Christianity Is Exclusive
The world does not like the biblical concept that Christianity is exclusive. In fact, some Christians do not like it either. It is argued that such a concept is intolerant and unacceptable to both God and man. Those who hold that Christianity is exclusive are considered prejudiced, narrow-minded, and by some arrogant. The tolerant argue the need to accept those from other faiths “as they are.” Any attempt to convert those from other faiths [Islam, Hinduism, etc.] to Christ and Christianity is strongly criticized. However, you cannot separate Christ and Christianity. Should Christians accept the world religions as equal to and/or perhaps superior to Christianity? Is it true that adherents to the world religions are simply serving the same God as the Christian? We ask is Christianity improved if it borrows teachings from the various world religions? We believe Christianity cannot be improved upon, but works for man as God intends.
The above efforts of tolerance creates problems of great proportion if we believe the teachings of the Bible which affirm that it, and it alone, is God’s word to man. Consider some of the problems created if we believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
Christianity offers the only Savior among men. Over the years I have argued that the time was coming when John 14:6 would become pivotal in religious discussion. In light of the tolerance of the world religions, the time has come. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father except by Me” (John 14:6). Ferret from the text the clarity with which Jesus speaks. “The way,” “the truth,” and “the life” are singular indicating there is only one way, one truth, and one life, and this is only in Jesus. Christianity is the only way to God. There is “no salvation in any other . . . no other name . . . among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only Savior of men. Christianity and Jesus are exclusive. No arrogance involved, just truth!
Christianity offers the only hope among men. Some world religions existed prior to Christianity; however, they do not offer men hope. Paul writes, “That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:14, emp. added).
Paul wrote these words to those in Ephesus where various religions existed and were practiced. Surely these adherents were sincere, devout, and considered themselves pleasing to their “god,” but not the God of whom Paul was writing. Paul said Christ and Christianity are exclusive. No arrogance involved, just truth!
Christianity insists on a unique unity. “There is one body, and one Spirit . . . one hope . . . one Lord . . . one faith . . . one baptism . . . one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
The spirit of tolerance may insist on the uniqueness of no specific religion; however, the Holy Spirit challenges such teaching. World religions offer a plurality of gods, faiths, lords, etc. Christ and Christianity insist on a unique unity, no arrogance involved, just truth!
We cannot believe Jesus is the Son of God, and His doctrine of Christianity, while at the same time believe that world religions are equal or superior to Christ and Christianity.