A Biblical Understanding of People Groups

Responses

1. 

   Don Heckman November 23, 2020

   The Pentecost represented peoples from all or many nations. Even the Arabs were there. But most of these nation groups were Jewish converts and not pure uninstructed seekers of Jesus. So Jewish synagogue Arabs came along with many others. These were not UPGs, but god fearers. Thus it was a 2-step approach to see thousands hear and believe.Every UPG has god fearers among them, fearing all sorts of God. Can we not affirm them as god-fearers and as a second step bring them to fearing the God if Israel. Honor is everything to them. There is so much rejection with our straight-on on “have faith in Jesus” approach. Why can’t a Muslim be praised for his or her faith in an awesome God and then brought into t

2. 

   Don Heckman November 23, 2020

   the community of faith? Honor God, their God, and show the burden-bearer of Jesus the Lord?

   Honor and don’t isolate them unto Jesus, perhaps.

   Don Heckman

   1. 

      Don Heckman November 23, 2020

      My post was truncated. Arabs and others at Pentecost were mostly Jewish synagogue converts. It was thus a 2-step conversion for them to hear the power and message of Jesus. Can we not likewise honor the UPGs god, honor him as to be feared, and honor the Muslim, for example, for his or her adherence to their God before we place a label on them as “Jesus follower?” We carry a rejection theology that antagonizes family and friends of UPGs. Let us bring honor and not a rejection of their religion and then show the burden-bearer of our Jesus as freedom to them, always honoring them. Why carry an all or nothing at all approach which can be so destructive and alienating? No honor means failure. Honor opens doors and unites families like the Arab Jews were honored.

      Don Heckman

3. 

   Marv Newell December 9, 2020

   Thank you for this response, Don. Very helpful comments.