That's not quite "all paths lead to satori", but we must not think we can limit God with human rules and standards. He is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, well beyond the characteristics of the typical shamanistic god.
Presumably God can extend His Grace to whoever and wherever and whenever in any guise.
That's not quite "all paths lead to satori", but we must not think we can limit God with human rules and standards. He is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, well beyond the characteristics of the typical shamanistic god.
Presumably God can extend His Grace to whoever and wherever and whenever in any guise.
The text you quote is generally meant to mean that there is room for all in heaven, not that there are numerous ways to get there or that every human being will be there. Many mansions means many houses, many rooms. To twist that into meaning there are many ways to attain salvation is a mistake that many make. Often purposefully.
God possesses all of the supernatural attributes you give him but that means that His Word is not mistaken when Jesus says: "I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but through Me". Jesus did not lie.
Your presumption is incorrect. The 'guise' He presented was Himself, not a Muslim worshipping a moon-god or any of the many, many other false gods man has presented as 'The Way to God'. They are false - or Christ was a fake and a liar and died for no purpose.
I'll take God's Word over the words of mortal men who claim to have found 'another way' to Him. A way that seems to always eliminate Jesus Christ. Sorry if that's too 'exclusionary' for some but they need to take it up with God, He made the rules.
As for Rev. Benke, he needs to reexamine why he is a member of the church he helps lead as he clearly does not wish to abide by it's reasonable rules regarding the clergy that represent it.
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is correct here and Rev. Benke seems more interested in publicity than reverence. As for not worshipping with other 'faiths', I'm not of theis demonination but as a Christian I can pray with any other Christian; that is, one who accepts Jesus Christ as God's Son and our savior and the only way to salvation. I will quibble about other doctrine but a Christian is my brother/sister in Christ.
Other religions that do not acknowledge Christ as Savior are not my brothers but they are my neighbors, in a Bibical manner of speaking. I cannot pray with them as they pray to a false god but I can help them in non-religious ways and I wish them no harm. I would pray for them, not with them.
As for what Jesus would do; He would do as he did when he was on earth. He would proclaim Himself the savior of mankind as a living sacrifice for man's sin. He would procaim Islam and all the rest false 'faiths' and denounce them. Then He would be dragged away and killed.
I will say that is the first time I have heard such interpretation of that scripture. I don't know about satori, and I don't have a shamanistic God. He is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent - and CONSTANT. He does not change with the prevailing winds.
I do believe God wants us to love and care for everyone, regardless of religion. I do not believe that extends to validating other religions by 'praying' with them. Praying for them, yes, with them, as they pray to their gods, is another thing.
As for God extending his grace to everyone, I believe he does. I do not, will not, could not, judge their souls, that is God's province.