laydominican1:
How do I defend against the many “errors” of both the Old Testament and the New Testament? The errors are so serve that I am speechless. Also why is God seemed to be so blood thristy in the Old Testament? I have one person from India,who even thot Hindu, is comparing “the BibleGod” to the more tame Lord Buddha. I have no idea how to defend my faith in this light.
laydominican1]:
You could ask about the Caste system, and what being an “Out -Caste” Means… And then mention that the mean, vicious Old Testament siaid that God’s Law applied to EVERYONE - Rich, Poor, Israelite, Resident-Alien, Traveler in the Midst - NO ONE was above or below the law.
Ask whether in a world of Universal Slavery, where anyone who was poor could be enslaved by another, whether they’d rather be enslaved by someone bound by Jewish Law or someone under Hindu or Roman Laws…
Ask them what the Purpose of all that work and meditation in Budhism is, and would they rather be nothing at the end of a lifetime of prayer and meditation or would they rather enjoy the beatific vision in the presence of the Creator of the Universe…
If they insist on going over the OT with a magnifying glass, ask if it’s OK to do the same with the Indian gods, and then remind them of the “Thugee Cult” - These people were every bit a lethal as portrayed…
Remember, Budha never claimed to be the Way, and he wasn’t nearly as gentle as portrayed, at least not until near the end of his life.
*Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
John 14:6-7 *
And, Jesus readily accepted death on a cross for us…
*Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. *
Rom 5:7-8 NAB
Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11 NAB
And, Budhism says the goal of life is nothingness, Jesus said:
*Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”
Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:3-17 NAB (Excerpted)*
Jesus intends for people to be CHANGED. Ask them what Budha intended.
Hope that helps.
In Christ, Michael
