Interested in Learning More About World Religions?

The Complex Spiritual Nature of Our World

His name was Yohei. It was the year 2000 in Tokyo, Japan. He told our mission team that Jesus, Allah, or anybody else who claimed to be God was probably correct. They all led to the same place, and we had everything inside of us that we needed to reach God. Upon questioning him gently (1 Pt. 3:15) concerning Jesus, Yohei claimed that He was one of the greatest teachers who ever walked on earth.

Agreeing with him, I stated that since He is a great teacher, then His teachings must be true. So I asked Yohei what did Jesus mean by “no one comes to the Father except through Me”? Yohei’s reply? “Jesus only meant part of that verse.”

The world says that Christians are intolerant. It is expected that we respect what anyone believes without issuing judgment. We must accept all religions as truth.

Let me ask you this: are we being respectful if we know the truth, but we refuse to share it for the sake of being tolerant?

In Acts 17, Paul got provoked as he watched the people of Athens follow false gods (17:16). Paul didn’t rush in to condemn the people of Athens, but he did address this “Unknown God.” He explained Him to them. His name is Jesus.

But the world says as long as you are religious, you are fine. “All roads lead to the same spot anyway. A truly, loving God wouldn’t allow anyone to go to hell.” The Athenians were very religious, but Paul thought it was necessary to tell them that their religion wasn’t enough to save them, it had to be Jesus alone.

Jesus said that He was the only way. If He only meant “part of that verse,” how do we know if He really meant anything He ever said?

Many will read this and think this is a problem reserved for Japan or Athens, but it is here as well.

His name was David. It was the year 2003 in Greenwood, South Carolina. He was of the Bahá’í faith, and he told me that Jesus, Allah, and Bahá’u’lláh were all different manifestations of the same god. He said that Christians, Muslims, or anyone who is religious are all following the same god.

Upon questioning him gently about the Qu’ran, the Muslim holy book, David did admit that Muhammad wrote “kill the infidels” which meant kill anyone who was not Muslim. I asked if that presented a problem to him. He said it did and left me to go and get a flier.

I then asked if John 14:6 posed a problem. He got me a flier.

Then I asked him why Jesus had to die on the cross for our sins if any god would do. He told me he had no idea.

These are questions that we must address! Is Jesus the only way? Can any religion lead to God? How do you dialogue with believers of other religions?

Interested in Learning More?

Starting on September 7th, I get the privilege to teach a World Religions class here at North Side. For 12 weeks, we will gather on Sunday nights at 5PM in the Family Life Center and discuss how to interact with those of other religions.

We will study the major world religions and focus on the question: “Is Jesus really the only way?”

If you have ever had an interest in knowing more about other religions for curiosity’s sake or for missions training, I would love for you to join me. We will meet for 12 weeks in the Fall on Sunday nights from 5-6 starting on September 7th.

Cost will be $15 which will cover book and materials.