About Pastor Benjamin

http://www.relatableevangelism.org

Posts by Pastor Benjamin:

Pastor Benjamin
, , , , , ,
0

REBIRTHS

Yesterday, I visited my friend’s office, who happens to be a businessman, and our discussion unexpectedly shifted toward spiritual topics. Here are the key points from that conversation:

Friend: What is the difference between Catholics and protestants?

The difference between Catholics and Protestants lies in their theological beliefs and historical context. Protestants originated from the Reformation movement, which protested certain practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church. One significant difference revolves around salvation: Protestants emphasize faith in Christ for salvation, while Catholics incorporate good works as well.

Friend: I find it challenging to accept the concept of heaven or hell, as I believe judgment occurs either in our present lives or in the subsequent cycle of rebirth.

Do you subscribe to the concept of moksha, and if you do, could you elaborate on what moksha entails?

Friend: Certainly, I hold the belief in moksha, which is attained when one’s karmic balance is settled, leading to liberation from the continuous cycle of rebirths.

What transpires when an individual achieves moksha?

Friend: In such a scenario, the individual souls come to an end.

Do you hold the belief that a human can take birth in a species other than human?

Friend: No. I believe that other species lack the capacity to make moral judgments, unlike humans.

You mentioned that judgment occurs in this life or the next birth. Could you elaborate on how this process is carried out?

Friend: If someone carries karmic debts from a previous life, they are destined to undergo suffering in their current life. Alternatively, the karmic debts accumulated in this life may also lead to suffering in this life itself.

As I comprehend that the process of payment or punishment is automatic, it raises the question of why everyone wouldn’t attain moksha. If the cycle is automatic, what prompts another rebirth, and who determined the initial birth and its criteria?

Friend: I, too, am pondering the idea that there should be a fixed number of souls; however, the current global population is in the billions.

Two explanations are offered for this phenomenon: 1. Animals are accumulating positive karma. 2. Souls might be originating from other planets.

Friend: While I find both explanations difficult to believe, our conversation has been insightful. I look forward to discussing your interpretations of human suffering and the path to attaining moksha next time.

Sure 

Pastor Benjamin
, , , , , , , , ,
0

In Conversation with College Students

Yesterday, three university students visited my office, sparking an engaging discussion about relativism based on Tedx talks. It revealed that such talks, regardless of the organizers or their beliefs, can foster meaningful conversations and even help seekers find revelations about God. Here are the highlights of my conversation with them:

Student 1: Sir, what are your thoughts on Tedx talks?

The organization and speakers were impressive, but I disagree with their views, especially when they tried to prove relativism.

Student 2: Why is that, Sir?

Well, if you believe that someone else’s truth is just as valid as your own, trying to prove your own truth for both becomes hypocritical. To prove relativism, you end up using absolute statements, which defeats the purpose and disproves it.

Student 3: Can you simplify this, Sir?

Let me ask you this: How would you respond to someone who says, “We need to doubt everything”?

Student 3: Should I doubt your statement that we need to doubt everything?

Exactly! If they say no, they disapprove of their own statement. If they say yes, they ask us to doubt their own statement.

Student 3: I see it now.

Remember the story of the six blind men one of the speakers used to prove relativism?

Student 1: Yes.

When the speaker used that analogy, he claimed to have an absolute perspective, a standpoint from which he could see the whole elephant to prove relativism, which is contradictory.

Student 3: Oh, I get it.

So why is relativism so complex?

It’s not really complex. Relativism denies a standard of measurement. For example, one person says, “I am tall,” and another says, “I am not tall.” The issue isn’t relative truth; it’s the standard they use to measure. One might use humans as a standard, while the other uses giraffes. That’s easily resolved through communication. What relativism does is that it denies the standard of measurement. 

Student 2: Why is it still hard for people to understand?

It’s more of a heart problem than a head problem. Denying absolute truth allows moral relativism. Acknowledging absolute truth implies a moral framework and the existence of God as a personal being capable of making moral judgments.

Student 1: How can religions coexist?

Do you want a diplomatic answer or an honest one?

