The Difference Between Christianity and Buddhism

(This was originally posted on the Desiring God Blog. The distinction pointed out may seem small when you first read it, but if you consider it, you will see that it is at the very heart of Christianity.)

(Author: Tyler Kenney)

In his latest post, Albert Mohler reviews Tiger Woods’ recent public address, calling it “a remarkable statement of confession.” Nonetheless, he is careful to also point out “the radical distinction” between the standard that Woods’ newly reclaimed Buddhism calls him to and the salvation Jesus provides.

Indeed, Buddhism teaches the aim of emptying the self of all desire. As [Stephen] Prothero observes, “Buddhists observe that suffering arises from a 12-fold chain of interlocking causes and effects. Among these causes is craving. We crave this woman or that car because we think that getting her or it will make us happy. But this craving only ties us into an unending cycle of misery, because even if we get what we want there is always something more to crave — another woman or another man, a faster car or a bigger house.”

[...]

Christianity speaks honestly of desire and affirms that wrongful desires can and do lead to sin, destruction, and death. Nevertheless, Christianity does not teach that all desire is wrong. Indeed, the Bible affirms that God made us to desire Him. Even in our sinful state, something within us cries out for our need — and desire — for divine forgiveness and redemption.

Christianity does not teach that we should (or could) empty ourselves of all desire, but rather that we should desire the salvation that Christ alone has accomplished for us — the salvation that leads to divine forgiveness and the restoration of relationship we should surely desire. Once we know that salvation, our desire for God is only increased and pointed to eternity.

Key Phrases David Used to Express Hunger and Thirst for the Lord

1. Psalm 143:8  "I lift up my soul unto thee." The soul involves the mind, will, and emotions. David, through his spirit, presented his soul to his heavenly Father so that it could be filled.

2. Psalm 61:2 "I cry unto thee..." David described his cry as that of a h hungry bird crying out to be fed. It was usually audible and always intense.

3. Psalm 42:4  "I pour out my soul in me..." This statement signifies that David held nothing back from the Lord, his most cherished and loyal Confidant.


4. Psalm 25:15 "Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD..." Because David knew that only God could fulfill his expectations and bring the help that he desperately needed, he watched continually for God's response.

5. Psalm 42:1 "So panteth my soul after Thee..." This expression pictures David's inner desire for God in terms of the extreme thirst of a deer after a time of fleeing from danger.

6. Psalm 119:10 "With my whole heart have I sought Thee..." David knew that secret sins or hidden motives would destroy fellowship with the Lord; thus, he willingly opened his heart to God - the deepest part of his inner being.

7. Psalm 84:2 "My flesh crieth out for the living God." Not only did David seek God with his heart, his physical being also yearned for God's fellowship, without which he would languish.

8. Psalm 63:8 "My soul followeth hard after Thee..." David pictures himself pursuing God as a young animal running after its mother, the source of it sustenance and protection.

9. Psalm 27:8 "Thy face, Lord, will I seek..." David longed for the approval and blessing that attend those upon whom God looks with favor.

10. Psalm 17:15 "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness" David's one desire was to be like the Lord. Only in reaching this goal would he find fulfillment.

(Painting "King David" by Arent de Gelder 1685)

Description of the Bible

I love this description of the Bible found in the front of some Gideon Bibles.

“THE BIBLE contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

"It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
"CHRIST is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.” 

Salvation: Our Greatest & Most Precious Promise, Part 5

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:4

Precious in that they are to be highly valued

In the previous post, I noted that by giving us these promises, God placed a huge burden on Himself. Only God could fulfill His promise of salvation to us, and fulfilling that promise did not come cheap. In order to keep His promise, God had to sacrifice His own Son. There was no other way. Promises of salvation are precious because the were fulfilled by the very death of Christ.

This also shows what a value God places on His Word. These promises are to be highly valued, and we should value them even more than our own lives. Many Christian have. (See Hebrews 11)

Precious in that they give great comfort

The cross is proof that God keeps His word. As Christians, understanding that God keeps all of His promises, we will have great comfort. The storms and trials of life will not shake us, because we have “exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

Salvation: Our Greatest & Most Precious Promise, Part 4

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:4

Precious in how they are given

Peter also says that these promises are precious. How are they precious? First of all, they are precious because they are gratuitously given. What does this mean? There are two perspectives.

