Throughout this whole string, this question which you say is the most important was, to my observation, (limited as it is) only asked by one person, at the beginning, and not really refered to again until now. That I believe is for good reason, because, to me, the question did not merit the merest response. If we, as teachers of young men, do not realize by now that the A/G fellowship is not the Only Way then we are probably leading people in the wrong direction to eternity. In fact I feel compelled to admit that the question, when first asked, irritated mein that I felt we should be way past such things. As if it was a sleeping dog that should have been left to lie. And lie. Just goes to show how differently we can see things. The rest of your post, Sir DAWG, was an eloquent expository which bore witness to my spirit in a great way. Thanks. ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 8:10 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [RR] Compareitive religons merit- any value? I've seen a whole lot of arguing over this question. But the problem
isn't really as deep as it seems. What -=A*=- wants is to have the boys
understand that even in the idea of "Christianity" there is no set equality.
Each denomination has its own truths, and its own misgivings, and its own
falibilities. Every man-made organization will not be perfect, they can not
be perfect. Its a simple fact, a flawed creation can only create a flawed
creation.
That leads to the question that is the MOST important part of that email:
Must I as a RR Adult leader teach AoG is the only way?
The only way has nothing to do with the AoG. The only way is CLEARLY
spelled out in John 3. There is only one way to heaven, and that is through
the blood of the lamb. The AoG is a conglomeration of churches that teach a
similar idealogy. It is just a group of churches, its not the only truth.
God never came to Earth and said "And then there shall be the Assemblies of
God, in which I entrust my word, and my truth. Only through them shall you
enter the gates of Heaven." I know there have been AoG certified pastors and
such that have gone and done horrible things, but there are others (much
more!) that do great things for the glory of the Father. But the main point
is that the AoG is not the only way
The AoG teaches a lot of things, some with piles and piles of scriptural
references to back them up, and some without any at all. No where in the
Bible (that I know of or has been shown to me) does it say "children under
the age of .... will automatically get into heaven if they die." I don't
know where the age of accountability came from in order for salvation to
occur. IMHO it appears to clash with Jesus' words when he said we had to be
like children in our faith in order to enter Heaven. But thats just me.
The Baptists believe that the gift of tounges as evidence of the Holy
Spirit was a sign for the first believers. From my understanding they say
that the gift came down so that the Christians would be able to see the other
true beleivers. It came as God's own protection to the fledgling (hated,
hunted, despised) church.
The Catholic Church is a different story all together. But thats another
day.
I think comparitive religions would be a good idea for a badge though.
Not comparitive denominations, but religions. We are called to witness to
all the world, not just to the people who look like us, speak our language
and go to our churches. This means Muslims, how do you present a God to a
Muslim if they only know there God. Can you show them the God you follow is
the right one? How do you witness to a Wiccan who believes that they can be
a Christian and still practice Wicca? How do you witness to a Satanist, and
Occultist, or a Voodoo priestess? Each one has its own beleifs that are in
conflict with our own. Yet each of the people involved in each religion are
weaped over by God for turning their backs on him.
XkeithX
Stavesacre
"St. Eriksplan"
Don't look for me again I will not be coming back this way
The story's reached it's end and now I walk away
Start over somewhere else
Where no one knows my name
No one knows the words I've spoken, the paths I've chosen
The promises that have been broken
Where no one knows the words I've spoken the paths I've chosen
Where everyone that I know knows Him
_______
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