An honest question for Christians? ?

Question

Okay, I'm only asking where you are coming from and want your opinion.

I hear on this forum and pretty much anything that's Christian-based stating how its "the only way there is" out there. Now, allow me to ask this honest question, or rather a couple (and I'm not going to bash you guys or anything, just an attempt at dialogue).

If someone were to say they see the validity of Jesus, but yet didn't worship or pray the way you did, meaning they see the importance and values he's taught but yet doesn't believe in worshipping him as God or accepting him as a "personal saviour", or if they were to celebrate different holidays than yours (Ramadan, Oastarra, Samhain, Yom Kippur), would you still see them as valid?

Also, why don't many Christians see other figures, religions, and beliefs as inspired by God? Buddha obviously taught some valuable lessons, Mohammed was a prophet in the Islam religion (which also respects Jesus), the Dalai Lama and other spiritual figures are looking to make the world a better place. Why do you believe that goodness and messengers from God only stopped with Jesus, or that Jesus was the only one (again, NOT taking away his importance or significance, but I'm just saying other parts of the world have equally valid ways of paying homage to God too however you see him). Why do many feel as if only God listens to or favors Christians only and that everyone else who isn't Christian isn't loved or going to heaven/paradise?

I ask this because I see a lot of "spiritual snobbery", and while I'm not saying you have to believe in other religions, beliefs, or faiths, but why the need to condemn and need to "convert"? Jesus taught everyone how to love one another, he tried to bring the Jews and Gentiles together in a religiously dominant environment. Don't you think by expecting everyone to believe, pray, and see God just only one way your doing the same thing the people who persecuted Jesus did?

Answer 1

I understand where you are coming from... and I hope to give a rational explanation of the Christian worldview.

a couple clarifications need to be given...  I am not here arguing a perspective as much as trying to bring clarity.

... our beliefs do not come from our opinions or our emotions.  There are clear teachings in the Bible about salvation.  Of coarse, there are groups that hold strange or unique beliefs and claim they are from the Bible but these groups will always move away from the Bible as authoritative.  All the groups that were not built around a man's teachings but just around the idea that the Bible is authoritative have come up with the same core doctrines of salvation that we, as Christians today, still hold to be true.  

........... in the interests of simply understanding each other, we should recognize that the "fundamentalists" (please don't respond emotionally to that word, just try and reason logically about it) are those who hold to the fundamental (foundational, essential, necessary) beliefs and teachings of a system.  This is why, when it comes to blowing up buildings, a fundamentalist Muslim is dangerous whereas a fundamentalist Christian is not. No Christian who blows up buildings or fights in a "crusade" is following the fundamental teachings of the Bible.  Many will say to this point that you can make the Bible teach what you want, true, but you have to MAKE it teach that.  Read in context, studied dilligently it is very clear on all foundational issues of belief.  Romans is a good example of a clear teaching of the gospel.

.... The Bible does actually teach, very clearly, that Jesus is the only way for man to have his sins forgiven. This is the only way to take scripture as a whole and believe it all.  At this point some would quote verses out of context to confuse the isse, and I would happily deal with them one at a time, but suffice it to say that those who have loved and lauded the Bible as the first and foremost authority have unanimously come to this conclusion.

.... If we were to accept other's beliefs as possibly true, it would be wrong (morally and intellectually) for a couple reasons.

......... intellectually - it is illogical to come to a truth and then constantly undermine that truth with a false humility of "maybe I'm wrong". There are (and should be) things that I believe that I ought not to compromise.  I believe that a parent must provide for a child, I don't say "maybe I'm wrong".  I believe that laws are authoritative, but if I say "maybe I'm wrong" then I have no power to stop someone who is breaking the law.  I said that our beliefs are not based on opinion (we don't think it's true because we believe it) nor are they invented and fluid (they come from the Bible, so to change them would be a violation of them).

.... Morally - with the knowledge that a soul will be punished eternally for the sins that they have committed how could we not make an effort to share with them.  Sharing the gospel has been construed as an attack on people (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;... this is like saying that a man, who goes to a third world country and tries to tell the people that the water they drink is causing sickness because of invisible microbes, is biggoted. We are morally compelled to share the good news of the forgiveness of sins with people, where this breaks down is when we have to try and convince someone of their own sinfulness (like telling people about the microbes) it is not well recieved.

