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Letters to Levon the Christian Lion: #7
Translations provided by the Avenger; both the original letter and response were writen in Armenian.
Dear Levon:
My family and I follow a religion called Hetanism, which is basically Armenian native paganism. As you already know, Hetanism is basically the popular religion in Armenia before Christianity. Today, Christianity (including Roman Catholicism) is not only the most popular religion, but also the religion that changed the foundation of our world, especially in stuff like calendars. There are people who come to Christianity, and there are people who leave it. Then, of course, you have the others who either grew up in a different faith, or have moved to a different faith. Of course, you have skeptics of Christianity, due to the warring pasts in its history and in the Bible.
So what are your thoughts on those who are outside of the Christian faith, such as myself, as well as those who are skeptical of the Bible? How do you approach people who are not of Christian faith, and people who are skeptical of the Bible?
Tigran Voskanyan, age 24 (Bengal tiger)
Vanadzor, Lori, Armenia
Levon's response:
Dear Tigran:
Thanks for your letter. The way I strive to approach people who do not believe in Christian faith, as well as those who are skeptical (and we can also include those who were believers but abandoned it later) is with a kind and caring heart and attitude. The hardest part is figuring out what to say, though, because you can't just barge in and tell somebody they are going to hell. Instead, you want to slowly transition into it; at least, that's the way I do it. Get to know them before you start delving into matters of the Bible.
The book of Matthew ends with what is known as the Great Commission, where Jesus gives the eleven disciples the instructions every Christian is to follow: to reach more people to Him. In Matthew 28:16-20, it says the following:
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Though it is my duty to preach the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, ultimately whether you accept Him as your Lord and Savior or not is your choice. Those who do go to heaven; those who do not go to hell. It is as simple as that. Either way, if you are going to continue to practice the religion you are doing, one I am familiar with because it is indeed an Armenian pagan religion, then I am not going to stop you. All I ask is that you give it some consideration, and I will continue to pray for you and for all the people of this world. God works in mysterious ways, and there's no telling how He might lead you to Him. But it's your choice. I cannot force you to do something. Only you control yourself.
I therefore am saddened by people who are not believers and won't believe, but even more saddened by those who were believers but abandoned it. Those who are skeptical of it do present a challenge, but it's nothing I cannot handle. The last person I witnessed convert to Christianity told me it wasn't worth the efforts and the stress, because it took even more faith to stay an atheist than it did to become a Christian.
Does that help? If not, let me know where I was mistaken and I'll fix it. Also, please keep in touch; I am also a G-52, and I enjoy getting to know the people it is my sworn duty to protect.
In His Service,
Father Levon Zakaryan, a.k.a. Levon the Christian Lion
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Letters to Levon the Christian Lion: #7
Translations provided by the Avenger; both the original letter and response were writen in Armenian.
Dear Levon:
My family and I follow a religion called Hetanism, which is basically Armenian native paganism. As you already know, Hetanism is basically the popular religion in Armenia before Christianity. Today, Christianity (including Roman Catholicism) is not only the most popular religion, but also the religion that changed the foundation of our world, especially in stuff like calendars. There are people who come to Christianity, and there are people who leave it. Then, of course, you have the others who either grew up in a different faith, or have moved to a different faith. Of course, you have skeptics of Christianity, due to the warring pasts in its history and in the Bible.
So what are your thoughts on those who are outside of the Christian faith, such as myself, as well as those who are skeptical of the Bible? How do you approach people who are not of Christian faith, and people who are skeptical of the Bible?
Tigran Voskanyan, age 24 (Bengal tiger)
Vanadzor, Lori, Armenia
Levon's response:
Dear Tigran:
Thanks for your letter. The way I strive to approach people who do not believe in Christian faith, as well as those who are skeptical (and we can also include those who were believers but abandoned it later) is with a kind and caring heart and attitude. The hardest part is figuring out what to say, though, because you can't just barge in and tell somebody they are going to hell. Instead, you want to slowly transition into it; at least, that's the way I do it. Get to know them before you start delving into matters of the Bible.
