Marketplace Bible Study

American Spirituality: Why So Many Religions? (Part 2)

In the second installment of Pastor Jamie Rasmussen's series on American Spirituality, he brings us to a Biblical conclusion as to why there are so many different religions making so many different "truth" claims.

Last week, we learned that in a fallen world, people can and do learn certain truths about God through rational inquiry and intuitive knowledge.

However, Jamie instructs that:

• Fallen human nature twists and obscures sufficient and saving truth about God. (Romans 1:21-31; Acts 17:23, 29- 30)
• Only God's special revelation in Jesus Christ can provide sufficient and saving knowledge of God. (Hebrews 1:1-2; Acts 17:30-31)

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools, ²³and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things." (Romans 1:21-23)

Listen as Jamie explains:

American Spirituality - Why So Many Choices, Part 2

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Download Study Notes - Spirituality in the 21st Century

 

American Spirituality: Why So Many Religions?

In a new series, Pastor Jamie Rasmussen will be spending the next few weeks exploring American spirituality.

Recent surveys have shown evidence that many non-Christian religions are experiencing triple-digit growth, where Christianity seems to be growing at a mere 5%.

While it is true that percentages can be deceiving, it is also certainly true that Americans are exploring different "truths" about God.

So Jamie asks, "why are there so many different truths/religions in the world?"

Short answer?  The Fall.

"For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."  (Romans 1:19-20)

From Jamie:

"In the fall of human kind, the Bible says our view of trancendent truth became fractured and significantly obscure."

In a fallen world, people can and do learn certain truths about God through rational inquiry and intuitive knowledge.  The problem is, we don't find the true truth on our own through a natural theology.

Listen as Jamie explains:

American Spirituality, Why So Many Choices

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Parable of the Prodigal Son: The Father

Today, Pastor Jamie Rasmussen wraps up his three part series on the prodigal son with a focus on the father.

Jamie points out, "Once you have come home to God the Father, you must start to become like the "father" yourself."

To accomplish this, Jamie instructed that we must begin to see others throught the eyes of the father in the following three ways:

1. Be welcoming
2. Celebrate (have joy)
3. Be impartial

At the end of the day, as Jamie shared, this all begins with experiencing the ultimate Father ourselves.

Listen as Pastor Jamie Rasmussen unpacks this for us:

Parable of the Prodigal Son, the Father

Note:  hover your mouse over the above player to find the start button.