After his lecture, Zacharias responded to various questions and defended Christianity. Joint organizers Onnuri Community Church (Rev. Lee Jaehoon) and Grace & Mercy Foundation Korea (Korea Representative: Moon Ae-ran) had collected 2,600 questions from participants ahead of the event. They reported that God’s will and attributes were the most frequent concerns of questioners: Why is there evil despite God’s existence? How do I discern God’s will in choosing a spouse? and other questions including the practice of faithful life in the workplace, social ethics, free will, etc.
At a press conference held the day before at Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, Zacharias said, “Numerous young women and men around the world are struggling to find ‘the answer’ as to the meaning, purpose, and value of their lives. I, too, tried to kill myself when I was 17 because I wasn’t able to find the answer. But my life has changed completely since I met Jesus Christ…. If God doesn’t exist, there’s neither future nor hope. I pray that Korean youth also will discover hope in God.” He emphasized, “Just one person is enough to change the world. I hope that one person is found through this gathering.”
Born in India in 1946, Zacharias moved to Canada when he was 20 years old, and studied theology and law in Canada and the USA. Through Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), Zacharias and his 47 fellow apologists have been advocating and defending the Gospel in some 50 countries around the globe.
Zacharias explained the reason why Christianity is exclusive. He opened the discussion by saying, “There are more than 300 million gods in India and the number is increasing. In the West, they ask, ‘Does God exist?’ whereas in the East they ask, ‘Who should I believe among all these gods?’”
“In fact all religions are exclusive. That is because the truth itself is exclusive. When we say ‘this is the truth,’ the rest is all fake. Let me take the example of marriage. We do not ask someone who is married why she or he is married to just one person.”
He explained, “In many religions people get closer to their gods through actions. In Christianity, however, one goes before God by grace and forgiveness. The uniqueness of Christianity is right here. Without grace and forgiveness, there is no relationship with God.”
Zacharias also spoke about how to talk with atheists who say they respect Jesus but dislike Christianity. “A philosophy itself is not to be criticized for lack of practice. The Gospel is a beautiful truth. The Christian church has committed many wrongdoings throughout history. But without the many good deeds of the church, this world would be much worse… ‘Pure happiness’ is nowhere to be found in this world. Nevertheless, we live our lives with love and hope, all because God exists.”
Reporter Pyeong Seon Jeon (junbs@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photos by senior reporter Kang Min Seok (top) & Reporter Kang Ju-hwa
Click here for the original article in Korean
