Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

• John 14:6

“ ‘The uniqueness of Christianity is in Jesus Christ. He is the stumbling block of all ideologies and religious systems.  He is ‘the Man for others’ and yet beyond them. It is he, therefore, and only he, who deserves to be the goal and standard for individuals and mankind.  l consider traditional religions, Islam and the other religious systems to be preparatory and even essential ground in the search for the Ultimate. But only Christianity has the terrible responsibility of pointing the way to that ultimate identity, Foundation and Source of security.’ (African Religions and Philosophy, Chapter 20)”

• Tony Lane, A Concise History of Christian Thought

John Mbiti (1931-2019) was a Kenyan-born Anglican priest, Christian philosopher and writer.  Some claim him to be the father of African Christian Theology.  He became a Christian, but he had very negative ideas on how missionaries had spread the Gospel in Africa.  It mirrors in some ways what Koyama was saying in last week’s post about seeing God through the Thai culture rather than cramming a foreign culture down the people’s throats to explain an eternal Truth about God which has no culture of origin.

But here, he hints at Islam being a preparation for becoming a Christian.  In the book, he makes this point even clearer.  We might recoil thinking that Islam might radicalize us while we dabble in it, but Mbiti may just be exhibiting greater faith than we might in that situation.  If God has elected us, he will see us through that troubled time.  I have admitted reading and becoming enamored by Mein Kampf.  In such a way, we can experience a false religion and find out in what ways it does not work.  Indeed, Mbiti was said to be an expert in African religions as a whole.  He understood their religions so that he could show how those religions fell short.

I heard a report on CBN News lately that among Muslim countries, the fastest growing Christian community, by percentage, is in Iran for the common citizen disagrees with their government.  The Muslim religion is not working for them, and while many may choose atheism, some are choosing Jesus.  So, is this Mbiti’s concept in action?  Have them try other religions, but then they find that only God and His Son, Jesus, provide the answers.

That takes a lot of faith to take that position, but otherwise, we are limiting the power of God if we don’t.

If you like these Tuesday morning essays about philosophy and other “heavy topics,” but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Tuesday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.