His Way or the Highway?

Christians often are criticized for the viewpoint that their belief system is superior to others. “Narrow-minded,” “unloving” and “bigoted” are some of the charges tossed at followers of Jesus Christ.

Of course, some people agree with certain teachings of Christ, like loving your enemies and caring for the poor. Some say, “Jesus was a great moral teacher,” or “Jesus was a prophet.” Some just say, “It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe.” And some say it's all a big fairy tale.

But here’s the thing: Christianity, as defined by its founder, is narrow-minded. Jesus Himself said He is the only way to God. As recorded in John’s eyewitness account, Jesus’ own words were, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John14:6). Man’s relationship with God – broken by sin – needed to mended, and God made it possible, sending His sinless son to take the punishment by being crucified on a cross.

Many charge that holding to such a position doesn't show love to people of other belief systems. But it's possible to respect others while not agreeing with their beliefs (as opposed to, say, radical Islam, whose followers want to eliminate all opposition). For Christians to say a contrary system is equally valid would not only defy their leader (and thus be hypocritical), it is actually unloving if what Jesus said is really true. Because I believe that it is, I am compelled by the love of God to share his message of salvation, in both word and deed. Remaining silent and letting friends, neighbors and relatives die and spend an eternity separated from God because I don't want to "offend" them with the truth – that’s not love at all.

“Well how do you know it’s true?” people ask. I know because the history books say Jesus was crucified, laid in a grave and three days later walked out of that grave. No other religious leader can make that claim. There are many gods and many dead spiritual leaders, but there’s only one living God. Jesus is either who He said He is – the son of God and Lord of everything, which He proved by conquering death – or He was a liar or a crazy man.

If either of the latter is the case, then none of His words are worth heeding. Even Paul, one of Christ's most passionate followers, said of his Lord, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. … If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 19).

But the resurrection is recorded history. John described himself as “the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true” (John 21:24). Matthew was another follower and eyewitness of Christ. Mark and Luke both wrote t heir accounts within a few decades of Jesus’ time on earth. Paul, who wrote 12 of the New Testament books, personally saw and heard from the resurrected Jesus. We don’t question other recorded historical events through the years, even though we weren’t there to see them ourselves; why should we doubt the resurrection?

Ultimately the issue comes down to a matter of faith: Do you or do you not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, was crucified for your sins, and was resurrected from the dead? For those who personally receive that free gift of salvation – by asking Christ to forgive them and be Lord of their lives – He promised eternal life on the other side of this temporary earthly existence.

For a lot of people who are reading this, I’m probably preaching to the choir. But if you’re not part of the choir and you want to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas – a relationship with Jesus Emmanuel, “God with us" – I encourage you to investigate and act on the claims of Christianity. For more information, check out http://www.whyhedied.org/ and http://www.whyhedied.org/death_row.htm.

Bad Dream

Working in children’s ministry brings a lot of comical moments, whether it’s in South Africa, South Carolina or anyplace else. Two days ago, we threw a Christmas party on the beach for the kids of Red Hill. It was a great idea except for one thing – the wind was blowing about 30 mph and gusting up to 40, which meant the usual chaos was ratcheted up to a whole new level. Ever try holding a potato sack race while being sandblasted? The kids didn’t seem to care, though – they had a great time.

Well, most of them did, anyway. We let them wade into the ocean (it’s too cold and rough to actually swim), which meant most of the boys simply stripped to their underwear rather than wear swimsuits. It seems one boy left his clothes on the back of a jeep and the owner drove away while he was swimming. The little guy was inconsolable when he figured out what had happened! Fortunately, he had a towel and he finally cheered up before the party ended. It reminded me of the old “Oh no, I’m out in public and I have no clothes on” dream – but for this poor fella, it came true.