The first perspective is from that of being the receiver of these promises. We did not and could not earn these promises. What we have earned is condemnation. However, these promises are given to us freely. (See Romans 6:23)

The second perspective is from the Giver. God was under no obligation to us  to give us any promises. The fact is that He gave them through His great mercy and grace. By giving us these promises, God placed a huge burden on Himself.

Salvation: Our Greatest & Most Precious Promise, Part 3

           Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:4

How are the promises of salvation great? As we have seen in the previous posts, they are great in quantity, they are great in quality, and they are great in magnitude. They are also great in their purpose. These promises are excellent beyond anything the mind can conceive. These great promises are designed to make us “partakers of the divine nature.” I can’t think of any better promise. We are being made more and more into the image of Christ. When we finally lay aside our flesh and the vices thereof, we will take on a new body that is truly immortal and has the capacity to be in the presence of God. We will be one with God as far as our capacities will allow. Wow! That is a lot to think about, but that is exactly why we are restored in the image of God’s holiness and righteousness – to be partakers of the divine nature, to be partakers of eternal life and eternal glory for our complete and total happiness in God Himself. Wow! I echo David in Psalm 139: “Such knowledge is to wonderful for me!”

In the next blog, we will look at how these promises are precious.

Salvation: Our Greatest & Most Precious Promise, Part 2

         Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:4

In the last blog, we saw how the promises of salvation are the greatest and most precious promises God gave us. We began looking at why they are the greatest & examined how they are great in quantity. We broke down the salvation promises into those that have been fulfilled, those that are being fulfilled in our lives, and those yet to be fulfilled.

Now, let’s note that in addition to being great in quantity, these promises are also great in quality. A promise given by God cannot be broken. They are different than a promise given by a fellow human being. People frequently break promises, but God cannot break a promise. It is an iron-clad guarantee. Since they are given by God, they are the highest quality of promises that you will ever receive.

Not only are salvation promises great in quantity and quality, the are great in their magnitude, in the effect they have. The first promise of salvation is in Genesis 3:15. When God spoke the promise of Gen. 3:15, it altered everything. Let’s examine what happened, but first look at Genesis 1. Before Genesis 1, there was nothing but God. There was no time, there wasn’t even space – just God. Then God spoke. Things that didn’t exist came into being. In fact, everything there is (except God) came into being.

Fast forward to Genesis 3:6 and you find Adam and Eve sinning. This is the worst part of the history of man. There is no other period that is as bleak as this period. Why? Man was completely corrupted. Man was separated from God and was even hiding from God. Lost. Hopeless. Helpless. Only wrath, judgment, and condemnation awaited. Then God spoke. In Genesis 3:15 God promised a Savior. When God spoke this promise, the entire future of man realigned. Did you catch that – by merely speaking a promise, God realigned the entire future from one of condemnation to one of redemption. That is what you call an exceeding great promise

In the next blog, we’ll see one more way salvation promises are exceeding great.

Salvation: Our Greatest & Most Precious Promise, Part 1

       Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:4

What are these “exceeding great and precious promises” that are given to us?

These are the promises that make us partakers of the divine nature, that is the promises of salvation.

These promises are described as exceeding great and precious. They’re not just great, they are the greatest promises God has given. They are also precious promises. The promises of Salvation are the greatest and most precious promises we have. Over the next few days, we will look at why.

The first way salvation promises are “exceeding great” is in the vast quantity of them given in the Word of God. The first one is in Genesis 3:15 when the Savior is promised – right Adam & Eve sinned. The last promise occurs in the last chapter of the Bible. It is found in Revelation 22:14 where we are promised that we can “enter in through the gates into the city.” Let’s of these promises in three areas: past, present, and future.

The past promises are those that promised the coming of the Messiah – a Savior who would die for our sins, redeem His people, and be raised from the dead. For those who have believed in Christ as their Saviour, there are fulfilled promises such as Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

As we walk as Christians, there are many promises that we have, all of which stem from our salvation. Here are a few:

           “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5)

           “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)

           “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6)

Finally, there are a multitude of salvation promises that will be fulfilled in the future. These promises tell us that the best is yet to come & give us great anticipation. Here are two:

            “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” (Romans 6:5)

           “That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7)

Tomorrow we will look at two more ways these are the greatest promises God has given us.

