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SecretMethod70 · 03-12-2004, 11:36 AM

I don't think anyone here is saying that Jesus is not the basis of their Christian faith (if they're Christian at least) but only that, as you said, much eastern thought can compliment it without contradicting it. And that statement isn't as concrete and unequivocal as you may think...he doesn't say "No one comes to the Father except through stated belief in me and vocal membership in my church." My point being that one can believe in Jesus without calling it a belief in Jesus and without even realizing that that's what they believe in because they may be raised in a different culture with different focuses. Thus, they may open themselves up fully to letting Love (i.e. God, for God is Love, and thus, Jesus) control their lives and not call it Jesus, or God, or Christian. Many non-Christians in this way are better Christians than most Christians. Thus, they may come to the Father through Jesus and still not realize that that is who they are coming to the Father through or even that it is the Father that they are coming to. It's simply another interpretation and one that is, grammatically, no less accurate.

That's also not to say there isn't worth in recognizing that the openness to Love that one has is provided and guided by Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but only to say that one can be accepting of Jesus without calling it that and without realizing that that's exactly what they are doing.

(note: Lebell has also made good points below me)

03-12-2004, 11:36 AM	#20 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	I don't think anyone here is saying that Jesus is not the basis of their Christian faith (if they're Christian at least) but only that, as you said, much eastern thought can compliment it without contradicting it. And that statement isn't as concrete and unequivocal as you may think...he doesn't say "No one comes to the Father except through stated belief in me and vocal membership in my church." My point being that one can believe in Jesus without calling it a belief in Jesus and without even realizing that that's what they believe in because they may be raised in a different culture with different focuses. Thus, they may open themselves up fully to letting Love (i.e. God, for God is Love, and thus, Jesus) control their lives and not call it Jesus, or God, or Christian. Many non-Christians in this way are better Christians than most Christians. Thus, they may come to the Father through Jesus and still not realize that that is who they are coming to the Father through or even that it is the Father that they are coming to. It's simply another interpretation and one that is, grammatically, no less accurate. That's also not to say there isn't worth in recognizing that the openness to Love that one has is provided and guided by Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but only to say that one can be accepting of Jesus without calling it that and without realizing that that's exactly what they are doing. (note: Lebell has also made good points below me) __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling Last edited by SecretMethod70; 03-12-2004 at 11:39 AM..