Have you ever wondered why Christians would be so intolerant to say that their religion is the only right way? Isn't it arrogant to say that only members of one religion are going to heaven while everyone in all the other religions are not?Doesn't it seem silly to say to people: "Out of all the religions in the world, you better pick the right one, because if you pick wrong you will not win the lottery to get into heaven"?
How could Christians believe this?
After all, didn't Jesus teach understanding and tolerance towards all other religions?
Well, no.
The reality is that Christians believe that Jesus is the only way because Jesus said so Himself.
In John 14:6, Jesus said this:
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Hmmmm, that sounds pretty exclusive to me.
So, was Jesus wrong?
Was Jesus a liar?
His apostles taught this exclusivity as well.....
In Acts 4:12, Peter said this:
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
The reality is that salvation is found in Jesus alone.
If there were other ways to get to God, then there was NO reason for Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.
Jesus could have just come, taught us about all the other ways to get to heaven and have our sins forgiven, and then could have left without ever going to the cross.
But the reality is that there is no other payment for our sins.
That is why Jesus HAD to go to the cross.
Being man, Jesus could die for the sins of men, and being God, Jesus could die for an infinite number of sins.
Jesus paid for your sins and my sins and the sins of the whole world so that we could be forgiven and so we could have eternal life.
In John 3:36 it says the following:
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
So, if you do not receive the free gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ you WILL NOT see eternal life.
Well, some may argue, what about all the people before Jesus came?
The truth is that the people who worshipped God before Jesus came were looking towards the Messiah just as we now are looking back on the coming of the Messiah. The "Old Testament" was packed with prophecies about the Messiah, and almost all of the ceremonies in the Old Testament prophetically foreshadowed the life, ministry, death, resurrection and second coming of the Messiah who would come and pay for their sins. There has always been just one true religion.
Well, you may ask, how do you know that Christianity is true?
After all, most other religions must be accepted on blind faith, because there is no real evidence to back the claims of other religions up.
But that IS NOT the case with Christianity.
When it comes to Christianity, there is literally a mountain of evidence.
If you are not familiar with the evidence for Christianity, the following is a good place to start:
http://evidenceforchristianity.blogspot.com/2008/10/do-logic-reason-modern-science-make.html
The truth is that Christianity is not about blind faith.
In fact, you can know 100 percent for certain if you are going to heaven or if you are headed for the lake of fire.
In 1 John 5:11-13 it says this:
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."
I love that last part - "so that you may know that you have eternal life."
Now, if you believe that, there is something else you need to realize.
If Christianity is true, then it is the most important issue to every man, woman and child on the entire earth.
If you have found eternal life through Jesus Christ, then you have a moral responsibility to share that good news with other people.
In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus impressed this point upon his disciples with these sobering words:
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Jesus echoed these same sentiments at the very end of the book of Matthew.
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus uttered these famous words:
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The reality is that there is only one true path. Only Jesus died on the cross for you. Only Jesus can save you. If you want to know more about this Jesus and about how He died on the cross for your sins and about how you can have eternal life through faith in Him, then we would recommend the following resource for you to check out:
http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/1049/1049_01.asp
No one ever bothers to explain what "salvation" is though. Is it simply "going to heaven" or is there more to it than that?
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think this blog may be just the sort of thing I've been looking for. I don't find a lot of quality blogs that are inspiring, solid, and uplifting all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post.
ReplyDeleteAre you saying people went to heaven before Jesus was born? If so, who? Jewish people who study the Old Testament?
So, are the millions of people who lived before the invention of religion all in hell right now? To me, this entire article is just further proof that religion is a crock.
ReplyDeleteRob and James take a minute.....and read the New Testament. It will be the best thing you will ever do for yourself! Understanding will come.
ReplyDeleteYour answer to "why Christians say Jesus is the only way to heaven", is because Christianity is the right religion. "If there were other ways to get to God, then there was NO reason for Jesus to die on the cross for our sins." The argument is basically "our religion is the one true religion because our religion says it is."
ReplyDeleteYou did get it right at the beginning though, when you said: "Doesn't it seem silly to say to people: 'Out of all the religions in the world, you better pick the right one, because if you pick wrong you will not win the lottery to get into heaven'?
How could Christians believe this?
After all, didn't Jesus teach understanding and tolerance towards all other religions?"
There! Right there! You got it right! It is very silly to think that any God would force people to enter into a game of Russian roulette over their eternal souls. Every religion claims real "evidence" and yet every religion also claims that you don't need evidence and should just have faith. No intelligent God would punish people for picking the wrong religion, for being brought up by parents that indoctrinate them with the "wrong" religion, or by question what is true. There is nothing wrong with questioning the basic beliefs about life. This questioning is how we advanced as a species.
