Zone1 What makes Christianity different from other religions?

[Votto]

Granted, not all "Christians" may agree as many try to still earn their salvation.

 

[BreezeWood]

Granted, not all "Christians" may agree as many try to still earn their salvation.

- such are the serpents that wrote the 4th century christian bible, servitude and denial ...

votto.

 

[TNHarley]

I always thought it was extremely similar to others. Almost as if it was copied off many other religions. Same for judaism.

 

[norwegen]

The Jews believed God came to them, too, in their Most Holy Place, though periodically and through a select few. They tried to differentiate themselves from the polytheistic religions all around them, though failed. They struggled with their monotheism.

Christianity is a much cleaner departure, repudiating even Judaism.

 

[The Sage of Main Street]

Granted, not all "Christians" may agree as many try to still earn their salvation.

Domination Through Damnation

 

[onefour1]

Granted, not all "Christians" may agree as many try to still earn their salvation.

In the LDS faith, its not that we believe doing good works will save us but that Jesus requires us to do good works or he will not save us. Consider the the following scripture:

Matthew 7:21
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Is it not the will of our Father in heaven to keep his commandments and to do good unto all mankind? Our works do not save us. It is Jesus and Jesus alone that saves us. But according to his own words in the verse above, unless we do the will of our father in heaven, then we may not obtain the kingdom of heaven. It is Jesus that requires us to do good works even if they are not what saves us. Jesus is in total control of our salvation and unless we do his bidding, and do the works of righteousness, He may not save us into the kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

[SweetSue92]

Granted, not all "Christians" may agree as many try to still earn their salvation.

This video makes a great point, and it's the biggest difference, I would say.

But there's another key one:

The Trinity.

Any religion that has a monotheistic God, yet claims that their God is love, is wrong. In their religion, God has nothing or no one to love--as love needs an object. Christianity does have this in the Trinity.

 

[SweetSue92]

In the LDS faith, its not that we believe doing good works will save us but that Jesus requires us to do good works or he will not save us. Consider the the following scripture:

Matthew 7:21
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Is it not the will of our Father in heaven to keep his commandments and to do good unto all mankind? Our works do not save us. It is Jesus and Jesus alone that saves us. But according to his own words in the verse above, unless we do the will of our father in heaven, then we may not obtain the kingdom of heaven. It is Jesus that requires us to do good works even if they are not what saves us. Jesus is in total control of our salvation and unless we do his bidding, and do the works of righteousness, He may not save us into the kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

This makes salvation conditional, which is wrong. Jesus does not need our help for our salvation; he already did it all.

But if I were Joe Smith, and starting a religion, I sure would build one that says "Yeah, Jesus did a good job, but He needs you to do more."

Because that's how you rope people in

 

[Votto]

In the LDS faith, its not that we believe doing good works will save us but that Jesus requires us to do good works or he will not save us. Consider the the following scripture:

Matthew 7:21
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Is it not the will of our Father in heaven to keep his commandments and to do good unto all mankind? Our works do not save us. It is Jesus and Jesus alone that saves us. But according to his own words in the verse above, unless we do the will of our father in heaven, then we may not obtain the kingdom of heaven. It is Jesus that requires us to do good works even if they are not what saves us. Jesus is in total control of our salvation and unless we do his bidding, and do the works of righteousness, He may not save us into the kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

How many good works did the thief dying next to Jesus on the cross do before he died?

 

[Meriweather]

This makes salvation conditional, which is wrong. Jesus does not need our help for our salvation; he already did it all.

But if I were Joe Smith, and starting a religion, I sure would build one that says "Yeah, Jesus did a good job, but He needs you to do more."

Because that's how you rope people in

While never forgetting that Jesus took on the cost/price of our sins, there is much more to his life, death, and resurrection. The Word of God took on human flesh--was fully human--not to just die for our sins. He became human to teach us the way, how to live life without sin. We see Jesus immersing himself in prayer and following the will of the Father--not because that is what only he was supposed to do--but to teach and demonstrate what each of us is to do. We are to discern and obey the will of the Father. That is the Way of Christ and is meant to be the Way of all of his followers.

The Way of Christ, the Way of salvation/redemption is following Christ's example of doing good, living in obedience, and immersing oneself in prayer and worship. In Aramaic Jesus' final words was that reminder to submit and to obey. Considering all he did for us in taking on the cost/price of our sins; enduring a crucifying death to show us exactly what obedience might entail, let's look at what our response might be.

Should it stop at "I believe you paid the price of my sins and that you are the Son of God." Or should it continue on each day of one's life to pray, to discern the will of God and obey, to do the good that Jesus would do in each event that comes our own way. The Way of Salvation and Redemption is open. We have a man showing us that one can live through the day without sin. We have a man who assured us when we do stumble and fall, turn back to him, remembering his instructions to Peter when Peter failed and ran to him: "Feed my sheep."

He did not instruct Peter, "Feed my sheep" for Peter to earn salvation but to live and proclaim in words and actions the Way of salvation.

As far as your line "that's how you rope people in".... isn't assuring people they do not have to do a thing as it's all been done and will always be done for them the more likely path to "rope people in"? We should all be proclaiming, The Way of Salvation/Redemption is open! Let's start living it! Living it means feeding the sheep, and that's not only work, it is hard work. All should embrace it.

 

[BreezeWood]

Any religion that has a monotheistic God, yet claims that their God is love, is wrong.

let those that use their religion for selfish purposes fall by the wayside their ability for entrapment being removed is all that is needed to have them vanish forever.

monotheistic as jesus taught is that all in the heavens are equal - who can not love will not be there.

