04/26/2007

Yesterday night, our family attended a Bible study at Mark and Crystal's house. Nathan rose to the occasion and bonded with the babysitter. This is not always the case. However, at the end of the evening, he was returned back to us, sleeping in the sitter's arms. Maybe she drugged him. I don't know. He never falls asleep in any one's arms. At any rate, it was an enjoyable evening. We were discussing the book of Luke. It is a loosely organized Bible study, and people are free to share whatever they felt impressed by as they read. Somehow, I really can't recall the series of bunny trails it took for this to occur, but we ended up discussing salvation. The discussion turned into a disagreement when several of us implied that Jesus was the only way. We had a Unitarian in our midst, and he was struggling with an age-old conflict:

How could good people go to hell?

The man insisted he had seen Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc., who, though they didn't believe 'exactly' what he did, could not be faulted and condemned to hell. He reasoned that they were some of the kindest, least-critical, and most devout people that he knew. I am reminded again that so often Christians are the worst testament to the love of Jesus. It is truly a shame. I also thought, as I have many times (and have discussed with my Mom), that there are MANY people who are "so good they should be Christians." I think hell will be filled with good, kind, helpful, charitable, and loving people. It is hard to accept that, isn't it? But, it boils down to this: "Believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Oh, how the world hates truth and exclusivism!

I was so proud of Nick. Communicating is my gift, but Nick is stronger in other areas. However, there was much at stake last night--and Nick didn't let the untruth cruise by unopposed. In a very calm and intelligent manner, Nick explained that the truth of the Bible had to be accepted as it was, with nothing added. "There shall be nothing added to this book." Nick explained that many religions have half-truths (which are as dangerous and deceptive as complete lies), and that many insist they are working in conjunction with the Bible. Many, many times religions will say, "The Bible is true, but so-and-so discovered that it REALLY works better if we take out this part or add a book here." God didn't make a mistake. He included everything we needed to know...and he didn't need John Smith's magical glasses to do so! Nick acknowledged, as did many of us, that the faith and devotion of worshippers such as the Muslims is to be admired. The truth boils down to this: You cannot be a Unitarian and include Jesus in your beliefs. Jesus doesn't allow for that. He claims to be the "only way." I'm afraid this sort of thinking is terribly unpopular.

Anyway, the evening ended in a pleasant manner with no hard feelings. I know I already stated this, but I was immensely proud of Nick. I could have expressed the same idea, and probably would have had Nick not jumped in, but I was so happy to sit, listen, and nod my head. I love that sort of thing, by the way. I love to be required to examine the basis of my belief and conviction...to think through what I believe and why; It keeps my faith from growing cavalier.