Student 1: An honest one.

Honestly, it’s more logical to say that all religions are false than to claim they are all true. We may use similar words, but terms like salvation, judgment, and good deeds carry different meanings to people of different worldviews. However, we can find common ground in the concept of “free will.” Everyone has the right to choose their beliefs as long as they don’t harm others. It’s a choice between whether one wants to believe in the truth or believe anything to be true. 

Student 2: Wow, Sir, this was an enlightening conversation. We appreciate your time, and we’ll meet again soon.

Anytime!

Pastor Benjamin
, , ,
0

Phone Call After TedX

Caller: How was your experience at the TEDx talk?

Response: It was fantastic. I had an unexpected opportunity to meet the university’s managing director, essentially the owner, who then introduced me to some of the speakers. I also had a conversation with the Vice Chancellor, who expressed concerns about declining moral values among students. I suggested that if they continue to hold discussions on relativism, such concerns might persist.

Caller: Relativism is quite a complex topic due to the existence of relative truths.

Response: Well, in my view, if something is true, it’s an absolute truth.

Caller: For instance, it’s 10 pm in India, but it’s a different time in America.

Response: Absolutely, that’s the truth – it’s 10 pm in India and a different time in America.

Caller: Can you provide an example of an absolute truth?

Response: An example would be, “I like vanilla ice cream.”

Caller: But someone else might like chocolate.

Response: That’s true, but “I like vanilla ice cream” is a truth that applies to me, someone who prefers chocolate, you, and everyone else, regardless of their location, mood or preferences.

How about an example of relative truth?

Response: (Silence)

After hearing today’s talks, I find it hypocritical for those who believe in relativism to attempt to prove it. If you believe your perspective is as valid as others’, why try to prove it? Furthermore, one can’t prove relativism without resorting to absolute terms, which can lead to disapproval rather than approval.

Caller: Even though I have a different viewpoint, I really appreciate the way you presented this argument. It’s not something I’ve heard before, but it’s undeniably complex.

Response: It might seem complex, but it’s our worldviews that make it so. Just as you perceive the influence of patriarchy more clearly than I do, some may find the concept of absolute truth clearer than others.

Caller: These discussions are essential for a deeper understanding.

Response: Absolutely true.

Pastor Benjamin
, ,
0

DIRECT APPROACH

I received a message from someone, offered hesitantly, acknowledging that it might not be the most appropriate time to ask, given the challenging situation I was facing. The message conveyed a heartfelt desire to share a meal with me to celebrate his first salary, a resolution he had made even before securing the job.

This individual had initially approached me while I was teaching at a street school, expressing a genuine interest in assisting me with my teaching efforts. My response, cautioning him about the numerous promises that often go unfulfilled, had left him deeply affected that night. He couldn’t shake the feeling of rudeness and decided to learn more about me by searching online. Subsequently, he returned to our blood donation camp to donate blood, a gesture that showed his sincerity.

During a recent Lebanese lunch invitation, the conversation took an interesting turn, and this person inquired about the secret behind my calmness, even in the midst of life’s storms. I chose to respond directly, encapsulating my answer in one word: “FAITH.”

I went on to explain that my faith lies in Christ. I shared my belief in the concept of life after death and the judgment that follows, as well as the profound significance of what Jesus accomplished on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

Note: I just felt it appropriate to use the direct approach at this time and wait for more encounters where I would use a conversational approach with him, or let someone else water it as the Lord leads and works in his life.

Pastor Benjamin
,
0

A Drive | Natural Flow

This spontaneous conversation took place while driving with a 22-year-old engineering graduate I would like to call him seeker. The topic shifted towards eating habits:

Seeker: Do you eat different types of non-veg?

Generally, I eat three types: mutton, chicken, and fish. Look, there’s a vehicle ahead with “Baadshaah” written on it.

Seeker: Do you mean Shahrukh Khan, the actor, or the rapper named Baadshaah? (Both are referred to as “Baadshaah”)

The name is written twice, so maybe both. I remember a time when I was researching reincarnation years ago. My friend and I got caught in the rain. On our way back to Jhansi, we came across a mutton shop named ‘Meat Ka Baadshaah.’ We ate there while completely soaked.

