Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!decwrl!shelby!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: gross@dg-rtp.dg.com (Gene Gross) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: gulf crisis, spiritual help for peace Message-ID: Date: 14 Sep 90 03:53:01 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Data General Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC Lines: 97 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu (I'm piggy-backing onto Larry's response because I lost the original posting by Mr. Franco. Think you can carry your brother for a while, Larry? ;-)) In article lae@io.UUCP (Larry Enos) writes: >In article , >franco@iro.umontreal.ca (Jonathan Franco) asks us to join in an >organized prayer/meditation ritual for peace. The moderator approved >this posting, and added: > >> >> [I hope no one finds this offensive. Calling Christians to join those >> of other faiths in prayer seems consonant with the purpose of this >> group, though this particular call has a certain new age flavor to >> it... --clh] > >Yes. I am very offended. First, I realize what the general charter of this group is. And from that view, I can't say that I was offended. What Mr. Franco asked for has been asked before in other arenas. I'm not upset with the request because it is based upon a worldly notion of what Christianity is. Paul has some advice in this regard: "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife. "And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Tim. 2:23-26, KJV) However, where I would be upset is if I found out that Christians were participating in a form of worship that is not to the living God. The worship of a Christian belongs to Jehovah God, His Son, the Lord Jesus, and His Holy Spirit. And part of worship is prayer. Prayer is a unique privilege for the saints. It is the "WATS" line between us and God. Through prayer we speak to the Holy One of Israel. How can we then join non-Christians, worshippers of other gods, in praying? What many of conversation do the children of Light have with the children of Darkness? Jesus clearly states who He is in the text. I makes no difference if people accept that or not for the Truth does not change. He is immutable. Jesus is the chief cornerstone. Anyone who falls on this Stone is broken; and on whom this Stone falls, they are shattered to dust. In speaking of who He is, to the Jews first, and now to us today, He says that before Abraham was, He is (I am--ego eimi). He is the Way, the Truth, the Life; no man comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ. It is this that prevents me from bowing in prayer with non-Christians. I do, however, share their concern for peace in the world. And in that I am concerned about this, I will prayer about it to my Father. I will pray with the people who are called by His name. Chuck, I understand that within the bounds of the religious tradition that you come from praying with non-Christians might not be seen in the same light. I cannot instruct you, a grown man, in any of this. The Holy Spirit must lead in these matters. But like Joshua, I say that for me and my house, I will serve only the LORD God, Jehovah, and Him only. Brother, I cannot worship, in any form or manner, with non-Christians. For me, it would be sin. And I want those of you who are not Christians to please understand that this is not to say that I do not love you. What I have is yours if you have need. But when it comes to spiritual matters, I have only one God, one Faith, and one Spirit. There are no others based upon what Jesus said. You need to understand that my view, and that of many others, of Christianity is not of a religion. Rather, I see it a a way of life, a relationship with the true and living God. This relationship is possible only through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. He is my propitiation for sin. He died to assure my salvation. He was resurrected for my justification. He lives today and will soon return to claim what is rightfully His and to call His elect to Him. For me, religion is man reaching out to God; Christianity is God reaching out to man. If Jesus was taken from Christianity, it would no more be Christianity. It would probably be an anemic moral code. Jesus is the sole focus of Christianity. He is the author and finisher of our Faith. And Christians are joint heirs with Him. He calls us brothers and sisters. And the most wonderful thing of all, this is available to all who would believe, even upon His name. Because He lives, Gene