Wise Counsel for Successful Relationships

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

Christian Addition

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8)

True Worship

“God is not worshiped where He is not treasured and enjoyed. Praise is not an alternative to joy, but the expression of joy. Not to enjoy God is to dishonor Him. To say to Him that something else satisfies you more is the opposite of worship. It is sacrilege.” –John Piper, Desiring God, p. 22

How the Great Physician performs Soul Surgery

 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

Looking forward to seeing & being a part of this

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever.

They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:8-11

Christian Growth

“The causes of retarded [spiritual] growth are many…One there is, however, which is so universal that it may easily be the main cause: failure to give time to the cultivation of the knowledge of God… Progress in the Christian life is exactly equal to the growing knowledge we gain of the Triune God in personal experience. And personal experience requires a whole life devoted to it and plenty of time spent at the holy task of cultivating God. God can be known satisfactorily only as we devote time to Him.” – “The Root of the Righteous” A.W. Tozer, p. 8-9

The Proper Attitude for Church

“Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

Job's Approval

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.” Job 1:20

After taking wealth, servants, sons & daughters from Job, Satan was delighted to see Job mourn in the first half of this verse. When Job fell to the ground, Satan must have thought he finally brought down righteous Job…until Job worshiped & blessed the Lord’s name (1:21). Pretty high kudos for Job by God in 2:3.

He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21

The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” Job 2:3

Why Christians Live for Christ

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Good News, Bad News

First the bad news, then the good news:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

Don’t Be Satisfied with Status Quo (Psalm 139:23-24)

David, after expressing his hatred of evil, will not settle for anything less than a godly life. He therefore beseeches God, who knows him intimately, to show him any wickedness in his life and guide him into greater holiness and greater fellowship with God.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”

Psalm 139:23-24

Hatred of Evil (Psalm 139:21-22)

A commitment to a holy, godly life brings with it an inward abhorrence of all that is evil, of all that is opposed to the glory of God.

“Do I not hate those who hate Thee, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against Thee? I hate them with the utmost hatred; they have become my enemies.”

Psalm 139:21-22

Purpose in the Death of the Wicked (Psalm 139:19-20)

We do not delight in the death of wicked men, but desire that through God’s judgments, God’s righteousness would be exalted so that all people would learn the fear of the Lord. (see Isaiah 26:9; Proverbs 24:17-18)

“O that Thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God; depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed, for they speak against Thee wickedly, and Thine enemies take Thy name in vain.”

Psalm 139:19-20

God’s Precepts: Precious & Plenteous (Psalm 139:17-18)

God’s Word provides an unlimited resource for meditation on the precious thoughts of God.

“How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with Thee.”

Psalm 139:17-18

God Writes About You (Psalm 139:15-16)

Kind of a nifty (and sobering) thought, God writes about you.
"My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." Psalms 139:15-16
(See also Rev. 20:12 & Mal. 3:16)

You: A Special Work (Psalm 139:13-14)

Fearfully & wonderfully formed, knitted, and created by God. You are a special work of God, not a product of random chance. Does your soul know this? Do you praise Him for this?
“For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalms 139:13-14

God's Vision in Darkness & Light (Psalm 139:11-12)

Darkness is part of God’s creation. It is His creature, unable to conceal anything from Him. He is not subject to it. He stands apart from it, rules over it.

‘If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me;” even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.’

Psalm 139:11-12

God Is Always With You (Psalm 139:7-10)

Another cool gift from our Father – His never ending presence:

“Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.”

Psalms 139:7-10

Overwhelmed by God (Psalm 139:5-6)

Have you ever been overwhelmed by God’s presence? Sometimes all that is left is to praise and adore Him.

“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”
Psalms 139:5-6

God Knows You (Psalm 139:1-4)

Frightening. Liberating. Praiseworthy.

“O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my sitting down and mine rising up, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether.”

Psalm 139:1-4

Grace (2 Cor. 8:9)

God’s tool for using poverty to make you rich beyond your wildest imagination:

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

2 Corinthians 8:9

Jesus Christ is the Living Word (John 1:1, 14)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

John 1:1, 14