Jarod,

I can already see that my struggle with other religions will become more difficult in this journey. A good Hindu lives a life of love. They respect other people and are in touch with the inner moral fabric. This is the same with a Muslim, and a Christian. All emphasize obedience to a transcendent moral code, whether it takes an abstract or personal form. They are so annoyingly similar in feeling. Muslims emphasize obedience to Allah. Hindus tap the inner energy within, much like the Christian’s Holy Spirit, which they only receive when they believe.

And each religion has had very similar goals: to get those within their respective cultures to shed apathy. A lack of compassion feels like the true evil. Christ calls the duty to love our neighbor the 2nd greatest command, so this matches up.

Every culture has evil, moderately evil, moderately good, and good people. A more accurate scale might be: cruel, apathetic, and saintly. It seems as though the saintly person in any culture is naturally drawn to the goodness of the created world, and is more likely to leave his heart open to God’s truth. I am less worried about these persons, because I believe God will reveal Himself to them somehow. Many now believe that there is a final after-death experience that confirms or denies their pursuit of truth on earth and gives them one last chance to accept Truth.

However, the apathetic need more of a push. These are the people who need their lives to be interrupted by positive influences. Often cynical, they need to have their attitudes challenged. They are also often without a vision for where the world is headed, and are content to continue on with life after some base questions are answered.
The evil might find redemption through punishment.

I think back to the talk we had in your kitchen, where three cups represent three religious structures – we’ll say Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism. Then you held a spoon over each one, which represented Christ. We'll say each religious structure includes its teachings, values, disciplines, and cultural history. I'm attracted to the idea that a person may follow a number of different religious structures in their search for truth. People must work with what pieces of truth they have been given. However, no one may commune with God the Father except through the person of Christ. And He is truth embodied. Perhaps there is more hope for the devout follower of another faith whose heart is full of love than for the shallow, materialistic Christian. For some since Christians are content to continue in the weakness of faith in which they began.

The message of the Gospel is unique. It is not just a bit of mercy here and there; it is not a reprogramming of the human mind; it is the person of Christ and His sacrifice. It is complete forgiveness for sins irreparable. It is alive with power, dynamic and moving within us. But those who devote their lives to holiness are not given assurance of salvation - it is in the hand of God. Apparently salvation is available even to the worst of sinners. The frustrating thing is that we are powerless to grab it - it is a gift from God. The way of salvation has not been hidden from us, but it sure hasn’t been made crystal clear. I rest in the hope that God is continually opening our eyes.

Dave