Revolution is not just a word

So I wrote a blog about the movie, "Amazing Grace," and I included some quotes that I really liked. There was one quote, however, that I felt needed it's own blog. Towards the end of the movie, when William and his accomplices have run out of ideas of how to get people's attention about the issue of slavery, and especially how to get the bill voted in, William's friend, Pitt, suggests a revolution. During the time of William's life, a revolution meant what the French Revolution turned out to be-- a bloodbath, full of murder and hatred. William tells him that he refuses to lead a revolution and tells Pitt to never say "revolution" in his presence again. Pitt responds, "revolution is just a word." Well his response is what got me thinking...

Is revolution really just a word? I would consider myself part of a revolution, and it has taken some action to be a revolution. Action is what makes it a revolution. Going against the norm, questioning tradition, doing things never done before, and especially having ideas that people are not comfortable with. It's doing those things, saying those words, that makes someone's actions a revolution. It does no good to sit around and talk about being revolutionary or having a revolution... I guess that would be the only way that "revolution" could be considered just a word, but how fun is that?

A revolution always involves action, even if the action is just talking. Slave trade was abolished in England because of words in the house, as well as action taken on their part to research and plan; the civil rights movement was led by people marching, taking a stand, and talking (aka "I have a dream!"); and India gained independence through someone not eating and peacefully defying the government. All of those men used action. The action does not have to be bloody or involve a war with guns and violence. The most meaningful and powerful revolutions took place with people taking small steps and small actions to create the result they wanted. William Wilberforce did not have to fire a single gun to have his cause heard. It took a lot of time (around 40ish years) but it was through that perseverance and his dedication to his calling that got the monumental results he desired. Firing a gun, or telling other people to do so, does not require as much passion or perseverance as fighting for what you believe with words and nonviolent actions. William changed the world, and not a single shot was fired or head was chopped off.

So is revolution just a word? I don't see how it possibly could be! Take the examples of the great men who changed the world with their words and their nonviolent actions. They used what they knew and encouraged people to join with them to change the world! Just try to imagine the possibilities... the list is endless! VIVA LA!

Can a Christian believe a non-Christian can be saved?

So I finally wrote my paper for my religions class that I talked about in a previous post. I decided to write about whether or not a Christian can believe a non-Christian can get to heaven-- that one seemed to be the most interesting, by far! So I'll copy and paste my paper here. Let me know what you think. It's an "academic essay" (whatever the hell that means) so it's really formal and not how I usually write on here! Enjoy!

Christianity and Salvation in Regards to Other Religions

There are many different views in regard to salvation. Salvation is an extremely complex issue and cannot be discussed in one theology. In my essay, I will discuss what salvation is and specifically what Christians believe it is. I will also discuss the different views of who Christians believe are saved. Finally, I will talk about Christians believing that people of other religions can be saved.

The idea of salvation is not solely a Christian concept. Most religions have some concept of salvation, and it does not always involve the idea of a heaven. Christians believe in the saving power of the cross. They believe Jesus was perfect, died on the cross for everyone’s sins, and was resurrected 3 days after he died. Christians tend to believe that the way to be saved is through “church rituals (particularly baptism and -- in the Catholic churches -- confession), good works; Belief in: Jesus' resurrection, Jesus’ status as the only begotten Son of God, Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior; Or by some combination of the above.”[1] The debate comes from the fact that there are numerous other religions that believe in a higher power, in the person of Jesus, and the existence of people in remote areas of the world who never have and never will hear the name of Jesus. The following paragraphs will explain different beliefs about who is saved and the support each belief has.

