Resp DQ1 and 2 : 90words for each

DQ1 

Re: Topic 6 DQ 1

1) E.S

If someone were to come and start talking to me about how they are concerned with the way that Christianity portrays salvation being earned through Jesus alone, I would have to start by asking them why they are concerned. Jesus was a perfect man. He was wholly human and Wholly divine. He is one with God. Throughout the Bible, it clearly tells us that Jesus is the only way to be able to have eternal life. In John 14:6 it states that there is no way but through Jesus. If you do not follow Christ, how else does one think he can get to an eternity of peace? Most choose to follow the path that leads to death. The path you chose to take without Jesus will lead you to emptiness. It talks about this in the verse posted above in Matthew 7:13-14. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 is states, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” ( 2Corinthians 5:21, English Standard Version)

2) L.H       What does ‘exclusive’ mean?

Sometimes people interpret the language of "exclusive" differently than expected. I think the important distinction to be made may be between exclusiveness in its approach to people and exclusiveness in its approach to God.

Christianity is not exclusive in terms of who can and who cannot join. Anyone and everyone and their mother in law is welcome to join! However, Christianity is exclusive about its claims about how to approach God. Christianity does not maintain that there are multiple approaches to God or that all religions lead to the same result. It maintains and contends that access to the one true God is made available to humanity through Christ alone, as John 14:6 highlights above.

Is this distinction helpful? Also, understood in these terms, do you think the charge of exclusivism is bad?

3) T.G Re: Topic 6 DQ 1

Personally, I would completely understand why someone may be concerned about how one portrays that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Being someone who grew up not really know much about the Christian worldview, when I heard others express how they lived through Jesus and how all their accomplishments were because of him, it was odd to me honestly. I can understand ones concern because I too have had my concerns in the past. Why isn’t just having good morals, doing good by others, and by yourself good enough? I guess I would have an open conversation with that person by telling them I understand why they have the concerns they do and that it is completely normal and I would also express my journey on how I am getting closer and closer to knowing when I have fully accepted Jesus into my life.

4) K.C Re: Topic 6 DQ 1

Jesus made many absolute statements that is true. Another being, "They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'" (Acts 16:31). To answer someone who is concerned that Christianity portrays that Jesus is the only way to salvation is to address the information given to us. I would ask the person if they were a Christian because if they were, the Bible clearly states that the only way to salvation is through Jesus himself. If they were not Christian or even religious, I would explain the importance of the Bible, and all of the stories in it, to Christians. To believe in Christ is enough. An outsider looking in, I think that it is perfectly normal to ask these questions. If you were not raised this way or have not found Jesus in your life, it is hard to believe that there is only one way of eternal life according to a book that was written many decades ago. For those who may be of a different religion, I would explain to them to think of Jesus as their God. That may explain it enough for them to understand it and see it in their eyes in their own way.

DQ2

1)E.S Re: Topic 6 DQ 2

I don’t believe as a Christian we should judge anyone. We all “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...” (Romans 3:23-24)There is no time that we should ever judge anyone's ability to choose right over wrong. But in cases when they are choosing wrong, rather that jump out and judge or condemn them for their wrong choosing, we should choose to love and help. To help them understand why I was wrong, and if they need help to choose another way, we can be there to help them. Because in the verse from Romans, we are told that we have sinned and are very short coming when it comes to God’s glory, but even then, we can be redeemed through Christ Jesus. Jesus is the prime epitome of love. He dies for us so that our transgressions could be forgiven. So how are we not to love another when they are short coming as well? There is no room for judgment because God is the ultimate judge. But there is room for love and the ability to help one another. Treat your neighbor the way you want to be treated. (Mark 12:31, ESV)

2) L.H        What is the Problem of Good?

Most thoughtful Christians who have had some exposure to philosophical training or apologetics will acknowledge that perhaps the greatest challenge to the Christian worldview is the Problem of Evil. How can evil exist if God is all-powerful and just? How can God allow so many innocent people, so many innocent children suffer? Indeed, these are very difficult questions (if someone gives too quick or too trite an answer, it may very well be that they’ve not truly contemplated the ramifications of the question!). However, as we’ve seen, the Christian worldview offers what is arguably a thoughtful and sound response to the question of evil by locating the answer in God’s permissive allowance of free will, including its consequences. (Whether you agree or not at this juncture is beside the point.)

What often goes unrecognized is that other worldviews must also answer for the Problem of Evil. When comparing worldviews, we must ponder what the best arguments offered by each worldview for evil in the world.

However, each worldview must also answer for what philosopher’s sometimes call the Problem of Good. For example, if atheistic beliefs about the origin and nature of the universe and reality are true, not only must it offer an answer for why evil exists (if it acknowledges that it does), but it must also answer why good exists (if it acknowledges it does) and why it matters that it exists.

What do you think of this, class? If you disagree, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

3) Re: Topic 6 DQ 2

I one hundred percent agree with the statement. My morality is my morality, the choices I make are ones that I have to live with. I try, I am not going to say that I do not, but I try not to judge others by their decisions, moral or not because I am not in their shoes and understand the reasoning for any of their decisions. I do not think anyone should have to answer to anyone else about their moral decisions because at the end of the day, they have to answer to God and justify why. So when I say I try not to judge others by their decisions, it is kind of hard not to when you know they are doing something you know in your heart is not right. Of course if it is bad enough, say that it will harm someone or themselves, I would try to persuade them to not make the immoral decision, but never judge. 

4) K.C   Topic 6 DQ 2

The statement: "My morality is mine and mine alone, and it is not my place to judge the morality of others"? in and of itself is controversial. Some say not to judge others' morality, and others say that it is okay to do it. I personally do not think that it is okay to judge others for their decisions. I believe this mostly because you never know why someone is doing what they are doing. You never know the entire story unless it is your story. But I do believe in educating someone. If I saw that someone was drinking and getting drunk every day, I would educate them on other outlets. Sometimes people will turn to what is most comfortable for them because they do not understand their actions' gravity. Through the Christian perspective, no one can judge except for God himself. It is easy to question why others are doing certain things that you may never consider doing, and it may be easy to judge their situation. But just because you may judge someone does not make it right to do so. Knowing why they are doing what they are doing, their explanation may open your perspective.