Differences

[gord44]

We have a living Savior.

Not really unique. A living god or divine figure is common throughout many religions.

 

[gord44]

It seems that would be more an accusation that Christians aren't living the principle rather than a denial of uniqueness. Still, I don't see that Jesus demanded extreme surrender simply for the sake of surrender. There is a greater purpose to the principle, which is stated in part at the end of Matthew 5 - but also in the greater whole of the Sermon on the Mount.

Good point. Wasn't the best example. 1000 apologies good sir.

 

[Resha Caner]

Good point. Wasn't the best example. 1000 apologies good sir.

That's very gracious of you.

Not really unique. A living god or divine figure is common throughout many religions.

I think it was meant in the context of Jesus himself. Whatever divine sacrifices are supposedly made in other religions, the person of Jesus is unique ... and to some extent the claim that Jesus is real flesh and blood - that it wasn't a purely mystical experience.

 

[smaneck]

I think it was meant in the context of Jesus himself. Whatever divine sacrifices are supposedly made in other religions, the person of Jesus is unique ... and to some extent the claim that Jesus is real flesh and blood - that it wasn't a purely mystical experience.

The martyrdom of the Imam Husayn plays the same role in Shi'ite Islam.

 

[Isaacsname]

For one, Christianity descends from ancient peoples {Like the Assyrians, Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, etc } who's works comprise the basis for pretty much the entire modern world

That would be mathematics / metrology

It's ancient, and has it's partial basis in pure math and science, { Seemingly unknown to many Christians } and anybody who has studied ancient Mesoptamia knows it

It's unfortunate there seems to be such a rift between the people in the churches and " science " in general when the foundation of the ancient and the modern world was just that

Whether you are an atheist, agnostic, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or worship doorknobs, you should at least be aware that the entire modern world owes it existence to the ancients in Sumerian city-states { among others }

 

[Robban]

Re "Turn the other cheek",
There are possible variations where it can be applied,

But, maybe it boils down to,
Anger management.

One variation would be;

When one was wrong and been corrected, it may or may not feel like a slap on the cheek,
even so, if it is for one's good,
then turn the other cheek to recieve more,

 

[Robban]

Also, from Lamentations 3:30,
"Let him offer his cheek to his smiter;
let him be filled with reproach."

It does not say "Enemy" but "smiter"

 

[LoAmmi]

Also, from Lamentations 3:30,
"Let him offer his cheek to his smiter;
let him be filled with reproach."

It does not say "Enemy" but "smiter"

Thank you! I've been looking for that but I thought it was in Proverbs.

 

[Resha Caner]

The martyrdom of the Imam Husayn plays the same role in Shi'ite Islam.

The same or similar? I don't think Husayn's historicity is much in dispute, and I know Shi'ites hold him in high regard - very high regard, but I've not known them to go so far as to say he is a god. Am I wrong?

 

[Resha Caner]

Whether you are an atheist, agnostic, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or worship doorknobs, you should at least be aware that the entire modern world owes it existence to the ancients in Sumerian city-states { among others }

I'm sure many are unaware of all the history, but I don't see how that negates uniqueness. It's the whole standing-on-shoulders thing. That Issac Newton drew on the work of his predecessors doesn't negate his brilliance or his accomplishments.

The mathematics part of it ... I don't see how that relates.

 

[LoAmmi]

I suppose it depends on what one means by "violence". I take that word as meaning something vengeful, hateful, and intent on destruction. In that regard I think Christianity does say not to return violence with violence (though I don't know if it's the only religion to say that). If, however, you mean the use of force for the purpose of protection, I'm not aware of a Biblical passage that would restrict such a thing ... again, unless we're talking about the greater purposes of redemption.

The way you describe it doesn't make that idea unique. It would be using existing ideas from the Tanakh (Old Testament to you). Which is fine, I'd never argue that Christianity is disconnected from the Tanakh.

 

[afishamongmany]

What do you think distinguishes Christianity from other religions?

