The exclusive claims of Christ are just as controversial today as they were 2,000 years ago, says one national youth leader.
Jesus as "the way and the truth and the life," or the only way to salvation, is hard to swallow in a postmodern culture where "more and more people seem to think that Jesus is one of many ways to God and that salvation is achieved through living a good life rather than received through faith alone in Christ alone," said Greg Stier, founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries, which has equipped millions of youths to share the Gospel.
It's a belief held by many Christians today who do not have a firm grasp of what they believe, many Christian leaders say. Most people view the Gospel as a message that proclaims "all roads lead to God as long as you're sincere," Stier noted in an e-mail interview with The Christian Post.
"Most of them know that Jesus died on the cross but also believe that God will accept you if you are sincere and seek to do good deeds," he said.
It's one of Stier's short list of reasons why the world isn't reached for Christ yet. He says the Gospel that is being preached tends to be anything but.
"The word Gospel means 'good news.' It's the good news that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone and not by good works," Stier stressed. "But many who preach the 'Gospel' today are adding all sorts of pre-conditions."
Some of those pre-conditions include keeping the law or some of the Ten Commandments, getting baptized, or some kind of "to do" list.
"Many seem hell bent on twisting the pathway to heaven to include some kind of turning, committing or you-fill-in-the-blank human effort," Stier noted.
The prominent youth speaker recently finished filming in Maui the second edition of a reality series called "GOSPEL Journey." It's a series that explores how relevant the Gospel still is today and if people are receptive to it and it further equips youths to answer questions posed by non-Christians they encounter.
Participants of the latest "GOSPEL Journey" included a Jew, Muslim, Mormon, Seventh Day Adventist, Buddhist and a girl who believed that God was a big black woman cooking cookies in the heavenly kitchen of unconditional love.
And to many of them, the exclusivity of salvation in Christ was unreasonable.
"The toughest off camera question asked to me was by Jonathan (our bodybuilding, modeling Jewish participant)," Stier said after filming the reality series. "It went something like, 'So Greg you mean to tell me that all six million Jews who died in the Holocaust woke up in the flames of hell because they rejected Jesus as their Messiah?'"
Ultimately, Stier hoped the Gospel message would be crystal clear to them by the end of the weeklong journey whether they accepted it or not.
"My hope is that they all understand that, accept it or reject it, Jesus claimed to be the exclusive way to God," he said.
Despite living in a culture that embraces tolerance, Stier calls Christians to keep the Gospel message crystal clear. Otherwise, lives will not be changed.
"Any gospel that puts the focus on what we must do rather than on what Christ has done has lost the offense of the cross and, therefore, is powerless to truly transform lives," he stressed. "If we really want to see the world reached with the Gospel then we must preach the real, unadulterated gospel."
Other reasons Stier listed for why the world is not yet reached for Christ include the church spending a disproportionate amount of money on buildings, staffing and internal programs; the church not focusing on reaching the most spiritually receptive demographics such as those under the age of 18 and the poor; and Christians not taking the responsibility to share the Gospel and leaving evangelism up to the pastor or to Billy Graham.
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Just a few questions for the evolutioners': Since the earth is so old; where did the instrument used for carbon dating come from? Next: from where did the sample come from that is used to calibrate this instrument? How was it determined that this sample was actually that old? Also, who is qualified to make adjustments to this instrument? If the answer to any of these questions is either: A) aliens or B) man, then I have to wonder if the man made instrument was made in the USA or China? Quality is of great concern here.
See that I mean? (they did it again)
To Slacker:
The flagging is because BobCu is all torqued off about me and couple other folks flagging his abusive language, name-calling and intentionally offensive language on another topic. Now he's running around all of the pages deleting our comments wherever he finds them.
Unfortunately, I don't see any way of reporting abuse of the system by a particular user, so alot of really good conversations are being destroyed because you can't see the question or response.
He and his buddy Agent Orange were posting on the "Why Darwinism is So Dangerous" article and continued posting the same long list of pro-evolution off-site URL's over and over again. Pretty annoying stuff for those of us who were actually trying to have a conversation.
