At one point, my conversation partner briefly mentioned how Christians have used their belief structures to justify some pretty horrible behavior (prejudice, close-mindedness, meanness, etc.). Here’s my response:
It is true that many seek to prove their own belief structure. This, by itself, is understandable, for it is comfortable. Still, this does not rule out the possibility that God can choose to reveal himself to whomever he pleased. The Jews, for instance, are an interesting choice for God's revelatory work. In one place, in fact, Scripture records God's saying that he has chosen the Jews not because they were bigger or better, for they were the contrary at the time. Rather, he chose them because he chose them. In other words, God has reasons that he has chosen not to disclose, or perhaps we can't comprehend them at this time. In this case, ironically, God's revelation entails the reality that there are some things that he hasn't revealed. Weird stuff!
I agree that prejudices can be fostered when each group thinks it has a perfect grip on the truth. On the other hand, there are probably times when “prejudices” are good. I am prejudice when it comes to the safety of my family. I am certainly in favor of opposing mass murder. I have a prejudice against those who steal, and against those who seek to do harm to others. Etc.
Now, having said all of this, that God chose to reveal himself to the nation of Israel, this does not at all minimize the fact that he has also chosen to reveal himself to all people, albeit in somewhat different ways. God speaks to all people through nature, the human spirit (since we are made in his image, this makes sense), and to all who will look to Jesus. In fact I feel comfortable saying that God can speak through various religions; I say this because the people who comprise these groups are divine image-bearers. Thus, it makes sense that the image of God would seep through in most of them.
I believe that the ultimate truth is a person, and Jesus said as much (John 14:6). God is the truth. However, this God of truth is certainly capable of displaying various facets of his truth to those, as Scripture puts it, “who have ears to hear.” In other words, if anyone has been given access to the voice of God, he/she ought to pay attention to that voice. Again, this voice can be heard in various places, from philosophies and poetry to sacred texts and movies. It is embedded, as it were, in God's creation. From a Christian reading, however, this revelation becomes clearest in and through the person of Jesus. He is the apex of God's revelation, the embodiment of the God of truth, the expression of divine love in human form.
There is a wealth of evidence to support the Christian contention that Jesus existed, made unique claims, died via Roman execution, and then was seen alive from the dead. Interestingly, Anthony Flew, the famous atheist, recently changed his view on God's existence. While he is by no stretch a Christian, he did say that “the evidence for the resurrection is better than for claimed miracles in any other religion. It’s outstandingly different in quality and quantity . . . .” This is quite an admission from someone who has spent his life denying such matters. The point, of course, is not that we have a film clip of Jesus walking out of the tomb. In fact even if we did it might be interpreted as a clever technological hoax. The real point is that the resurrection of Jesus is no fairy tale, created long after the fact. The New Testament tells us that Jesus was raised, and there is solid historical support (not proof, per se) for that contention. The changed lives of millions are merely a fruit of this divine act. Of course I'm getting a bit off track. Sorry.
All I'm saying is that there is nothing anti-human, immoral, arrogant, suppressing, or unbelievable about the fact that God can choose to reveal himself as he deems fit. In fact for me to say that he cannot do such things is tantamount to saying that I have access to information that others don't. After all, who am I to pretend to speak for God or to tell him what he can or cannot do? The truly Christian view is that God reaches down to us feeble creatures, thus unveiling facets of his being. These are the things about which we can speak with a measure of confidence.
If Jesus is truly God’s unique Son, if he actually conquered the grave, then–whatever else is true about others–he, Jesus, is certainly in a class by himself. This isn’t always a case of Jesus being good and all others being bad (though this certainly is true at certain points) but rather that Jesus alone is equipped to, as it were, “carry us to heaven.” Others may instruct, guide, give advice, etc., and much of it may be wonderful. But, if only Jesus is “genetically related” to God, then he would be special. I feel confident that, however goofy we Christians can tend to be, that Christ himself is such a person. Historically, philosophically, archeologically, “religiously,” he is unique. There might be, to use an illustration, many people who would be willing to speak or act in my name, but only my kids are genetically related to me and have the same DNA. Jesus has “God's DNA,” at least that’s what we claim. It is unfortunate when well-meaning Christians take this clearly biblical claim and stretch it to mean that everything else is evil. This negative approach has harmed the church’s cause for many years.
