"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart'-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:8-10).
Thank you Wannabe for bringing up an interesting topic. A common bone of contention with JW's against the wider Christian Community. I hope my comments, though hard served, are in some way thought provoking.
What defines a true Christian? Anyone who believes in Christ, preaches Christ, and lives a Christ inspired life. That is my opinion. Some Jehovah's Witnesses might even fit into that category.
Wannabe talks about Christendom as not preaching the gospel of Christ. Well that is not my experience.
How many Christians does wannabe know personally? What does Wannabe know about their relationship with Christ? What unbiased research has Wannabe done on Christendom? Is Wannabe serious in this critique? If so, it does deserve a serious reply.
I know numerous Chistians, and they are not just Catholic or JW's. They include Lutherans, Pentecostals, Anglicans and Baptists. All Christians I know are NOT ashamed to tell colleagues, friends and acquaintances about thier faith, often inviting unbeleivers to participate in worship and debate. All Christians I know (& Muslims for that matter) inspire me to do tolerance, and in fact inspire me to come closer to Christ.
Should we shovel it down other peoples throat, like "some" JW's do in thier doorstop sermons. No, because in an increasingly secular world, and increasingly educated society such efforts will have minimal success. This fact further highlights how the "works" of doorknocking do little justice to the Christ derived gift of Grace.
As to what constitutes an accurate "interpretation" of the gospel of Christ. Wannabe would do well, and indeed many on this board would also, to focus on the matters in which we CAN agree. Wannabe could also pick up a bible translation, that is not archaic and clunky, (THE MESSAGE paraphrase together with the NEW KING JAMES go www.biblegateway.com) read the NT cover to cover, in order, in large reading blocks, so that the reader can best focus on the big picture. Which of course all Christians know - the picture is definitely of the Crucified Christ. Wannabe could also research what it ACTUALLY is that Protestants (uncatholic Christiandom) believe in - try the five sola's to begin with.
I would not normally place a comment on this board - I like lurking- but I could hardly resist. You know how it goes.
Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,[ a ] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…
