Newsweek/Beliefnet poll results

This is a very interesting article from the latest issue of Newsweek on the beliefs of Christians and others with our country. The first questions posed by the poll was, "Can a good person who isn't of your religious faith go to heaven or attain salvation, or not?"

68% of those who identified themselves as Evangelical Protestants said YES. I know that it might seem charitable to believe Yes, but that belief cuts across the very nature of the Gospel. (Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12)

I would be curious to see the full methodology of this poll, but after working with college students for the past 17 years, I am not too surprised by this view. Many, sincere and devout young men and women would often tell me that Jesus is right for them, but that other sincere people of other faiths will find acceptance by God. Surely God wouldn't (or couldn't) allow them to perish. The idea of the exclusive nature of the Gospel, seemed repugnant to their modern (or postmodern) sensibilities.

You can see the rest of this article

If you enjoy Provocative Church, please use the SUBSCRIBE button to receive more provocative and thoughtful content in the future.

The Pain behind the Masks.

"I'’ll never be happy. I believe I'’ll die alone. I would want it that way. I've been a loner all my life with my secrets and my pain.
I'’m really lost, but I'’m trying to find myself."
Mike Tyson, USA Today, June 2, 2005

We may all agree, Mike Tyson has his issues and problems in life, but I couldn't believe his candor when I read this quote.

As I read this quote it reminded me of the drama that goes on behind the happy faces and content demeanors of the people around us. People are truly lost without Christ but it often takes a work of God and His Spirit to strip away all the distractions, masks and busyness that anesthetize us to our need for the One who created us.

Also, reading this quote reminded me to see people with spiritual eyes. If I met Mike Tyson on the street, first his size and big tattoo would scare me, second he probably would come across as a big jerk. But at his core, he, and all of us, are image bearers of God, we have value. And we are spiritual beings. As creatures, we long to know our creator. Blaise Pascal said it best, "There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus".

Mike Tyson needs Jesus. I need Jesus.

If you enjoy Provocative Church, please use the SUBSCRIBE button to receive more provocative and thoughtful content in the future.

Silence

Sorry for my silence of recent. Our family just moved to Atlanta, and I've been working hard getting settled in and studying for my pending exams. I didn't initially think the move would distract me from contributing to my blog, but it did. But I am back in the saddle again.

If you enjoy Provocative Church, please use the SUBSCRIBE button to receive more provocative and thoughtful content in the future.