Replies

I wasn't out in the street waving my hands.

It's what's in the heart that counts, right?

Another difference. I wouldn't be happy if we were targeting civilians although I know that some civilian casualties cannot be helped.

OK, fair enough.

Now what about the historical questions? Wouldn't you be forced to view Christianity as a violent religion just a few hundred years ago? Is it possible that a deeper understanding of Islam can emerge, as a deeper Christian one already has? We did get a 600 year head start on being civilizied.

Now what about the historical questions? Wouldn't you be forced to view Christianity as a violent religion just a few hundred years ago?

I'm not denying Christianity can be perceived as a violent religion. I'm not accusing one and discounting the other.

Is it possible that a deeper understanding of Islam can emerge, as a deeper Christian one already has?

Yes. But I'd feel alot better if at least 1 out of 100 muslim leaders would come out denounce the actions of their "militant" brothers. That has not happened.

Re 31397

Your belief seems to be that we are “saved for sanctification,” while the Orthodox belief which I share is that we are “saved through sanctification.”

A very succinct way of putting it.

Theological debate aside, I wonder how different our views are when applied. We both believe that our initial repentance leads us to true Baptism which leads us to the life of Sanctification. The difference seems to be in our understanding of what constitutes Sanctification, and in emphasis. At what point in this process does “Salvation” occur? We will find out for certain at the end. If I follow Christ believing that it is necessary for me to work out my “salvation with fear and trembling” and find at the end that my Salvation had never been in doubt since my Baptism, so be it. If you follow Christ believing that your life of Sanctification follows your Salvation rather than being your Salvation, and at the end find that your life of Sanctification was part of your Salvation, so be it. We’ve both entered the Kingdom. Christ Bless.

Another useful observation. Often we are differing on the order and relationship of one thing to another. But taken from a wider perspective, how we live should be the same, and the results the same.