The first belief is universalism. They believe that everyone, because of the sacrifice of Jesus, is saved. Because, according to Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Jesus redeemed everyone of their sins. As a result, all are saved and going to heaven. Origen argued that there is no such thing as dualism. He believed that “God will overcome evil and restore creation to its original form.”[2] He did not believe that God, who is perfect and holy, could coexist with Satan, who is evil. Robinson argued that God’s love is stronger than the evil and will eventually conquer evil, which makes “the existence of hell an impossibility.”[3] However, this theory does not take into account the need for faith in any higher power. With this theory, it does not matter what kind of person someone is—they could be a murderer or rapist who is unrepentant of what they did, and they could still get into heaven. Universalists could argue that all people are sinners, one sin is not greater than another, and because of God’s grace, and we are all saved: “For it is by grace that we have been saved… not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8-9.

Another belief of salvation is that only elect people can get into heaven. This theory rests heavily on the idea of pre-destination—that God chose only a few people to be saved. This theory comes from the idea that Jesus came and died for all people, but only a select few will be saved. They argue that because Jesus came and died only to save those who God had already chosen to be saved. However, those who follow this theory do not give any solid Biblical references for their beliefs and dismiss the “universality of God’s love and redemption.”[4]

The last, and most popular, belief is that only believers can get into heaven and be saved. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is the most popular belief among churches today. Jesus is believed to be central to someone’s salvation. If someone does not believe in, and “confess” the name of Jesus, and that he came down to earth and died for our sins, they cannot get into heaven. This belief emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus and God in order to be saved. Augustine was a strong force behind promoting this idea originally. During the Middle Ages and the Reformation it was further supported. The writers of the time started the idea, that continues to be popular today, that nonbelievers cannot be saved. Calvin stated: “All the more vile is the stupidity of those people who open heaven to all the impious unbelieving, without the grace of him who Scripture teaches to be the only door by which we enter heaven.”[5]

In contrast to the earlier theologians, there have been others who believe that a non-Christian can be saved. In John Wesley’s sermon, “On Faith,” he “argued the need for faith in God in order to be saved—but affirmed that this faith need not be explicitly Christian in character.”[6] In the twentieth-century, C.S. Lewis wrote on the subject of who is saved. In his book, Mere Christianity, he argued that “those who commit themselves to the pursuit of goodness and truth will be saved, even if they have no formal knowledge of Christ.”[7] In regards to other religions, those who are saved are more complicated. Lewis states: “There are people in other religions who are being led by God’s secret influence top concentrate on those parts of their religion which are in agreement with Christianity, and who thus belong to Christ without knowing it.”[8] This idea supports the fact that God is present in everything.

People who have never heard of the name of Jesus or God can still acknowledge the presence of a higher being. In Romans 1:20, Paul states: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” God is omnipresent, so God is in remote areas of the world where people who have not heard of the name of Jesus would be able to experience Him. If Augustine were to argue this point he would most likely use John 14:6, referencing Jesus saying that he is the only way to be saved. One could state that a person does not necessarily have to acknowledge the person of Jesus to be saved. He came, died, was resurrected and left the Holy Spirit on the earth, so it is through the Holy Spirit that Jesus and God are revealed. Because Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are one entity, acknowledging the presence of one acknowledges the presence of all three.

Western Christianity is very western-centric and we do not have a clear understanding of other religions, and even the beliefs and practices of Christians in other parts of the world. Other religions believe in a higher being and some even believe in the existence of Jesus. (Islam—Allah and Jesus as a prophet, Judaism—believe in God who is Jesus) God is truth, and if another religion or person lives in a truth, it is following God’s way. In Rob Bell’s book, Velvet Elvis, he talks about all truth being God’s truth, no matter where the truth is found. He references Paul’s writings in the book of Acts where Paul quotes one of the poets of the place he is staying. The poet spoke truth. If all truth is God’s truth then the poet unknowingly spoke God’s truth.[9] Bell states, “as a Christian, I am free to claim the good, the true, the holy, wherever and whenever I find it. I live with the understanding that truth is bigger than any religion and the world is God’s and everything in it.”[10] As a Christian, it is possible to believe that other religions can speak truth and God is present in that truth. Other religions acknowledge the person of Jesus, not always saying he is the Messiah, but a prophet or just a man. It could be argued that because they believe he existed, people who follow other religions are saved. Along with that, if another religion follows a deity, they could be following God, but giving Him a different name. Especially because Jews follow the God of Abraham, as do Christians, they all believe in the same God who is also Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

