Other religions..

[Elijah John]

For debate, (addressed primarily to Theists) :

Do you see other religions, (and people who practice other religions) as enemies? Competitors? Or allies in the quest to bring people to God and His ways?

[JehovahsWitness]

That's good to know, I hope Evangelicals would take a cue then, from JWs and see people from other Faiths as charitably as JWs seem to. Maybe they do.

I'm glad, the question is somewhat mystifying for me though; may I ask has any contact you have had with Jehovah's Witnesses or anything you have read about how we treat people in our families or community of "church" lead you to draw such conclusions?

[JehovahsWitness]

You don't see doctors, nurses, fire-fighters, police, anti-poverty volunteers as doing God's work?

They are certainly doing fine work, and should be commended for it, but they are not doing "God's Work".

Or would they have to preach in order to do God's work, and go "door to door"?

Yes, among other things associated with what the bible calls "sacred service". For Jehovah's Witnesses doing God's work is doing the work he entrusted to his people through Jesus. Jesus was very clear about what he wanted his disciples to do

MATTHEW 28:19, 20
Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.

[Elijah John]

You don't see doctors, nurses, fire-fighters, police, anti-poverty volunteers as doing God's work?

They are certainly doing fine work, and should be commended for it, but they are not doing "God's Work".

Or would they have to preach in order to do God's work, and go "door to door"?

Yes, among other things associated with what the bible calls "sacred service". For Jehovah's Witnesses doing God's work is doing the work he entrusted to his people through Jesus. Jesus was very clear about what he wanted his disciples to do

MATTHEW 28:19, 20
Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.

Jesus also wanted his disciples to heal, presumably without the coersion of hearing a sermon first.

Healing with no strings attached.

And in the words of St. Francis...

Lord let me be an instrument of your peace, where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury, pardon, where there is doubt, faith, where there is dispair, hope, where there is darkness, light, where there is sadness, joy..."

Isn't having a gentle influence in a harsh world, healing...and is it not God's work too?

Maybe this is what Francis meant by "preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words"

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 13 by Elijah John]

We do heal, we heal people's hearts. With the good news.

Isn't having a gentle influence in a harsh world, healing...and is it not God's work too?

That is what the preaching work does. kind words and general commendation are of course positive things, but Jesus was very specific about the "healing" work he wanted his disciples to engage in* he said "teaching them all the things I have commanded you to do". Being generally kind and charitable should be part of the Christian worldview, but the message of the Kingdom and the making of disciples, is the main work Jesus commissioned his followers to concentrate on.

Of course, Christians should give a fine witness by means of their conduct, how they dress how they treat people, but one does not have to be a Christian to be kind or charitable. Jesus preached the Kingdom, he was known as "Teacher" (not "Miracle Worker" or "Feeder") because teaching was his main activity* and it was to be the main activity of his people.

JW



*NOTE: Jesus didn't pass on miraculous powers to all his disciples, in fact only the 12 had seem to have been able to pass miraculous powers on through literally laying their hands on someone. This would mean that the death of the last Apostle would signal the imminent end to such miraculous gifts. So while there was no universal instruction to perform physical healings, there was a specific one to heal people spiritually.

[Talishi]

You don't see doctors, nurses, fire-fighters, police, anti-poverty volunteers as doing God's work?

They are certainly doing fine work, and should be commended for it, but they are not doing "God's Work".

On the contrary, the police and doctors at least are doing God's work.

Romans 13:4 ...But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Sirach 38:1 Honour a physician with the honour due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath created him.

[Yahu]

For debate, (addressed primarily to Theists) :

Do you see other religions, (and people who practice other religions) as enemies? Competitors? Or allies in the quest to bring people to God and His ways?

I guess that would depend on the religion. I would consider any that follow a pagan deity to gain power in witchcraft absolutely my enemy and the enemy of Yah.

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 16 by Yahu]


[center]
Religion: one of the best pretexts for hate[/center]

I guess that would depend on the religion. I would consider any that follow a pagan deity to gain power in witchcraft absolutely my enemy and the enemy of Yah.

"Absolutely my enemy".

I wonder if the ISIS brotherhood guys think that way of YOU?
your kind of "Christian loving" sounds like a recipe for holy war, if you ask me...

It really helps hatred and war along to first take some people as an "ABSOLUTE ENEMY". Sorry, Yahu.. but that kind of thinking represents some of the WORST problems with religion.

[dio9]

[Replying to post 1 by Elijah John]

right now I see other religions as something I can learn from.

[Monta]

[Replying to post 13 by Elijah John]


Maybe this is what Francis meant by "preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words"//

I've never heard that quote before.

Brilliant, spiritual.

[Peds nurse]

[Replying to post 1 by Elijah John]

Do you see other religions, (and people who practice other religions) as enemies? Competitors? Or allies in the quest to bring people to God and His ways?
_________________

I don't really consider anyone an enemy. I think that we are all the creation of God, whether some acknowledge that or not. I would also like to mention, that I don't always have everything right. There are many times, that I stand corrected by the truth of others. Iron sharpens iron. It is not my goal to persuade anyone to become a Christian. I have not walked in anyone's shoes, and sometimes, a lot of hurt is caused by the effects of religion. It is only my goal to live for Him in such a way, that I am a witness to His name.

Have a beautiful day!