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This whole Cawthorne brouhaha seems like it’s just another example of one of the ways that lots of people - in the media and beyond - don’t grasp what Christianity is and means. Quick 
There is a deep, unavoidable tension between the evangelical tradition and pluralistic (and polite) society.
Christians believe - not surprisingly - that Christianity is right. And not just one type of right among many - the *only* path to salvation. (2/9)
Christians believe - not surprisingly - that Christianity is right. And not just one type of right among many - the *only* path to salvation. (2/9)
How to act given that knowledge is best captured in Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...” (3/9)
This doesn’t mean go out and convert just the atheists/agnostics/nones. It means everyone, including those who have another religion already. And the Bible (basically all of Revelations) is pretty clear that *eventually this will come to pass* (4/9)
What this means, necessarily, is the end of other religions.
Evangelicals want very much to see other religions cease to exist because other religions do not guarantee salvation in the Christian ethic.
You can’t understand Christianity without grasping that. (5/9)
Evangelicals want very much to see other religions cease to exist because other religions do not guarantee salvation in the Christian ethic.
You can’t understand Christianity without grasping that. (5/9)
Cawthorne believes - Christians believe - that he’s got the only path to eternal salvation. Moreover, he believes that he has a responsibility to share that belief. You would too, I hope, if you thought you had the only right answer to salvation and cared about others. (6/9)
The Christian god is a jealous one and Christianity is, by design, exclusionary.
Obviously, the way that fits into a pluralistic society is complicated. We Christians don’t exactly have a perfect track record on how to do this while respecting diverse opinions. (7/9)
Obviously, the way that fits into a pluralistic society is complicated. We Christians don’t exactly have a perfect track record on how to do this while respecting diverse opinions. (7/9)
But the idea that it is somehow malicious - rather than an act of love and caring for the souls of others - fundamentally misunderstands Christianity and the call to evangelize. This is Christianity 101 stuff. (8/9)
And the idea that what Cawthorne said is antisemitic is to suggest that Christianity is *fundamentally antisemitic* - which just seems like a lousy definition. /END
*Cawthorn, shouldn’t have an e there.
This isn’t to let Christians off the hook for framing these issues. It’s on us to encourage understanding - remember, the goal here is saving souls, not scoring retweets - but recognize that we’re often running against the wind on these types of issues.