It is possible, although not always accepted, that Christians can believe that people of other religions can be saved. Christians tend to be very exclusive and intolerant of other religions, not accepting the idea of God’s truth being present in everything, including other religions’ beliefs and doctrines. Although Jesus said he is the way to be saved, it is not defined how exactly that is seen or decided. People can live a life for Christ and not consider themselves Christians.

In conclusion, Christians believe in the saving power of the cross of Christ. However, Christians can also believe that non-Christians, who do not believe in the cross, can be saved. In this essay, I explained the different views about who is saved and who is not. I also explained that it is possible for Christians to believe that nonbelievers and people of other religions can be saved.

---

[1]B.A. Robinson, Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, Religioustolerance.org, http://www.religioustolerance.org/salvatio.htm, 2007

[2] Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007), 357

[3] Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007), 357

[4] Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007), 359

[5] Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007), 357-358

[6] Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007), 358

[7] Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007), 358

[8] Alister E. McGrath, Christian Theology, (Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2007), 358

[9] Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis,, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005), 79

[10] Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis,, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005), 80

"Amazing Grace" is AMAZING!!

A couple of weeks ago, my roommate, Holly, and I had tried to go see the movie, "Amazing Grace," except that about 40 minutes into it, the power in the entire movie complex went out! Needless to say, we were devistated! After only 40 minutes I was already set to buy the movie when it comes out on video! Anyway, we finally go to go see the entire movie last night and I was in awe the entire time! It was a fabulous movie! I highly recommend the movie if you get a chance to see it!
The entire movie was so motivating for me! The perseverence of William Wilburforce and the undying passion he had was mind-blowing! He believed so strongly in the abolition of slavery, even though there was so much going against him. Slavery has been around since forever (it's in the Bible for crying out loud!)... that alone would be enough for me to not want to go against it! God gave him the purpose and call on his life to be the voice behind the abolition of slavery. I liked that the movie showed that just because he knew that that was what God called him to, it was not always easy to continue fighting for what he believed in. But he continued to fight, even when his health was deteriorating. After decades of fighting for the cause, God finally opened the door to make all of his work worthwhile. I have to admit that I bawled at the end! All of that work and he could go home and sleep and rest well knowing his mission for the abolition of slavery was complete! I can't imagine that kind of relief! What's even greater is that once he was done fighting that battle, he continued to battle more injustices he saw. He never stopped fighting, never stopped walking in the calling God put on his life. What an amazing man!
His life shows how, with a lot of work and perseverence, we can change the world! In the movie, one of the characters says, "If you make the world better in one way, it becomes better in every way." Whoa! What a concept! We need to listen to what God is calling us to and follow that call with all of our hearts and being. We need to fight the fight set before us, never stopping. It may take minutes, it may take decades... however long it takes, we need to maintain the strength in God and rely on Him and others to help us in whatever cause or problem or whatever. I am so energized by the thought of the possibilities of what could change, with one person's voice and the strength God has given them. We can change the world, one fight of injustice at a time!
Oh, so I'm a movie-quote-aholic and I'm a total loser in the fact that as I was watching the movie, I had my little notebook out and a pen ready for all of the great and inspirational quotes in the movie. So I wrote a few down and I thought I'd share them with you! Here they are:
~ "It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else, and still unknown to himself."-- Francis Bacon (quoted by Richard the butler)
~ "We're too young to realize that certain things are impossible, but we do them anyways." -- Pitt
~ "Will you use your voice to praise God or change the world?" -- (don't remember)
~ "Sometimes God does his work with a slight drizzle, not a stone." -- John Newton
~ "He's an optimist-- completely incurable!"-- Richard the butler
~ "I'm a great sinner and Christ is a great savior!" -- John Newton