Seeker: What did you discover during your research on reincarnation?

Oh, that? Well, over time, the boy I was investigating revealed more information. Although he shared some details, not all villagers believed him. Some crucial information was beyond his grasp. Philosophically, it’s quite a challenging concept to believe in.

what’s your perspective on what happens after this life?

Seeker: I think of heaven or hell.

And what do you think determines the judgment?

Seeker: I believe it’s based on the balance between good and bad deeds.

If that’s the case, then according to this logic, even that so-called “God-man” should have been spared by a court of law because his good deeds supposedly outweighed the bad. But let me pose this scenario: Imagine a person who has committed numerous good deeds but also one bad deed. Now, they plea with the judge to spare them due to their abundance of good deeds. What do you think a fair judge would do?

Seeker: The judge wouldn’t spare them. This way, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to attain heaven.

Precisely, as we’ve all done wrong.

Seeker: Maybe there’s a different kind of judgment in heaven.

Let me ask you this: How do you clean a dirty table?

Seeker: You wipe it with a cloth.

Would you agree that a dirty thing cannot clean itself?

Seeker: Yes

So, the one who can cleanse us must be perfect and without sin.

Seeker: I agree.

Consider this analogy: if you’ve damaged your relationship with your mother due to a mistake, how can you mend it?

Seeker: Through forgiveness.

Now, let’s say you borrowed a large sum from a friend which you can’t repay. Your friend decides to cancel the debt, saying he cares about you. You got off free, but someone had to pay the cost. Who was it?

Seeker: My friend.

Would you agree that the one who forgives is the one who pays the cost?

Seeker: Yes.

Similarly, I believe that Jesus paid the cost for our sins through his crucifixion. I anticipate going to heaven not because of my own goodness, but because of God’s kindness.

So, it’s not about earning points for heaven, but rather performing selfless acts of kindness.

Seeker: Exactly, and that’s what I appreciate. (At this point, we arrived at our destination.)

We’ll pick up this conversation later.

Note: Let me share that I pray to have at least one conversation like this every week, if not every day. These opportunities seem to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and we should embrace them wholeheartedly.

Pastor Benjamin
, , ,
0

I AM FREER THAN YOU

Hearing about the good work I have done in the area of Counselling and restoration of children in conflict with the law, I was visited by a member of the juvenile justice board from another city. JJB member holds the power of first-class magistrate as a bench. Usually, they are politically appointed and belong to a certain fanatic organization.  After having a general conversation he asked:

Member: You are from which city?

I was born and brought up in this city itself.

Member: What is your religious faith?

Christianity

Member: Your forefathers must have converted to Christianity….

Must have

Member: Why don’t you consider coming back to Hinduism? 

Certainly I am free to choose which faith I should subscribe to. I think I am freer than you to convert to a different religion. 

Member: how come?

Can you convert to Islam or Christianity?

Member: for that, I need to have the willingness. 

Suppose you have the willingness to do so, can you?

Member: Well in America I can but not in India.

So you would concede that I have more freedom to become a Hindu than you have to become a Muslim or Christian in India. 

Member: Yes 

We should respect free will without which freedom is not possible and not build Taliban-kind of a society and take away the people’s free will because it will affect everyone negatively. 

(After having this conversation he asked me to help him with the psychological issues he faces. I am hoping to continue the conversation or he would meet Apollos to water it)

Pastor Benjamin
0

THERE IS NO HEAVEN OR HELL

  I had an RE (Relatable Evangelism) Encounter with a 20-year-old college student last week. It wasn’t planned but was a divine appointment. I would like to call him a seeker. Below are the highlights of the conversation.

What is your worldview?

Seeker: I am not sure what you are asking.

I mean the lens by which we interpret life/world. From where I came, Is there any meaning in life? How do I decide right and wrong? and where am I going?

Seeker: I am really not sure but I don’t think there is any heaven or hell after this life.

Well if God exists then there is heaven and hell. So do you believe that God exists?

