Do you think there's something "better" about being a Christian than a Buddhist?
No. Both sin. Both are in equal need of salvation.
As a side note, I also would not view Christians as being better than Buddhists.
With that said, I would suspect that you are asking me a deeper question as it relates to salvation. Is that accurate? If so, then I confirm my belief that it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that a person is justified. All persons can enter into belief of Jesus Christ; Buddhists are not excluded. Christians have no monopoly on Jesus Christ.
In contrast, I note that the SDA denomination teaches that, at the end of time, the blood of Jesus Christ is not all that is required. The sabbath is also necessary. The continuing and authoritative source of truth is also fundamental. For this reason, the SDA view of non-SDAs differs considerably from my perspective on non-Christians.
BFA
Last edited by Byfaithalone1; 22nd October 2009 at 02:34 PM.
With that said, I would suspect that you are asking me a deeper question as it relates to salvation. Is that accurate?
Yes.
Originally Posted by Byfaithalone1
If so, then I confirm my belief that it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that a person is justified. All persons can enter into belief of Jesus Christ; Buddhists are not excluded. Christians have no monopoly on Jesus Christ.
From a larger frame of reference, your mental models are nearly identical to that of most SDAs. The perceived differences that mean so much to you are accentuated because you are zoomed in so far.
That's OK. You are seeing a lot more than many who are drawing similar comparisons among their local church brothers and sisters. Same thing - smaller circle.
But you do have the option of zooming out. A lot.
If it makes you feel any better, from an even larger frame of reference, the mental models you and I hold are nearly indistinguishable.
From a larger frame of reference, your mental models are nearly identical to that of most SDAs.
This may be true if the SDA denomination were able to accept the blood of Jesus Christ as the only means to salvation (both now and immediately prior to Christ's second coming). If that were true, then I would agree that my mental model is nearly identical to that put forward by the SDA denomination.
The way that I view Buddhists is quite different than the way that the SDA denomination views those who leave the fold due to disagreements regarding the fundamentals.
Since I've answered your question, would you answer two of mine?
Q1: Is Jesus' blood a necessary ingredient in salvation?
Q2: In what way does my position, as articulated in the original post in this thread, differ from yours? Please be specific.
Since I've answered your question, would you answer two of mine?
Q1: Is Jesus' blood a necessary ingredient in salvation?
Q2: In what way does my position, as articulated in the original post in this thread, differ from yours? Please be specific.
BFA
I participate in the Christian community because I understand “Christ made the way.” The way is made whether you've heard of Jesus, or not.
But the “way" is exactly what the word implies—a journey. We've made it a destination only reachable by magical transport. So we are literally “stuck in place.”
Adventists are making the same mistake that other Christians are making—confusing the existence of the path with walking the path. Christ made the path. We walk the path.
The "way" Christ makes goes infinitely behind (devolution) and infinitely ahead (evolution). There is no end one way or the other. Presently we are stuck on the path staring up—but that's okay. We will start walking when we are ready.
I participate in the Christian community because I understand “Christ made the way.” The way is made whether you've heard of Jesus, or not.
But the “way" is exactly what the word implies—a journey. We've made it a destination only reachable by magical transport. So we are literally “stuck in place.”
Adventists are making the same mistake that other Christians are making—confusing the existence of the path with walking the path. Christ made the path. We walk the path.
The "way" Christ makes goes infinitely behind (devolution) and infinitely ahead (evolution). There is no end one way or the other. Presently we are stuck on the path staring up—but that's okay. We will start walking when we are ready.
This is fascinating, but really doesn't answer my question. Unless I've misunderstood you, I believe you've implied that my position differs from yours. I am trying to understand where we differ. So far, I just don't see the difference.
I participate in the Christian community because I understand “Christ made the way.” The way is made whether you've heard of Jesus, or not.
But the “way" is exactly what the word implies—a journey. We've made it a destination only reachable by magical transport. So we are literally “stuck in place.”
Adventists are making the same mistake that other Christians are making—confusing the existence of the path with walking the path. Christ made the path. We walk the path.
The "way" Christ makes goes infinitely behind (devolution) and infinitely ahead (evolution). There is no end one way or the other. Presently we are stuck on the path staring up—but that's okay. We will start walking when we are ready.
which might be part of the problem... is it possible to be ready but not realize that indeed you are ready..... I am thinking of the exercises taught to the Karate Kid when he wanted to learn martial arts.... wax on.... wax off...
__________________ Just because you are delusional doesn't mean I have to enter into "your" world.... - Claborn
Linear Mode