... Let's suppose, as the Biblical worldview does, that each person has sinned against God and will stand condemned before Him one inevitable and terrible day.  But there is hope, for those who acknowledge their sinfulness, repent and put their faith in Christ Jesus (who took the punishment for their sins on the cross and rose from the dead proving victory over sin and death), they will recieve forgiveness and enter into a loving relationship with God.  How could I NOT share this with those who currently still stand condemned?  What kind of love holds its peace when another is dying but doesn't have to?

... spiritual snobbery - when a person says "Jesus is the only way" it shouldn't be considered snobbery, it is a snobbish as saying "you have to cook chicken before you eat it".  Any snobbery would be tied into a thought that as Christians we are better... the truth is, as a Christian I acnowledge my sinfulness, that I am worthy of judgment and h**l, that I am wicked and need the grace and mercy of God.  the truth is that Christians consider themselves to be better OFF, not better.

... as to conversion - we do not want you to join our religion or our church but to come to Christ, recieve the forgiveness of all of your sins and have eternal life.

I hope you respond to this, I put a chunk of time into it and would like to know how it landed.

Answer 2

I always wonder that too. Jesus didn't look down upon the prostitute. He didn't look down upon anyone, he said love your enemies and stuff like that yet there are people who consider themselves saved but look down upon anyone who's strange or not like them.

If Jesus did come again I'm pretty sure he wouldn't worship the same way we do, Every religion has changed a lot since it's original self.

Accepting other religions will just cause conflicts within one's own religion.True, there are many similarities but there are also differences. Just as the Jews believe Jesus is a false idol, Christians  believe Muhammad is not a prophet of God, and Muslims see Jesus as just another prophet not the son of god. It's more like every religion has those who look down upon non-believers of his/her religion not just Christians.

But that's just my opinion, your welcome if I helped sorry I it didn't

Answer 3

I am a Christian, but I understand what you are saying. I don't attend any church, because lots of Christians practicing in an organized religion are spiritual snobs. I think what Jesus wants us to do is LOVE other people. No matter what they believe or how they live. Lots of Christians think it is their job to judge and "fix" people who aren't brainwashed clones of what they think a Christian should be. I choose to love and respect other people and their lifestyles no matter how different they are from mine. I believe that is what a true Christian should do.

Answer 4

I'm answering this as a Catholic Christian. Just to clarify, Catholicism *does* recognize that people of other faiths can be inspired by God and can teach spiritual truth.

Now then, about the "only way" things. Objectively, there are frequently things that have "only one way" about them. If you want to make a human baby, for example, you have to have a minimum one viable human egg and one viable human sperm. There may be different ways of getting these two elements together, but the only way to make a baby is for a human sperm to fertilize a human egg. Another example, if you want to turn sand into glass, you have to apply heat. The heat can come from a variety of different sources, but without heat, you can't turn sand into glass.

My personal belief is that Jesus is the only way a person can get into heaven. But I also believe that because the Lord is perfectly righteous and perfectly merciful, He's not going to keep a person *out* of heaven based on a small technicality like their church affiliation. So I think Jesus is going to be getting a lot of Hindus and Buddhists and Jews and Muslims and Sikhs and (insert religious affiliation here)s into heaven.

He's God. He can do whatever He wants, and I'm certainly not going to tell Him that He's not "allowed" to let a Jewish (or whatever) person into heaven because that person didn't go to a Christian church.

I agree that there is a lot of "spiritual snobbery" out there, particularly among certain Christian faith traditions. Their exclusionary attitude is, I'm afraid, the result of (a) a refusal to look at Judeo/Christian history, (b) shallow theological reasoning, (c) an intense need to believe that their salvation is a done deal without any more need for spiritual growth, (d) the sin of pride ("*I* am one of the chosen, but you little people are not" and (e) the sin of greed ("It's mine, all mine, and you can't have any.")

Answer 5

I'm not Christian but I agree with everything you said and I can't understand why people think "their" God is the ONLY God.

Answer 6

It's refreshing to get an honest question! Thank you! It deserves an honest answer.

