Many people get “put out” with the exclusive claims of Christianity.
They indicate that Christians ought to be more inclusive. They may hold to the personal idea that “No matter which religion I choose, as long as I’m sincere, each one will lead me to heaven.”
But is this true? The answer from the Bible is a resounding, “No.”
Alistair Begg and Peter Cotterell point out:
Truth simply is not a matter of pride or humility. Truth is a matter of fact.
Islam says Jesus wasn’t crucified. We say he was. Only one of us can be right.
Judaism says Jesus was not the Messiah. We say he was. Only one of us can be right.
Hinduism says God has often been incarnate. We say only once. Only one of us can be right.
Buddhism says that the world’s miseries will end when we do what’s right. We say you can’t do what is right, the world’s miseries will end when we believe what is right.The fact is, the world’s religions may agree about the peripheral matters, but they disagree precisely about the most important matters of all.
Any intelligent person could decide that all religions are wrong.
Any intelligent person could decide that one is right and the rest wrong.
But no intelligent person can seriously believe that all religions are essentially the same.
The simple logic that Begg & Cotterell use clearly points out that in each of the cases above, only one religious group can be right. These ideas are not compatible with one another. They are mutually exclusive. Upon the most cursory of investigations we find out that these different religions disagree with each other on major points. Therefore, all roads cannot lead to Heaven.
And so I encourage you to investigate the truth claims of Christianity. As you do so you will find that Christianity stands the test of scrutiny. As you test it, you may find what many others have… That God is drawing you to Himself.
Alistair Begg again:
You may be a Prodigal Son or Daughter who has been running away from God.
Now He is drawing you to Himself because of His love for you.
The Father is saying to you: “Come on, son; Come on, daughter.”
And then He starts to issue instructions:
Get him a robe for status;
Get him a ring for authority;
Get him sandals for his feet, for only slaves are barefoot, and all of God’s children have shoes.
And let’s go have a feast and a celebration!
I want you to receive that pair of shoes from the Father and for you to join the celebration with us! But that requires you to realize that the claims of Christianity are exclusive, but that they do lead down the only path of salvation.
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