GO SEE THE MOVIE!! IT'S FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

More Questions Than Answers

So I have spring break this week (that is one thing I will miss when I'm not in school!) but I have to spend some time of it writing 2 papers... ugh! Well, at least starting them. Anyway, one of them is for my religions class-- which I'm still loving by the way-- and I thought I'd get other people's insight cuz they're not easy questions to answer. We have the option to write about one of 5 questions. Here are the two I am thinking about writing about:

1) Is Christianity a monotheistic religion?
-- This was a very interesting discussion because I have grown up in the church and it was never a question as to whether or not we believed in one God; Jesus and the Holy Spirit are just part of God (use whatever analogy you wish to explain it--the egg one is my favorite). So at first my answer was, "Yes, duh!"However, in this class, we discussed the question of: how it is possible to think of Jesus as fully God as well as fully human? If he's human, he can't be God, but if he's God, he can't be human... well, according to logical thought. And if Jesus was praying to God and was the son of God, that would make him separate, right? Well, I'm not saying I believe that, but it definitely gives you something to think about and gives me a big headache! But it did get me thinking about this issue. How would you discuss that? How can Jesus be God AND human at the same time, all the while being God himself? Any thoughts? I'll definitely be wrestling with this and researching it (I'll have to see what our theology textbook has to say about this... I'll get back to everyone about what I find). But I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks.

2) Can a Christian believe that members of other religions are “saved”?
-- It's kinda funny cuz we got this assignment and I got onto my blog reader thingy and Paul had written a blog about this issue! Crazy! (I'll post a comment about it when I read it, and especially if I write my paper on this!) So I am going to read that (it's really long!) and see what he has to say as well I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks! When we discussed this in class, I was in a group with mostly Christian (well, self-proclaimed) girls and we really struggled with this issue. It would be great if everyone got into heaven. The discussion always came around to "what about the guy in the middle of nowhere? will he go to heaven if he's never heard about God/Jesus?" That question was a little easier to answer or at least give a decent answer for, but what I want to know is what about the people in the Middle East who strongly believe that their religion is the truth? Or even the Muslims, Jews, Mormons, Catholics, etc. in the US? Does it come down to theology? Cuz Muslims believe in Jesus, just that he was a prophet, not the son of God. And Jews believe in God-- and if Jesus is God, would that mean they indirectly believe in Jesus? What about Catholics and Mormons who have very similar beliefs but different values and some VERY different beliefs but the core beliefs are the same? Cuz they all believe in Jesus. Where is the line drawn? Is there any way to know? Isn't it very prideful for Christians to say they have the one and only way to heaven? Let me know what you think!

--Also, any good references would be greatly appreciated for either of these questions-- books, websites, Bible verses, etc! Feel free to comment about only one or both! I'd love to hear what people have to say and think!

