The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Preaching the truth

It may be true that different religions are "aware of sin", however, Christianity defines sin in a far different manner than all other religions, including its origination. This difference is essential for the remedy, aka: salvation, rests firmly upon that foundation. For example, the Christian Bible states that God created Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth. Adam was the federal head of the entire human race and thus upon his shoulders rested what would affect all. Sin, according to the God of the Bible is the "transgression of the law"; God's law (1Jn 3:4). Secondly, Jesus Christ is the "second Adam" Who came to redeem those under the curse of the law, to save those who were under condemnation due to the first Adam's transgression (1Cor 15:22, 45; Gal 3:13). So you see, a general acknowledgment of "sin" does mean there is a common bond between all religions. A denial of the biblical account of the creation of man, his transgression, the purpose of sending Christ and redemption in His blood is to deny true salvation and to contradict what the one true God has said.

And what "good things" are you referring to? And further, to what benefit is it to do those good things if one is under the wrath of God? Doubtless other men may benefit from acts of beneficence or kindness, but they are all as "filthy rags" in God's estimation (Isa 64:6). In fact, it is utterly impossible for any human being, outside of the Lord Christ, to do a "good thing" because all men are sinners.

Agreed, that there is no warrant from God to form different religions, etc. However, it was His divine will that there would be factions, even within the true Church. The apostle Paul wrote of this very thing:

1 Corinthians 11:18-19 (ASV) "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you."

But isn't this contradictory to what you have been trying to say here? The fact is that there are vast differences of "truth" between all religions, sects and cults. ALL claim to have the truth and thus there must be a natural division between them. The only way to avoid these divisions is to deny absolute truth, which is exactly what the post-Modernists do; truth is relative... whatever is true for you may not be what is true for me, but that isn't of any importance. What is important is that we just get along together.

Hmmm, don't you see the insurmountable and indefensible problem with this statement? If the one God (I'm assuming you believe there is but one true God?) sent all these various "prophets" whose writings became all these various "holy books", then what you are saying is that God contradicts Himself at best or is a liar at worse. These prophets wrote many things which are antithetical to each other. So, what is one to do with all these conflicting statements?

Once again, you are wanting unity without holding to propositional absolute truth. Let me give you a very simple but critical example. Christianity holds that Almighty God has revealed Himself as the one true God who exists in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. No other religion holds to that view. So, from the very start, there is a major problem as to the very identity of God. How can you hope to have unity when there is such a drastic difference in regard to who the true God is?