Speaking of world religions . . .
A handful of years ago, I did a sermon in Bellingham where I dealt with the problem of the world religions and the exclusive claims of Christianity. My thinking was pretty fuzzy and I asked lots of questions that I didn’t know the answer to. But I did go for broke. I asked my church to think with me through the issues surrounding Christianity’s relationship to Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and the like.
After the sermon, a guy came up to me and said, “You know, I really l liked what you said. I’ve been thinking about that very thing quite a bit lately.”
At this point, I’m thinking, “Seriously? That’s awesome. I’m glad I’m not the only one struggling with some of this stuff.”
He continued, “Yep. Sometimes when I look at the Baptists and the Methodists and some of those Charismatics, I think they may be going to heaven too.”
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
Wow… just.. wow.
Sam
That would be funny if it weren’t so sad.
I think most of us will be surprised at who “makes the cut” for heaven. I try not to make any assumptions, my God is pretty big.
But what if…all the people who spent all their time excluding people from heaven ended up being the ones left out?
Wouldn’t they be surprised…
Preach/teach the word and live it before those around us and then all will stand before the judgement seat of Jesus Christ. Thank God the final judgement will be divine and not human.
well- I’m a Methodist, and sometimes when I look around me… umm…. 🙂
oh man. this is sad. but it makes me giggle
oh man. that is sad. but i makes me giggle!
Oh, brings back memories of some of the sermons I heard as a kid. The premise was basically “Why the Baptists are wrong; Why the Methodists are wrong; Why the Catholics are wrong; Why the Baptists are wrong; Why the Pentecostals are wrong; Why the Baptists are wrong; Why the Lutherans, Episcopalians and Nazarenes are wrong; Why the Baptists are wrong….and of course Why we are right!
Funny story! It’s interesting that your commentors to this particular entry see the humor in this story, but what if the guy had said, “Sometimes I look at the Jainists, Muslims, Buddhists and think that they may be going to heaven, too.” What would commentors say to that?
Keep on praying for open doors to teach the world the good news about Jesus Christ. He will always be the one way to the Father.
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGH!
I don’t know how you felt when you heard that, but I loved reading it. Best anecdote I’ve heard in a looooong time. Thanks for sharing it.