Captivity

I saw another side of South Africa yesterday by taking a tour of Robben Island. This is the site of the maximum security facility where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years as a political prisoner. (Pictured is Mandela’s cell in Block B.) Robben Island is located less than 8 miles offshore from Cape Town. The iconic Table Mountain is in view from much of the island. From beyond the prison’s courtyard, from beyond the limestone quarry where Mandela and his fellow prisoners labored, the mountain’s flat top looms, symbolizing freedom and lofty heights for the men who were unjustly detained here for so many years.

Yet even today, nearly two decades after the end of apartheid, many people are still imprisoned in Cape Town – by poverty, by substance addiction, by disease, by a litany of other ills. Many still don’t have proper homes. Children live on the streets. (For a look at the plight of Cape Town’s “street kids,” check out Ryan Dalton’s blog at http://365daysofactivism.blogspot.com/.) Local and national government has come a long way, but it’s far from perfect. Corruption and selfishness are still in vogue.

But really, isn’t that the case everywhere? Selfishness manifests itself in many ways and at many levels of intensity, but at our core, every one of us is looking out for Number 1. And so we too are imprisoned! We are slaves to the many gods we serve – money, “stuff,” good times, careers, adrenaline, the list goes on and on – all in the interest of making ourselves “happy.”

Jesus Christ is the only god who can bring fulfillment, because He’s more than just a god, He is the God. As Christmas approaches, we love to get stuff, and to spend time with family and friends, and to roast chestnuts over an open fire, and yes, to give stuff, too. And all those things are great! But the real reason for the season is the birth of Jesus, the Son of God who came to live a sinless life and die as a sacrifice for selfish man – to free us from the prison of our sin and separation from God the Father. Jesus is your free pass from prison. Are you still in chains?

Awe

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales? (Isaiah 40:12)

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!” (Psalm 66:1-3)

Feliz Navidad

This has been a festive week for Living Hope. With the help of a mission team from Extreme Response (an Atlanta-based aid organization), LH threw a dozen Christmas parties and served more than 2,000 clients, children and staff members. It was all a blast, but the children’s parties were especially fun. The staff from each township was allowed to plan their own party, and each location (Masiphumelele, Ocean View and Capricorn) responded by treating their kids to a really special time. Clowns, bouncy houses, waterslides, popcorn machines, hot dogs, burgers and much more – these kids don’t often get to enjoy such things in their day-to-day lives. There were many highlights, including the sight of native South African kids singing and dancing to Feliz Navidad. Monday brings two final parties, for the Living Grace clients and the Red Hill kids club, both groups I’ve focused on for the past two months. I love working with Living Hope because they make an impact in so many ways across so large a metro area.

365 Days of Activism

16 Days of Activism, the international campaign against gender violence, began last week. Coinciding with the 16 days in Cape Town is an initiative by Ryan Dalton, a Tennessee transplant who maintains that activism against violence is not just a 16-day event but a 365-days-a-year lifestyle. Ryan came to Cape Town eight years ago to minister to “street children,” those countless sad cases of kids who don’t have homes for one reason or another. Since the 16 Days began on November 25, Ryan has literally been living on the streets of Cape Town's city centre, where he's raising awareness for the children while putting himself in their shoes and learning first-hand what their 24/7 lives are like. You can check out his journey at http://365daysofactivism.blogspot.com, and if you're on Facebook, type "365 days of activism" in the search field for a group page.

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day. Being in one of the most affected areas in the world – an estimated 1 out of 5 South Africans is HIV-positive – casts the event in a whole new light for me. I just read an article in which the “experts” are starting to question whether AIDS is really the problem it’s made out to be, and whether resources might be better used toward other problems. From what I’ve seen and heard about HIV and AIDS in Cape Town – e.g., people afraid to get tested because of the social stigma; sex among pre-teens because they have nothing better to do – I’d say the problem is everything it’s made out to be and more. Fortunately, Capetonians are fighting back. (The photo is from a parade today in Ocean View Township.) I pray that the support they need will continue - from the incoming U.S. administration and others with the means to give.