A few days back I received a comment from “anonymous.” I filter comments as some people use other people’s blog sites to advertise or promote something that has nothing to do with anything I have written. I am not looking for comments that only agree with my point of view and, though “anonymous” had some valid points, the way it was written was inflammatory. Using words to describe other religions as satanic or evil is not something I do, so I passed on letting others read what this nameless person had to say on my blog.
I realize that many people do not approach other religions the same way I do. My approach is to respect other people views, which some consider compromise, at best, universalism at worse. Probably 99.9% of the people who read my blog are believers of a particular religion in which they were born. I realize my evangelical and fundamentalist friends will make a distinction, and rightly so, that being a follower of Jesus is a matter of choice (through faith) and not a religion one is born into. But the reality is that of the 99.9% of those who read this blog are not converts from another religion. Most of you have never been ostracized for embracing another faith, faced the loss of inheritance, had your life threatened or caused shame to their parents. We are all CULTURALLY BOUND, and where we are born does make a difference on whether we are Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist or Christian. I respect people of different faiths, not because of their beliefs, but because they hold something dear to them that is a part of who they are as a people. As I would like people of a different faith to respect my beliefs and not say ugly things about my Savior, I want to extend that same courtesy to others.
That is not to say that I believe other religions are on par with Christianity. Christ Jesus is unique and I believe He is the only way to salvation. Jesus is more than a prophet and not just one of many gods. I believe that unless one accepts Jesus for who He is they have no hope for eternal life. However, as I reject the offense comments of some Muslims who call us “infidels,” I do not want to call every Muslim a jihadists nor every Hindu wicked idol worshipers. Why? Because in presenting the Gospel to unbelievers we must understand that they believe what they believe because they (1) were born into that faith without real consideration of their belief and, (2) they really don’t understand the message of Chris and His salvation. Our role as believers is to build bridges for the Gospel, not destroy communication with fiery rhetoric.
I welcome your comments. You can be as kind or ugly to me as you wish and you will get a fair hearing. If you want to use this blog to flay away at others who do not yet know Him, then I suggest you create your own blog site and please, do it openly, not anonymously.
5 comments:
Dear Mr Lewis , I absolutely agree with you word for word.
Living in a multi-religion and multi-ethnic society in India this is the way we Christians should approach our non-Christian friends and neighbours.
Condemnation does not work - it raises walls.
On Christmas Day I visited a Hindu Sai Baba Temple in my city , where they were celebrating Christmas. I went there to thank them and share the message of Christ with them.I was well received. I have written about this on my blog....with photos.
My fellow fundamentalist evangelicals were amused and surprised some of them.Most were suportive.
Good post Dick. While in London recently, I met with an old friend of mine who is a C-5 missionary. Born and raised in Tx, he has for several years had a beard and wears a skull cap and looks very much like a Syrian Muslim where he and his family lived. He started by working and living in Uzbekistan..He now is studying in Oxford in the heart of the Muslim community and his wife wears the head scarf always in public. He told me it has has been strange, sad, scary to be the ones who are discriminated against simply because of the way they look. And then of course when back in the States not only is he discriminated against, but suffers ridicule and suspicion from his "own" when talking about being a Muslim who follows Christ. I must admit, it took me awhile to get my head around it, but now clearly see his strategy and the life he has chosenn for the purpose of reaching the Muslim world..
Good Job Brother. Press on..Bill
www.WorldClassBusienssConsultant.blogspot.com
Baba,
You're right, of course. The only sinners I remember Christ laying into in the Bible were the judgmental, Pharasitical-types--"broods of vipers," "whitewashed tombs," etc. As Christ-followers, it behooves us to see how he treated those he wanted to bring to himself--and then follow suit. Even those of who aren't working in another culture can learn from this lesson--it was Christ's LOVE that brought people to him, not his condemnation or chastisement.
Keep up the good work, Dr. Lewis--be safe these next seven weeks. We will be jealous of you in lovely India whilst we freeze! :)
I have a new appreciation for what you said in this blog. Just today I got a glimpse in the life of a friend of ours who doesnt know Jesus as his savior. In his life experience, in his culture where most of the people can't read, his knowledge of the Bible was shockingly small, and his misunderstanding of the most basic of Biblical principles.
I'm also stuck because I long to be courageous and share with conviction like Paul, but I also want to treat others like I would have them treat me. Gently. Praying for Gods infusing such things in my life.
Fresh words from an old message. Truth that our passions and emotions tend to make us forget.
Thanks, Richard for the reminder.
^Bernie
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