Book about Jesus for non-Christian child

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12/12/2016 13:52

Subject: Book about Jesus for non-Christian child

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Anonymous wrote:Yes, maybe 'fact' was the wrong term. What I'm looking for is a kids book that explains the core tenets of Christianity in much the same way as what you might present information about world religions to a Christian child

Ummm . . . Christ rising from the dead is a big part of that. The biggest actually. It's impossible to describe Christianity at all without using Jesus' resurrection as a central part.

Not necessarily true. The term "resurrection" can have many different meanings. In new-thought Christian churches for example, Christ's resurrection- his overcoming of death- is viewed metaphysically. Jesus said "these things and greater you will do". Many people interpret that to mean that we can overcome "death" and live eternally. It's a spiritual resurrection more than a physical one.

I'm a minister and a Christian and am certainly not suggesting that new thought churches, or any other Christian church has the answer. Only that even among Christians the birth and resurrection are interpreted in many ways.

Are you saying that no church has the answer?

That is exactly what I am saying. No church can claim to be "right". As humans, we don't have the language or the ability to understand God (or whatever term you use). I believe we are programmed to seek. To try to understand. But even Jesus, God in physical form. Our greatest teacher) was limited by language. We have a sacred space that only God can fill. Our spiritual journey hopefully brings us closer and closer to that Source. To God.

Other faith traditions are exactly the same - Salvation, enlightenment, returning to oneness. As a Christian, I see them as different colors of the same rainbow. We are seekers. None of us can claim to have all the answers. That would defeat the purpose of the journey.

How do you know this is true? It sounds good, but it also sounds like something that you personally believe. Perhaps many other human authority figures believe it too, but that doesn't make it the word of God. It sounds like you're saying any religion is good, assuming it supports "Salvation, enlightenment, returning to oneness."

I am the minister you are responding to. Do you identify as a Christian? (Don't want to make assumptions). What did your Christ say about the subject? Over and over and over again he said "Seek and you will find" in different ways. God wants us to seek. Jesus himself questioned and challenged God several times. Most dramatically in the garden right before he was executed. I'm not suggesting I have the answers. I am telling you that none of us do, although many spiritual leaders seem so close. If we did, our time on earth would be pointless. We are here exactly for that reason.

The problem is with you it's all about the seeking. But Jesus did say you would also FIND.

First, truly I am not trying to be argumentative. I hope you see that. As a minister, I love to debate religion and especially Biblical doctrine. As long as the debate remains respectful, I enjoy hearing other viewpoints. That's how I learn.

You are correct. There is scripture in the book of Matthew citing Christ as saying "seek and you shall find..." We have no idea who wrote the book of Matthew. The author was anonymous. And it was written almost 100 years after Christ was killed if I remember correctly. However, Jesus likely did say something similar. He has been quoted as saying similar many times.

But - And I think this is really important. He did not say when you would "find". Jesus himself was still seeking. Let that really sit with you for a minute. There are countless examples. If you really want a deep study of this spiritual seeking, look carefully at the interaction between God and Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane just before he was killed. Don't just read the Bible. Study the language. Look for the clues. What does the word "Gethsemane" mean? Why was it chosen? Here is a little preview - To press out and extract what is good. We hear Jesus struggling with ego and with letting go of his human consciousness. Eliminating the old so that he could enter into something new.

That is seeking, my friend. And Jesus Christ - my teacher - continued to seek right up until the end of his life on this earth. It is a journey.

And Jesus found an eternity in heaven, after a brief journey to hell. Christianity tells us that we can avoid the trip to hell because Jesus died for our sins. All we need to do is believe in him and we'll go straight to heaven (unless you're Catholic and then you spend a brief time in purgatory).

Still, many people never heard this story and so will not be saved. Some people who once believed in this story no longer do, so will go to hell. Hard to believe they would make such a choice.

So you are able to reconcile a loving creator sending his creation to an eternity of suffering? In your mind you are able to make that logical? Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Zoroastrians (one of the oldest known Monotheistic faiths), Sikhs, Pagans, Wicca, Native American spirituality, atheists and agnostics..... and so many others. All going to hell because they are on a different path? Sorry, that's not the God I know. Maybe, just maybe, Jesus Christ is YOUR way-shower. Are you open to the possibility that God - all knowing, all loving, all powerful - created more than one path? Let me challenge you to consider that God created us to "get there" as you put it. We are all on very personal and very different paths because we all have different lessons we need to learn. If you and I decided to meet for coffee at Tysons, we would likely take different routes. But we would both reach that coffee shop.