then I would get the picture that God originated marriage, then humans (civil government) recognized the value chose to encourage it through civil recognition, and granting additional civil rights and benefits.
Who has the right to re-define marriage?
If that is the picture, then civil government, really has no right to re-define a religious institution, such as marriage. The church really has no right to re-define it either, since it was clearly instituted by God (not religious leaders such as Pharisees, Elders, Apostles, etc...) They do not own it, but must either define their own, or try to hijack this wonderful religious institution.
There are all sorts of implications and options that one could take from verifying and understanding this. If you have thoughts about what this would mean (positive or negative implications), please comment.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Dr Robert Carter of visits Pella, IA
Plans are in progress to bring Dr. Robert Carter from Creation Minstries International to speak in the Pella and Des Moines area. Dr. Carter's background is in genetics and marine biology. Here are some of the events that will be taking place while he is in town April 6-13.
Here is a map of the events.
KCWN and WHO Radio interviews
Sunday, April 6:
Here is a map of the events.
KCWN and WHO Radio interviews
Sunday, April 6:
- Tracy CRC
- Covenant Reformed Church, Pella: 11:00 Sunday School presentation
- Third Church, 708 E 13th Pella, IA: 6:00-7:15 "Jesus, Genesis, Evolution, and the Gospel"
Monday, April 7:
- Oskaloosa Christian, Oskaloosa: 8:30: brief student address
- Pella Community Center, 712 Unition, Pella: 7:00-8:30 "What Darwin Didn't Know"
Tuesday, April 8:
- PEACE Homeschool, Liberty E-Free Church: 10:00-11:30
- Central College Intervarsity Fellowship: 4:30-6:00 "Q&A with Dr. C"
- Pella Community Center, 712 Unition, Pella: 7:00-8:30 "Genetics and Genesis"
Saturday, April 12:
- Pastors Breakfast (other ministry leaders welcome), Pella Excit-A-Bowl: 7:30, "Q&A with Dr. C"
Sunday, April 13:
- Grimes United Methodist Church, Grimes, IA: 8:00, 9:15, 10:30
All events sponosred by the Pella Creation Task Force. For more information contact, CreationTaskForce@gmail.com or 641-780-4839.
Please check back to this page for updates as the events get closer.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Creation\Evolution: The Key Issue
The key issue that causes concern for me and many other Christians is not over how animals change or the geological or astronomical forces in effect, it is the authority of man over God and the key basis that the Bible gives for our salvation. The scriptures point out that death was the result of sin, Adam sinned and passed that sin and death to all his descendants, thus we all deserve death. But God gave us a way to escape eternal death by sending his Son to pay the penalty of death for us on the cross and giving us His gift of grace and eternal life. Any system of thought, or interpretation of data, that puts physical death before physical sin undermines this message and puts the Gospel message in the realm of fairy tale. Likewise, anything that takes away Jesus’ real death and real resurrection undermines this same message. So far, everything that I’ve seen from evolution puts death before Adam and before sin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)