Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!UTARLVM1!C009GARY From: C009GARY@UTARLVM1 (Gary Samek) Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia Subject: RE: Hindu apologetics and the lack of Christian messages on this list Message-ID: Date: 12 Feb 90 15:16:37 GMT Sender: Practical Christian Life Reply-To: Practical Christian Life Lines: 79 Approved: NETNEWS@PSUVM Gateway In-Reply-To: Message of Sat, 10 Feb 90 14:05:00 EST from On Sat, 10 Feb 90 14:05:00 EST The Golden Rule: He who has all the Gold makes > >a) what if they are right and you are wrong? Yes the operative word hear >is "IF," but what IF? > I don't really like what-if and hypothetical questions. They are kind of pointless to discuss in large groups and to argue in any more than just entertainment. Let me stress that that is my opinion. So I will pass this question on tot he more willing. >b) Are you not violating numerous instances in the Bible where JC said do >not judge when you condemn another simply because of their religion? > Yes, we can not judge. But where God has told us that people who do or do not do things will not go to heaven or be with Him, I can say that without judging. For example, the Bible tells us that the only way to the Father is through the Son. That tells me that if you try to get to the Father in any way but the Son, you aren't going to get there. So, am I judging when I live out the scripture and believe what it says? >c) Does not the Bible say, I believe it is in Isiah, "Vengeance is mine >sayeth the Lord God Almighty!" If that is true, then it's God's place to >condmen not yours. > Yes. Vengeance is the Lord's. But have you ever read Psalms 149? It talks about having praises in our mouth and a double edged sword in our hand to overcome those that do not serve God. That is a paraphrase. You get into one of those tricky situations dealing with where you have authority and the authority to act. For example, If someone spoke rudely in my home, I can act. I have authority in my home. But if someone speaks rudely in public, I can chose to leave or make a suggestion or make a request to someone who does have authority. But I do not have the authority in the latter that I had in my own home. >d) If you honestly feel that the Hindu's are wrong, pray for them and love >'em. Prayer and Love are the two MOST powerful weapons one has! You will >NEVER convince one that they are wrong unless you can first convince them >that you do care---about them. > Yep, you are certainly correct here. There is a fairly new ccm song out that has the line "don't tellt hem that you love them until you love them yourself" >e) As an extenstion of point D, a lot of what I have heard on this list >is: As Christians it is our duty and responsibility to lead the Hindu's to >Christianity. In otherwords, convert the heathen. Well, do you know how >this attitude comes accross, especially on this list? It's our duty to >convert them, if we don't we're risking our souls, and therefore, let's >find out everything that is wrong with Hinduism so that we can show them >just how rediculous their religion is. > First of all. I can not save or convert any other person. I could not save or convert even myself. This is the sole job of the Holy Spirit of God almighty. I am told in the bible to plant seeds and to serve God by serving others and to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, strength, etc. It is wrong for a christian to take the attitude that he/she must convert any person or group. It is the christian's job to show the characteristics of God's love and compassion here on earth and to preach the Good News. >f) leading to this point. Many Christians come out concerned more for >their souls in the effort to make converts than they do for the people >they are trying to convert. Trust me, this will never work. > 1) it makes Christianity look like hypocrits > 2) it puts the Hindu on the defensive > Yep, and this is an attitude of independence from God. It is also damaging to the church as a whole. Maybe we will grow up and make our Father proud of us. :) >I challenge this list to adopt a Christlike attitude and love your >neighbor, love the Hindu next door to you, don't approach him with the >attitude "I'm right, your wrong, therefore I must convince you of the >error of your ways...." > > Paul ** Gary Samek **** C009GARY@UTARLVM1 * * ****