Seeker: No. I don’t

Any particular reason why?

Seeker: Well I can’t see God that’s why I do not believe in the existence of God.

Do you believe that oxygen exists?

Seeker: Silence

Say something

Seeker: There is nothing to say since you have a point there.

Would you like to hear more arguments about the existence of God?

Seeker: yes

Every effect has a cause and something cannot come out of nothing. Let me give you an example, I have this pen which I got from my friend and my friend got it from his friend and it goes on and on. Since the fact is that I have this pen proves that someone originally had this pen otherwise I wouldn’t have it. Now replace pen with life. I got it from my dad and he from his and goes on and on. This proves that an entity always existed.

Seeker: Makes sense

So God, who has put a longing for justice in our hearts. Will, he not do judgment after this life since this life seems so unfair?

Seeker: I think He will.

So what do you think who will go to heaven?

Seeker: The one with more good deeds.

Let me ask you this if a person who has done all the good deeds but one bad deed says to the Judge “let me go free because my good deeds are more” What do you think the judge will do?

Seeker: He will not let him go free. But don’t you think that way everybody is going to hell.

Yes, unless we accept help.

Seeker: Like what?

How do you clean a dirty table?

Seeker: By a cloth

Clean or dirty cloth?

Seeker: Clean Cloth.

Why no dirty cloth?

Seeker: it won’t clean.

Do you agree that a dirty thing cannot clean itself?

Seeker: yes

Do you agree that only the one who is holy and clean can clean us?

Seeker: Yes.

And in this process will take away the dirt?

Seeker: Yes

Suppose you have taken a huge loan from your friend which you cannot repay and your friend says that I forgive your loan, you got it for free but who paid the cost?

Seeker: my friend.

Would you agree that the one who forgives pays the cost?

Seeker: Yes

Did God pay the cross for the forgiveness of our sins?

Seeker: Must have

May I suggest that it is Jesus who paid the cost for the forgiveness of our sins. If a man is lost in a dense forest and sees a light, and if he does not follow the light then it is whose fault?

Seeker: The man’s

Similarly, you have more light on this subject and I encourage you to continue your journey.

Seeker: When can we meet next?

Why don’t we meet this Saturday and continue this conversation over lunch?

Seeker: Sure!

(I request you, the reader to take a few seconds to pray for this young life to be found. )

Pastor Benjamin
0

Over The Cellphone

A 21 year old young man gave a call as he was under depression and was suicidal. This is how the quick conversation went:

 I have done lot of wrong things in my teen years and because of that I am under heavy guilt and I am not at peace. 

Do you want to know how I dealt with the guilt of the past?

Yes Sir

Suppose you have taken a huge loan from your friend which you are unable to pay and it has become and heavy burden and your friend says I cancel your loan. You got it for free but who Paid the cost?

My friend. 

So would you agree that the one who forgives pays the cost?

Yes 

So when God forgives who pays the cost?

God.

Did God pay the cost for the forgiveness of our sins?

I don’t know

It is Jesus who paid the cost for the forgiveness of our sins on the cross so that we can be free from the burden of guilt and sin.

Pastor Benjamin
0

BREAKFAST

I invited my neighbour, who is a college student for breakfast primarily to have a spiritual conversation with him. He is 21comes from a hindu background. Here is the script of the conversation. 

Hello ! How was the breakfast?

It was good. 

Well I always wanted to have a spiritual conversation with you, shall we?

Yes

Do you believe in after life?

Actually I don’t think about it much as I am more focused on this life?

Do you believe in the existence of God?

Not sure. 

Well there are some pointers which points to the existence of God. Would you like to know it?

Yes.

For example every effect has a cause. Something cannot come out of nothing and our universe had a beginning. So there has to be a cause of the universe which is personal, powerful and infinite.

OK. If every effect has a cause that what caused God?

Well God is an uncaused being and therefore is not an effect. Let me make it easy for you. I have have a pen which I asked someone, that someone asked someone else and that someone asked someone else. If none had pen then do you think I would have got this pen. 

No.