Again, no way to report abusive users. :(
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”[a]
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks[b] foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Footnotes:
1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
1 Corinthians 1:23 NU-Text reads Gentiles.
I agree with DavidJ on the one matter. Educate yourself before you make false claims. We *do* understand science and are *not* 'flat-earthers' or anything like that. People should stop equating a belief in a young earth with being anti-science or ignorant or stupid. It's the same science old-earthers use, the evidence is just interpreted differently and the conclusions are different. I assure that many Christians, no matter whether they believe in a young earth or old, are extremely intelligent and well educated, and completely embrace science. But that does not mean that we can't have faith, and that supernatural things can't be real at the same time.
Whats with the flagging all over the place,
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them...but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools...therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts...God gave them up to dishonorable passions...God gave them up to a debased mind...because they exchanged the truth for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen." Romans 1
"We (evolutionists) have been telling our students for years not to accept any statement on its face value but to examine the evidence, and, therefore, it is rather a shock to discover that we have failed to follow our own sound advice." John T, Bonner "We Paleontologists have said that the history of life supports (the story of gradual adaptive change), all the while really knowing that it does not." Miles Eldredge, pro-evolution "...the philosophy of evolution is based upon assumptions that cannot be scientifically verified...whatever evidence can be assembled for evolution is both limited and circumstantial in nature." G.A. Kerkut, pro-evolution "It is, in fact, a common fantasy, promulgated mostly by the scientific profession itself, that in the search for objective truth, data dictate conclusions." "Data are just as often molded to fit preferred conclusions." Roger Lewin, pro-evolutionist "We do not see things the way they are; we see them the way we are." David Pilbeam, pro-evolution "The more one studies paleontology, the more certain one becomes that evolution is based on faith alone." T.L. Moor, pro-evolution
"Evolution is unproved and unprovable. We believe it only because the only alternative is special creation which is unthinkable." Arthur Keith "The incessant repetition of this unproved claim glossing lightly over the difficulties, and the assumption of an arrogant attitude toward those who are not easily swayed by fashions of science, are considered to afford scientific proof of the doctrine." Richard Goldschmidt, geneticist."Why not consider the possibility that life is what it so evidently seems to be, the product of creative intelligence? Science would not come to an end, because the task would remain of deciphering the languages in which genetic information is communicated, and in general finding out how the whole system works. What scientists would lose is not an inspiring research program, but the illusion of total mastery of nature. They would have to face the possibility that beyond the natural world there is a further reality which transcends science."
POST 2 of attempt to answer:
The New Testament teaches us that the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24) precisely at the time preceding the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. “But when Messiah arrived as a High Priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more complete Tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered into the Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been made common, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Messiah, Who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?” (Hebrews 9:11-14).
The New Testament teaches that all of us, Jews and gentiles, have “missed the mark.” (Romans 3:23) All of us are under the consequences of sin, and “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) We are all in need of salvation from our sin; we are all in need of a Savior. The New Testament teaches that Jesus the Messiah is “the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father”, but through Him. (John 14:6) And most importantly, “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which it is necessary for us to be saved." (Acts 4:12).
For the Jews, Jesus the Messiah has come as High Priest, and through His once-for-all sacrifice for sin offers complete atonement to all people. For there is “no distinction” between Jew and gentile. (Romans 10:12) Yes, the Jews are God’s chosen people, and through them come the Jewish Messiah to bless all the nations of the earth. And it is only through Jesus that Jews can find God’s complete atonement and forgiveness.
Lastly, I do admit, BobCu, that I do know and understand where you are coming from and have read your replies carefully. You see, I was similar to yourself...in fact, I could see my old self in your replies. Blessing to you, BobCu...I do hope that you'll find the answers you are looking for...please don't stop asking...
BobCu, This main question is a great question by the way and I have to say these posts are good posts and one can a learn a lot by reading these comments.
