jeffthefinn said:
Thank you ObbiQuiet. I do not view myself as a freethinker, but I have studied Buddhist spirituality and find that the 4 Noble truths and eightfold path to enlightenment are not that much different from what a Christian is called to do. Words and what we name things, if it is just speech it is meaningless, if we live the life of compassion then that is real be it in a Christian framework or a Buddhist one. Those who are humble and know their own nothingness will recieve Mercy and those who think they know it all, and have the divine in a box will miss out.
Thanks again.
Jeff the Finn
Man, I wish that were true! I truly desire for that to be the Truth. I find it odd that an "Orthodox Christian" believes that, but I guess nothing should surprise me anymore. I could agree with you if the 4 noble goals of Buddhism is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. THAT is what a Christian is called to do through their life of love and compassion. Now does this mean sugarcoating the Truth of God's Word? No. Does it mean buffereing the Truth so that more may find it acceptable? No. It means displaying it for what it is...
2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;
we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
The Christians charge is not to preach the 4 Noble Goals (which I agree are noble goals), but to live a life of love telling people of the Savior that God sent to this world to be the redemption for their sins. Even Buddhist Monks sin and need a Savior. No one is righteous, not ONE.
Romans 3
9What shall we conclude then? Are we any better[1] ? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
11there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
We are not justified by being "good", but by having faith in the Savior He sent to us.
Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you:
Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4Have you suffered so much for nothing--if it really was for nothing? 5Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
6Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." 12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
THAT is why good people go to hell, because they have rejected the Savior that God sent for them and are still in their sins. That si the ONLY reason someone can go to hell. It isn't by being good, it isn't by facing the East or the West and praying349856734967 times a day, it isn't by memorizing scripture or knocking on people's doors. It isn't by any kind of WORK one can think of to do, it is by the GRACE of God that we are given the opportunity to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and have forgiveness for our sins.
Blessings and Prayers,
FOMWatts<><
do the convicting part.
me understand this question. Why should truely GOOD people who may or may not have heard the message of Jesus Christ spend eternity in hell, eternally separated from God? I am a Christian, and I recently went through a questioning phase, but have come out of it with renewed faith. BUT my questions remain unanswered. That is okay for me because I believe anyway, but what about my ex-boyfriend, who used to be an atheist and has how turned to Buddhism? He is respectful of Christianity, and has even read the Bible, but his questions and objections reguarding Christianity are too hard to counter. We broke up 2 days ago, and are both hurting over it. The reason is because I've always known in the back of my mind that I shouldn't marry him because he is a nonbeliever, and we know we shouldn't get more attached to eachother if ultimately it will not work. I am also respectful of Buddhism and have read much about it with him. Buddhist teachings are very wise and honorable, I think. They teach compassion for all mankind and selflessness. I still care deeply about my ex-boyfriend, and wish I had more to say in defence of Christianity. He is a very moral person, who is innately honest and of good, compassionate character, but he is not a Christian.
