Dr. Brad R. Braxton, Associate Professor of Homiletics and New Testament, at Vanderbilt University was another of the speakers at last week's Homiletics Festival and he did a fine job of showing us that he is also a card carrying member of the neo-liberal cult of emergence and relativism. Here is what Dr. Braxton said at the preaching festival:
"Recognizing the validity of different religions, he said, is a necessity for contemporary pastors.
"The challenge is, 'How can I speak in a way that says Christianity is important to me and my community, but I realize there are other religions that have perspectives?' " Braxton said.
"That's how the dialogue will be moved forward."
Well now that is odd? Dr. Braxton holds a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from Emory University. You would think that with a doctorate in the subject that he'd be familiar with the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ that are recorded for us in the New Testament.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am the one I claim to be you will die in your sins.”
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
From these passages and others it is very clear that the New Testament doesn't teach that other religions are valid. Therefore, it could never be a 'necessity' for pastors either ancient or modern to 'recognize the validity' of other religions. Christian pastors are instead called to proclaim the exclusive and narrow claims of the ONE true religion, Christianity.
So now we have a decision to make. Either Jesus and his apostles were lying when they made these exclusive statements OR Dr. Brad Braxton was lying when he said, "Recognizing the validity of different religions is a necessity for contemporary pastors."
Since Jesus proved that He was God in human flesh by raising himself from the dead three days after he was crucified and the apostles were eye-witnesses to this miracle, we're going to put our trust with them and reject Dr. Brad Braxton's statement as a lie.
Who do you side with?
"Recognizing the validity of different religions, he said, is a necessity for contemporary pastors.
"The challenge is, 'How can I speak in a way that says Christianity is important to me and my community, but I realize there are other religions that have perspectives?' " Braxton said.
"That's how the dialogue will be moved forward."
Well now that is odd? Dr. Braxton holds a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from Emory University. You would think that with a doctorate in the subject that he'd be familiar with the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ that are recorded for us in the New Testament.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am the one I claim to be you will die in your sins.”
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
From these passages and others it is very clear that the New Testament doesn't teach that other religions are valid. Therefore, it could never be a 'necessity' for pastors either ancient or modern to 'recognize the validity' of other religions. Christian pastors are instead called to proclaim the exclusive and narrow claims of the ONE true religion, Christianity.
So now we have a decision to make. Either Jesus and his apostles were lying when they made these exclusive statements OR Dr. Brad Braxton was lying when he said, "Recognizing the validity of different religions is a necessity for contemporary pastors."
Since Jesus proved that He was God in human flesh by raising himself from the dead three days after he was crucified and the apostles were eye-witnesses to this miracle, we're going to put our trust with them and reject Dr. Brad Braxton's statement as a lie.
Who do you side with?
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