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“Buddhism, Religious Syncretism/Polytheism and the Seeker Friendly Church.”
I wanted to share part of a paper I wrote. My sincere goal is not controversy but concern about the danger of falling into Polytheism and Religious Syncretism.
“Buddhism, Religious Syncretism/Polytheism and the Seeker Friendly Church.”
I wanted to share part of a paper I wrote. My sincere goal is not controversy but concern about the danger of falling into Polytheism and Religious Syncretism.
Page 2.
Polytheism- Belief in or worship of one or more gods or deities.
Religious Syncretism- Blending of two or more religious systems into a new system.
Polytheism- Belief in or worship of one or more gods or deities.
Religious Syncretism- Blending of two or more religious systems into a new system.
Page 3.
Buddhism was founded on the “teachings of a spiritual teacher called The Buddha,” but they worship several gods.
As it’s progressed, it’s adopted various beliefs on how to attain salvation
And the focus isn’t even on salvation but love, compassion & peace.
Buddhism was founded on the “teachings of a spiritual teacher called The Buddha,” but they worship several gods.
As it’s progressed, it’s adopted various beliefs on how to attain salvation
And the focus isn’t even on salvation but love, compassion & peace.
Page 4.
Seeker Friendly Church Approach:
Discover what characteristics the unconverted would like in a church to induce them to attempt the church to accordingly please their desires. Many of these desires are carnal desires.
Seeker Friendly Church Approach:
Discover what characteristics the unconverted would like in a church to induce them to attempt the church to accordingly please their desires. Many of these desires are carnal desires.
Page 5.
Seeker friendly have the appearance of being biblically concerned and some actually are.
Seeker friendly have the appearance of being biblically concerned and some actually are.
Page 6.
The seeker friendly church wants the hearer to be comfortable and the atmosphere non threatening.
In and of themselves those are not bad or sinful church qualities.
The seeker friendly church wants the hearer to be comfortable and the atmosphere non threatening.
In and of themselves those are not bad or sinful church qualities.
Page 7.
However, in an attempt to make emphasize these qualities, many times everything that is “offensive” is removed.
This church building may even be constructed in a way so that anything which symbolizes Christianity is removed; crosses, steeples, etc.
However, in an attempt to make emphasize these qualities, many times everything that is “offensive” is removed.
This church building may even be constructed in a way so that anything which symbolizes Christianity is removed; crosses, steeples, etc.
Page 8.
From there, essential theological truth is removed.
1. If any privilege of membership in the family of God is ever mentioned, it is applied w/out distinction to both converted and unconverted. So it appeals to all cultures. It becomes “man centered.”
2.
From there, essential theological truth is removed.
1. If any privilege of membership in the family of God is ever mentioned, it is applied w/out distinction to both converted and unconverted. So it appeals to all cultures. It becomes “man centered.”
2.
Page 9.
2. Scriptures are paraphrased to support what the speaker says and will ensure the audience is comfortable even if it doesn’t support the original context.
3. There is rarely if ever, mention of sin, confession, repentance or hell.
2. Scriptures are paraphrased to support what the speaker says and will ensure the audience is comfortable even if it doesn’t support the original context.
3. There is rarely if ever, mention of sin, confession, repentance or hell.
Page 10.
3. These topics are considered offensive and are replaced with sentiment; positive thinking, self improvement, and a better life.
Not only does this imply there is more than just one path to salvation, the implication is salvation is not even necessary.
3. These topics are considered offensive and are replaced with sentiment; positive thinking, self improvement, and a better life.
Not only does this imply there is more than just one path to salvation, the implication is salvation is not even necessary.
Page 11.
Then the Gospel becomes syncretized and Jesus is just one of many deities.
It’s a slippery slope from unity to church growth to religious syncretism to polytheism.
Then the Gospel becomes syncretized and Jesus is just one of many deities.
It’s a slippery slope from unity to church growth to religious syncretism to polytheism.
