It seems almost all denominations are planning some sort of outreach effort to commemorate Sept. 11. That's the right thing to do. Even a year after the terrorist attacks, people are still hurting and still looking for answers. Churches have the opportunity to reach out to those who might not bother visiting a typical worship service.
As the National Council of Churches, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the United Methodist Church promote interfaith events within their congregations, there's a danger these and other Christian congregations will go out of bounds. Eager to be seen as loving and welcoming, they run the risk of promoting interfaith events that seem to say all gods are good and worth respecting.
It's OK to invite people from other faiths to church services where the one true God is promoted, but for a Christian church to host events that place all religions on an equal plain is a disgrace. The Bible makes it clear that there is only one God, only one way to heaven and eternal life.
Tolerating all faiths might win you points with the masses on earth, but it does nothing for you -- or them -- in heaven.
A New York pastor from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod generated a lot of press following the terrorist attacks for taking part in an interfaith prayer service. The Rev. David Benke joined Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and Hindus during the Sept. 23 Prayer for America event.
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Christians know that life comes down to a choice of heaven or hell. If we know -- and we do -- that Jesus is the only way to heaven, then saying it's OK to worship other gods is the same as encouraging people to spend eternity in hell. |
Newsweek's Aug. 12 cover story is "Visions of Heaven." It gives the reader a quick overview of some of the most common perceptions of heaven, and leaves the impression that heaven is whatever you want it to be. Despite the writer's research and interviews, it doesn't appear the Bible was among her resources. The Bible gives us a clear description of heaven in Revelation and blatantly points out the only way to get there is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That's Christianity, folks. For a Christian to back down from this core doctrine is blasphemy.
Christians know that life comes down to a choice of heaven or hell. If we know -- and we do -- that Jesus is the only way to heaven, then saying it's OK to worship other gods is the same as encouraging people to spend eternity in hell.
I'm all for loving and welcoming people from all faiths. But to truly love and welcome them is to share the truth, not lead them astray. Am I suggesting we beat those of other faiths over the heads with our big black Bibles until they accept Christ? Hardly. Should we condemn them for their beliefs? No. The Bible tells us they're blind to the truth, they just don't know any better. They need love and kindness. They deserve it. They also deserve to hear the true gospel, not some sugar-coated, all-encompassing view of religion that ends up with everyone holding hands and worshiping the god of their choice.
Non-Christians deserve better from us. So does Jesus.
