I read with great delight some wonderful articles in the July/August issue. But it was with disappointment that I found Dr. McLelland’s discussion of Islam. He appears to list Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism as all being “ways to God.”
The scriptures are very clear about the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. John’s test of orthodox understanding is: “God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 4:15). The gospels give clear proofs of his divine nature. One is the resurrection. The early preachers understood that they were “witnesses to the resurrection,” that being a key point in their preaching. The gospels cite miracles as proof of his nature. We can list the transfiguration. Additionally there is Jesus’ own testimony to his nature. He blessed Peter for his answer to the question, “Who do you say that I am?”
Our denomination would benefit from clearer statements about the divinity of Jesus. Paul warned Timothy as follows: “The time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn people away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.”
