Differences

[LoAmmi]

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.

I would disagree with this statement. The founding moments of Judaism have to do with the Exodus from Egypt, in which HaShem brought us out of Egypt and it wasn't anything we did to do it, and being given the Torah at Sinai, which he did for us and we didn't do anything to deserve it. Heck, we kind of did things NOT to deserve it.

 

[Robban]

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?

Divine inspiration remains the province of righteous men and women of all generations.

 

[dlamberth]

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

Personally, Christ makes the most sense to me when I sit in the Heart of Christ....which is gnosticism. The religion of Christianity is something else and different than Christ, and yes, gnosticism generally doesn't fit well with that particular religion. Though the Mystics sure made it work for them.

I don't see how improper stewardship of the earth is the sole fault of Christianity.

Most of the raping and desecration of the earth comes from countries that claim a Christian heritage. IF the 2.2 Billion Christians in the world actually stood up against the harm we are doing to the earth, I have no doubt that things would change.

 

[dlamberth]

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.

Than there are us Lovers of God who are not in it to get to Heaven?

 

[Robban]

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?

I just read Matt 5,
V 41 may be a clue,
to go the extra yard or mile,

 

[gord44]

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.

I would rather go somewhere eternal like the Pureland. There you become a Buddha. Buddha's no longer have to deal with rebirth. Even gods are still in the samsara so must be reborn.

 

[afishamongmany]

I would disagree with this statement. The founding moments of Judaism have to do with the Exodus from Egypt, in which HaShem brought us out of Egypt and it wasn't anything we did to do it, and being given the Torah at Sinai, which he did for us and we didn't do anything to deserve it. Heck, we kind of did things NOT to deserve it.

Hi Lo, What you say has a lot going for it. Grace was always evident 'from the beginning' but the deliverance from Egypt was not a 'salvation' that gives eternal life. At that time The Lord laid upon his people certain prescriptions - circumcision - Passover - the tabernacle rituals - The Law. At that time He said, "Do these things and you will live." In all these things was much good, many lessons and parables. But one of the most important of these was that none of these things could save us from just condemnation. Grace only grace.
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[LoAmmi]

Hi Lo, What you say has a lot going for it. Grace was always evident 'from the beginning' but the deliverance from Egypt was not a 'salvation' that gives eternal life. At that time The Lord laid upon his people certain prescriptions - circumcision - Passover - the tabernacle rituals - The Law. At that time He said, "Do these things and you will live." In all these things was much good, many lessons and parables. But one of the most important of these was that none of these things could save us from just condemnation. Grace only grace.
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The Tanakh is silent on what you say here so sure, that is something brand new unknown to the previous scriptures.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I think what makes Christianity unique is that it's about Jesus. Centrally about Jesus. Christianity is the only religion that preaches the Gospel of Jesus.

And by that I don't mean a more general belief in a living deity, or a savior, or etc--other religions have similar concepts; I'm talking about Jesus specifically.

Many ideas in Christianity can be found in other religious traditions. Christian ethics, for example, aren't necessarily that unique to our religion, so if one is interested in a religion that promotes a code of ethics that emphasizes compassion and mercy, one has their pick of the bunch; which is why I'd say Christianity isn't unique at all when it comes to its ethics. To use Lutheran language, one doesn't need to be a Christian to hear the Law, and Christians aren't unique in preaching the Law--you can hear the Law preached in many, arguably most, religions. The Law isn't what makes Christianity unique, it is only the Gospel that is uniquely Christian, Jesus of Nazareth, who is Lord and Christ, that is uniquely Christian.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[smaneck]

All other religions are based on you doing something for their god.

Not according to what all the other religions say about themselves.

 

[smaneck]

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?

I was referring to the redemptive quality of those sacrifices. Shi'ites believe that the Imam Husayn will intercede on the Day of Judgement for all who identify themselves with his sufferings.

 

[Resha Caner]

Divine inspiration remains the province of righteous men and women of all generations.

I assume that means you wouldn't necessarily object to Jesus introducing something new, then. So is there something he said that you think contradicts prior revelation?

 

[Robban]

I assume that means you wouldn't necessarily object to Jesus introducing something new, then. So is there something he said that you think contradicts prior revelation?

I,m not sure he introduced anything.
I,m not sure he even existed.
To be honest, I have tried to see the story from the Christian side of things,
but I too often run into a brickwall, so to speak.

