The Only Hope Is Christ

I saw this statement on a church sign today.

I suppose many would take issue with it...those of other religions...those of no religion. So be it. But would they object to the exclusivity of the Christian claim? Or, would they argue for another exlusivity of their own? Or, would they argue that a variety of things offer hope?

Well, what else might offer the kind of hope that Christianity claims in Christ?

Pr Jonah wrote:

I saw this statement on a church sign today.
I suppose many would take issue with it...those of other religions...those of no religion. So be it. But would they object to the exclusivity of the Christian claim? Or, would they argue for another exlusivity of their own? Or, would they argue that a variety of things offer hope?
Well, what else might offer the kind of hope that Christianity claims in Christ?

We believe what He said.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

fflaf.wordpress.com

BLAH BLAH BLAH

Believe in yourself, not someone else!

Where there's dope there's hope!

"Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." Doesn't really address the specifics of the behavior of them at that particular time.

Life is Good wrote:

Believe in yourself, not someone else!

Okay. Now the questions.

What is the hope...that is to come out yourself?

Is the hope only for you or about you?

Mr and Mrs wrote:

<quoted text>
We believe what He said.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
fflaf.wordpress.com

Okay. But, the topic is about hope. What is the hope, in your view, that Jesus offers to all?(Should we assume a univesal human hope that Jesus can satisfy?....i.e. the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4?)

universal human hope...I type badly

Pr Jonah wrote:

<quoted text>
Okay. But, the topic is about hope. What is the hope, in your view, that Jesus offers to all?(Should we assume a univesal human hope that Jesus can satisfy?....i.e. the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4?)

The best hope of all, hope in Resurrection, death is universal, so it is a comfort to know, that just as he was raised from the tomb to eternal life, someday I to will be raised.

Mr and Mrs wrote:

<quoted text>
The best hope of all, hope in Resurrection, death is universal, so it is a comfort to know, that just as he was raised from the tomb to eternal life, someday I to will be raised.

Afathersapocalypsis.wordpress.com

Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 24:3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 24:8 And they remembered his words, 24:9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

Mr and Mrs wrote:

<quoted text>
The best hope of all, hope in Resurrection, death is universal, so it is a comfort to know, that just as he was raised from the tomb to eternal life, someday I to will be raised.

Okay. Let's unpack Resurrection. In John 4 Jesus and the Samaritan woman are speaking about her life in the present and the present hope of both Jews and Samaritans for Messiah/Christ "who will show us all things."

My suggestion is this: That the Resurrection is more 3-D than just its quantitative dimension...that is, physcial death not stopping us from continued life. Yes, Resurrection includes this quantitative dimension. But, there is the qualitative dimension. For the elephant in the room would certainly be that it would do a person no good to live forever in God's Kingdom if that person really doesn't like God's Kingdom. The Resurrection WOULD be in CHRIST. So, this is why Resurrection starts here with repentence and turning one's life over to Christ.

Another way perhaps to say it: Resurrection is not where you just ascent to some belief statement about Jesus and then you get the ticket to heaven, and then you're left alone to continue your life such as it was before. The Resurrection comes out of DEATH...complete death of the old life. The qualitative dimension of the old life is killed off just as dead as the physical/quantitative....for what? ONLY "extra innings"? NO...for a WHOLE new life in CHRIST. Let others say what they think about themselves, but I suspect that a Resurrection in CHRIST may not be a thing some would hope for.

I will note, the New Testament will use the term "eternal life". In Greek that's "zoe aionion". That Greek expression is special...it denotes a QUALITATIVE dimension in that aionion (eternal) is the same "eternal" when we speak qualitatively about "eternal love". Here, we are talking about life and love that is so deep, strong, real, and true....that it covers all space as well as all time.

The New Testament makes an analogy between human marriage and the relationship between Christ and his Church. That's a pretty specific kind of context for hope.

Some people are not the marrying kind.

Pr Jonah wrote:

<quoted text>
Okay. Now the questions.
What is the hope...that is to come out yourself?
Is the hope only for you or about you?

Hey Prophet, go find a church to preach at! LOL

The Apostle Paul went into the secular market place. He was educated in pagan thought, and so could converse and compete quite handily. Little capacity is evidenced here among the pagan. A pity.

Perhaps you could slow-jam some Aristotle.

Back to the topic and the church sign.

A church sign is directed to the whole street...those of faith, but more chiefly to those of no-faith. So, what would be the "hope" the church people assume the no-faith people long for? Would it be reprieve from physical death?...for all? Or are there other human predicaments/desperations that push the human spirit (of no-faith people) to long for something that remediates their condition/situation?

More simply: What would no-faith people be sick and tired of that they hope to get out from underneath it?

i'm ok with out some imaginary friend in my life

Pr Jonah wrote:

I saw this statement on a church sign today.
I suppose many would take issue with it...those of other religions...those of no religion. So be it. But would they object to the exclusivity of the Christian claim? Or, would they argue for another exlusivity of their own? Or, would they argue that a variety of things offer hope?
Well, what else might offer the kind of hope that Christianity claims in Christ?

A False god?

Mr and Mrs wrote:

<quoted text>
The best hope of all, hope in Resurrection, death is universal, so it is a comfort to know, that just as he was raised from the tomb to eternal life, someday I to will be raised.

You TOO will be raised someday? Well the good thing for you is that when you cease to exist you won't be aware that you haven't been raised.

Life is Good wrote:

<quoted text>
A False god?

That would be an unsuccessful conversation starter with those uninterested in any concept of God.

The church sign seems to assume that ALL people hope...but hope for what? I think to answer that, one has to start with the human predicament as the no-faith folk experience it. When Paul preached in Athens, he availed himself of the Athenian lowest god in their pantheon, the "unknown God"...the god reserved for the mystery, ambiguity, beyondness of human understanding for Athenians who felt they still needed to cover their bases with something other than the named celebrity gods. Paul had no problem taking the bottom rung...in talking to people who could only possibly be interested in the "unknown"...of course to eventually making Christ know. But, instance of having an "unknown god" is extremely interesting...why have one?...what does such a god attach to in the largely secular mind?

Pr Jonah wrote:

<quoted text>
That would be an unsuccessful conversation starter with those uninterested in any concept of God.
The church sign seems to assume that ALL people hope...but hope for what? I think to answer that, one has to start with the human predicament as the no-faith folk experience it. When Paul preached in Athens, he availed himself of the Athenian lowest god in their pantheon, the "unknown God"...the god reserved for the mystery, ambiguity, beyondness of human understanding for Athenians who felt they still needed to cover their bases with something other than the named celebrity gods. Paul had no problem taking the bottom rung...in talking to people who could only possibly be interested in the "unknown"...of course to eventually making Christ know. But, instance of having an "unknown god" is extremely interesting...why have one?...what does such a god attach to in the largely secular mind?

OOP'S, Did a "Self pro-clamed" Prophet just reply to me?