Saturday, July 23, 2022

What makes Christianity different from other religions?


Other religions are of the world.

Religions like Buddhism and many others are made up in the minds of men. They may begin with a self-induced trance or an ancient myth. They usually refer to an undefined “divine.” Then they are then systematized.

It seems like they have not yet gained the full understanding of what the "divine" is. This is why we say in Christianity we have the whole truth. Some religions include worship of inanimate objects like the old Greek gods. Others 

Archimandrite Athanasios writes: 

“These other religions “start” from man and “end” to man. A cycle “from man to man.” They do not talk about salvation, but even if they did it would be nothing other than the well-known saying: “when I want to raise myself by pulling my head…” It’s impossible to raise myself. If I weigh 100kg, I can lift a sack with wheat.However, I cannot lift myself when I weigh 100 kg. Why is that? Who knows why, physics gives us the answer: “The forces are a closed system.” That’s what we say in physics, and it is impossible to lift myself. The powers have come from outside. Thus, I cannot save myself, regardless of how much I want it, [using] what I come up with, whatever construct I build…”

For salvation an outside force is required.

“Thus, a force from the outside has to come. Whatis this force? For all other religions, this outside force does not exist.”

Christianity is based on revelation of an outside force, a creator, sustainer and savior.

“What is Christianity? Christianity is a revelation. When [something] is revealed, it means that it is not made up. What does revelation mean? [When] something that is hidden, I remove what conceals it and I reveal it. Christianity exists and the salvation of man is revealed! Thus, what is Christianity? A revelation!”

Christianity is based on facts and history of revelation 

“Christianity is facts and history. Christ indeed became a man, indeed died, indeed was resurrected, indeed ascended. These are facts! Indeed He will return. As Pascal says, if 10 prophecies were said and nine of them have been realized, it remains for the tenth to be realized. All these happened in the face of Christ as facts, as history. What remains now? The Second Coming. In conclusion, this is the difference, a terrifying one we might say, with the invented religions—that Christianity is a revelation, history, facts. Our salvation is a fact and is born out of facts.”

In Christianity we see the reality of this outside force at work in the virgin birth of Jesus. It is further seen in the many miracles He performed. And then in His death we see His Resurrection and then Ascension, followed by His sending of the Holy Spirt, empowering His disciples to also heal and then establish churches for the healing and salvation of everyone. All this is documented by witnesses and historical Roman and Jewish commentators. Christianity's based on revelation.

Based on a talk given by Archimandrite Athanasios Mytilinaios (1927-2006)

https://youtu.be/V8XEOvyFAak


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