***sola gratia***
Yes most religions have their saviours and means of salvation but, "the gift of God is eternal life". It is The Who of the Saviour and The How of the salvation that is Christianity's uniqueness. Completely free to the receiver, completely paid for by The Giver.
><>

 

[Resha Caner]

Also, from Lamentations 3:30,
"Let him offer his cheek to his smiter;
let him be filled with reproach."

This is a difficult quandary between us. At least from the Lutheran perspective the old and new testaments are not viewed as "That was then, this is now" as some seem to take it. The Bible is viewed as a cohesive whole. So, for Jesus to pull from the OT is to be expected (we would in fact say he inspired it). Therefore, it's not surprising that a verse in Lamentations parallels what he said in Matthew. In fact, it's one of the considerations for what Christians consider canonical.

I understand you see it differently, maybe that Jesus co-opted the OT.

Though Jesus added new things, again the Lutheran would say that prophecy was not closed. It is still possible to receive inspiration. It is just that anything new cannot contradict what came before.

So, my question to you would be: Do you think inspiration from God is still possible?

 

[Resha Caner]

The way you describe it doesn't make that idea unique. It would be using existing ideas from the Tanakh (Old Testament to you). Which is fine, I'd never argue that Christianity is disconnected from the Tanakh.

Sure. I said much the same to Robban.

 

[Resha Caner]

***sola gratia***
Yes most religions have their saviours and means of salvation but, "the gift of God is eternal life". It is The Who of the Saviour and The How of the salvation that is Christianity's uniqueness. Completely free to the receiver, completely paid for by The Giver.
><>

Yes.

 

[expos4ever]

Other than Christianity, the only religion I know anything about is Judaism (unsurprising, of course). Nevertheless, I will guess that maybe Christianity is distinctive in terms of:

1. It embraces the goodness of physical creation and does not have a "spirit = good", "physical = bad" dualism;
2. Its narrative (i.e. its evolving story) as presented by many authors is exceedingly rich and coherent; I suggest one can legitimately say "there are reasons to suppose this narrative could not have been constructed without a divine guiding hand".

 

[smaneck]

For one, Christianity descends from ancient peoples {Like the Assyrians, Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, etc } who's works comprise the basis for pretty much the entire modern world

That would be mathematics / metrology

Sumer is, of course, the first civilization known to history but being first does not necessarily establish that everyone else borrowed from them. I would agree that the Jews certainly adopted much from Mesopotamia, most especially their vision of the cosmos as consisting of a flat earth covered with a dome-like structure (firmament.) We also continue to measure time as the Sumerians did using a twelve-based system. However, if we got mathematics as a whole of them we would use the twelve-based system for all our math instead of the ten-based system we currently use.

It's unfortunate there seems to be such a rift between the people in the churches and " science " in general when the foundation of the ancient and the modern world was just that

I think we are underestimating the achievements of the Scientific Revolution. It is their methodology which leads to our modern world and that method was unprecedented.

 

[dlamberth]

1. It embraces the goodness of physical creation and does not have a "spirit = good", "physical = bad" dualism;...

I feel that IF Christianity truly did embrace the goodness of the physical creation we would not be raping and desecrating it the way we are today.

 

[Resha Caner]

1. It embraces the goodness of physical creation and does not have a "spirit = good", "physical = bad" dualism;

That is one reason why gnosticism doesn't fit well with Christianity - try as hard as some do to smash them together.

I feel that IF Christianity truly did embrace the goodness of the physical creation we would not be raping and desecrating it the way we are today.

I don't see how improper stewardship of the earth is the sole fault of Christianity. It's not as if all the other religions are perfectly green. Further, it is misses the point of Romans 7 and the need for grace.

 

[farout]

What do you think distinguishes Christianity from other religions?

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to heaven. Jesus Christ is Gods ONLY Son. There is no other God but Yahweh. All other religions are based on you doing something for their god. Christianity is based on God Loving us and what He has done for us.