Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uunet!wuarchive!psuvax1!psuvm!UNC!UJCCPC From: UJCCPC@UNC Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia Subject: To Peter: saved, but humble--is it possible? ing Message-ID: Date: 5 Feb 90 05:32:00 GMT Sender: Practical Christian Life Reply-To: Practical Christian Life Lines: 40 Approved: NETNEWS@PSUVM Gateway > I note that Peter Capell has written a private letter to Keith > Gatling, and mistakenly posted it to the list. Personally, I want to thank Peter for this mistake. It seems like weeks since we've had a post with *any* substance, and several months since we've had such a challenging and thought-provoking question. I will say off the bat I disagree with the main point of your argument, but I agree with many things you say or imply. Being a Christian means believing what Christianity teaches when it differs from other religions. It also means being free to celebrate the common bonds with other religions, which are many and deeply rooted. Your question points to a major dilemma for Christians. We know that Jesus is unique and the key to God's plan for salvation. We are privvy to the most important information in the world. The question is, how do we prevent this from going to our head. It is easy to reject outright all other religions, to become intolerant, to take the stance, "We know what is right for everybody". However, this goes against everything Jesus preached. Jesus preached tolerance. Jesus warned not to judge. Jesus told us to be more concerned with the mote in our own eye. This is a very difficult tightrope for Christians to walk. At the same time that we are preaching "the good news", we have to be open to "the Christ" in all people, and must always keep in mind that we are sinners right along side every other human being. Although we have been saved and have a personal relationship with God himself in the person of Jesus, and although we are compelled by this relationship to share our experience with others, we have to constantly humble ourselves to the fact that we Christians have much to learn from Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, New Agers, in fact, from any brother or sister sharing the struggle of being a human being. In summary, although I disagree with you concerning the uniqueness of Jesus, I, too, would not be surprised if heaven is populated with Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, etc. And, boy, wouldn't we Christians have a tough time with that one!!! :-) Thank you, Peter, for (accidently) challenging us to think about this important question. Don't be afraid to do so in the future. I have some questions for you, if you want to pursue it, either publicly (my preference, since I believe the subject to be of extreme *practical* significance to all Christians) or privately. John Cromartie