“We are gathered here as Hindus, Muslims, Seiks, Christians, and Jews...to pray to our 'God'...”
It was just a few days after the September 11th terrorist attack on America, and a wide representation of religious leaders were gathered with President George W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.. A female minister stood to present the opening address for our National Prayer and Remembrance Service. Her politically-correct welcome attempted to embrace all religions; yet, in doing so, she alienated all true Christians. Our God is not the "god of Islams, Hindus, Shieks, Christians and Jews".
Jesus IS the ONLY WAY!
The message portrayed that day came out loud and clear: our President wanted to calm the fears of America's Islamic citizens and seeked to avoid the wrath of our foreign Islamic allies. However, the cautious message of unity portrayed a very innacurate view of religion.
In public speeches given shortly thereafter, the religion of Islam (as opposed to “fringe” Islamic extremists) was declared to be “beautiful” and “peaceful.” The prevailing attitude was that ALL religions basically worship the same God...we just call Him by different names. If this is true, how can we reconcile with the “exclusive” teachings of Jesus Christ? If not -- if Jesus really is the ONLY way of salvation -- how can sit back and do nothing?
Many people think all religions are basically the same – from Hinduism and Buddhism, to primitive tribal customs, to contemporary Christianity – each merely an attempt for mankind (or “womankind”) to connect with some “higher power” or “god.” Some think it doesn’t matter what a person believes, as long as he or she is sincere. Their attitude says, “A little religion (of some kind or another) is probably a healthy addition to a well-rounded life...that is, as long as a person doesn’t get too dogmatic, confronting, or exclusive about it.” Yet Jesus dogmatically said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
The fact that many people sincerely believe in something does not make their belief true. A whole group can be decieved...and sincerely wrong – just think of cult members forcing their own children to commit suicide, Hitler’s troops conducting atrocities at Nazi concentration camps, or Taliban hyjackers flying planeloads of innocent passengers into the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
A young homeschool graduate we know recently attended her first semester at a local community college. In one of her classes, the professor began questioning the reality of absolute truth. A debate began with most students siding with the idea that all truth is relative. After listening to several humanistic arguments, this quiet-mannered girl decided to speak. “In this room,” she bravely began, “are thirty-five desks. You can count them yourself and see that this is the truth. It doesn’t matter if you believe it, or if you think that the number is relative, or if you try to reason it away; because no matter what you think there will still be thirty-five desks! In the same way, there ARE absolutes in this world, and believe-it-or-not, God’s Word, as found in the Holy Bible is the ultimate foundation for truth.”
As Christians, it is vital to know what we believe and why. Ann remembers a time in her life, when as a teenager she began to ask questions concerning her faith. She never doubted the truth of the Gospel, but wondered how we knew we were right. She thought about all the billions of people who strongly believed that their religion was right...and ours was wrong...and then felt bad even thinking such things.
As she grew older, however, she began to study the beliefs of other religions; and became more thankful than ever for our Christian upbringing and salvation through Christ. She came to realize the incredible difference of our faith: We don’t just have “religion;” we have a personal “relationship” with God Himself! As we have traveled to other countries, we have encountered people from many other belief systems who are empty inside and desperately searching for truth. We have personally met, face-to-face, people who have turned from many different false religion to a totally new life in Jesus Christ. Their conversion testimonies have challenged and motivated us to help others!
The knowledge and exposure to other religions (from a Christian missions perspective) didn’t weaken our faith; it has solidified our beliefs and inspires us to confidently share with others. We realize that if we don’t know where others are coming from, it’s difficult to direct them to where they need to be.
We want our children – from a young age – to grow up having this knowledge and confidence. We want them to understand the basic beliefs of other religions, and the unsatisfied needs that their followers face. We want our children to know – without a shadow of a doubt – that Jesus is the ONLY way of salvation. With God’s love and compassion welling up inside them, we want our children to move beyond mere knowledge and pity...to a place of true action and total surrender to God’s will.
Jesus IS the ONLY WAY!
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