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  At the beginning of this program we learned: “People have many reasons for rejecting the Christian faith. Some may admire Christ but dislike His followers. Others find it difficult to accept any faith that claims to be the only way to God. Why would anyone limit themselves to only one of the world’s great religions?” How valid are each of these objections? What is your response to each?

  Karen Wilhelm replied 1 month, 1 week ago 110 Members · 112 Replies

  • CA201-01

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  Gildas ange clyve Mamona madzou

  Member

  08/17/2024 at 16:57

  The fact that many admire Christ while they dislike his followers is quite understandable, since they consider Jesus to be just a great moral teacher. They like his teachings and dislike his followers because they find those followers to be either disobedient to their Lord or too pretentious in claiming that only Jesus is the way to salvation.

  People find it hard to believe in the Christian faith as the only way to God because it seems unreasonable for them that the God who has created all humans would have defined just one way to go to him. They prefer to see God as an inclusive Being and not an exclusive one.

  I respect these objections, yet I believe that Christ is a trustworthy Lord and Saviour because of what the Bible tells about him; his words and works testify his deity, and since he is true and reliable, there is no doubt that he is the only way to God.

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  Leong

  Member

  07/18/2024 at 05:10

  The disdain towards claiming to be the only true way to God is due to the postmodern climate today that says that all truth is relative. However, postmodernism is a self-contradictory philosophy, because the “all” in its belief is already a belief in an absolute truth.

  That people like Christ but dislike his followers is more understandable, because some people can be hurt by hypocrites in the church. However, theirs is a very illogical reaction to truth, because the despicability of a person doesn’t necessarily make his religion despicable. Jesus himself told his disciples to listen to what the Pharisees taught, but not to follow what they did.

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  Travis Hill

  Member

  07/15/2024 at 11:34

  It is valid to have doubt or questions concerning Christian faith. Faith, the hope in something we can’t see, do, have, receive, or give, evidence. Because of our nature, it is easier to believe once it is seen. Jesus was performing unbelievable miracles that could not be explained. Even today, if those events occurred, some would have reservations of its truths.

  Some believe that we (people/humans/man) have the power to do without the help of others. Jesus is untouchable and can’t be seen by the human eye. Due to those limitations, belief for some is often questioned. As a result, rejection is established.

  It is our mentality that there is more than method to complete a task. Jesus saying that the only way to His Father is through him peaks the interest of how can reach this goal another way. Not having options can is uncomfortable. Accepting what another man says as the only option leads the curiosity why and considering His process is selfish. Having variety is of benefit to us and provides a sense of a control. Not fully following God’s way displays we don’t need Him and our alternate solution is wiser solution.

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  Matthew Tompkins

  Member

  07/11/2024 at 13:27

  God is a jealous God. He wants our complete and total dedication. We can’t worship other gods or deities or add God to a shelf where other idols and gods share a place with him. Jesus claims to be the great “I am,” not simply another prophet or teacher. Jesus tells us in the greatest commandment that we must love our Lord our God with all our heart, strength, and mind. God wants our hearts to focus on him and not have another god, whether that be money, sex, power, or any of the other distractions we as humans find ourselves pulled towards.

  Regarding followers, humans are humans, and we are all fallible. We all sin and make mistakes. It is very easy for non-believers to say well, you say you are a Christian, but you don’t act like one. Which, of course, is quite difficult. We all sin, and we all get upset and angry at times.

  The hard part of being a Christian is truly following Christ, walking in the way God asks us to in Micah 6:8. Can we truly walk in Christ’s way? Can we act like Christ and become humble and loving servants? It is difficult, and as St. Francis said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”

  Again, God is a jealous God; he asks us to dedicate our lives to him, and so we can’t simply say we are Christians if we believe in him, but also believe in or follow other religions, prophets, or great teachers.

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  Alicen Slygh

  Member

  06/04/2024 at 19:36

  Church hurt is very real and very valid. Followers of Christ are humans and therefore sin and fall short daily, so naturally it makes sense that people can admire Christ but dislike His followers. As Paul speaks to in Acts we as Christians must be very careful not to allow are words and actions tarnish the Gospel.

  Many other religions are appealing to many people. They allow people more freedom to do whatever they feel is acceptable, and can often be conformed to the values in the current society. If you can bend your religion to allow you to do whatever you would like then of course it would be more appealing to many. Christianity and the Bible are very clear on what is acceptable and what is considered sin. People don’t want to feel conviction so other religions may be more appealing when someone is choosing to live a life of sin.

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