Posted on: 09 May 2024
[Shri Anil Antony asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, I request You to answer the following questions raised in a discussion forum. At Your Lotus Feet-anil.]
1. What does it mean that Jesus says I am the Alpha and the Omega -- the Beginning and End -- the First and the Last. (Revelation 22:13)?
Swami replied:- God is the beginning since He created the creation. God is the end since He remains after dissolving the creation.
2. What does it mean for the Christian life that Jesus says I am the way (John 14:6)?
Swami replied:- The spiritual knowledge preached by Him is His way.
3. What could be the theological meaning of the three days of Jesus' death?
Swami replied:- The number three indicates the three divine activities of God, which are creation, maintenance and dissolution of the world.
4. God cannot be tempted. Jesus was tempted. Therefore, Jesus cannot be God.
Swami replied:- Jesus was tempted by Satan, but Satan was defeated. Hence, Jesus was not tempted.
5. How could a loving God condemn His own son (Jesus) to death?
Swami replied:- It is not condemning Jesus to death. It is the expression of climax devotion that makes the soul to face death for the mission of God.
6. When I say Christ is the only way to heaven, what would You say?
Swami replied:- Any human incarnation of God preached the same way because the same God in every human incarnation is the preacher.
7. What was God's original plan for humanity before Adam sinned?
Swami replied:- Establishment of faith and devotion in God that makes the souls to follow justice, which is liked by God was the original plan, which is also the plan even today.
8. What is the biggest sin that God will forgive? Are some sins so awful that even God, in all His mercy, will not and cannot forgive?
Swami replied:- God can forgive any sin provided the soul sincerely follows the final step of reformation, which is the non-repetition of the sin again in the rest of life.
9. What is the greatest commandment according to God? Why do people have different opinions on this matter?
Swami replied:- The greatest commandment is to strictly follow the mandatory rules of worldly life or Pravrutti and Nivrutti is only optional. There are no different opinions on this concept.
10. Is it wise for a Christian to marry a Muslim?
Swami replied:- The problem is only with atheism and a few can also adjust to the cultural habits of another religion. In their case, there shall not be any problem.
11. Did God ever regret creating humans such as Adam, Noah and Jacob?
Swami replied:- God only created the souls whereas the souls created their characters.
12. Why does Hinduism allow caste system but Sikhism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism do not?
Swami replied:- Caste system exists everywhere if you understand that the basis of caste system is qualities and deeds and not mere birth.
13. How does the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva differ from the Christian Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
Swami replied:- Father is God Brahma, being the creator. Son of God is God Vishnu, who often incarnates for the spiritual welfare of the souls. Holy spirit is God Shiva, preaching peace through meditation.
14. Why didn't Jesus answer to Pilate when he asked what is the truth in John 18:38?
Swami replied:- He did not answer because He knows the future decided by God.
15. Can You explain the concept of being created in the image and likeness of God? Also, why do You think humans were given dominion over everything on earth?
Swami replied:- God has no image personally. He takes the image of human beings to uplift them. Human beings have the best analytical capacity compared to any other zoological living being.
16. How is it possible to say that humans were made in the image of God when the appearance of God is unknown?
Swami replied:- Answered above.