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His HillP.O. Box 9Comfort, Texas78013

(830) 995-3388bibleschool@hishill.orgwww.hishill.org

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Many of our churches and pastors applaud themselves on being “open minded,” “ecumenical,” and “tolerant.” They consider it a virtue to accept other religions as legitimate ways to God. But in so doing they deny the clear biblical testimony concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ.

It is, therefore, a matter of utmost urgency for all who claim to minister in the name of Christ to return to the historic, biblical testimony concerning Jesus Christ. One is free to say, “All religions are basically the same; all are legitimate paths to God.” But one is not free to do so in the name of Jesus Christ, or say that the Bible makes such a claim. The error in seeing all religions as basically the same is derived from noting certain similarities among them. This is a mistake. It is like saying, “Aren’t all cars basically the same?” It is true that there are some basic similarities, but there is fatal error as well. You would be a fool to expend the same amount of money for a new Mercedes Benz and a 1972 Ford Pinto just because they have many similarities. The Mercedes has four wheels; the Pinto has four wheels. The Mercedes has a transmission; the Pinto, also, has a transmission. The Mercedes has a radiator; and so does the Pinto. We could go on and on comparing the basic similarities of these two automobiles.

When we shop for cars we do not compare similarities, but differences. We are willing to pay more for the Mercedes, not because it is similar to all other cars, but rather because of its differences.

The same is true when evaluating religions. There are many similarities that can be seen: a moral code, a notable leader, a holy book, prayer, religious ceremonies, a method of obtaining paradise, etc. But if one desires to seek God and a pure and true faith, then one must look at the differences.

First, and of primary importance, we must consider the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only leader within the world’s religions who claimed to be God Himself. Mohammed did not claim to be God, nor do Muslims worship him as God. Buddha did not claim to be God. Now, it is easy to claim to be God. But the historical record of Christ, as contained in the Bible,

gives objective evidence confirming that which Jesus claimed was indeed true.

Secondly, Christianity offers eternal life and forgiveness of sins freely. Salvation is the gift of God. One does not have to work off his sins, or try to earn salvation. The message of Christianity is, in this sense, universally unique. God Himself took on human form in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus died a substitutionary death, a death that we deserved because of our sin. Jesus rose from the dead, demonstrating His power over death. All who turn from their sin, believing in Jesus, receive forgiveness of sin and the free gift of eternal life. No other religion makes such claims.

It is dangerous merely to identify the similarities of Christianity with other religions. One must go beyond this, and look at the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. We fully recognize that this uniqueness is labeled “exclusive” by those desiring a “broad circle of faith.” To be tolerant and inclusive is the epitome of virtue in our day and age. But we can not hold to the “many ways to God” doctrine and to the biblical doctrine of Jesus Christ. The two are mutually exclusive. To accept all religions as equally true is to reject the clear, and easily understood claims of Jesus Christ as recorded in Holy Scripture.

The primary purpose of the temple tours mission trip, at least from my point of view, was educational. We were going into San Antonio to visit the meeting places of other religions and learn about what they believed. The intent was to be better informed when sharing the gospel with any person belonging to these different faiths. What I didn’t expect, however, was that this strictly academic approach clouded my judgment a bit.

Two of the religions we visited were The Church of Latter Day Saints (commonly known as Mormons) and Bahá’í. The Mormons, though on the surface appearing to be Christian, quickly revealed many beliefs that were not biblical at all. The Bahá’í was certainly a bizarre belief system. To them, the major religions of the world throughout history have all pointed to the same God and are therefore all connected. For all their quickness to point out the apparent unity among the different religions, they seemed just as quick to dismiss all contradictions among them as well.

Over the next couple of days, we took a break from temple touring and volunteered with a local, inner city ministry run by a husband and wife. This was a refreshing change of pace, and definitely made at least part of our experience a “mission trip.” We also had fun doing different activities in San Antonio, such as Top Golf, Cascade Caverns, and even attending a Spurs game. My favorite part of the day, however, was spending the mornings and evenings as a group just hanging out or discussing the different events of the week.

At the end of our trip, we visited a Christian Science church and a Reformed Jewish synagogue. Christian Science was just about as bizarre as the Bahá’í, and just about as “Christian.” Seemingly based solely on a doctrine of healing, this system of belief seems to view the spiritual world as more real than the physical. All pain, sickness, and sin is the result of becoming spiritually misaligned with God, so physical healing is simply a matter of spiritually re-aligning oneself.

Te m p l e To u r s S p r i n g B r e a k M i s s i o n T r i p

A c t i n g o n t h e T r u t hA r e A l l R e l i g i o n s B a s i c a l l y T h e S a m e ? b y B i l l B u s s h a u s

J o i n U s I n P r a y i n g F o r. . .God’s • direction for the students as they prepare for the next step after Bible school (May 19th) and that they would be obedient to His leading.

Full camp sessions• for each of the ten weeks of camp.

The • remainingsummerstaffpositions to be filled.

The • Lord’s favor with governing authorities in regard to the various things that we interact with them on.

The fall Bible school enrollment• , that those the Lord would have here would be obedient to come.

Spring 2016 Newsletter

V i s i t O u r N e w W e b s i t eCheck out our updated website at www.hishill.org. The new website design was launched at the beginning of this year, and we are excited to see how the Lord will use it!

