Uniqueness of Jesus2000

Slide1 : The Uniqueness of Jesus galilee


Workshop Portfolio : Workshop Portfolio Reflect upon and describe your understanding of the Christian message of hope, using biblical references.  Comment on the perspective that it provides on human destiny. Describe the impact that it has upon you personally.  


Popular understanding : Popular understanding The Christian hope is …. going to heaven forever when you die Human destiny is …. going to heaven or hell forever when you die Evangelism is …. changing people’s destiny from hell to heaven Personally …. I will go to heaven forever when I die Do you agree with this? Bible support?


Focus on individual destiny : Focus on individual destiny What happens when I die? Options: Nothing (when you’re dead, you’re dead) Immortality of the soul Reincarnation Resurrection Which (if any) of these are biblical?


Religion is … : Religion is … Connectedness Making sense of human experience Ingredients: Beliefs Story Rituals – festivals, liturgy, rites of passage Ethics Spirituality – journey, encounter, formation


The Challenge : The Challenge Many religious teachers Common themes Christians often claim: Person and teachings of Jesus are unique Only Christians will be saved What do we make of it?


Map (1) : Map (1) Is Jesus Unique? Are Christians Unique? Is Christianity Unique?


Faiths, Founders and Followers : Faiths, Founders and Followers Is Jesus Unique? Are Christians Unique? Is Christianity Unique?


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Looking from inside or outside? : Is Jesus Unique? Are Christians Unique? Is Christianity Unique? Looking from inside or outside?


Map (2) : Is Jesus Unique? Are Christians Unique? Is Christianity Unique? Map (2) World Religions Christian Beliefs Salvation


The incomparable Christ : The incomparable Christ Christianity compares with other religions Beliefs Story Rituals Ethics Spirituality Christ differs fundamentally from other founders.


Biblical Claims of supremacy : Biblical Claims of supremacy John 1:14 John 14:6 I am the way ……………………. I am the truth …………………… I am the life …………………….. Acts 4:12 Philippians 2:9-11


Scripture and Tradition : Scripture and Tradition


Celebrations : Celebrations Christmas Easter Eucharist What are these about?


The Apostles’ Creed. : The Apostles’ Creed. I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended to heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.


Christian Tradition : Christian Tradition


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Exclusivism : Exclusivism Jesus is God’s unique self-revelation Jesus’ death makes salvation possible Those who believe in Jesus will be saved Usually taken as ‘going to heaven’ Those who do not believe will be damned Usually taken as ‘eternal torment in hell’ The main task of the church is to preach the gospel, so that the lost will be saved.


Map (2) : Is Jesus Unique? Are Christians Unique? Is Christianity Unique? Map (2) World Religions Christian Beliefs Salvation


Problems : Problems Was Abraham saved? Was David saved? My own story. Many who profess conversion seem hardly changed. Can so much depend on so little? Some people in other faiths appear to have a living relationship with the living God. What is saving faith?


Alternative Views : Alternative Views Focus on spirituality, and avoid issues of destiny completely Syncretism Pluralism Address issues of destiny differently Universalism Conditional immortality Address issue of exclusivity Inclusivity


Syncretism : Syncretism


Syncretism : Syncretism Spirituality is the core behind all religions Every religion is inadequate Pick and mix – whatever is helpful


Pluralism : Pluralism Many faiths in the world All are human responses to God/spirituality Each has integrity Value diversity Can’t pick and mix Respect, not rivalry


Comparing Religions : Comparing Religions


Comparing Religions : Comparing Religions


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Universalism : Universalism Jesus is God’s unique self-revelation Jesus’ death makes salvation possible Every individual will eventually experience God’s invitation to eternal life That invitation will be so liberating that everyone will respond to it The grace of God will triumph, and all the universe will be reconciled to God.


Conditional Immortality : Conditional Immortality Jesus is God’s unique self-revelation Jesus’ death makes salvation possible Eternal life is the free gift of God, not an attribute of human beings People receive eternal life by faith This is necessary to have a part in the age to come Hell is a means of destruction, not torment


Inclusivism : Inclusivism Jesus is God’s unique self-revelation Jesus’ death makes salvation possible Salvation includes both a relationship with God now and a future in the age to come God invites people into salvation in all sorts of ways The result and evidence of salvation is a living relationship with the living God


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Do you fit any of these views? : Do you fit any of these views?


What about truth? : What about truth? Spirituality may be the heart of religion Ordinary language may be inadequate for expressing spiritual realities A single religion may embrace internal contradictions Question: Are there doctrines that separate 2 faiths so much that they are irreconcilable?


Resurrection v Reincarnation : Resurrection v Reincarnation Day of Judgement Dead will be raised Destiny settled Linear view of time After every death Karma Endless cycle Cyclical view of time


Questions : Questions Are resurrection and reincarnation fundamentally different, or just 2 ways of expressing the same thing? Could someone be a Christian Buddhist? Is it possible to ‘rejoice in diversity’ without abandoning truth claims?


A charitable view : A charitable view Justice beyond this life Resurrection Reincarnation Immortality BUT Jesus rose from the dead.


Another example : Another example Christians see Jesus as God incarnate Hindus believe in ‘avatars’ of Vishnu Parallels and contrasts One avatar still to come Question: In talking with a Hindu about Jesus, would you want to stress the parallels or contrasts?


Fulfilment and Confrontation : Fulfilment and Confrontation Simeon: My eyes have seen your salvation a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. Paul: We proclaim Christ crucified a scandal to the Jews and an absurdity to the Gentiles.


Echoes : Echoes


Challenges : Challenges Jesus is not just a teacher but the saviour. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. Jesus’ resurrection shows who he is, what he achieved, and settles the ‘life after death’ debate. Salvation is freely available through God’s grace on the basis of Jesus’ death – an historical event. The Holy Spirit is poured out on the basis of Jesus’ resurrection.


Where does that leave us? : Where does that leave us?


Four possibilities : Four possibilities 1 C S 3 4 2 C C C S S S S


Will many or few be saved? : Will many or few be saved? Answer refused (Luke 13:23-30) Unpredictable (Lesslie Newbigin) Pharisee and tax-collector (Lk 18) Outcasts and presumptuous (Mt 22) Hardworking lad and young scoundrel (Lk 15) Sheep and goats (Mt 25) Do not pronounce judgment before the time


John – Exclusive and Inclusive : John – Exclusive and Inclusive I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. (14:6) The true light, that enlightens everyone, was coming into the world (1:9)


Acts – Exclusive and Inclusive : Acts – Exclusive and Inclusive There is salvation in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved. (4:12) (God) made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times and places where they would live, so that they would search for God, and perhaps grope 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. (17:26-28)


1. Religion is not salvation : 1. Religion is not salvation Religion is a cultural form expressing a spiritual awareness. Helpful, hollow or harmful. No-one is saved by religion. This applies to Judaism and Christianity.


2. Salvation is by God’s grace. : 2. Salvation is by God’s grace. God’s dream – many children to glory! God desires everyone to be saved. God is the saviour of all people. God does not want anyone to perish. Jesus tasted death for everyone. Jesus made atonement for the whole world. God’s grace requires a serious response.


3. Those who do not hear. : 3. Those who do not hear. All salvation is because of Christ’s death. All are judged by the light they have. Those who seek God will find him. Whoever calls on the Lord will be saved. Genuine faith is counted as righteousness. Rejecting the gospel can only happen if the presentation leads to hearing the gospel.