POST 1 of attempt to answer (there's a lot you probably know and have heard already but I included to be complete):
The last Book of the Torah teaches that the Jews are God’s chosen people. (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
Jews were “chosen for special service and worship, and to enjoy special privileges and benefits, civil and religious; though they were not chosen to special grace…or eternal glory.” The Jews were chosen to be a blessing to all the nations of the earth (Genesis 12). The Jews were chosen to be a light to the gentiles. So then, are all Jews “saved” just because they are Jews?
According to many modern rabbinical scholars the Christian concept of salvation from sin has no equal in Judaism. Judaism does not believe that man, by his nature, is evil or sinful and therefore has no need to be “saved” from an eternal damnation. In fact, most Jews today do not believe in a place of eternal punishment or a literal hell. The Hebrew root word for “sin” is chayt, which literally means to “miss the mark.” It is a term commonly used in archery, of one who “misses the mark” of the bulls eye. When a Jew misses the mark, and occasionally falls into the sin of failing to fulfill the laws of God, the belief is that one can obtain forgiveness through prayer, repentance and doing good deeds.
The Book of Leviticus (17:11), the third Book of the Torah, clearly gives the prescription for forgiveness. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” The Temple sacrifice was always the centerpiece for Jewish atonement. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Levitical High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies in the Temple and sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the Mercy Seat. Through this yearly act, atonement was made for the sins of all Israel, but the Holy Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, and for almost 2000 years Jews have been without a Temple, a sacrifice, and a means of atonement.
(to be continued in POST 2)
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If Jesus is rejected as the Only Savior of The World then that person is choosing their final destination. Hell was created for Satan and his demons; but a person can choose to go their by not believing God.
Man has rejected and rebelled against God; look at the condition of our world, we are living in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah and you think a Holy God should continue to let this go on! I say come to Jesus and repent and be saved!
The wages of sin is still death. The CROSS is offensive and man thinks he can save himself, but we have not even come close to ever saving ourselves!
God is saying still: "choose life or choose death"
"Evolutionists are using forensic science, which is not true science." said the anti-science flat-earther who doesn't know what he's talking about. Educate yourself, then get back to me. Thanks.
Bob, one of my scientific and spiritual mentors is Dr. Kurt Wise, who studied under Dr. Stephen J. Gould at Harvard. You can stick your head in the sand and believe that Christians do not understand science, but your comments prove that you do not. Evolutionists are using forensic science, which is not true science. They piece together various pieces of data and try to make a picture that seems reasonable. Unfortunately, the picture they make adheres more closely to their materialistic worldview than it does the truth. They have not and cannot duplicate evolution in a controlled setting and submit the findings to peers, which is true science. If anything, materialistic scientists should be called creationists because they're creating myths out of thin air. Ad hoc arguments do not become you.
I made no false claims about science. If you aren't familiar with controlled environments, peer reviews, and double-blind studies, try reading a book about science. Again, ad hoc argument.
FYI, your last statement is absolutely unbelievable. "That's a good reason to conclude there is not any non-material world. The non-material world you believe in is just a man-made fantasy."
So, using my analogy, if I don't have a thermometer to measure the temperature, there isn't any? You've just shown that you have no desire to hold a rational discussion. You are not addressing my points, just throwing out blanket ad hoc statements. Speaking of addressing points...I noticed you never answered my question: What makes you think you were ever a Christian in the first place?
Quecat: "If their findings do not line up with their expectations or uphold their current opinions, the data is tossed out as anomalous."
Really? Let's have some examples.
maranatha7593, brainwash your children with any religious nonsense you want. Just keep your fantasies out of our science classes. In return we won't think in your church.
BobCu: "Both the Christian and the Muslims, and also some religious Jews, have the same problem. They know nothing about science, but they try to influence science education anyway."
There are Bible-believing Christians who are not ignorant of science at all, but have PhD's in various scientific fields. To attempt to demean their intelligence in such a condescending way shows a complete lack of objectivity.
Do you really think that posting anti-Christian comments here will discourage Christians from believing in the Lord, from trusting Him, from continuing to follow Him? Do you really think that your contemptuous statements will discourage us from teaching our children to believe in the Creator of true science? If that is your objective, it won't work. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.