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.