Jordan Taylor asks: Hey guys, I'm in middle school and there is a girl I've been friends with for some time. She's Buddhist. I want to talk to her about Christ, but before I do, can you give me a good quick summary of what Buddhists believe and a contrast to Christianity? I don't want to talk to her till I know sort of what she believes. Thanks!

God bless, Jordan

It's always awesome to see young teens engaging in spreading the Gospel.

Basically, the followers of Buddhism are taught that they are to take refuge in Buddha, by embracing the "Three Jewels".

1. Buddha- the enlightened one.

2. Dharma- the teachings of Buddha.

3. Sangha- the priest who guides the members to the path of enlightenment.

This is done by following the "Four Nobles Truths"

1. All life is suffering.

2. The source of suffering is desire and attachment because nothing is permanent.

3. Freedom from suffering is found in eliminating desire.

4. Desire is eliminated by following the Eightfold Path.

Finally, The Eightfold Path is composed of right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right awareness, and right meditation.

In their belief system, Buddhists hope to erase their earned Karma, through an endless cycle of reincarnations. Their goal is to escape this endless cycle of deaths and rebirths (samsara) in new bodies, until reaching the state of "no self" (Nirvana). The cruelty of their belief system, is that every time they are reborn, their minds don't remember their previous life, and so they never make it to Nirvana.

Finally, while Buddhism holds that we are to eliminate desire, the Bible teaches that we are to exercise discipline in order to transform desire (Romans 6:17-19). Last but not least, suffering is not overcome by removing out "self", but rather, through the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hope this helps.

Romans 5:1-5: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Comments:

Jordan Taylor: Yo thanks!! Who would want to live through that?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Well unfortunately, children that are raised in Buddhists families (or any other religion), will typically accept the same path as their parents. That's why it is important to share the Gospel with others as you are doing.

Jordan Taylor: Thanks and God bless you guys! You guys motivate me to study hard and spread the Gospel.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: God bless you as well. We're just an email away..

Galatians 1:8

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!"