Amos Yong is is cool dude and a great theologian! (I'm kinda sorry he left Bethel though! )


***********************************************

Bruce:
D., my hesitation is that mere terms ussually have world views behind them, that shape a term in one way here, and another way there. I don't know much, but I can look at what I've read of pre-Christian Helenic culture and how Christianity transformed terms and culture.

So I'm hesitant about taking Hindu and Buddism terms and treating them as Christian.

Of course, the worldviews between Christianity and Buddhism are different. That is not to say that, once someone really looks at the views, that there are not striking similiarities in some of the things that occur, particularly when talking about the process of "awakening".  (Hmmm...that reminds me. Amos Yong was really big on Christian/Buddhist dialogue dealing with a new pneumatological view of a theology of relgions within an evangelical framework. He's been working with this for some time. It's possible to do so...and still maintain core Christian conviction. )

So again, I'm not trying to EQUATE Christianity and Buddhism. That would be disrepectful (at least) to both. I'm pointing out significant similarities that are RIPE for opening up pan-faith discussions and "redemptive analogies" (Don Richardson's "Peace Child" thing ) that open the way for relational evangelism.


***********************************************

Bruce:
Further, I'm really concerned that you might desire to create a "unified theory" of all religions. I'm concerned about that becuase Christianity presents that nothing is understood outside of Christ.

If you get a chance, please read "Beyond the Impasse: Toward a Pneumatological Theology of Religions." That could go a longer way into illustrating some of my thinking. But I will say this: Christ is absolutely center in my PERSONAL LIFE, not just my theological worldview. I think that you of all people, Bruce, have SEEN my Christocentricity increase over time here...especially in my theologizing on this board.  Maybe I'm silly with this, but I keep expecting the changes I'm demonstrating (and the testimonies I've given) to authenticate things as far as my centrality on Christ.  Maybe I need to give up on that...

Look at the FRUIT, man. Fruit don't lie, right?


******************************************

Bruce:
All this philosophy and compound-worded terms to stand in for grace, communion and love make me uneasy.

You have the right idea. Pray to the Father about it. He'll give you what you need to help you discern what's what. And pray for me too while you're talking to Him!


**********************************************

Corey:
This sort of talk is where I still say you're being quasi-gnostic. Salvation is through attaining a certain secret knowledge.

Amazing...

Post Edited (Imago Dei) : 1/28/2008 8:11:18 AM (GMT-6)

I read two books that address the fact that "Word" and "Spirit" are common terms and categoricl place-holders in many religions. (Spirit becomes openly personal in Ezekial, some categorical input from Zoroastrianism helped Judaism prepare for Christianity, etc., and prepare for the pneumatology in John.)

PS: Why would I ignore you?

• Define and illustrate first, and give them some time, and a chance to interact and form their own question.

• Using outside instanaces to point to or define things in Christianity is  useful.
• Using Christianity to distinguish tipping points in other religions does, by contrast, help to also define and illumine Christianity.
• Examining two worldviews at the same time is like trying to do "multivariable calculus."

Post Edited (PotOnWheel) : 1/28/2008 10:07:05 AM (GMT-6)

Matthew 12:26Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'^[d]? 27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!" (to the Sadducese)

13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.

 17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

   They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

 19"What things?" he asked.

   "about Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

 25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ^[b] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

 28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

 33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Post Edited (Imago Dei) : 1/29/2008 9:33:00 PM (GMT-6)