E n j o y A R e c i p e F r o m T h e H i s H i l l K i t c h e n ! Creamy Lemon Crumb Squares1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking powder1 stick butter, slightly softened1 cup brown sugar1 cup old fashioned oats1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk1/2 cup lemon juicezest of 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter and brown sugar until well combined. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Add oats and flour to butter/sugar

mixture and mix to combine. Press half of oat crumb mixture into the bottom of an 8x11 inch pan.Mix together condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Spread onto the bottom layer of the crumb mixture. Knead the other half of the crumb mixture with your hands so that the butter that you added earlier gets more incorporated, then crumble it on top of the lemon layer (don’t press it down).

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow pan to sit on the counter for 30 minutes after baking. Cut into squares and refrigerate until cool. Makes around 1 dozen.

S u m m e r C a m pCamp is coming! In less than a month we will begin our summer staff training. Please be in prayer for us as the Lord continues to lead people to volunteer their summer to join us in serving this summer at His Hill.

We’d also ask that you be in prayer about the kids who will be coming for camp this summer! Throughout this semester we have been traveling to the homes of families who love His Hill and are encouraged by the ministry the Lord is doing here. We have a “Backyard Bash” in their home and share with some of their friends and family about our Bible School and Summer Camp programs. These have been wonderful times of fellowship as we get the opportunity to share the message of Christ and His life with others whom we’ve never connected with. It’s sure to be another wonderful summer as the message of Christ continues to be spread to those around us!

Te m p l e To u r s C o n t .It was the reformed Jewish synagogue that caused me to really reevaluate why I was on the temple tours. The biggest difference between their and our beliefs was obvious: they did not hold that Jesus was the Messiah. The discussion we had after the tour, however, revealed something in my heart. One of my fellow students commented that the state of these people was “very sad.” It suddenly occurred to me that I had not felt sad at all. I had approached not only the Jewish synagogue, but every religious place we’d visited with a sort of academic detachment. My friend’s comment reminded me that these were real, lost people who desperately needed Christ. This should grieve me. The whole reason I was on this trip was to better understand the members of these faiths so that I could introduce them to Christ!

This trip was amazing. I grew closer to the group of people I traveled with, and learned so much. But I was also reminded of a very sobering truth. The world is a fascinating place, filled with interesting people, but we should never see them as simply objects to observe. They need a Savior. They need Jesus. That is a need the temple tours trip will strongly impress upon you. - by Falaniko Medrano, a second year student from Boerne, Texas

U p c o m i n g E v e n t sJune 6-August 12: Summer Camp

September 7: Start of Bible School Fall Term

October 14-16: Mother/Daughter Retreat

November 22-25: Thanksgiving Conference

Visit www.hishill.org for registration information

- Idris Cadwygn, born August 10, 2015 to Hadassah (Grainger, ‘04-’06) and Lugi (‘03-’05) Regier.

- Wade Carson, born September 29, 2015 to Tabitha (Mason, Spring ‘10) and Kylor Schultz.

- Petra Mitchell (‘14-‘15) and Zack Staples on July 11, 2015 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

- Stephanie Buck (‘14-‘15) and Madison Reimer on August 15, 2015 in Caronport, Saskatchewan.

- Marina Vanderveen (‘14-‘15) and Danny Wall (fall ‘14) on September 19, 2015 in Langley, British Columbia.

- Cari Wiebe (‘08-’09) and Keenan Bentham on October 9, 2015 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

- Lisa Frisen (‘14-‘15) and Matthew Wiens on October 10, 2015 in Diamond City, Alberta

- Alyssa Darnell (‘14-‘15) and Jordan Love on November 21, 2015 in Sylvan Lake, Alberta.

- Noelle Funk (‘12-‘13) and Jonathan Weiler on February 6, 2016 in Washington Boro, PA.

- Brittany Tauber (fall ‘14) and Nick Friesen on February 13, 2016 in Spruce Grove, Alberta.

- Rachel Grainger (‘11-’12) and Nathan Sily on March 12, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas.

- Jordyn Dyck (‘12-’13, fall ‘13) and Jonah Pahl on April 23, 2016 in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

C e l e b r a t i n g t h e M a r r i a g e s o f . . .

I n t r o d u c i n g “ S a m u e l ” , T h e N e w H i s H i l l D o r m !Brian, Levi, Mark, and the workday guys have poured many hours of hard work into our new overflow dorm. We are happy to announce that it is completed, and eleven students now call this beautiful building home. We are so thankful for the provision of this new dorm, and how it will be the home for many more students to come!

Bob Hobson and Bernard Briscoe, guest speakers at His Hill since 1975, have both recently finished their course and have gone home to be with the Lord. Bob joined the Lord in glory on February 18 at 87 years of age and after 68 years of marriage to his wife, Nina. Bernard went home to the Lord on April 21 at 81 years of age and 54 years of marriage to his wife, Helen. Bob and Bernard have been an important part of Torchbearers since the late 1940’s.

These men were both faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ to the very end. For them to live was truly Christ and now in death they have their gain. They taught the Scriptures so as to make Christ known. They lived humbly, joyfully, and lovingly. We saw Jesus making Himself incarnate in them. Our lives have been enriched. Our hearts long to live as well as they did.

You can’t be a guest speaker at His Hill for 40 years without becoming family. We miss them dearly. Pray for Nina and Helen. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us men like these.

I n R e m e m b r a n c e o f . . .R e j o i c i n g i n t h e b i r t h o f . . .