{"id":4240,"date":"2026-04-15T08:00:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/closetohome\/?p=4240"},"modified":"2026-04-14T12:23:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T17:23:02","slug":"stand-up-christian-buddhism-and-letting-your-yes-be-yes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/closetohome\/2026\/04\/stand-up-christian-buddhism-and-letting-your-yes-be-yes\/","title":{"rendered":"Stand Up | Christian Buddhism and Letting Your Yes Be Yes"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><head><meta http-equiv=\"content-type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\"><meta http-equiv=\"content-type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\"><\/head><body><p>\u201cBelievers, it\u2019s time to <strong>stand up for Jesus<\/strong>!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That is a rally cry you may have heard in church during recent years. It begs repeating because we are in perilous times as Christians. Persecution against missionaries and converts is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opendoorsus.org\/en-US\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">at an all-time high<\/a>. Hatred against the church is even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/02\/eradicating-anti-christian-bias\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\" decorated-link\">higher than that<\/a>. And the only way to prevent it is when the real church\u2014authentic believers in Jesus\u2014will stand up for what they believe and accept no substitutes.<\/p>\n<p>Amen, somebody?<\/p>\n<p>So, what does that have to do with <em>Christian Buddhism<\/em>?<\/p>\n<p>Well, an interview with generational talent of praise and worship, <strong>Brandon Lake<\/strong>, was conducted on how Jesus would fancy this crossing of the streams. The fact that we live in a world where people assume this is possible shows we need to stand up and do it fast. Like, how is that even possible in the first place? \u201cHi, I love the Bible with all my heart, but in case I\u2019m wrong, can I get a side order of the Four Noble Truths?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s explore this proving Christians are sitting down on the job. If this doesn\u2019t hit close to home, nothing will.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h5>Before we oil our knees and stand up together, stay aware of other faith-based issues that hit \u201cclose to home.\u201d <a class=\" decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/closetohome\/newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Subscribe to our free newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and stay informed about what\u2019s happening in the Church, as well as the ways real Christians can contribute to defending the love and work of Christ.<\/h5>\n<hr>\n<h2>Christian Buddhism is a Hard Fought\u2026Something<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4243\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4243\" style=\"width: 780px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4243\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2027\/2026\/04\/Brandon-Lake-Rolling-Stone.png\" alt=\"Worship Leader Brandon Lake asked Christian Buddhism. Should the church stand up?\" width=\"780\" height=\"462\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brandon Lake appears on the \u201cNashville Now\u201d podcast on April 1, 2026. (Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot\/Rolling Stone)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Christian Post recently shared a story about the \u201cHard Fought Hallelujah\u201d worship leader on a Rolling Stone podcast.<\/p>\n<p>Podcast host Joseph Hudak took a turn from the obligatory award-winning music line of questioning to ask Brandon Lake about the writings of late <a href='https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/library\/buddhism' target='_blank'>Buddhist<\/a> monk Th\u00edch Nh\u1ea5t H\u1ea1nh, particularly the book\u00a0<em>Living Buddha, Living Christ<\/em>,\u00a0 <strong>where he now identifies as a \u201cChristian Buddhist in some way.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Wait, what?!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Hudak followed up with a way to smooth out that record skipping mid-sentence. \u201cIn terms of Christianity and the church, is there room for that?\u201d Yeah, because that cleared everything up. Reporters do this, namely, to Christians. It\u2019s an attempt to determine how orthodox they are, and if they are \u201copen-minded\u201d enough to talk about anything else.<\/p>\n<p>This puts Lake, or any Christian, in a precarious corner. \u201c<em>No,<\/em>\u201d and he\u2019s a closed-minded, cold-hearted person who believes \u201chis way is the only way.\u201d \u201c<em>Yes,<\/em>\u201d and Christians everywhere scratch their heads and wonder if Brandon fell and hit his. Well, he slipped, but just a little.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cI would so hope that you felt like the doors were open,\u201d Lake, who serves as worship pastor at the multi-site megachurch Seacoast Church based in Charleston, South Carolina, responded. \u201cI think Jesus would love to sit down with you, would love to have this conversation with you, and you can. I would also hope the Church would be that open. Why would you not have a place here? Even if we disagree on something, why would you not have a place here?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Brandon Lake is an anointed individual whose music has blessed countless millions, including my own. However, he wants to give the impression of being inclusive because he has no clue where his fans are listening. Have they been asked to stand up in a church and rejoice in the Lord? Or are they sitting in a closet, wondering if they want to live?