• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are edited. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s subject is on motherhood. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Rev. Dr. James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
A man, walking along in the journey of life, fell into a deep, dark pit. He tried his darndest to climb out, but he couldn’t. He thought it through, using all of his brain power, but he couldn’t find a solution. He needed help, to be saved from this predicament.
Over time, there were people who came by and realized that he was at the bottom of the hole. One person said, “You should have been more careful.”
Another said, “Things could be worse. Count your blessings. There are those who have it much tougher than you.”
Another offered, “Maybe God is trying to tell you something.”
Yet another said, “You have to give up the hope of getting free; only then will you be truly free.” And then Jesus came by, climbed down into the pit, and climbing on his shoulders, the man was able to get out of his dire predicament.
The Christian faith tells us that God loves us so much that he sent his son into the predicament of our troubled lives, going the distance, giving his life for us on the cross that we might be saved from an aimless and purposeless life and from the darkness and loneliness of eternal separation from God.
People don’t need more advice or more analysis; they need to be loved. That’s what God had in mind when he sent Christ into our world.
Vince Perry
Catholic Answers
The prideful rebellion of Adam and Eve meant that heaven was closed to all humanity. Sanctifying grace was lost and without this grace we are unfit to enter the eternal paradise of almighty God. In His merciful love, God sent His divine Son, Jesus, to be our savior. By His humble death and glorious resurrection Jesus made that essential, life-giving gift of grace available to anyone who would choose to humbly receive it.
The problem, today, is figuring out how to receive God’s gift of life. This prideful and rebellious generation is faced with more than 33,000 denominational choices. An excellent way to see through all the smoke is to read the letters of the early church fathers. God’s true and complete plan of salvation is found there. Discover men like Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp of Smyrna, Clement of Rome and Justin Martyr. They were discipled and appointed bishops by the Apostles.
Among other things, the early fathers taught that when Jesus discussed the necessity of being “born again” (John 3), He was referring to a water and Spirit regeneration known as baptism. As Peter wrote, “baptism … now saves you.” (1 Pet 3:20-21). They also taught that saving faith is not expressed in a singular event but an ongoing process as children of God. Yes, “by grace you have been saved” (Eph 2:5-8), but you must “work out your salvation in fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). And going further, “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt 10:22) and “he who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Matt 24:13).
In short, the early church fathers taught all of the distinctive and essential teachings of the Catholic Church and the gospel of salvation. For more information visit the library at catholic.com
The Baha’i of Kaua‘i
Baha’is believe that a child is born pure, without sin, yet spiritually undeveloped. A child will grow physically, but in order to grow spiritually he must exercise his free-will to live as a spiritual being rather than let the material world dominate him. To do this he makes spiritual choices each day, such as being kind to animals, showing compassion for the elderly, obeying his parents and teachers, or serving others. These are spiritual virtues which are taught by God’s messengers.
The Baha’i concept of salvation is to recognize and obey the teachings of God’s messengers. Baha’u’llah, the prophet founder of the Baha’i faith, like Christ and every other divine manifestation, came to save the people of their time from the condition of ignorance. To be aware of God and of His latest prescription for right living, an individual cannot merely imitate the religion of his parents. Baha’is believe to be freed from the darkness of self each individual must independently search for truth.
“That which is conducive to the regeneration of the world and the salvation of the peoples and kindreds of the Earth hath been sent down from the heaven of the utterance of Him who is the desire of the world. Give ye a hearing ear to the counsels of the pen of glory. Better is this for you than all that is on the Earth. Unto this beareth witness my glorious and wondrous book.”
Topic for two
weeks from today:
• Will you speak to us on
nourishment?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to pwoolway@kauaipubco.com
• Deadline each week is Tuesday,
by 5 p.m.
