As of 9-1-07...

Presentation tomorrow

Short Thought

Follow Up

The problem with this quote is that I have posted it out of context, without the context, it is impossible to perceive the thought as complete. This quote is made in the context of the exclusivity and uniqueness of Christianity.

The superiority of Christ:
It is important that our faith is not centered on the primacy of Christendom, but the superiority of Christ. We are not saved by the formality of our faith, but by the object thereof. It is Christ himself who makes Christianity superior to all other religions. One of the ways that I believe Christianity to be superior to all other religions is that no other religion is able to acceptably deal with the problem of human depravity. No other religion can adequately explain the origin and consequences of sin or provide a sufficient solution thereto because no other deity can lay claim to the perfect righteousness of Christ.

Some say that all religions are fundamentally the same, but superficially different, but Ravi Zacharias points out that all religions may appear superficially the same, but are, in fact, fundamentally different. No other system can handle a concept such as sin. All other supposed paths to God are confounded by the impotence of their approach, but we as Christians can take comfort in the truth of “Christ in me, the hope of glory” and this truth is profound.

Furthermore, Christ makes a claim no other “prophet” or “holy man” made (or could make for that matter): “I am the way…” Notice, he is not just the gate as many others have claimed, but the way itself.

The point here is to contrast the assumptions of other religions with the truth of the gospel. Even though the “badness” of man is readily apparent, and many religions accept that humanity desperately needs to be transformed, the gospel reminds us that we were DEAD in our sins and trespasses. This complete in-ability on man’s behalf is evident in our “badness” which is the result of our “deadness” not the cause.

In this way, I do not believe that Ravi Zacharias is in any way even unconsciously denying progressive sanctification, implying that there is no such thing as morality, or presenting salvation as entirely positional, but rather highlighting the insufficiency of all other religions. He is pointing out that there is a gigantic difference being recognizing one’s own badness and realizing one’s desperate need for Christ.

Currently Reading History of Western Philosophy (Routledge Classics) By B. Russell see related

Tell me, what do you think of this statement?

“It is not morality that separates us form God, that is, it is not an issue of goodness or badness but rather of deadness. Jesus Christ did not come to make bad people good; he came to make dead people live.”