I hear you jmm. Too many people would prefer to sit on some high perch within Christianity and throw rocks at those on the paths below. This sort of high-handed attitude has nothing to do with Christ and everything to do with the arrogance he opposed. He says exactly that in Matthew 23.
How quickly “Christians” forget that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
So, you believe that someone who earnestly seeks Buddha, Mohammed, etc. will find Christ Jesus? It’s too late to accept Christ after you hit the judgement seat (Hebrews 9:27).
It seems the point being made is that if someone, regardless of their current beliefs—whether they follow Buddha, Mohammed, or any other figure—earnestly seeks God with a sincere heart, they will ultimately find the truth in Christ and be saved.
As Proverbs 8:17 says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” – Proverbs 8:17
This verse, spoken from the perspective of Wisdom, emphasizes that genuine seekers will find the truth they are searching for. Likewise, this principle can apply to those of any background who earnestly seek God. It’s reminiscent of the transformation of the Apostle Paul, who, despite his initial persecution of Christians, encountered Christ and was profoundly changed.
So, in the same way, it’s possible that a person with a sincere heart for seeking God—whether they are Muslim, Buddhist, or even someone like Paul—can come to know Christ and be saved.
But that’s putting God on the same level as Buddha, Mohammed, etc. Proverbs is a book of principals not promises. And Paul wasn’t searching for God; Paul was going to Damascus to stomp out the Christians but God appeared to Paul. Jesus said that He’s the only way. And believe that He’s completely trustworthy, as do millions of other Christians from both the past, and the present. I’ve tried arguing with God before, but He always wins. That’s why I take Him at His word now.
2 Corinthians 6:9-11 reminds us of the transformative power of the Gospel: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Paul’s message here is clear: no matter our past—whether we were thieves, adulterers, or idolaters—we can be washed, sanctified, and justified through Jesus Christ. This transformation isn’t limited to any specific group but extends to all who genuinely seek God.
I believe the Pope’s statement, as interpreted by some Catholics, may be suggesting that if someone truly seeks God—whether they come from a background of Buddhism, Islam, or any other belief system—God will reveal Himself to them, leading them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This perspective does not elevate Buddha or Mohammed to the position of Jesus but acknowledges that God can work in the hearts of those earnestly seeking Him, guiding them to the truth found in Christ.
This is just my understanding of the Catholic position on the Pope’s statement, and I could be mistaken. I’d welcome any Catholic brothers or sisters to clarify this understanding.
Paul’s message here is clear: no matter our past—whether we were thieves, adulterers, or idolaters—we can be washed, sanctified, and justified through Jesus Christ.
I perfectly agree with that statement. But…I think Paul says it better than I ever can:
"*No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless." (Romans 3:11-12). We can’t find God; He has to find us.
I understand your perspective, and I appreciate the truth in Romans 3:11-12, which emphasizes our natural inclination to turn away from God: “No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless.” This shows our human nature and the need for God’s intervention in drawing us to Himself.
However, scripture also encourages and assures us that those who genuinely seek God will indeed find Him. For example:
Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” This verse highlights that God promises to reveal Himself to those who sincerely pursue Him.
Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Jesus Himself encourages us to seek, assuring us that our search will be fruitful.
Hebrews 11:6: “…he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” This verse reinforces that God is pleased with those who diligently seek Him and promises a reward for their faith.
Deuteronomy 4:29: “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Again, this points to the assurance that sincere seekers will find God.
I believe these scriptures show that while it is true we are initially lost and not naturally inclined to seek God, once He begins drawing us, we are called to actively respond and seek Him with our whole heart. This seeking is met with the promise of finding Him. So, while God’s grace initiates the process, our earnest pursuit plays a vital role in our relationship with Him.
What are your thoughts on these scriptures?
What all those verses have in common, is that God is saying that if you seek Him you will find Him. There is only one way to God: Jesus Christ. Give 1Timothy 2:5-6 a read. We don’t find Jesus by seeking Buddha etc.
Bingo. And that is what, I believe, the position of the catholic interpretation of the Pope’s statement.
That even people who are currently of other faiths, if they truly and earnestly seek God they will find him and come to salvation through Jesus Christ.
That’s how I understand the position anyway.
All due respect, you keep contradicting yourself. You keep saying that if they truly and earnestly seek Buddha, they will find Jesus Christ. That’s like saying you can squeeze an orange an get lemonade. It’s either you squeeze the orange and get orange juice, or you tilt the pitcher and out comes lemonade. It doesn’t go both ways. This is what Paul was talking about in 1Co 1:23. This gospel is offensive. The human flesh despises it. I’m a Christian and my flesh still doesn’t like it. But I sure am grateful that God even provided a way to Him. I like what Martin Luther said about that verse in Ephesians. We get saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone.
When I say God I mean The God not Buddha or any other false god.
I’m saying the same thing. You don’t find Christ by truly and earnestly seeking Buddha etc. In other words, you’re not going to find Maryland by following a map that leads you to California.
I nEver said earnestly seeking Buddha.
Read the story in Acts about the monument to the Unknown God.
It is similar.
In the catholic interpretation as I understand it, It is possible to be Buddhist and be earnest in seeking God.
Just as it is possible to be a liar and thief and be earnest in seeking God.
It’s not similar because the Athenians were worshiping the Unknown God just in case they missed a god amongst their billions of other gods. It’s impossible to be a Buddhist and a Christian. Besides, Christianity isn’t about earnestly seeking someone; it’s about earnestly seeking a relationship with someone: Jesus Christ. I will yet again point to Romans 3:11-12 and 1Timothy 2:5-6.
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That’s not the same thing. If you’re seeking Buddha, you won’t find God. Yes, if you’re already a Buddhist you can discover The One True God, but Buddhism isn’t in the direct path to God. It’s more like a detour.
Thank you ma’am. That’s exaclty what I was trying to say. You hit the nail right on the head.
Amen. I agree with the Bible.
Before it’s not too late, you have to be a servant of the Lord. We have to work hard.
I suggest that we preach faith in Jesus of Nazareth to kids. Schools, for example, there are a lot of children there. You can put stickers with words about Jesus at schools, but not an image.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14