<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: You've said that the Bible teaches the one way to Heaven is by Jesus. I know and believe this. How do we explain this to non-Christians without turning them from Jesus? As I watch TV, people seem to think that Christians are full of hate. We are put in a poor light by to others, and called racists and homophobes. Sadly, many churches compromise their own Biblical doctrine just to "include" people in the church. I also want to include these people, but are we in danger of losing Heaven if we say their lifestyle (or, perhaps Jewish belief) is okay? I do not see a problem with celebrating Jewish festivals, since Jesus did, but should they not also accept Jesus? A: Christianity (heaven included) is, indeed, the most inclusive and the most exclusive entity imaginable. "God would have all men to be saved," is truly his desire, yet, as Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except by Me." The world thinks that we should "excuse" sinful behavior, rather than confront and forgive it. It would want Christianity to be, at best, one option among many for those who insist upon having some sort of religion. Christians meet this by being faithful to the Word of God. We believe in salvation by grace through faith in Christ. We live upright lives as a living sacrifice to God. We accept that we will be hated and reviled by the world, as Jesus himself taught. The Christian Church on earth is filled with forgiven sinners, not former sinners. Still, we don't intentionally import sin into the Body of Christ. Nor does the Church allow for continued, open sinning among those who claim to be members. We confront corrupt humanity to bring Christ's forgiveness and healing. We don't go out of the way to make the world hate us. That it will do all by itself. Instead, we are "wise as serpents, harmless as doves." This isn't "going along to get along," but rather is an effort to remain open to others, so as to be able to speak authoritative Scripture when the situation allows. For example, we don't demand that Jews give up their ceremonies. When we have Jewish friends or acquaintances, we establish common ground, then pray for a chance to express the differences which separate us, especially Jesus Christ as Savior. I cannot give you specifics on "how" to do this, since each person you meet will hear the Word differently. Q: Does John 9:41 allude that if you don't know or understand the Gospel, you aren't held responsible for it (which would hold to the "age of accountability" doctrine of many churches)? Does this allow for the saving of those who are mentally unable to comprehend the necessity of salvation? Am I misusing Scripture to alleviate the fears of nonbelievers that God is not a loving God? A: As the first questioner reminded us, God is a loving God, yet one who gives salvation on his own terms. In the passage from John, Jesus speaks to Pharisees who "see" God revealed in his Law, and then "see" themselves as righteously following the Law and gaining eternal reward. Notice how arguments over healing on the Sabbath precede these words. Jesus "blinds" the supposedly sighted Pharisees to expose their sinfulness to themselves. This is done to then bring true sight, wherein they might know their true condition and turn to God for mercy rather than to brag upon themselves. All are accountable for their sins. Those who know the Moral Law from Holy Scripture are judged by it; those who do not are judged by whether or not they have always followed the Natural Law (conscience) which is written in their hearts, as Paul says in Romans 2:12-24. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the apostle parallels what Christ says in John 9, "If you call yourself a Jew..., if you feel sure that you are a guide to the blind and a light to those in darkness, that you can train the foolish and teach children because you have in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--now, then, while you are teaching someone else, do you fail to teach yourself?" He continues, "You boast about the Law, but by breaking the Law you are dishonoring God." Mental ability does not translate to saving faith. Believers are numbered among the infants and the elderly, among geniuses and among those in the end stages of Alzheimer's. Faith is not "irrational"; nor is it the product of human thought. It is the "gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9)" Rather than "defending" God's Word, Christians should boldly live and proclaim it. His love for sinners is revealed in Christ, lived in us, and spread by the proclamation of his inclusive, yet exclusive Word. Unrepentant sinners should be offended by the Word--a Word designed to strike fear into their hearts, even as it brings comfort to those who know forgiveness through Jesus. That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.