That would the prophet Jon Stewart, of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” He’s in the latest Sojourners, and he seems extremely uncomfortable with editor Jim Wallis’ questions about being a prophet.
(Quote: “It may be true that the Hebrew prophets used humor in that regard, but it was also used by Borscht Belt social directors.”)
It’s an interesting interview, and here’s another deep quote:
Religion makes sense to me. I have trouble with dogma more than I have trouble with religion…When it begins to be judged as purely based on religion, then you’re suggesting a world where Star Jones goes to heaven but Gandhi doesn’t.
If Gandhi’s not in heaven, what precisely would be the point?
10 responses so far ↓
leftover // June 30, 2009 at 7:31 am |
But does not Fundamentalist Christian doctrine consign Ghandi to the fiery pit for not accepting Jesus as the one and only path to ultimate salvation?
datingjesus // June 30, 2009 at 8:17 am |
Dear Leftover,
We are rescinding your fundamentalist decoder ring, as you forgot an important tenet of the faith: Everyone not fundamentalist goes to hell and the flesh melts from their bones unless said sinner has movies and t-shirts and stuff devoted to them. (O.K. I made that up and I feel just sick about it.) Can we take a vote and go ahead and put Gandhi in heaven?
leftover // June 30, 2009 at 8:27 am
That’s up to Christians I suspect. I’m not registered to vote in that jurisdiction. But they should remember the words of Bapu:
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.”
Tom Faraway // June 30, 2009 at 10:05 pm |
I am so glad I was introduced to author, Neal Punt….now in his 70’s. He has a wonderful take on such matters that gets the follower of Christ out of the ditch of exclusivism so that he or she will not bet bogged down over such a consideration. It all has to do with what you think about God. Is God good and trustworthy, or not? (See below)
http://www.biblicaluniversalism.com/
A Theology of Inclusivism by Neal Punt with a FOREWORD by Dr. Richard J. Mouw, President of Fuller Theological Seminary, came off the press the first week of February 2008. For further information click here: A Theology of Inclusivism
datingjesus // June 30, 2009 at 10:28 pm |
That ditch of exclusivism is a killer. It’s a rut or a grave. Thanks for this, too, Tom. One day, I’m going to drive to your house and meet you. And I’ll bring the ice tea.
leftover // July 1, 2009 at 11:13 am |
So, (let me know if I understand this), according to Evangelical Inclusivism, if I am cognizant of Jesus and of the doctrine which states He is the one exclusive path to salvation, and I reject that in favor of the belief all religions paths to be equal, valid in providing potential for ultimate salvation, then I will “finally be lost.”
datingjesus // July 1, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Lord, I hope not. That wouldn’t make it very inclusive, would it? Or maybe I read it differently.
datingjesus // June 30, 2009 at 9:30 am |
Can you imagine talking to someone who would send Gandhi to hell because he wasn’t a baptized believer in Jesus H.?
Actually, scratch that question. I don’t have to imagine it. I’ve talked to such a person. it was disheartening, at best.
leftover // June 30, 2009 at 10:01 am |
Yes. I can imagine that. It’s more common than not. I’d have to say it’s the attitude I encounter most often, especially lately.
Intolerance. It’s becoming a doctrine in and of itself.
datingjesus // June 30, 2009 at 10:13 am |
…which is freaky, when you think about the grace and tolerance shown by the man for whom the religion was named. Go figure.