The Christian Gap

Since Scripture states that we as Christians are ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), there lies a theological gap between Christians and non-Christians, and out of a sense of duty, we Christians attempt to close the gap in various ways. Some of our methods and ways for closing the gap are anything but Christlike. In fact, we can become downright pushy, and in the process, we close the door for any type of meaningful relationship with non-Christians. When I view other religions and even the beliefs of everyday average people, I look for areas that in which we already share common ground. Jesus did the same thing, for instance, Jesus found common ground with Nicodemus in John 3:10 when Christ appealed to Nicodemus knowledge of the Law as one as Israel’s teachers. Furthermore, some of the major world religions such as Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam share some common ground with Christianity on the basis that both Judaism and Islam are monotheistic, while Buddhism, on the other hand points to the Eightfold Path in which followers of Buddhism strive to maintain a life of honesty, purity, charity, and service the same way Christians would (Adler & Powells, 2008). Lastly, all human beings, whether Christian or non-Christian, all

Therefore, our basis as Christians for finding common ground with people from other faith’s and non-Christians lies in our humanity. As Christians, we have to enter the world of the non-believer and see things through their eyes, and that involves seeking to understand cultural views, and getting involved with other’s struggles, needs, hardships, and doubts. Additionally, I believe we also have to establish the fact that, regardless of who we are, we are all fallible and in need of forgiveness. This, I believe, opens the door for sharing the Christian Faith and finding true common