Protestantism

» paper_turtle - Divine nature

In response to Sorry posted by Brother_Jones:
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Brother Jones provided the following quote:
The practice of religion, for the Buddhist, is therefore not a static state of being good and obedient to God, but a dynamic process of growth, which is becoming "God.@
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then asked:
Is this the wisdom we should seek? Or is there another?
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The wisdom is in the Eight-Fold Path, and in the Four Noble truths. the Eight-Fold Path is briefly explained in the article I'm quoting, and hence will be presented in due time. The Four Noble Truths are briefly explained, below.
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Do Buddhists talk about becoming God? In a sense, they do, but not with the idea of having power or knowing all things.
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Do Christians have a similar belief? I think so:
Through his might and splendor, he has given us his promises, great beyond all price, and through them you may escape the corruption with which lust has infected the world, and come to share in the very being of God. (2 Peter 1:4)
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In KJV "share in the very being of God" is translated as "partakers of the divine nature."
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Christians are encouraged to become Christ-LIKE, to put on his nature, to become as he is, to be his love in the world. This is not so very different from what Buddhism says.
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The Four Noble Truths:
1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering is the Eight-Fold Way.
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Christians say
1. Sin leads to suffering
2. The origin of sin is in attachment to worldly/fleshly desires.
3. The cessation of the consequences of sin is attainable (and we are encouraged to be "perfect" and therefore sinless).
4. The path to this attainment is faith--and walking the path means consistently living the "greatest commendments."
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle