IT may be politically correct to say that all religions lead to God, but is it the truth?We live in a world in which it’s cool to be broadminded and tolerant. One of the implications of the idea that ‘all religions lead to God’ is that it doesn’t matter about finding a right path because one belief system is as good as another. Those who insist that there is only one way are often considered bigots.
If God insists that there is only one way to him, the argument goes, then he is being, at best, elitist and, at worst, cruel. Advocates of the multi-path approach often talk about sincerity. If a devotee is sincere, their faith is regarded as authentic. But people can be sincere in what they believe, yet also wrong.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6 New International Version).
Christian scholars have pointed out that Jesus is the only religious leader who claimed to bring God to our world through his own life. He also proved that claim through the miracles he performed while on earth.
Jesus taught that he was bringing God to where people were so that God could deal with the things they do wrong and show them the right way to live.
Additionally, no other spiritual leader or teacher offers to live inside those who believe in him.
The Christian believes that no religion, not even Christianity, can save us. Only Jesus can do this. Salvation is not about belonging to a particular group. It is not about having the right thoughts and feelings or the correct theological beliefs. Christianity’s claim to exclusivity is not for the religion but for Jesus. It is a claim that Jesus is the only true Saviour.
C. S. Lewis put the choices like this: If Jesus claims to be the Son of God, then we can conclude only one of three things about him: that he is mad, that he is bad (because he knows he is lying) or that he is who he says he is, including his claim that he is the only way to God.
UK War Cry July 2010
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