CONTEXTUALIZATION, PART II Redeeming Truth From Other ReligionsAre Christians Capable of This?

All religions seem to exist for one basic purpose.  It's what Tim Keller has dubbed the self-salvation project.  It's people in search of God, wholeness, balance, etc.  In Mark 2:16, when the religous teachers saw Jesus eating with sinners, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"  I love Jesus' reply in Mark 2:17:

"When Jesus heard this, he told them, 'Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have not come to call those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.'"

I think that this is what I love most about Christian spirituality:  Christ is for the spiritually bankrupt, not those who think they are already a good person.  He is for losers, or as we like to say here, beggars.  Brennan Manning is known for calling the message of Jesus the Gospel for ragamuffins.  It's this idea that followers of Jesus are not those who seem to have their act(s) together.  We're not the winning team.  As in my music video, Christians are those who have admitted that they have spent too much time on their résumé.  (Isa 64:6)


Now, although Christians believe that we have been saved by sheer grace rather than our moral performance, which dramatically contrasts with most of the religions of this world, I think that there are many things in various religions which actually compliment Christian spirituality. 


For instance, in many eastern philosophies we find this idea that we are already at peace with the universe.  The problem is that we just don't know it yet.  This belief actually fits in nicely with the Gospel which says that we have already been made right with God.  God's wrath toward evil/sin has already been appeased.  And it is this knowledge which changes everything, and demands a response.  These other spiritualities also say that one must experience an enlightening experience, which I think is congruent with the Christian doctrine of regeneration.  Likewise, many of these promote meditation as a means toward the end of realizing that we are "part of the the divine".  This fits in nicely with what Jesus said in John 17.

20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Here in Afghanistan, I can speak to a Muslim, or open a Qur'an and find things that are true about Christ.  I believe that this is because Christ really is who the bible says He is - the Author (and owner) of all truth (John 14:6).  It makes sense to me that since Christ created all things (Col 1:16), we're going to find His fingerprints all over the place - including the writings of those who are searching for Him. 


Now, this is where I think that some people might be asking "what about 1 Tim 4:1?" and other places in the bible that explicitly say that other religions are really doctrines of demons invented to distract from the Truth.  Well, the bible also says that the devil and his demons know the scriptures, and use Truth to construct their lies.  We saw this in my last post.  So, here we find a massive need for discernment.  But, try not to confuse discernment with fear.  Especially if you're interested in loving your neighbor (Lev 19:18, Mark 12:30-31), because there is no fear in love. (1 John 4:18).


So, it's likely that all religions contain a certain amount of truth within them.  In fact, that is probably what is so confusing about these false constructs: because many parts therein actually fit into Christian spirituality, even though together they clearly clash with the Gospel.  However, I submit that instead of feeling threatened by this, we should be encouraged!


Paul had no problem doing this, as we see him quoting greek texts [originally written about Zeus], saying "this is actually about Christ" (Acts 17:28).  Being redemptive is really the opposite of being fearful.  Paul wasn't afraid of the fact that some [even many] of their beliefs about life, God, and what it means to be human were actually true [even biblical].  And I think that he actually saw this as good news!


In fact, let's take a look at what the bible actually says about doctrines of demons in 1 Tim 4:1-7.

¹ The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. ³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
 ⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

I love that in this passage it is taken for granted that, while religions will weigh you down, following and applying Christ will give you the most freedom. Verse 4 says that everything God created is good.

Today, may we live the redemptive life of a redeemed, totally free follower of Christ, reclaiming truth as we see it on this wonderful planet, and not being intimidated by the source since we know that all truth really belongs to God.  Amen.

[Now read Part 3.]