Quote:
Originally Posted by bearbear
Amen. I'm reminded of scriptures that say all good things come from God (James 1:17). Paul even quoted Greek philosophy in Titus.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
That said I will still contend that the basis of discernment should still rest on the word of God. We shouldn't be pouring our time into things like Hindu scriptures, unless it's just to understand them for the sake of Gospel.
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And what is the "Gospel"? Isn't it the good news that the Law is not necessary for salvation, that eternal life is not reserved exclusively for Jews? That literally anyone, gentile, tax collector, can be saved and all they need is love for God and their fellow man to achieve that?
In which case we are entirely free of religious dogma and biblical canons. So what if I read Hindu scriptures and meditate in Buddhist monasteries? Eternal life is too wonderful to constrain to one religion. The "way" should not be caged and paraded around like an animal, it should be lived and shared.
When I was with LC, there was a young guy being sent to India, he joined our English speaking group first to practice his English (which was poor). All he really knew in life was Cantonese and the Witness Lee Life Study. And he was being sent as a missionary
. I advised him to read the Gita, so he could relate to the Hindus he would be meeting. I am sure by the expression on his face that this advice was ignored. He's probably still praying for my soul…..
But it's important. Jesus COULD NOT have liaised with the Jewish people in such a way had he not been a Jew. Likewise, a dogmatic Christian is going to get nowhere with people of other faiths. If you wanted to relate to a Buddhist, bearbear, how would you go about it? Start quoting them verses from a bible they don't believe in? Scare them with stories of hell? Tell them resistance is futile? "You will be assimilated…"
