Replies to Aristiono -- Part 5 -- Why I Believe Jesus is God?

Well, this is a tough question to answer, but at the same time easy. The simple way to put it is this -- how many people tell you what is going to happen to them and then tell you they are going to die and then three days and nights later they tell you they are going to rise from the dead? Not many. How many tell you these things and then do it? Only one person has ever done it. Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Now, unlike Mohammad whose revelation that lead to the Q'uran, the revelation of Jesus was public and witnessed. With Mohammad we are still left to trust that he just did not make it all up in the cave. Jesus on the other hand has multiple witnesses of his life, death and resurrection. These events are as historical as any other and have more historical evidence than any other event of ancient history. We have more eyewitness testimony from ancient literature that Jesus rose from the dead than Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon.



The historical fact of the resurrection means that all the other things Jesus said about himself not only true but empowered as truth. I mean are you really going to say that someone who rises from the dead does not know what he is talking about?
1. Jesus forgives sins -- Only God can do so
2. Jesus claims God as his Father making himself equal to God
3. John 1:1 claims the Word was God -- The Word is Jesus Christ.
4. The disciples and many others worship Jesus -- He does not prevent them from doing so.

I could list many more but these are enough.

More than this, is the present power of Christ as God at work in my life! How could I deny someone who removed my sins and transformed my life? It would be easier for me to deny the world is round or water is wet.

In my earlier days I studied many religions asking the question -- why do I consider my faith better than this? Simply put 1) I have a savior who is historically raised from the dead and 2) This Savior lives inside me to make me the man God wants me to be.

Islam failed for me because it does not change me. It could change my actions and thoughts, but it could not change my spirit. It is externals without meaning. It is salvation only from habit not sinfulness. In short, it cannot transform me like Christ has because it is not the truth.

Aristiono I want to thank you for the opportunity to answer these questions I hope it was informative for you as it was fun for me.

Finis -- with possibility of more is more questions come up.

Returning to True Fundamentalism -- Part 6 -- Why Does This Matter?

OK. Let's recap. True Fundamentalism is about making a list of the minimum things required in a Christian doctrine statement to be Christian. my list is only five things long:
1. The Bible is the Inspired Word of God
2. God exists in three persons: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit and these three are one.
3. The reality of the person and work of Jesus Christ as both historical and spiritually significant
4. Through the person and work we can find salvation and find it in no other
5. Christ will return

Now, I want to note something -- I think this is all one needs to know to become a Christian and get saved. That said can anyone note all that is not said:

1. Type of inspiration (verbal, etc.)
2. The nature of God outside the trinity doctrine -- how is God omnipotent, omniscient, etc.
3. How one is saved by faith (faith and works controversy)
4. How salvation works and the nature of salvation are left somewhat open
5. End times -- completely open.

Why is this important? I think that unity is better achieved by fighting for the core, making allowances for differences outside the core and in all things being loving. Probably, the greatest downside to the Protestant Reformation has been division and hostility between the children of God. The fact is we often fight about many things that are not central to faith and the real issues often go by without really looking at them. The kind of unity Paul talked about in his writings is quite frankly imposable as long as these issues exist. We simply have a hard time accepting someone whose beliefs about Christianity are not very similar to our own and tat is becoming our downfall.

Finis

Returning to True Fundamentalism -- Part 4 -- Salvation Through Christ

With the work of Christ complete, the door to salvation is opened. The issue for the true fundamentalist is one of Jesus being the only way to salvation. In short there are no other roads to eternal life.

The faith-works question is actually open and left to debate. The real issue is one of who purchased salvation not how it is acquired. Salvation issues are left open because salvation is a mystery and many of its parts are indeed subject to such debate.

Next: The Return of Christ

Returning to True Fundamentalism -- Part 3 -- The Person and Work of Jesus Christ

Back to work ;-)

The is where Christianity becomes Christianity -- The Person and Work of Jesus Christ. This is what it is all about really -- 1) Who was Jesus? and 2) What Did Jesus Do?

Who was Jesus? To the True Fundamental Christian Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man. I have heard the cliche' that Jesus was the first 200% person but I think the better way to describe it is he was the first complete person since Adam and Eve because he was God and Man.

1) Jesus is the Son of God
2) Jesus is the Son of Man

What Did Jesus Do? He lived, died and rose again for the glory of God with the end result being our salvation.
1) He was born of a virgin
2) He lived a sinless life; teaching us how to live both in word and deed
3) He died on a cross for our sins
4) He was buried for three days and rose again
5) He glorified God through this
6) He purchased our complete salvation

This Person and Work must be maintained to have a true Christian viewpoint

Next: Salvation through Christ

Verse of the Week -- Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, and let us reason together, Says the Lord, Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red as crimson, they will be like wool."

First snow of the year that looks like it is going to stay around. I used to love snow but as I get older I dislike the problems associated with it. Namely, the cold, wet and driving in the stuff. One thing though that newly fallen snow does illustrate is when God says -- 'i will make your sins whiter than snow" It is a great image.

Blessings as you know the forgiveness of God and how he has cleansed your sins whiter than snow.