This kind of thinking is just as dangerous as Fundamental Islamic thought. It makes Christians believe they are better than others. I know all the responses with Jesus saying we are all equals, but it's a two-faced line. People who pick the wrong God or choose to be agnostic are not equal, they will suffer for eternity in hell!
Ben - here you go...
ReplyDeletePoint 1) Your analysis - The argument is basically "our religion is the one true religion because our religion says it is." - this is a false assumption.
Here you assume that Christians are saying our religion is true because we say it is (similar to Islam or other religions, etc). This is not the case. Christians believe that Christianity is true because Jesus Christ DIED on a cross and was RESURRECTED from the grave 3 days later (and appeared to the apostles, 500 believers, Paul, and others). If THIS can be proven false - then Christianity would be useless and our faith in vain. While believing this does require faith, it is not a blind faith as there is more evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ than you could even begin to imagine. (If you truly seek to understand Christianity and the evidence for the resurrection read Lee Strobel "The Case for Christ" or C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity). If you don't want to seek truth and just like to bring up objections - it is your free choice.
Point 2)You argue "It is very silly to think that any God would force people to enter into a game of Russian roulette over their eternal souls."
God does not force anything. He gives evidence to His children (in the form of biblical prophecy fulfilled), gives them His word, reveals Himself in the form of man in Jesus Christ who dies and is resurrected, and allows people to choose for themselves. If God did not give us this free choice, there would not be the opportunity for us to choose and love God (which is the greatest commandment). It isn't a game of russian roulette. If one does not examine evidence for themselves, blindly chooses a religion based on what makes them "feel good" or because their parents had a certain religion, and does not seek truth, then that is their choice. God gave us the evidence, we have to want to seek truth.
Point 3) Your argument "Every religion claims real "evidence" and yet every religion also claims that you don't need evidence and should just have faith."
These generalizations come about from a lack of study of religions. The majority of religions claim evidence based on your current life's results (happiness in this life, increased wealth, inner peace, prosperity, etc) - think Eastern religions here. When it comes to evidence for Islam the claim is that Mohammed transcribed the Koran as was read to him by an Angel and it was perfect in grammar and substance. He performed no miracles. Christianity, however, does not necessarily promise great wealth or riches or prosperity in this life, it promises eternal life in the presence of God. The evidence for Christianity is in the miracles that Christ performed, the prophecies that were fulfilled in him in the Old Testament, and the ultimate evidence of His resurrection. Christians have evidence, AND faith. They are not mutually exclusive.
Point 4) Your argument "No intelligent God would punish people for picking the wrong religion"
This is an interesting position. To claim to know God's intentions and what He would or would not do is a little arrogant don't you think? Anyways, you trivialize the importance of the actual issue. People were not put on this Earth to just pick a decent religion and then "live a good life". What is the greatest sin in your opinion? While many would say murder or rape, etc (and no doubt these are quite bad) the greatest sin is to deny one's creator and live your entire life as though you don't need him and could care less what His plan is for your life. Your analogy is similar to a judge releasing Jeff Dahmer with no prison sentence. If our greatest point in life is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, then it is more than a matter of just "picking the wrong religion" and to not punish those who choose to snub their nose at God their entire lives for themselves instead of God would be morally unjustifiable for a perfect God.
Point 5) Your argument "There is nothing wrong with questioning the basic beliefs about life. This questioning is how we advanced as a species."
I agree. This is how many people are led to Christ. When we realize that we are guilty of sinning against God's law and realize that their is no way we could "earn our way" into his good graces, and we understand that Christ came to die for our sins and bridge the gap between us and God, so that we may spend eternity with Him is quite a blessing. Read the Gospels of Mark then John and tell me it doesn't move you at all.
Point 7) Your argument "It makes Christians believe they are better than others. I know all the responses with Jesus saying we are all equals, but it's a two-faced line. People who pick the wrong God or choose to be agnostic are not equal, they will suffer for eternity in hell."
Christians do not think they are better than others. (and if they do so they are not following the teachings of Christ) The Lord told us to serve others. He told us to spread the Gospel. He said that any of his believers who assist anyone in need is similarly assisting Him. There is an internal happiness that Christians may have because of their relationship with God. We desire to share this happiness with others. On a separate note, being agnostic is fine if you are truly examining evidence for a religion, and are postponing your decsion while gathering facts. If you are really seeking truth than the Lord will open your heart. The reality, however, is that many people maintain agnosticism because it is the "intelligent thing" to do according to the world. Skepticism and doubt is easy; having faith in something greater than yourself is the real challenge. Many people use the agnosticism to justify living sinful lives while convincing themselves that they are only doing it because there isn't enough evidence. To these people I ask - what piece or amount of evidence would convince you of the truth? If they can't give a reasonable answer that says more about their choices and their life than anything else I think. Choose to research and examine the evidence, pray for God to show you His truth (without putting your own restrictions on God) and wait to see His glory in action. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.
