Comments on: It is Misleading — and Dangerous — to Think that Religions are Different Paths to the Same Wisdom http://christiannews.co.nz/2010/it-is-misleading-%e2%80%94-and-dangerous-%e2%80%94-to-think-that-religions-are-different-paths-to-the-same-wisdom/ Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:08:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Rayburne F. http://christiannews.co.nz/2010/it-is-misleading-%e2%80%94-and-dangerous-%e2%80%94-to-think-that-religions-are-different-paths-to-the-same-wisdom/comment-page-1/#comment-74853 Rayburne F. Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:57:25 +0000 http://christiannews.co.nz/?p=5069#comment-74853 The educated professor is also wise, which I have observed is rare today. I once wrote an article in the local newspaper that s slef-serving, smorgasbord approach to religion that selects whatever path works for the seeker, however pragmatic it may appear, does not necessarily ensure that one's religious path will be a healthy, balanced and fulfilling one. In fact, it could be cleverly deceptive and destructive (i.e as in the case of syncretism or an attempt to blend together different or opposing beliefs). A healthy and balanced faith is an informed faith--one that rests on historic truth. All major religions (I.e. Judaism, Islam, Christianity, etc.) have exclusive truth claims that are non-negotiable. Even Baha'ism, which claims to be a cosmic embrace of all religions, ends up excluding the excluvists. If truth does not exclude, then no assertion of truth claim is being made--it is just an opinion that is being stated--because anytime you make a truth claim, you mean something contrary to it is false. Two opposing and contradictory truth claims cannot both be true at the same time according to the law of non-contradiction. Indeed, to deny the exclusive nature of truth is to make a truth claim itself. Apply this to Christianity. The clear implications of Jesus' stating, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one can come to the Father except through Me John 14:6) is first of all that truth is absolute and second, truth is knowable. Of course, anyone can make such a claim to be the only way to God. The real issue--the heart of the question--is: "Is such a claim consistent with the evidence, especially the historical record concerning His vicarious substitutionary death and resurrection willingly and freely on behalf of sinners to satisfy divine righteousness and justice, which demanded the death penalty for sin. I believe that of all religions, Jesus only provides answers to the four most fundamental questions in life--origin, meaning, morality, destiny--that corresponds with reality and His internal consistency concerning the nature of God--both loving and just, unlike any other faith. The educated professor is also wise, which I have observed is rare today. I once wrote an article in the local newspaper that s slef-serving, smorgasbord approach to religion that selects whatever path works for the seeker, however pragmatic it may appear, does not necessarily ensure that one’s religious path will be a healthy, balanced and fulfilling one. In fact, it could be cleverly deceptive and destructive (i.e as in the case of syncretism or an attempt to blend together different or opposing beliefs).

A healthy and balanced faith is an informed faith–one that rests on historic truth. All major religions (I.e. Judaism, Islam, Christianity, etc.) have exclusive truth claims that are non-negotiable. Even Baha’ism, which claims to be a cosmic embrace of all religions, ends up excluding the excluvists. If truth does not exclude, then no assertion of truth claim is being made–it is just an opinion that is being stated–because anytime you make a truth claim, you mean something contrary to it is false. Two opposing and contradictory truth claims cannot both be true at the same time according to the law of non-contradiction. Indeed, to deny the exclusive nature of truth is to make a truth claim itself.

Apply this to Christianity. The clear implications of Jesus’ stating, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one can come to the Father except through Me John 14:6) is first of all that truth is absolute and second, truth is knowable. Of course, anyone can make such a claim to be the only way to God. The real issue–the heart of the question–is: “Is such a claim consistent with the evidence, especially the historical record concerning His vicarious substitutionary death and resurrection willingly and freely on behalf of sinners to satisfy divine righteousness and justice, which demanded the death penalty for sin. I believe that of all religions, Jesus only provides answers to the four most fundamental questions in life–origin, meaning, morality, destiny–that corresponds with reality and His internal consistency concerning the nature of God–both loving and just, unlike any other faith.

]]> By: Rob http://christiannews.co.nz/2010/it-is-misleading-%e2%80%94-and-dangerous-%e2%80%94-to-think-that-religions-are-different-paths-to-the-same-wisdom/comment-page-1/#comment-74749 Rob Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:53:23 +0000 http://christiannews.co.nz/?p=5069#comment-74749 We certainly ought not be ashamed that Christianity teaches exclusivity -- e.g. that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God. He certainly taught that, as did the remainder of the Bible writers. Also... Islam teaches the same thing. Atheism likewise. In fact, whenever anyone opens their mouth and makes such a claim, they are making an EXCLUSIVE claim. Even the claim that "my belief is that there is no one-way to God" is exclusive -- it is claiming that "no one-way" in the true situation. For the fame of His name... :-) We certainly ought not be ashamed that Christianity teaches exclusivity — e.g. that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God. He certainly taught that, as did the remainder of the Bible writers.

Also…

Islam teaches the same thing.

Atheism likewise.

In fact, whenever anyone opens their mouth and makes such a claim, they are making an EXCLUSIVE claim. Even the claim that “my belief is that there is no one-way to God” is exclusive — it is claiming that “no one-way” in the true situation.

For the fame of His name…

:-)

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