The book of Matthew ends with what is known as the Great Commission, where Jesus gives the eleven disciples the instructions every Christian is to follow: to reach more people to Him. In Matthew 28:16-20, it says the following:
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Though it is my duty to preach the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, ultimately whether you accept Him as your Lord and Savior or not is your choice. Those who do go to heaven; those who do not go to hell. It is as simple as that. Either way, if you are going to continue to practice the religion you are doing, one I am familiar with because it is indeed an Armenian pagan religion, then I am not going to stop you. All I ask is that you give it some consideration, and I will continue to pray for you and for all the people of this world. God works in mysterious ways, and there's no telling how He might lead you to Him. But it's your choice. I cannot force you to do something. Only you control yourself.
I therefore am saddened by people who are not believers and won't believe, but even more saddened by those who were believers but abandoned it. Those who are skeptical of it do present a challenge, but it's nothing I cannot handle. The last person I witnessed convert to Christianity told me it wasn't worth the efforts and the stress, because it took even more faith to stay an atheist than it did to become a Christian.
Does that help? If not, let me know where I was mistaken and I'll fix it. Also, please keep in touch; I am also a G-52, and I enjoy getting to know the people it is my sworn duty to protect.
In His Service,
Father Levon Zakaryan, a.k.a. Levon the Christian Lion
Letters to Levon the Christian Lion: #7
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Chuong: I don't know if I am interpreting this right but the existence of people outside the Christian faith, such as myself, saddens Levon? And just by accepting Christ as one's savior guarantees them in heaven?
Zax: I wouldn't say that because Levon is used to the fact that non-Christians will exist among us along with Christians. And no there's a lot more than just accepting Christ for one being guaranteed into heaven. It's not really easy to explain, but I know in Christianity, when one dies, they give an account of their lives to God about what they did and what they learned from their lives, then from there God determines if they are worthy enough for heaven. That's my understanding of this.
Chuong: That's about what I was thinking. Then again, the Bible is complicated, I have mixed feelings on it mainly because of how Christianity around the world is actually practiced in a way that there could arguably be deviations from the Bible. Then you have the Roman Catholics, who have a completely different view on Christianity. I am aware that Buddhism has different sects too and I grew up in a Buddhist family so I consider myself Buddhist. Like many Vietnamese, I follow the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
Jack: This is how I interpret Christianity to outsiders like you: be kind to your fellow person, be helpful to them, and never expect anything in return. Think of Christianity like that.
Chuong: Sounds similar to Buddhism. But every Sunday, I go vegan. Being a wolf, I dislike it, but it's a national tradition in Vietnam among Buddhists.
Zax: I wouldn't say that because Levon is used to the fact that non-Christians will exist among us along with Christians. And no there's a lot more than just accepting Christ for one being guaranteed into heaven. It's not really easy to explain, but I know in Christianity, when one dies, they give an account of their lives to God about what they did and what they learned from their lives, then from there God determines if they are worthy enough for heaven. That's my understanding of this.
Chuong: That's about what I was thinking. Then again, the Bible is complicated, I have mixed feelings on it mainly because of how Christianity around the world is actually practiced in a way that there could arguably be deviations from the Bible. Then you have the Roman Catholics, who have a completely different view on Christianity. I am aware that Buddhism has different sects too and I grew up in a Buddhist family so I consider myself Buddhist. Like many Vietnamese, I follow the Mahayana sect of Buddhism.
Jack: This is how I interpret Christianity to outsiders like you: be kind to your fellow person, be helpful to them, and never expect anything in return. Think of Christianity like that.
Chuong: Sounds similar to Buddhism. But every Sunday, I go vegan. Being a wolf, I dislike it, but it's a national tradition in Vietnam among Buddhists.
Levon: It boggles the mind, doesn't it, Chuong? It saddens me because I know where they are going to end up if they don't covert to Christianity. As it says in John 14:6:
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
So it really is that way. Yes, I am aware there will always be non-Christians alongside the Christians, but it's even more opportunities to do God's will and lead them to Christ.
But it also says in Revelation 20:11-15:
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.
14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Leo: So somebody who is a really good person yet isn't saved still dies and goes to hell?
Super C: Meaning it was all for nothing.
Levon: Exactly. However, God does call us to do good works for His glory once we are saved, but that's more to do with the rewards one might receive once you reach heaven. The more you do and the better you do at it, the bigger the jackpot.