Let us replace this pen with the existence. I got my existence from my dad and he from his dad. If all would have depended on their existence from someone else then do you think I would have existed. 

No.

So that brings us to a conclusion there is someone who is not dependent on others for existence. 

Okay. 

Do you believe there is judgement after this life?

I haven’t thought much about it. 

Do you think this life is fair that everyone gets judgement I this life?

Yes.

Did you hear about James Holmes who was given punishment of incarceration for 3000 plus years. Do you think he would be able to fulfil his punishment?

No but death is the punishment.

Don’t you think we all die eventually be it mother teresa or Osama bin laden

Yes

Don’t you think the God who has given inside of us the desire of justice will not judge people after this life since we just discussed that this world is not fair?

Yes 

What would be the basis of judgement?

It will be based on the individual’s deeds.

Suppose there is a man who has done all the good deeds but one and says to the judge, “Let me go free since by good deeds are much more than my one bad deed.” What do you think judge would do? 

He will not let him go free.

Is there anyone in this whole wide world who has not done anything wrong?

Nope.

How do you clean a dirty table?

By clean cloth.

Why clean cloth?

Well only clean cloth can clean. 

Would you agree that dirty cannot clean itself?

Yes. Even we need soup and water to clean us.

Would you agree that one who is who is holy can make us clean?

Yes. 

Suppose your relationship is broken with your father because of your mistake? How many ways are there to mend it?

Well I don’t have to do anything. Since there is love.

What if your father doesn’t forgive you. Will it be mend?

No.

Don’t you think receiving and accepting forgiveness is the only way to mend a broken relationship?

Yes. 

Suppose you took a loan which you are unable to pay and your friend says I cancel your loan. You got it for free but who paid the cost?

My friend.

When God forgives, who pays the cost?

God.

Did God pay the cost for the forgiveness of our sins?

I don’t know.

Well. It is Jesus who paid the cost for the forgiveness of our sins. 

Pastor Benjamin
, ,
0

ZAFAR – THE EXCEPTION

Zafar sneaked in to the crowd of people who were attending a Relatable Evangelism Training. I believe God allowed it to happen to speak to him. Organising pastor found out about it only at the end of the training and asked me to speak to him. This is how conversation went:

Green apple stands out in a line of oranges

What brings you here?

Well I am seeking for truth.

I really appreciate it. So do you believe in after life?

No

Is Zafar this body or Zafar lives in this body?

Zafar lives in this body.

So when this body dies Zafar remains?

Yes

So you believe in afterlife?

Yes.

Do you believe in some sort of judgement after this life?

No. Judgement happens here only for whatever good or bad we do.

Does that mean one can kill any number of people he wants and then somehow he automatically pays for it and there is no judgement for him after this life. Will you be ok with that?

No it is not OK.

Would you hope for some sort of judgement after this life?

Yes.

Is there anyone perfect in this world without sin?

No.

Suppose there are 3 glasses of clean drinking water. In the first one I pour 1 drop of sewage water and in the second one 5 drops and in the third 15 drops. Which one would you drink?

None.

Don’t you think that sin, how small it might look have the similar consequences?

Yes.

How do you clean a dirty table?

By clean cloth

Why not dirty?

Because dirty cloth will not clean it but will make it even more dirty.

Would you agree that the thing in the dirt cannot clean itself?

Yes.

Suppose your relationship with your father is broken because of your mistake. How many ways are there to mend it?

By doing good works.

If you feed 5 poor people will it mend your relationship with you father?

No.

So what do you think you should do to mend it?

Ask for forgiveness.

Suppose you have taken a huge loan from your friend which you are unable to pay and your creditor/friend says that I cancel your debt. You got it for free but who paid the cost?

My friend.

So would you agree that the one who forgives pays the cost?

Yes.

When God forgives who pays the cost?

God.

Did God pay the cost for the forgiveness of our sins.

Yes.

How?

He came to this world suffered for us on the cross to pay for it.  Can I have the Bible in Hindi.

Sure.

1 2
2019 © Relatable Evangelism Organization
Made with ♥ by Sowers