[Vision2020] Reply to Mr. Lawyer

[Mike Lawyer]

Dear Dr. Gier,

Your travels have been extensive indeed and I'm happy that you've had the
opportunity to go to all those places and realize a "thorough study of all
the world's religions."

What I'm wondering is, in all of your travels have you ever met anyone who
thought their religion wasn't correct? My guess is you haven't. No one would
do something they didn't think was right. Thinking you are right and being
right are not the same thing, as you well know. But no one does what they do
because they think another way might be better or more right (or quicker, or
simpler, etc.).

Also, have you ever visited a place where the religion was not part and
parcel of the surrounding culture? Again, my bet is that you haven't. This
is because religion comes out people's finger tips (to coin a phrase) and a
person's beliefs in their god color everything they do; how they raise their
kids, how they form their government, etc.

And finally, I wonder what would happen if you jumped up in one of these
cultures you visited and told them that all their beliefs were false because
they've not done an exhaustive study on all the religions of the world. How
would they have treated you if you had ever done 1/10th the things you've
done to Christians over the years?

Not studying everything does not mean that I don't know anything.
Christianity is not true or false because I've not studied every religion on
the planet. It is true because it is true. And since it is true, everything
else, including those systems you've spent your life studying, are false.

I don't need to prove it, it is self authenticating. I only need to proclaim
that Jesus is Lord and all the kings of the earth will one day bow their
knees to him and worship him.

BTW this is only arrogant if I were boasting in myself. I am not. I claim
nothing for myself. Like the Apostle, whom I quoted the other day, I am what
I am because of the Grace of God in Christ. My boast is in the One who died
for me and rose from the dead on behalf of his people.

Mike Lawyer


 

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com] On
Behalf Of Nicholas Gier
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2003 5:36 PM
To: vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Reply to Mr. Lawyer

Dear Mr. Lawyer:

It was Ben Merkle who brought up the issue of scholarship not me, and you
will not find me showing off my publications unless I'm provoked by someone
such as Merkle.

Yes, I am a 40 year student of theology and the world religions, but you
seem to be stuck in one single theological pigeon hole.  I think Max Muller
said it well when he proclaimed "Those who no one religion know none."  I
resent the implication that you know God better than I do.

How can you be sure, Mr. Lawyer, that Paul is correct unless you have done a
thorough study of all the world's religions. Watching a Hindu priest in
action, thousands of Sikhs and non-Sikhs throng to celebrate a guru's
birthday, witnessing first hand the living Goddess of Nepal, witnessing
Daoist priests perform intricate rituals, and Buddhist dancers celebrate the
life and works of Padmasambava--these are a few of the religious experiences
I've had.  They have been humbling and edifying and taught me one clear
lesson: those who claim to know the absolute truth about religion are
arrogant and not humble.  And for a pastor (his initials are DW) to say that
one culture is superior to all other is an incredible act of hubris.

Mr. Laywer, I will be willing to give you free of charge my CD "Images of
Asian Deities" for your perusal and edification.  Would you like for me to
send it to you?  All I need is my address.

Nick Gier