Cripto: So that explains why you say Christianity is the simplest of religions.
Levon: It is the most straightforward of all religions. Every other one I know is works-based, saying you have to earn your way into heaven. But all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
So it really is that way. Yes, I am aware there will always be non-Christians alongside the Christians, but it's even more opportunities to do God's will and lead them to Christ.
But it also says in Revelation 20:11-15:
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.
14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Leo: So somebody who is a really good person yet isn't saved still dies and goes to hell?
Super C: Meaning it was all for nothing.
Levon: Exactly. However, God does call us to do good works for His glory once we are saved, but that's more to do with the rewards one might receive once you reach heaven. The more you do and the better you do at it, the bigger the jackpot.
Cripto: So that explains why you say Christianity is the simplest of religions.
Levon: It is the most straightforward of all religions. Every other one I know is works-based, saying you have to earn your way into heaven. But all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Chuong: Yeah parts like that in the Bible is where I'm skeptical of because I haven't seen anything confirming that. And besides, no offence Levon but one of my biggest issues with Christianity is many of their adherents tend to have homophobic tendencies. I know in America, they have churches that are very LGBTQ+ friendly. Another big issue I have with it is the concept of the Rapture, which has been predicted many times but has yet to happen. Talking about that stuff to the kids and giving them anxiety? Not cool! In my religion, we believe in the cycle of life and reincarnation. Believe it or not, there are Christians who believe in reincarnation in their sect, albeit being rare. To top it off, I don't like the idea of using fear to keep people in a religion because that sounds like the kind of stuff cults do. I'm sorry, but as much as I find Christianity fascinating, I am extremely skeptical of it, especially in terms of how it is practiced in many sects.
Jack: And that's fine because you have every right to have your opinions as long you're not forcing them on others.
Zax: Yes and that's also promoted in the G-52s as well from what I've seen.
Chuong: And some people believe that the Rapture has already happened and we are in hell because in hell, there's lots of pleasure. In "All I Need Are Things I Like", a Japanese pop song, there is a line that says "You don't like angels, you like devils.", which makes people think hard at that part.
Jack: And that's fine because you have every right to have your opinions as long you're not forcing them on others.
Zax: Yes and that's also promoted in the G-52s as well from what I've seen.
Chuong: And some people believe that the Rapture has already happened and we are in hell because in hell, there's lots of pleasure. In "All I Need Are Things I Like", a Japanese pop song, there is a line that says "You don't like angels, you like devils.", which makes people think hard at that part.
Levon: This is often where I get into a lot of heat with the haters, because people assume Christians are homophobic. Homophobia is also a sin, because in Matthew 7:1-2, Jesus says:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Leo: This is the verse Levi and I both reference when we try to explain to our people that we just hate the concepts and ideas of LGBTQ+, but not the people.
Levi: Exactly.
Levon: And as for the Rapture, God doesn't want us to know when it's happening, because He has a specific time and place for it. That's why everybody who predicts it gets it wrong.
Leo: What about reincarnation? Chuong mentioned that.
Levon: Not real. You only live once.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Leo: This is the verse Levi and I both reference when we try to explain to our people that we just hate the concepts and ideas of LGBTQ+, but not the people.
Levi: Exactly.
Levon: And as for the Rapture, God doesn't want us to know when it's happening, because He has a specific time and place for it. That's why everybody who predicts it gets it wrong.
Leo: What about reincarnation? Chuong mentioned that.
Levon: Not real. You only live once.
Chuong: Just remember that you have a Bhutanese parallel named Leki the Buddhist Lion. Bhutan is another isolated country due to the country's high elevation so whatever happens in the world has little effect on Bhutan. Also, many pastors and preachers in Europe are referencing Genesis 1:28 more often because that's how countries and their civilizations survives. I'm sure you hear that a lot in Armenia too. The family is the base of society thus governments provide financial incentives to their married citizens to produce as many children as possible.
Levon: I haven't forgotten about Leki. There's reasons I cannot do that. And even I reference Genesis 1:28 quite a bit.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Indeed. Satan's top strategy is pushing the agendas of the LGBTQ+ crowd.
Exactly; sometimes I do not know why Satan bothers because he knows he's already lost the war.
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