Noah's Blog

With your discussion with the diversity in religion, it always made me wonder, is there really a religion where they have the most accurate doctrine? Noah, you know me, I have been having experiences with different churches since I began going to your church about 2 years ago. (Dang, has it been that long?). Now, I have an exposure to the view of Southern Baptist doctrine, since I grew up with a Lutheran doctorine, wasn't exposured to the baptist view until 2 years ago. With all of these things, it made me really wonder, which one is the most accurate? I personally think there isn't really a religion that is THAT accurate, is it? There are two issues that has been driving me nuts is the idea of salvation and baptism. In the Lutheran doctrine, we are saved through baptism as an infant, we learn about these things throughout our childhood, confess our beliefs through our communion and confirnmation. As when Baptists (especially Southern Baptists) say that you have to make a public confession that you are saved, then be baptized. My Lutheran pastor told me that the only thing that really matters is what I believe, any comments about that?

To Nicole from lrc:
From what I know from my interactions with the Luthereans, they believe that you are saved through baptism plus confirmation plus whatever else. I do think Luthereans do emphasize belief in Jesus for salvation of your soul but that doctrine is lost among the maze of traditions and doctrines like confirmation and etc. I have a guy who attends my church who said he was saved at a Lutherean church. I believe God's grace provided him the understanding that believing/depending on Christ is the way to heaven rather than baptism or anything else. As Noah said, Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. No person can go to the Father except through Jesus. The Bible clearly shows that the only way for salvation of your souls is through believing/depending on Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:8,9).
As for being baptized after saved, we believe that the Bible teaches that baptism occurs after belief/depending on Christ for eternal life. Baptism is proclaiming that you are born again in Christ. Baptism by itself doesn't cleanse or remove your sins. It is just a picture of what happened to your soul once you are saved. I might make a vlog about this someday on my blog.
I hope Noah doesn't mind me participating in answering Nicole's question.

Nicole from LRC and Brian L.-

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2910756057460878396

-Noah

Noah,

I see your point about exclusivity among world religions--nicely said--however I do not see any discussion in your vlog, which explains if its offensive to say Jesus is the only way to god. Daying it a bit differently, I was hoping to see you discuss about whether other religions are also pathways to God.

Namaste!

Anna

In regard to your second vlog about Judaism. As you know Judaism the Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and so on. As someone who is married to a Conservative Jew, I came to the understanding that Jews--with the exception of Orthodox as I cannot speak for them due to lack of understanding--view the story of Moses in the Torah is the Story of the Jews. It is their story, their history, regardless whether or not Moses actually spoke to G-d and he got the Laws directly form G-d. It is a story to be cherished, fact or fiction. I can say first hand Conservative Jews as well as Reform do embrace inclusivity.

Anna

Anna-

Thanks for your comments!

I’m curious what, in your belief, makes Judaism as an inclusive religion? As I recall, there is no doctrine in any book of Judaism that extend the practice of syncretism to Israelites. I strongly believe that it is necessary for us to focus on each religion’s original doctrine. For example, there are two different groups of Buddhism today. One follows original doctrines of Buddhism whereas other worship Buddha as their lord in contrary to the fact that Buddha himself declared he is not a god, lord, or divine being. Now, back to Judaism, can you point out for me an original doctrine that permits the believers to practice such syncretism? Can’t wait to hear your answers! :-)

-Noah

hi Noah,

www.eliyah.com

and

http://www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath_purpose.asp

tell me what you think of them... it is somewhat off topic to the purpose of your vlog I think... but both of them tries to follow the original doctrine, I think.