World Religions

I had an interesting sermon this morning on the Christian response to other religions. At least it was interesting to me. Based on the email and feedback I have got in the last 12 hours, others thought it was very interesting as well. Maybe we'll devote 4 to 6 weeks to the topic later in the year. I had to just skim the surface on many of the questions that were asked. You can listen here.



What is Scientology and why is Hollywood so addicted?

• Scientologists believe that people are immortal spiritual beings who have forgotten their true nature.
• They are reborn until they attain infinite survival by learning to understand the world.
• Salvation is achieved by learning to understand the world.
• Until that salvation happens, people are reborn and reborn again and again.
• Developed in the 1950s
• L. Ron Hubbard
• Scientologists generally believe that modern psychiatry is destructive
• Reincarnation is common.
• They do not believe in Jesus or in heaven.
• The Church of Scientology headquarters are located in Los Angeles where the largest population of Scientologists is located.
• This population does include celebrities.
• It is a myth that most people in Hollywood are mostly Scientologists.
• Scientology does have some high profile people, but these people are a small percentage of the population.

What is the basic belief system of the Jehovah Witnesses? Do they believe in Christ? Why don’t they believe in blood transfusions? Why don’t they believe in holidays, including birthdays?

• The Jehovah Witnesses consider the Bible primary for their teachings and practices.
• Their theology is much different from traditional Christian theology which has led to many Christian denominations calling them a sect or a cult.
• In medical ethics, Jehovah Witnesses do not accept blood based on Acts 15:29, “You must abstain from eating food offered to idols and from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals.”
• Holidays such as Easter, Halloween, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas are not celebrated, as Jehovah Witnesses believe these customs come from ancient pagan religions.
• National holidays are not observed by Jehovah's Witnesses because they believe it compromises their loyalty.
• Birthday celebrations are also avoided as days that lead to feelings of "self-importance".

Is a Mormon a Christian

• No.
• Some Mormons would have a different perspective than I have, but virtually all Christian thinkers would not consider Mormons to be Christians.
• The biggest difference is found in the theology derived from works such as the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price.
• Revelation 22:18 - “And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.

What are the similarities and differences between the Roman Catholic Church and the United Methodist Church?

• This is the most common question I received.
• Catholics and Methodist are the same religion. We are both Christians.
• Catholics are the largest Christian denomination.
• Methodism is the third largest denomination.
• The split between The Church of England and the Roman Catholic was more of a political split than a theological split. Henry 8th was excommunicated by Pope Paul 3rd in 1534. The issue was that Paul would not give Henry 8 an annulment.
• In the 1700s, John Wesley, the father of Methodism, was removed from the Church of England because he preached outside the walls of church buildings. To the laborers and the coal miners. The Church of England didn’t think this was dignified and removed Wesley as a clergy.
• I want you to hear something: There are more similarities than differences.
  Of all the Protestant denominations, United Methodists are one of the closest to the Roman Catholic Church.
• We agree on probably 99% of things.
• Forgiveness, Prayer, Serving, Children, the poor, etc…
• There are some differences and some differences are obvious:

1. The presence of the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church
2. The dissimilarity of the role and rights of clergy: I can get married and have children and I’m considered to be one of you.
3. Emphasis on the Word for United Methodists
4. Emphasis on Communion for Roman Catholics
5. Views on marriage, annulments, and remarriage.

One of the more subtle, but major differences is where the source of theology is derived from: Roman Catholics derive theology from church history and Scripture. United Methodists place the Bible as primary and use tradition and history as secondary sources.

1. Catholics would likely say their doctrine and theology has been refined in community over time.
2. Methodists would most likely say our doctrine and theology is based on Scripture. We are always trying to return to Scripture.

Another major difference is the United Methodist belief of salvation by faith apart from works. Roman Catholics generally deny this doctrine.

1. You are saved by grace through faith. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. – Ephesians 2:8
2. Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? –James 2:20

If Jewish people are the chosen people why do we think their religious beliefs are wrong?

• Christians and Jewish persons agree on many beliefs.
• We share the Old Testament (or Tanakh).
• The obvious difference is that Christians believe that Jesus was fully human and fully God and that he is the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures.
• It is a small religion. Less than .25% of the world’s population.

Is Hinduism a practice, a way of life, or a religion?

• Hinduism is a religion.
• It is the most diverse and third largest religion in the world.
• The principle of dharma is key to Hinduism.
• Dharma is the life that is upheld and supported by travelling a virtuous path.

What are essentials of Islam?

• They, like Christianity, are a monotheistic religion.
• Jesus was a not God – only a prophet.
• Many in the Bible are mentioned in the Koran.
• This is the world’s second largest religion.
• Most are not anti-Western radicals.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Does this mean that only Christians can be with God when they die? What happens to people of other faiths or no faith?

Second most common question. Here are the three views of salvation:

Universal or Plural

• All paths are equally valid to the Ultimate Reality
• Religious people throughout the world are pretty much saying the same thing, just in a different language.
• Many in our culture who ascribe to this.
• What is true for me is true for me and what is true for you is true for you.
• This is the one of the three views of salvation that is most difficult to defend.
• It doesn’t honor all religions. Most Moslems would not find it honoring to hear that what they believe is no more or less true than what a Hindu believes.
• It assumes all religions are valid.
• Not biblical - Jesus talked about heaven and hell.

Restrictive or Exclusive

• All who do not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior will be condemned to hell.
• There are no exceptions to this rule.
• This view is widely held by those in Evangelical, Conservative, and Fundamentalist Churches
• It is black and white
• According to this view, 2/3’s of the world’s population will not receive salvation.
• When you start to make exceptions for group why not for the next group?
• Why would a loving God create somebody to live pretty much a miserable life, die a painful death, and then be condemned eternally.

Inclusive

• A middle ground.
• God is at work with all people everywhere.
• Jesus Christ is the most complete picture we have of God.
• They are not universalists.
• They are not restrictivists.
• They believe in a heaven and a hell.
• But they also believe heaven is probably more accessible than to just 33% of the world’s population.

How do we get along and respond to people of other religions without appearing arrogant?

It depends.

• Who you are.
• Who is the person you are relating to?
• What does the other person believe?
• How well do you know the person?
• Love, serve, forgive, pray, give, listen, encourage, etc...

Training Update

I did an easy 10 miles in the hills at 7:30 per mile with Jimmy, Bob, Chris, and Joe.