God bless.
Travis, you are a true blessing, may God continue being with you!
ReplyDeleteJust to also add on on what you have said, firstly, I want to address the issue of God forcing things on people. All that God is doing is gathering together his people like a mother hen goes around gathering her chicks under her for their own safety, those who have wandered away. And some of those chicks who may refuse to be gathered under the mother hen may be hurt by dogs, cats or anything. And the danger we face when we refuse to come under His wings for our own safety. And by a glimpse of this world, no one in their right mind would disagree that something has gone terribly wrong with this world and thus seriously needs redemption. There is a verse that most people may overlook- John 10:16. Jesus says 'I have OTHER sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.' Here Jesus addresses the issue Ben has. And this text goes hand in hand with Matt 28:19-20. Christians go out in teaching the truth so that our brothers and sisters who have lost it along the way may be re-united with us in the true sheep pen of God. I don't see anything wrong with God wanting His own work of hands (humanity) to give Him homage which belongs to Him afterall.
Imagine if your own kids decided to follow the rules of your next door neighbour. And they tell you they just prefer listening to their friend's dad than to you. How would that make you feel as a parent? And that's exactly what God is doing. Can you blame Him?
Another verse I like in Acts 17:30, it says 'God overlooked times of ignorance and now calling everyone to repentance'. It's a different story when people have heard the news of salavation and refuse to believe, and another when they have lived their lives without hearing or knowing the truth. But when the truth comes, and we do not accept it, it is condemnation to us and salvation when we accept.
Lastly, after all has been said and done, it's not our Christian duty to convert people, that is the work of the Holy Spirit. We are meant present the truth as is and should a person refuse the Holy Spirit to guide into salvation, we cannot do anything, even our very own families we may love, the truth of the matter is that not everyone will go to heaven because some people have chosen in their hearts to perish! 1 Corinthians1:18 says in it's truthfulness, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God". That said, I pray our hearts not to be hardened by so great a love!
Thank you guys for responding very thoughtfully and intelligently. It still eats at me, however, that the only way into heaven is by accepting Christ as the Savior. We are all humans, an extremely fallible creature. We make mistakes and believe false truths. We look to the heavens and deep into our souls for spiritual guidance, and each one of us comes to separate and conflicting conclusions. I pride myself on the fact that whatever conclusion I may come to I still understand that I have no more chance of being right than any other person who comes to their own conclusions. Just because I may disagree with your views doesn't mean I think you are for sure wrong. Why should I trust my logic more than yours? We are all just humans. Each of us sees the world through different eyes. Each of us has spiritual and mundane experiences throughout our lives that pull us toward different ideas about the way the world is. I know that if my soul had been born into a different family, I would believe different truths about the world.
ReplyDeleteNow, for Christians, the truth about the world is that this truth is knowable and obtainable by all. That those who don't believe are turning their back on obvious evidence. Obvious evidence to whom though? You see the evidence and it obviously points to Jesus as the Savior. I see the some of the same evidence (though much of it is very different because we live different lives and have different experiences) and see it pointing in a different direction. Does that mean either one of us has the upper hand in the debate? No, we are on equal unknowing ground. Of course, I hear many people say that they "just know" because they have felt God or sense him etc. The only problem is that I have heard this from multiple sources. Christians, Jews, atheists, everyone. Even the meaning of John 14:6 is debated by Christians. Some believe that people can go to heaven through Jesus without accepting him into their mortal lives. Now if even Christians can't agree on the one truth, do we expect God to punish people for discovering the one truth? Does God really punish the Buddhist monk who spends his entire life looking for truth for not finding the right truth? I think that many Christians give too much weight to the fact that since they found the truth and it was so obvious for them, then when other people don't find the same truth they must have not been looking hard enough or they must have turned their back on God purposefully.
I know nothing I will say will convince you of anything against your beliefs, and nothing you say will change my mind either. I only hope that after you have read this you look at your beliefs and truly try to figure out which parts you "know" and which parts are just educated guesses. I have my views on religion, and I know that some of my views may be right and some may be wrong. The true answer may be Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, or maybe a random combination. I don't hold these religious beliefs very strongly except for one: that if there is a God, he will not punish us for not believing in him. Really. That is the only religious belief I am more than 1% certain about. And that one is wafting at 50/50. Who knows? Maybe I judged the universe wrong and the only important thing is excepting the one true God, but I really hope not. Not for my sake, but for the sake of the universe, for then it is a much darker place than I could have ever imagined.
Ben,
ReplyDeleteI hope you can get the chance to check out these 2 links. One is an article explaining evil/hell from a Christian persepective.
http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics/evil.htm
The other is a 10 minute video that may shed a little light for you - quite good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rssTt9aavuM&feature=related