<\/p>\n<p>At that point, the depths of theological polemics don\u2019t matter. His focus is on the soul. Come to church, and we\u2019ll dust ya\u2019 off. Good for him, but some things should be a hard <em>no<\/em>, like combining two religions for personal peace. This isn\u2019t a casserole recipe. Let your yes be yes, and that no should be no, brother.<\/p>\n<h2>Stand Up for Jesus Without Hesitation<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3680\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3680\" style=\"width: 780px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3680\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2027\/2025\/06\/isaac-mitchell-eCJZ_m4K5XA-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt='A \"One Way\" signed with many Christian stickers on it, showing Jesus is the only way to salvation.' width=\"780\" height=\"520\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3680\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Think it, say it, know it, but if you don\u2019t believe it, you miss how to get to heaven. (Image Credit: Issac Mitchell via Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\"><\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<div class=\"font-sans leading-loose my-2 text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100 \" data-verse-id=\"33\">Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, \u2018Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.\u2019 But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God\u2019s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your \u2018Yes\u2019 be \u2018Yes,\u2019 and your \u2018No,\u2019 \u2018No.\u2019 Anything more comes from the evil one.<\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\"><strong>Matthew 5:33-37,\u00a0<em>BSB<\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\">For the record, Christianity is not Buddhism, and no, the two will never <em>coexist<\/em>. Upstanding, wonderful people are adherents of both religions, but if you are asking a Christian if a Buddhist can hitch a ride to heaven, not unless he has the hall pass named Jesus.<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\">Jesus answered, \u201cI am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.\u201d<\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\"><strong>John 14:6,\u00a0<em>BSB<\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\">No one means no monks living on a mountain, people worshipping cows for the afterlife, or folks going clear waiting for Tom Cruise to give them passage. Unless Jesus lives in your heart and you confess His work and love, <em>no one\u00a0<\/em>gets in. Jesus paid the toll; we have to get to the bridge and say, \u201cMy tolls have been paid. Raise that arm and let me in, please. Thanks.\u201d<\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\"><\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\">And another thing\u2026<\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_4258\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4258\" style=\"width: 780px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4258\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/2027\/2026\/04\/COEXIST-Bumper-Sticker-2-300x171.png\" alt=\"Coexist bumper sticker showing all religions together\" width=\"780\" height=\"444\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4258\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yeah. How about no? (Image Credit: Wikimedia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\"><\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\">People coexist in harmony and peace. Religion and dogma are separate and should remain so. There is no world where Paganism and Christianity are poker buddies. Likewise, Islam and Judaism? Uh, turn on the TV and let us know how that\u2019s working out?<\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\"><\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\">This idea of universal inclusion toward \u201ca higher path\u201d liquifies the message of Jesus Christ into this malaise of unrecognized \u201chappy time\u201d slop. No one is interested in that meal. It doesn\u2019t feed anyone. What principles of living do you get from that? \u201cEveryone is right. And when someone is wrong, everyone should protest.\u201d<\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\"><\/div>\n<div data-verse-id=\"33\">Christians should learn to stand up to what is wrong and be okay with that. People will get offended, but <em>tough. <\/em>Again, coexisting with people in peace doesn\u2019t mean \u201chard love\u201d is obsolete. It\u2019s more than moronic; it\u2019s antithetical to everything Jesus did on earth. And <em>that\u00a0<\/em>was done for everyone then, and everyone now. <strong>Yet, we all should follow one path \u2014 His!\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Standing up for Jesus means sharing what you believe, but not at the expense of forcing others to sit down. We serve God Almighty. Period. This isn&#8217;t a calling to &#8220;coexist,&#8221; we&#8217;re to change the world in Jesus&#8217; Name.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5303,"featured_media":4249,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[173,276,294,53,11,200],"class_list":["post-4240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-christianity","tag-entertainment","tag-faith-based-values","tag-hypocrisy","tag-religion-news","tag-witnessing"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Stand Up | Christian Buddhism and Letting Your Yes Be Yes<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Stand up for Jesus, but not at the expense of forcing others to sit down. 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