Is Jesus the Only Way to God? Particularism and Pluralism.

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSES
Advertisements

Baptism Bible Study.
God's Four Basic Laws.
The Promise Of Salvation
The Meaning of the Cross An Easter message Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 Speaker: Phil Hainaut.
The Gift You Cannot Give Yourself December 8. Remember … What is the best gift you have ever unwrapped? The gift of salvation is not exactly one that.
All for One & One for All Intro. to Romans. Romans 1:1-7 & Romans 3:21-26.
Atonement and the Cross of Christ. Review The basis of the atonement – God’s nature Cosmic crisis The fall into sin The divine initiative Atonement announced.
Justice or Mercy? Justice Just – That which is right or good. Deut. 32:4 - He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful.
BOOKLETS AVAILABLE 1.Suggested donation of $2 for small and $3 for large. 2.Write your name. 3.Join a small group bible study. 4.Begin to get to know.
Life with Him - Jn. 10:10 Repent & Believe Mk.1:15 “Good Deeds” Eph. 2:8-9 All Sin - Rom. 3:23 All Die - Rom. 5:12 All Judged - 2 Th. 1:8-9 His Position.
The Glory of God. Romans 3: But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even.
Fulfilled in Christ and in the Church
Christ Our Sacrifice And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Hebrews 9:22.
The Church with New Testament Requirements for Membership: A Mark That Matters Marks That Matter.
Lesson 4 for the 24 th of July, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced.
The Church of Christ A Mark That Matters The phrase, Marks That Matter, is from a tract of the same name by Jim Cope Marks That Matter.
The Bare Minimum. Basic knowledge about God Basic knowledge about man Basic knowledge about sin Basic knowledge about Christ Basic knowledge about Salvation.
September 2012.
Will Only Members of The church of Christ Be Saved? Is it arrogant and self-righteous to claim that only members of the church of Christ will be saved?
“Know who you are” “Recognise and resist wrong ideas” “Guidance of homosexuality” “Encourage Prayer” “Fight the battle” “God wants all to be saved”
DIVINE JUSTICE.
Jesus Christ Our Propitiation Romans 3:23-26 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the.
Ephesians 6:14-18 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet.
God’s Eternal Purpose The Church the Fullness of Christ Eph 1:22-23.
AdventureTruth: His _____ gets me ______ grace going.
TRUTH at the Crossroads – Week 3 No Justice No Peace? Matthew 5:38-42.
The Reason for God #2 “There Can’t Be Just One True Religion”
Yahweh Our Righteousness December 16. What do you think? What or who do you think sets the standards for right or wrong in our society? What do you think.
GOD’S LOVE AND JUSTICE God’s Love for all people (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world that he gave … (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord is … patient with you,
Calvinism’s Terrible Tulip. "Did Christ offer up Himself a sacrifice for the whole human race, for every individual without distinction or exception;
Sin Entered Romans 5:12 Through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world. Romans 5:19 Through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners. Romans.
Righteousness Of God Revealed Romans Chapter 3:21-31.
Basic Doctrine The Gospel Adapted from Will Metzger’s Tell the Truth.
A NEED REVEALED All are Guilty God declares the total depravity of men Romans 3:9-20.
Communion-Revelation 12:11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink.
GOD THE SON Jesus Christ Humbled Himself to Redeem Us Christianity 101 – Lesson 8 Immanuel Lutheran Church Clayton Township, Neenah, Wisconsin.
Fighting the good fight. 1 Timothy 2:1-7 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for.
I Timothy 2:1-7 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority,
“Yes” …and here’s “Why?” John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 1, Because.
“The Righteousness of God” Romans 3:21-31 July 4, 2010.
God’s Eternal Purpose Fulfilled in Christ and in the Church: Eph 1:4-10 By Grace Have You Been Saved through Faith: Eph 2:8-10 By Grace Have You Been Saved.
Faith Works: Unwrapping the Gift Romans 3: When someone gives you a gift – unwrap it!
THE CURE FOR INFERIORITY COMPLEXES. What is an inferiority complex?
WHAT DOES SALVATION MEAN?. Ephesians 2:1-7 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the.
Wes Woodell 2013 ACB REfocus REtreat
John 12: Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth,
A Study of Romans: 3. Justification by Faith. Romans Chapter 1: The Gospel’s Power to Save Chapter 1-3: Man’s need for Salvation Chapter 3-5: Justification.
Have you heard of the Spiritual Laws?. Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe, so are there spiritual laws that govern your.
Tonight’s lesson: Knowing God Part Two: Special Revelation.
Where is the Good today? Romans 3: Why do we not see God’s Righteousness in our world? e.g. Psalm 73:1-14.
Romans 3: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
The Message of All: is the Gospel of God about His Son.
JUSTIFIED BY FAITH Lesson 4 for the 24th of July, 2010.
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
The good news: Righteousness from God for all who believe
THE WILL OF GOD and SALVATION.
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Be justified by faith? Faith is completed by deed?
Catechism The Need for Faith
10 BIG QUESTIONS DO YOU KNOW?.
“Blessed are the Hungry and Thirsty”
ROMANS 3:  But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness.
Accept One Another Romans
The Augsburg Confession of 1530
A True Calling.
Leading Up God creates man out of His overflow of love
YOU ARE A SINNER. YOU ARE A SINNER Rom 3:23 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
The Scandalous Grace of a Glorious God Romans 3:25-26
The Simple Truth About Salvation
Presentation transcript:

Is Jesus the Only Way to God? Particularism and Pluralism

Biblical Claims Salvation only through Jesus Acts 4:12 - Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved Eph 2: Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world

Salvation by faith in Jesus Rom 3:21-26 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Rise of Pluralism Was perception that Christianity had filled earth Marco Polo, Columbus, Magellan New worlds discovered who knew nothing of the Christian faith Christian belief confined to Western Europe Exclusiveness seemed narrow and cruel Pluralism is the belief that there are many roads to God

Common Arguments for Pluralism It is arrogant and immoral to believe that non- Christians are mistaken You only believe in Christianity because you were born in the west. It is just an accident of birth.

Response to Arrogance Argument Ad hominem argument - Truth is independent of the proponent’s morality Why is particularism immoral? It might be true Pluralist believes pluralism is true - Isn’t that arrogant and immoral?

Response to Accident of Birth You are only a Christian because you were born in the west If you were born in Pakistan you would be a Muslim Genetic Fallacy – invalidate a position by explaining the origin of the belief If you were born in ancient Greece, you would have believed sun rotated around earth. If you were born in 20 th century you would believe earth rotates around sun – does this mean that the heliocentric belief is invalid? Can also turn the argument back on the pluralist: – If you were born in Pakistan you would be a particularist – You are only a pluralist because you were born in the 20 th century west – Therefore pluralism is invalid

Issues How can a loving God condemn those outside the Christian faith? Does the punishment fit the crime? Why is there an infinite punishment for a finite offence? Why should the gospel improve peoples’ chances? Why create a world in which so many are lost?

Does God want to send people to hell? 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

1 Tim 2:1-6 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men.

Ezek 18:31-32 Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Possible Answers? Craig’s suggestions: – It may not be possible to create a world in which everyone is freely saved – Hell may be self perpetuating – rejection and rebellion continues – Rejection of God’s gift in Christ has eternal consequences – God may have ordered the world so that the optimum proportion of people are saved – God could have ordered world so that those who never heard would not have responded. Thus those who have not heard would not have been saved anyway – People can respond to general revelation; e.g. Melchizedek. They draw a cheque on Calvary. Craig is a bit of an Arminian – Do you agree with Craig? – Does God want to maximise saved?

God’s Plan (Acts 17:25-28) From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' What are the implications of this statement? What is your response?