Aug 20 2007
Non-Relativistic Religious Tolerance
Because you believe in the Christian tradition, which affirms the creation of the human race in the image of God…because of that, because, therefore, religious faith is so important, rather than because it is so trivial, therefore you must not constrain others, because faith can only be given freely.
– Jaroslav Pelikan, “Speaking of Faith: The Need for Creeds”
I highly suggest people take a listen to that story. In fact, do all of “Speaking of Faith”. It’s not a Christian program — it’s from Minnesota Public Radio (a.k.a. American Public Media), and carries with it much of that secular flavor — but it is an astoundingly insightful program on how religion impacts people personally.
Popularity: 4% [?]
I think this helps to clarify the question posed by this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2bpc7LSRZc
Well, that and an M.Div degree.
The entire concept of Christian salvation/sanctification is a big, difficult one. It gets to the very concepts of the nature of the soul, sin, and Christology. Unfortunately, lots of people seem to boil it down to “Admit that Jesus was the kewlest d00d EVAR or BURN IN HELL YOU GODLESS HEATHEN.” The reality is that none of it is that simple.
(Nice video, BTW. I like that.)