In a multicultural and tolerant society, it has become common for prominent leaders of various world religions to be seen together at public events in a show of unity and cooperation. Commentators often point out the areas of commonality between these religions and move quickly to the conclusion that such similarities imply that all religions are equally valid and true. This article, written from a Christian perspective, will firstly examine what Christians believe and secondly consider whether, in a worldview where truth is absolute rather than relative, it is possible that all religions lead to God.
What Christians Believe
Christianity is grounded on the reliability, truthfulness and accuracy of the Bible, and that it is not to be added to or taken away from (2 Timothy 3:16,17; John 17:17; Revelation 22:18,19). The Holy Scriptures teach that there is one eternal and true God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who created the universe, made human beings in His image, and gave them responsibility over both creation and their moral choices (Genesis 1).
Humanity chose to rebel against God and, in doing so, brought upon themselves the curse of death and the threat of eternal punishment in a place called the lake of fire (Genesis 3; Revelation 20:10-14). Humans are fatally flawed and completely incapable of reconciling themselves to God or appeasing Him by their own efforts. The Bible teaches, however, that God is loving and compassionate and that He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world as a real man to share in the experiences of humanity while retaining His eternal deity (John 1:14).
Christ died by crucifixion as a substitute for sinners at the hands of the Romans and came back to life three days later (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). The Bible teaches that He ascended to heaven with a promise that He would return to take those who have trusted in Him to heaven for all eternity (John 14:3; Acts 1:10,11)). Those who do not believe in Jesus Christ and have therefore not received forgiveness for their sins will ultimately be punished accordingly (John 3:18).
The Christian worldview is clear: there is one holy Creator God who has been offended by sinful humanity, and there is only one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).
In contrast, religious pluralism suggests that, for those who believe sincerely, all religions eventually lead to God. Yet when disagreement exists between religious leaders, common sense dictates that either all are wrong or only one is right, but it cannot be objectively true that all are right. It is possible to sincerely believe but to be sincerely wrong.”
Religious pluralism is incompatible with the truthfulness of the Bible
The Christian faith stands firmly on the credibility of the Bible and its teachings. This belief, known as the “Inerrancy and Sufficiency of Scripture”, teaches that the Bible is without error and is the only dependable source of guidance for reconciliation with God and for living according to His will.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17).
“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18,19).
Therefore, religions claiming that the Bible has been corrupted, superseded, or added to are incompatible with the fundamental Christian teaching of the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture.
Religious pluralism is incompatible with monotheism
The Bible teaches that there is only one God (monotheism). In Isaiah 45:5, God says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me,” and in Jeremiah 16:20 He asks, “Will a man make gods for himself, which are not gods?” The worship of idols representing these false gods is expressly forbidden (Exodus 20:4,5). It is clear that there cannot be one God and many gods simultaneously, and religions that create such forbidden idols for worship directly contradict the teaching of the Bible.
Religious pluralism is incompatible with Jesus Christ being truly God
Many religions acknowledge that Jesus Christ was either a holy man, God’s final prophet, the highest of the angels, or even the highest of God’s created beings who became divine through a process. The Christian faith, as expressed in the Nicene Creed, teaches that there is one Lord Jesus Christ, who is “God of God” shares the same divine nature as the Father. If Jesus is the eternal God in human form, it is not a minor disagreement to suggest that He is only a good man, a prophet, or an exalted angel. Rather, such claims are blasphemy against God and strike at the heart of the Christian faith and God’s plan of salvation.
Religious pluralism is incompatible with the Sinfulness of Man and God’s Plan of Salvation
The Bible teaches that humanity is sinful by nature (what we are) and by activity (what we do): “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The Bible says that no one is righteous by their own merit (Romans 3:10). It further teaches that humans are utterly incapable of overcoming sin or making up for it through good works (Isaiah 64:6).
Many religions teach that humanity must pull themselves up by their own efforts – through self-improvement or adherence to religious rules – to gain favour with God. In contrast, the Bible teaches specifically that salvation is “not of works”, so none of us can boast about our own righteousness (Ephesians 2:9). Religions teaching that humankind is inherently good enough for heaven, or that human effort (such as good works or religious observances) can reform the character and secure forgiveness for sins, are not consistent with biblical teaching.
The Bible teaches that it is only by God’s generous, undeserved grace that sinners can be saved – through faith in the work that Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross. This salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned, yet it is available to all who are willing to receive it (Ephesians 2:8).
An Inclusive yet Exclusive Message
The Christian message is both inclusive and exclusive. Firstly, it is inclusive in that it is a message for everyone. God intends that the gospel be communicated to people from every tribe and nation (Mark 16:15), and it is His will that all people are saved (1 Timothy 2:4). There is no one excluded from the message of the gospel, through which they may have their sins forgiven, enter into a personal relationship with God, and have the certainty of heaven for eternity. Time and again, the Bible states that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). If you are living and breathing, then the free offer of salvation applies to you. Everyone is included.
It is, however, exclusive in that the way to God is singular – prescribed by Him and unalterable.
Jesus Christ is the only Saviour of the world (1 John 4:14). In Isaiah 43:11, God says: “I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no saviour”. In Acts 4:12 (KJ21) we read: “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved”. And Jesus Himself says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Those who desire to know God and receive eternal life should carefully consider the words of the apostle John:
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever 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, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13 ESV).