It is true that many seek to prove their own belief structure. This, by itself, is understandable, for it is comfortable. Still, this does not rule out the possibility that God can choose to reveal himself to whomever he pleased. The Jews, for instance, are an interesting choice for God's revelatory work. In one place, in fact, Scripture records God's saying that he has chosen the Jews not because they were bigger or better, for they were the contrary at the time. Rather, he chose them because he chose them. In other words, God has reasons that he has chosen not to disclose, or perhaps we can't comprehend them at this time. In this case, ironically, God's revelation entails the reality that there are some things that he hasn't revealed. Weird stuff!
I agree that prejudices can be fostered when each group thinks it has a perfect grip on the truth. On the other hand, there are probably times when “prejudices” are good. I am prejudice when it comes to the safety of my family. I am certainly in favor of opposing mass murder. I have a prejudice against those who steal, and against those who seek to do harm to others. Etc.
Now, having said all of this, that God chose to reveal himself to the nation of Israel, this does not at all minimize the fact that he has also chosen to reveal himself to all people, albeit in somewhat different ways. God speaks to all people through nature, the human spirit (since we are made in his image, this makes sense), and to all who will look to Jesus. In fact I feel comfortable saying that God can speak through various religions; I say this because the people who comprise these groups are divine image-bearers. Thus, it makes sense that the image of God would seep through in most of them.
I believe that the ultimate truth is a person, and Jesus said as much (John 14:6). God is the truth. However, this God of truth is certainly capable of displaying various facets of his truth to those, as Scripture puts it, “who have ears to hear.” In other words, if anyone has been given access to the voice of God, he/she ought to pay attention to that voice. Again, this voice can be heard in various places, from philosophies and poetry to sacred texts and movies. It is embedded, as it were, in God's creation. From a Christian reading, however, this revelation becomes clearest in and through the person of Jesus. He is the apex of God's revelation, the embodiment of the God of truth, the expression of divine love in human form.
There is a wealth of evidence to support the Christian contention that Jesus existed, made unique claims, died via Roman execution, and then was seen alive from the dead. Interestingly, Anthony Flew, the famous atheist, recently changed his view on God's existence. While he is by no stretch a Christian, he did say that “the evidence for the resurrection is better than for claimed miracles in any other religion. It’s outstandingly different in quality and quantity . . . .” This is quite an admission from someone who has spent his life denying such matters. The point, of course, is not that we have a film clip of Jesus walking out of the tomb. In fact even if we did it might be interpreted as a clever technological hoax. The real point is that the resurrection of Jesus is no fairy tale, created long after the fact. The New Testament tells us that Jesus was raised, and there is solid historical support (not proof, per se) for that contention. The changed lives of millions are merely a fruit of this divine act. Of course I'm getting a bit off track. Sorry.
All I'm saying is that there is nothing anti-human, immoral, arrogant, suppressing, or unbelievable about the fact that God can choose to reveal himself as he deems fit. In fact for me to say that he cannot do such things is tantamount to saying that I have access to information that others don't. After all, who am I to pretend to speak for God or to tell him what he can or cannot do? The truly Christian view is that God reaches down to us feeble creatures, thus unveiling facets of his being. These are the things about which we can speak with a measure of confidence.
If Jesus is truly God’s unique Son, if he actually conquered the grave, then–whatever else is true about others–he, Jesus, is certainly in a class by himself. This isn’t always a case of Jesus being good and all others being bad (though this certainly is true at certain points) but rather that Jesus alone is equipped to, as it were, “carry us to heaven.” Others may instruct, guide, give advice, etc., and much of it may be wonderful. But, if only Jesus is “genetically related” to God, then he would be special. I feel confident that, however goofy we Christians can tend to be, that Christ himself is such a person. Historically, philosophically, archeologically, “religiously,” he is unique. There might be, to use an illustration, many people who would be willing to speak or act in my name, but only my kids are genetically related to me and have the same DNA. Jesus has “God's DNA,” at least that’s what we claim. It is unfortunate when well-meaning Christians take this clearly biblical claim and stretch it to mean that everything else is evil. This negative approach has harmed the church’s cause for many years.
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