New Life, New Hope, New Mission!    

September 1, 2006

In the void of clear moral voices and the cacophony of perspectives that assault us, is there any place for a faith orientation that holds itself up as the one true voice? 

There is an offense in Jesus words, "No one comes to the Father but by me."  It is a line drawn in the sand.  It is arrogant in human standards.  But if Jesus is the Son of God, the manifestation of divine light, to have said otherwise would have been a diminution of his authority. 

I find it comforting, not offensive, to know that there is a clear path available amidst the din of idea, all others that claim to be but one of many.  Here is clarity, direction, certainty. 

Some, I know -- and colleagues in the pastoral ministry -- who do not believe this.  Some who lead churches say, "I do not believe Jesus is the only way to God."   I honestly feel sorry for them and pity for the people they lead.  Yes, I do agree that there are many avenues by which we can experience aspects of the divine presence (meditation, yoga, consciousness projection); and they can certainly deepen our capacity and sensitivity to the ethereal facets of our being.  But do they unite us with a personal Father whom we can actually talk with?  Do they knit together the soul torn apart by our sinful ways?  Do they empower us to be creative partners with the living will of God Himself? 

Hence Jesus; the only being of God and humanity, both in one, uniting the combative natures in the peaceful prayer. 

See you in Church,  It will change your life as it did (and still does) change mine.

John Mark

Updated: 09/29/08