Why Theology Really Matters
The following article was written by a local "pastor" in Frankfort, Kentucky. He pastors Immanuel Baptist Church:
John 14:6 has Jesus saying, "No one comes to the Father except through me" and Acts 4:12 says "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." This has often been interpreted by Christians to deny the validity of the God experience of people of other faiths. These texts can however be read differently. To declare that salvation is found only in Jesus or it is only through Jesus that one can come to the Father is to state what is true for Christians who trust in Jesus; it does not say what is true for people of other faith traditions.
Christians can affirm God's particular revelation to them in the person of Christ, while concurrently acknowledging the authenticity of the God experience of people of other religions. If the language of Christians seems to be exclusionary it is because it is the language of devotion, which is the language of exaggeration and overstatement. When I say that my wife is "the most beautiful woman in the world" I am not denying the beauty of other women; I am not stating something that is factual or verifiable, rather I am speaking subjectively, devotionally, what is true for lovers. Lovers of Jesus can utilize such language.
When this kind of language is crystallized into doctrine then it spawns elitist, exclusionary version of Christianity that denies the experience of other people; it says we are right and you must conform to our beliefs. There is a particularism to Christian faith, but a healthy particularism is not exclusivist, it recognizes that people of other faith traditions can know God and experience God's healing, transforming love.
This article was published locally in a Frankfort paper. He is also, currently, a link on the Kentucky Baptist Coventions website. What do you all think about it?
John 14:6 has Jesus saying, "No one comes to the Father except through me" and Acts 4:12 says "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." This has often been interpreted by Christians to deny the validity of the God experience of people of other faiths. These texts can however be read differently. To declare that salvation is found only in Jesus or it is only through Jesus that one can come to the Father is to state what is true for Christians who trust in Jesus; it does not say what is true for people of other faith traditions.
Christians can affirm God's particular revelation to them in the person of Christ, while concurrently acknowledging the authenticity of the God experience of people of other religions. If the language of Christians seems to be exclusionary it is because it is the language of devotion, which is the language of exaggeration and overstatement. When I say that my wife is "the most beautiful woman in the world" I am not denying the beauty of other women; I am not stating something that is factual or verifiable, rather I am speaking subjectively, devotionally, what is true for lovers. Lovers of Jesus can utilize such language.
When this kind of language is crystallized into doctrine then it spawns elitist, exclusionary version of Christianity that denies the experience of other people; it says we are right and you must conform to our beliefs. There is a particularism to Christian faith, but a healthy particularism is not exclusivist, it recognizes that people of other faith traditions can know God and experience God's healing, transforming love.
This article was published locally in a Frankfort paper. He is also, currently, a link on the Kentucky Baptist Coventions website. What do you all think about it?
Labels: Theology
posted by Shane McGrath at 10:16 PM
3 Comments:
I have entered into a lenghty email conversation with him and have written about it on my blog at www.pointifications.com . I have asked his permission to post the conversation on my blog, he has refused.
I would not be surprised to hear this from a more liberal denomination but to hear that from a baptist minister is not common around this area. Historically, the baptist have always been a people who take God's word extremely serious so it honestly shocks me that a baptist pastor here in the bible belt has taken this view of scripture and Christ. I think this is just more evidence that the future of the church is going to have to be a missional, kingdom mindset. A problem arises when salvation is seen as a religious experience (whatever your religion) instead of repentance and faith in a crucified and risen savior. I am thankful that folks like Rick are kingdom minded and are showing, what I perceive to be, a genuine concern for this man's soul. Rick, I am greatful that you are there to address this issue. I think we should all be praying specifically for this man and for those who weekly sit under his teaching.
When Jesus says, "No one comes to the Father except through me," He really means, "No one following me comes to the Father expect through me." So rather than making an exclusive statement He was really just being redundant.
Since Peter was speaking before the Jewish council in Acts 4, we must assume that he was not denying the "god experience" of the Jews when he made his statement. Why did the council charge Peter and John to stop speaking about Jesus if that was the case? Did they feel threatened?
What Biblical basis does this pastor have for his claims? Was the Bible only written for those who want to accept it?
Does this pastor equate having a "god experience" with salvation? Does the "god experience" of terrorists have the same validity as anyone else's "god experience"?
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