Cannot make my mind up, if it is a lot of old cobblers,
A lie,
A plot to try and get rid of Torah,
Or something else.

He never wrote anything,
when Mary had an angel visit there were no witnesses,
It is kind of hanging in the air.

So either it is very, very mystical or a Tower of Babel.

You know,
after the flood when God promised not to destroy the World with a flood again,
people were getting along pretty well with each other,
But, there comes that Word again,

You never know, best we build for ourselves a Tower that reaches the heavens,
coz, you never can be too sure.

And so it appears to be to this day,
It is more about getting to heaven instead of bringing heaven down.

But there you go,
I don,t know what else to say.

At this moment.

 

[Eryk]

Hope in Jesus: we die with him, experiencing weakness and death and bearing injustice patiently, and we rise in him to life everlasting. The resurrection of Jesus is the glory of an indestructible life on the violent stage of history, and in this situation Jesus could not have been more gentle, entrusting himself to God and being vindicated on the third day. And he showed himself to the apostles and his words were full of peace, not vengeance. This is our inspiration, theology and ethics all together.

 

[Resha Caner]

I,m not sure he introduced anything.
I,m not sure he even existed.

I see. It's an interesting subject (I have a degree in history), but probably a diversion from the root of your concern. Still, I will ask what you think of the historicity of the old testament?

It is more about getting to heaven instead of bringing heaven down.

This seems more your central concern, yet expressed in a poetic way, so I may be misinterpreting. Are you saying Christians are focused on salvation rather than morality? That is true. As many have pointed out here, there is nothing especially unique about Christian (or Jewish) morality. Now, it may be expressed in a way that better resonated with the culture of the Levant. It may have been all they had at the time for a moral code ... they couldn't be expected to know Confucius in that time and place.

But, all in all, morality boils down to a few simple things: Matthew 7:12 (Leviticus 19:18). What focuses Christians on something else is the question: If it's so easy to express morality, why is it never accomplished? And what follows from that is the question: If it's never to be accomplished, what do we have to hope for?

 

[Zoness]

That's a very Lutheran answer. You should come join us.

Ha interesting you're not the first person to say that.

 

[Robban]

I see. It's an interesting subject (I have a degree in history), but probably a diversion from the root of your concern. Still, I will ask what you think of the historicity of the old testament?



This seems more your central concern, yet expressed in a poetic way, so I may be misinterpreting. Are you saying Christians are focused on salvation rather than morality? That is true. As many have pointed out here, there is nothing especially unique about Christian (or Jewish) morality. Now, it may be expressed in a way that better resonated with the culture of the Levant. It may have been all they had at the time for a moral code ... they couldn't be expected to know Confucius in that time and place.

But, all in all, morality boils down to a few simple things: Matthew 7:12 (Leviticus 19:18). What focuses Christians on something else is the question: If it's so easy to express morality, why is it never accomplished? And what follows from that is the question: If it's never to be accomplished, what do we have to hope for?

What makes you think you know what I have for concerns, let alone the root?

How did morallity get into the picture?

Since you mention it though, one would have to be as blind as a bat not to see
the lies and corruption that surround us, daily.

Torah is timeless, if one has learned a little one should see how to apply it in their life now.
There is no Word in Torah that is outdated.
God is above time,
Some laws of the Torah are no longer applied literally
their mystical and deeper meanings are still as relevant today as ever.

 

[Resha Caner]

How did morallity get into the picture?

As I said, it was hard to interpret what you meant. I took a shot, and apparently I was wrong.

What makes you think you know what I have for concerns, let alone the root?

My apologies.

 

[Robban]

As I said, it was hard to interpret what you meant. I took a shot, and apparently I was wrong.



My apologies.

It is ok,I should have gone to bed earlier maybe, my fault.

Please do not let this spoil your experience here.

All the best to you.

 

[Fizzywig]

What do you think distinguishes Christianity from other religions?

Each Faith would seem to be unique in as much as each is distinquished by a whole host of doctrines and teachings in what some have called "time space history". While the Perennialists seek to say that each major Faith is an expression in time and space of the "one way", Christianity often distinguishes itself by claiming that it itself is the "one way", the sole means of receiving saving grace. Usually in the form of stating exactly what MUST be believed or accepted to receive such a gift.

Thus, it MUST be believed that Jesus died for your sins on the cross in "time space history" ( this per the Protestant evangelical Francis Schaeffer ) to be "saved".