Behind Closed Doors

It's amazing the conversations you have late at night when everyone's dead tired. Tonight's topic between my sister, my roommate, and I was about purity and physical boundaries in a relationship. Since we're all involved in relationships (all of us to wonderful guys!), it was a very pertinent and applicable discussion. The topic of purity came up and I was quick to point out that there is no single definition of purity in a relationship. Some people see no kissing ever to be the only way to have a pure relationship. Others see wandering hands as the limit, others (religious and non-religious alike) don't see the need for purity or don't see anything wrong with going "all the way" (aka SEX!). People seem quick to judge others' boundaries and limits, especially those that make people blush to talk about. But why is that anyone else's business? God convicts people of different things, which was talked about well in Michael's blog (it's from a while ago), and people can give their input, but telling others how to live their lives and conduct their romantic relationships is not what God tells us to do!
My sister has been dealing with this through the group she's involved in on campus. They hold up and praise the people who are not kissing until they're married... why? That's actually unnatural. Yes, it's important to know and understand your own power and boundaries, but not having that connection can be dangerous to a relationship. What if you never kiss that person until you're married and realize you have no physical chemistry? What then? And what is so wrong with kissing? Or holding hands? My friend's sister is dating a guy and they didn't hold hands until their 6th month of dating! WHAT!?! Why not? What is so wrong with physical intimacy and physical expression of affection/love? If one couple's way of expressing it is through a kiss, that's great. If it's through sex, that's fine. They risk the emotional repercussions and physical dangers of doing it, but even then... that's their choice. It's not my place, or anyone else's, to judge. I need to be careful, of course, of not judging those who choose to not express themselves through physical means and understand that that is the conviction that God has put in their lives/relationship. But because God has given me and them our own convictions, we do not have any room or right to judge one another.
I believe strongly in communication and boundaries and respect. If people have those three things, they can do whatever they want. As long as one person is not taking advantage of, abusing, or manipulating another, whatever is done behind closed doors is their business, not mine. It's time to take the taboo subjects out of the dark and talk about them and agree to disagree. The church teaches that God gave us free will, and yet forces us to believe and act certain ways, within certain guidelines instead of saying, "This is a good idea, but do with it what you want. Explore it, research it, talk about it, wrestle with it, and figure out what you believe and act accordingly." I'm learning to do so, and it's been interesting how many times my thinking does not usually coincide with the traditional teachings of the church and conservative Christians, including my roommate! More times than not, we've disagreed in theological ideas and what is right and wrong. It's actually good that we don't agree on everything because it causes both of us to think about our own and each other's views and why we believe it. Our discussions are always respectful and insightful. I am very thankful for the discussions we have, usually late at night while we're brushing our teeth! And for my sister for asking very thought-provoking questions and being open to all ideas and being respectful to the answers she receives. I love both of them dearly! If we're willing to stretch our comfort zone and ask and answer the difficult questions--no matter what the topic-- we can all grow and sharpen our beliefs more through it. Engage in conversation-- it could change your life!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm finally legally allowed to drink!!!!!! Happy 21st birthday to me (well, it was technically on Feb. 28th)! It's amazing how many doors open and opportunities are available when the government thinks you're responsible enough to consume alcohol! The one thing I'm most excited about is being able to go to the store and pick up a bottle of red wine to take to dinner at a friend's house! It's weird the things that I get excited about.
Because of my birthday, I ended up having some pretty interesting conversations with friends and family about the issue of drinking. Being in college, I am constantly surrounded by people whose only view of drinking is to get belligerently drunk and become out of control. Those who do not drink at all are in the minority. But the issue that was discussed was, "what ever happened to responsible drinking?" Do college students lack the ability to learn this? Or the ability to act it out? Does it always have to be an all or nothing ordeal? What happened to having one glass of wine with dinner? Or a cocktail with friends? Why is drinking to get drunk the only way people seem to be able to drink? It especially came out when it came to my birthday because all people would say to me was "I need to get you drunk!" or "We need to go out and party!" or "Let's go shot for shot!" What happened to people just offering to take someone out to get A drink, not drinkS? (And thank you to my best friend for doing so!) When the act of getting completely belligerent is encouraged and nothing else is taught or portrayed, why are colleges (CSU especially) surprised when people are being sent to the hospital for alcohol poisoning and/or dying? The stigma of drinking needs to change and education about alcohol is not going to solve the problem-- learning how to drink responsibly is! You can talk till you're blue in the face about the dangers of alcohol and partying, but it's not really going to help anyone in the long run. So this is an official thank you to my parents for teaching me and my sister how to drink responsibly and to take the "cool" stigma of getting drunk away. We know how to enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine with dinner, and not expecting to wake up the next morning with a hangover! There's nothing wrong with drinking (even if you get a little tipsy-- I drink one drink and I can feel it-- I'm the walking, talking definition of a lightweight!) as long as you can do it responsibly and know your limits. It's amazing that people are getting a college education and yet cannot seem to grasp this concept... unsolvable mystery.