Should Christians study other religions?

[artsylady]

they totally blew off your awesome post cause they want to do it their way....

I answered every point but I will now respectfully give it up.

Let's not let this keep us from a very powerful and also very obvious commandment to 'love one another'.

I think I'll go and pray for awhile.

I apologize if I have offended anyone here. It was never intended.

[stevehut]

Artsy,

Maybe some people in here are just too sensitive.

[artsylady]

Maybe some people in here are just too sensitive.

That and not understanding where I'm coming from at all.

When I am misquoted so badly that one thinks that A) I think I'm smarter than God B) I think the Bible is a waste of time and powerless and C) studying other faiths is the only way to witness... it's time to give up. It's like he's not even trying to understand my point of view. Unless you were the ones to say those things.. lol. Maybe he's referring to you??

I also have said many times that it may not be for everyone and also that studying other religions (as many others have said) has made me stronger in my own faith. I guess they just think we're lying. I don't know but I give up. lol.

[His son]

I can't figure out why some of you obviously serious disciples insist on leaning to your own understanding in this area. The Bible tells you that:

2 Tim 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

(KJV)

Can't figure out how you would need anything else. I have experienced in street evangelism not knowing anything about their false gods, that when they would question The Gospel, that The Holy Spirit gave me The Scriptures, and the answers that He wanted them to hear. I didn't always see a result of imediate acceptance but I knew that like the sower all my job was at time was sowing God's Word, and letting those who God chose to do so do the watering, and nurturing. And this was done according to the direction of The Holy Spirit. The only teaching I received at YWAM in regards to other cultures was the proper methods of socialising so as not to offend their persons and not the beliefs of the religions.

[stevehut]

Can't figure out how you would need anything else. I have experienced in street evangelism not knowing anything about their false gods, that when they would question The Gospel, that The Holy Spirit gave me The Scriptures, and the answers that He wanted them to hear.

His Son,

It isn't supposed to be about you, or your needs. The Great Commission is about doing what it takes to help the next person. Anything that I can do to help me understand my neighbor, it makes me a better witness to him.

[Leonard]

Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

FIRST, I read my Bible through three or four times, THEN, I picked up books by Christian reseachers, writing about the other religions. THEN, I read about the other religions in their own holy books. Then I went to Bible College, then I went to the University, then I went to seminary............then I taught Comparative Religions, History of World Religions, etc., etc., etc.

My recommendation is to study in this order.

With a blessing,

Leonard, a sinner

[Guest stangler]

Jesus

[artsylady]

What if Leonard, due to his background and education, was regularly sought out by the media to defend his faith on national radio and television regarding issues surrounding Christianity? How would he look if there was an issue surrounding Muslims and Christians on Larry King Live and knew nothing of the Muslim faith at all. You can't just go on a live broadcast like that and continually quote scripture. You have to also have more facts. Wouldn't he look rather silly?

Do you now see why it's okay for at least some to study other faiths?

[jmwhalen]

Perhaps the following "secular" analogy would be appropriate:

Did you know how the Federal Reserve employees that have the responsibility to detect counterfeit money from "the real McCoy"/genuine money do this? They study/memorize the genuine notes-they do not study/memorize the counterfeit. They can detect the counterfeit only by knowing the genuine, the "truth", if you will. They "can spot a counterfeit" a mile away!

"Thy word is true from the beginning..."Psalms 119:160

"... thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Psalms 138:2

Just my "two cents" worth!

In Christ,

John Whalen

[artsylady]

Thanks JM:

What if a person you are concerned about really wants to keep that counterfeit 1000 dollar bill when you're ready to offer him a genuine one. What if he doesn't believe you and thinks that his bill is the same thing. Don't you want to point out the flaws on his bill to show him that it's not the real thing?