Meanwhile, in some of research for another project, I came across claims from other religions that their god(s) give grace. So what's the difference?
A few years ago when I worked at the mortuary, I assisted a Buddhist family when their father died. Part of their ceremony involved burning money. So I set up a barbeque outdoors so they could conduct this portion of their event. While the (play) money was burning, I conversed with the eldest son as he put thousands and thousands of (play) dollars in the fire. He explained that the more completely the money burns and the more money he puts on the fire will determine how much grace god will give his father in his migration to the next life. I ignored the thought that my understanding is that Buddhism does not actually acknowledge the existence of God/god. Instead I politely listened to the son's explanation of how to get grace from their god.
In the years since, I have revisted this scene many times. And I keep wondering what is the difference between the grace we say our God gives us and the grace they hope to get from their god? If there is no difference, then why go to all the bother to try to convert a Buddhist (or a practitioner of any other religion) from their ways to ours? If both God and god give the same grace, what benefit is there?
On the other hand, if grace is more than simply "the unmerited favor of God" then maybe there is a benefit--an advantage--to following Christ.
Sooooo, is there something more to "grace" as the Bible presents it? Is it more than just "the unmerited favor of God"? Please don't quote Calvin, or any other theologian, to me on this topic. They just keep coming back to "the unmerited favor of God." If I can get that from any other religion, then why follow Christ? Why take up my cross, if I can get grace somewhere else simply by burning play money?
What do you think?
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