 

[Meriweather]

How many good works did the thief dying next to Jesus on the cross do before he died?

1. He accepted responsibility for his own actions noting he got what he deserved.
2. He comforted/supported Jesus in the unfair way Jesus was being treated.

That day, during his own agonizing death, the thief turned to someone else in need. Let's think back to some of the worse times in our own life: During these times, how often did we turn to support someone else in need?

 

[SweetSue92]

While never forgetting that Jesus took on the cost/price of our sins, there is much more to his life, death, and resurrection. The Word of God took on human flesh--was fully human--not to just die for our sins. He became human to teach us the way, how to live life without sin. We see Jesus immersing himself in prayer and following the will of the Father--not because that is what only he was supposed to do--but to teach and demonstrate what each of us is to do. We are to discern and obey the will of the Father. That is the Way of Christ and is meant to be the Way of all of his followers.

The Way of Christ, the Way of salvation/redemption is following Christ's example of doing good, living in obedience, and immersing oneself in prayer and worship. In Aramaic Jesus' final words was that reminder to submit and to obey. Considering all he did for us in taking on the cost/price of our sins; enduring a crucifying death to show us exactly what obedience might entail, let's look at what our response might be.

Should it stop at "I believe you paid the price of my sins and that you are the Son of God." Or should it continue on each day of one's life to pray, to discern the will of God and obey, to do the good that Jesus would do in each event that comes our own way. The Way of Salvation and Redemption is open. We have a man showing us that one can live through the day without sin. We have a man who assured us when we do stumble and fall, turn back to him, remembering his instructions to Peter when Peter failed and ran to him: "Feed my sheep."

He did not instruct Peter, "Feed my sheep" for Peter to earn salvation but to live and proclaim in words and actions the Way of salvation.

As far as your line "that's how you rope people in".... isn't assuring people they do not have to do a thing as it's all been done and will always be done for them the more likely path to "rope people in"? We should all be proclaiming, The Way of Salvation/Redemption is open! Let's start living it! Living it means feeding the sheep, and that's not only work, it is hard work. All should embrace it.

We cannot live a life "without sin".

If that were possible, Jesus would have never had to die on the Cross.

 

[Meriweather]

We cannot live a life "without sin".

If that were possible, Jesus would have never had to die on the Cross.

Can you live this moment without sin? How about the next?

 

[SweetSue92]

Can you live this moment without sin? How about the next?

"There is none righteous--no, not one".--Romans 3:10

We live by God's Word, not the catechism.

 

[Dragonlady]

The Jews believed God came to them, too, in their Most Holy Place, though periodically and through a select few. They tried to differentiate themselves from the polytheistic religions all around them, though failed. They struggled with their monotheism.

Christianity is a much cleaner departure, repudiating even Judaism.

The Catholic Church believes in Saints, and that the Pope is God's emissary on earth. The Presbyterian Church believes the Pope is the Anti-Christ. The Baptists believe you have to achieve the age of reason before Baptism. The Catholics believe that unless you are baptized at birth, you cannot be buried on consecrated ground.

Catholics don't believe in divorce, but the Pope can give you one.

Anglicans believe in divorce, but not remarriage.

Fundamentalists do not allow remarriage.

Jehovah's Witnesses cannot enter into any Church that isn't a Kingdom Hall, because these aren't the true churches.

How is Christianity a "much cleaner departure".

 

[JustAnotherNut]

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.


The thief on the cross was given this grace and was saved because of his humility of his own failures, while glorifying Jesus as God. While the second was not saved, because of his unbelief

Luke 23:39-43

39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 

[Meriweather]

"There is none righteous--no, not one".--Romans 3:10

We live by God's Word, not the catechism.

Are you aware that in this verse Paul was speaking of those without Christ to lead and guide them cannot be righteous? Are you claiming not even those with Christ can be righteous?

Seriously, it is the Catechism that lives and teaches by the Bible, because the catechism doesn't guess at it. It understands the original languages.

 

[Votto]

1. He accepted responsibility for his own actions noting he got what he deserved.
2. He comforted/supported Jesus in the unfair way Jesus was being treated.

That day, during his own agonizing death, the thief turned to someone else in need. Let's think back to some of the worse times in our own life: During these times, how often did we turn to support someone else in need?

He simply reached out in faith to Christ amidst his suffering. He did not understand why they all had to suffer nor why Christ would not stop the suffering, yet he reached out in faith despite this and still believed he was the Christ.

Conversely, the other thief was unrelenting. He cursed at him and would not accept Jesus as who he claimed to be unless he could save him and himself from the suffering in this world. He simply could not get passed the suffering aspect as acceptable in any form or fashion. It had to be his way or the highway.

This really represents all of mankind as we all are suffering to some degree or the other. Some reach out to Christ despite it while others refuse because of the suffering and reject him if they cannot command Jesus on what to do to end their suffering.

 

[SweetSue92]

Are you aware that in this verse Paul was speaking of those without Christ to lead and guide them cannot be righteous? Are you claiming not even those with Christ can be righteous?

Seriously, it is the Catechism that lives and teaches by the Bible, because the catechism doesn't guess at it. It understands the original languages.

You just admitted you trust the catechism more than the Bible. I have no idea what you mean by "doesn't guess at it" and "understands the original language"

Does that not set you up to accept and condone so many of the errors of the Catholic Church through the ages? Because, you know, the catechism KNOWS....