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At the beginning of this program we learned: “People have many reasons for rejecting the Christian faith. Some may admire Christ but dislike His followers. Others find it difficult to accept any faith that claims to be the only way to God. Why would anyone limit themselves to only one of the world’s great religions?” How valid are each of these objections? What is your response to each?
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It is valid to have doubt or questions concerning Christian faith. Faith, the hope in something we can’t see, do, have, receive, or give, evidence. Because of our nature, it is easier to believe once it is seen. Jesus was performing unbelievable miracles that could not be explained. Even today, if those events occurred, some would have reservations of its truths.
Some believe that we (people/humans/man) have the power to do without the help of others. Jesus is untouchable and can’t be seen by the human eye. Due to those limitations, belief for some is often questioned. As a result, rejection is established.
It is our mentality that there is more than method to complete a task. Jesus saying that the only way to His Father is through him peaks the interest of how can reach this goal another way. Not having options can is uncomfortable. Accepting what another man says as the only option leads the curiosity why and considering His process is selfish. Having variety is of benefit to us and provides a sense of a control. Not fully following God’s way displays we don’t need Him and our alternate solution is wiser solution.
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God is a jealous God. He wants our complete and total dedication. We can’t worship other gods or deities or add God to a shelf where other idols and gods share a place with him. Jesus claims to be the great “I am,” not simply another prophet or teacher. Jesus tells us in the greatest commandment that we must love our Lord our God with all our heart, strength, and mind. God wants our hearts to focus on him and not have another god, whether that be money, sex, power, or any of the other distractions we as humans find ourselves pulled towards.
Regarding followers, humans are humans, and we are all fallible. We all sin and make mistakes. It is very easy for non-believers to say well, you say you are a Christian, but you don’t act like one. Which, of course, is quite difficult. We all sin, and we all get upset and angry at times.
The hard part of being a Christian is truly following Christ, walking in the way God asks us to in Micah 6:8. Can we truly walk in Christ’s way? Can we act like Christ and become humble and loving servants? It is difficult, and as St. Francis said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”
Again, God is a jealous God; he asks us to dedicate our lives to him, and so we can’t simply say we are Christians if we believe in him, but also believe in or follow other religions, prophets, or great teachers.
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Church hurt is very real and very valid. Followers of Christ are humans and therefore sin and fall short daily, so naturally it makes sense that people can admire Christ but dislike His followers. As Paul speaks to in Acts we as Christians must be very careful not to allow are words and actions tarnish the Gospel.
Many other religions are appealing to many people. They allow people more freedom to do whatever they feel is acceptable, and can often be conformed to the values in the current society. If you can bend your religion to allow you to do whatever you would like then of course it would be more appealing to many. Christianity and the Bible are very clear on what is acceptable and what is considered sin. People don’t want to feel conviction so other religions may be more appealing when someone is choosing to live a life of sin.
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I do not understand how anyone could claim they admire Christ but dislike his followers. His life was prophesied aforetime. His purpose was to be a servant of God and a Savoir for mankind. He committed no sin and only spoke truth. Simultaneously he proved how God was, is and will be with us if we only believe. As a follower you could only look to being like him. Hate does not seem to have ever accepted truth or love very well. History has shown this, adding proof to all that God’s word teaches.
I don’t know how to respond to anything that would argue that God is God but does not accept his gift to us. Jesus Christ remained faithful throughout his journey on earth. God’s word was revealed and fulfilled time and time again from the very beginning. It is the gift of God when you believe that gives you life not limit you or take anything away.
There have been objections to Christianity long before the miraculous life of Jesus Christ. This was also revealed in God’s word. There was hate and opposition from the very beginning of existence. God says to forgive your enemies and leave place for wrath. This is more God-like than causing harm or hate to anything else without reason. Hate or harm done without reason proves they do not know what they do, thus making any objection not valid at all in my eyes.
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1. People have many reasons for rejecting the Christian faith and one reason may because the people had been brought up on the Law of Moses and Jesus came to fulfill the Law. I think they couldn’t believe a mere man could be the son of God.
2. Others find it difficult to accept any faith that claims there is only one way to God, because I think they believe it is by works that you are saved and when Jesus said “no one enters the Father except through Him” it went against everything they had been taught to believe.
3. Why people limit themselves to only one religion goes back to their personal relationship with Jesus. Jesus performed thousands of signs, wonders and miracles throughout his ministry. But beyond all that, he showed people that God doesn’t just want the law to be written on a tablet but in our hearts.