Christians did not invent the idea that the only way to God is via Christ. Anthony B bluntly quoted the words of Jesus who was a Jew. As a good Jew, Jesus believed that the only true God is Yahweh, that all other gods are false gods, and that only Yahweh must be worshipped. That's what He replied to Satan when tempted by him in the wilderness to fall down before him. Strangely, Jesus went on to receive worship while on earth and after His resurrection. His followers declared that Yahweh had decreed that all the angels worship Christ and visions were given to the Apostle John about the risen Christ sharing the same heavenly throne as Yahweh and receiving heaven's worship. This is why Christians state that Jesus is God; not another god, but the same God as the Creator. To worship Christ is to worship God.

Such a claim arouses intense anger all over the world. It is the single thing that Christians are ridiculed and hated for. If we were inventing a faith system to attract all and sundry, we would jettison the idea that people can only come to God through Christ! But we stick with it because to reject Christ as God's only means of salvation is to reject God. Do you see the equation?

It is wrong, however, to condemn people who don't see it because this can only be revealed to people by the Holy Spirit. It is not discerned naturally. It is a spiritual insight, granted to those who are seeking. I pray that God might reveal something of Himself to you, and everyone else, through showing you more clearly just who Jesus Christ is.

Answer 7

Jesus said He is the only way to heaven.  Jesus is God, believe Him.  

Jesus loves you.  :)

The truth is that the only way to be saved and to get into heaven and avoid being sent to eternal h**l is by believing in faith alone that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Believe this and you are saved!

Please pray now: "Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and You rose from the dead. Thank You for eternal life!" You will be in heaven with Him forever when you die. :)

Answer 8

i am not a christian either but i 100% agree with your question as well and think you make a very valid point.  

Answer 9

The Bible makes it clear that the ideas you propose are heresy!  If you believe the Bible as the inspired Word of God (and I do), you must accept that there is only one true God, that Jesus is "The way, the truth, and the life," and that we can only serve one master.  Buddha, Mohammed, the Dalai Lama didn't sacrifice their lives to pay for my sins.  They are mere humans who couldn't even save themselves!  How could I share the worship and glory that belongs to my Saviour, with any one else?

The Bible prophecies that, in end times, the religions will merge into one, and that has already begun.  The unity you seek will be granted to you, under the reign of the Anti-Christ.  The Catholic Church has taken huge steps to that end, as you can see by some of the answers listed here.  But, I suspect that the vast majority of Protestant churches have also traded in the beauty of the true Gospel message, for a "feel good" message that is the equivilent of a "self-help" seminar.... no room for God, no spiritual growth, even teaching heresy in more a palatable manner.

However, when this has been accomplished, the Anti-Christ will reak havok on the world, and all the unity that he preached (one world government, one religion, etc) will suddenly break out into the greatest distruction known to man, prior to God stepping in, that is!

It would do you good to research FEMA, NAU, Georgia Guidestones, Bohemian Club, Bilderberg, Agenda 21.  (Let's see how long this answer lasts!!!)

Answer 10

Even the Catholic Church teaches that all who follow an honest, sincere and educated conscience can be saved. But the Church does insist that the best way to acquire and maintain such a conscience is to be an actual member. The burden of proof rests upon those using their conscience. However, God is the Judge.  

Answer 11

Yes

This is due to people s beliefs you see. People believe what they want.

Jesus approached some other people because not every1 believed in him right. Some would have betrayed him....even though they believe in God, but its because of uncertainty....how could he be the son of god?? were questions being asked by a lot. and God does not favour, if he did, why are the other religions still existing...he would have gotten rid of them ages ago right.

No because, God never said he WANTED EVERYONE TO BELIEVE right. thats why not evryone believes..or pray etc. People make their own choices of things...Personal Opinion. they do what they think is best for them.

Hope this answers your questions ye...

Thats also good thinking ;)

Answer 12

The thing is that other religions do NOT worship God with equal validity. God says if you love him you will obey him.  He says that the only way to him is through Jesus Christ.  I beleive I saw the references for these verses in a few others responses.  

If someone accepts Jesus in full and all that he taught then they would put no other god or idol before him.  That means anyother form of worship not taught by the Bible such as budhism is not acceptable.  

Now personally I don't think its any thing on style of worship as long as the theology of the worship is firmly grounded in the word of God.  

Answer 13

This has nothing to do with spiritual snobbery and everything to do with sharing the Gospel ....

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;

Sharing the news of Christ with ALL is how people learn the truth about eternal life and how to get there.

You simply cannot get there without Jesus. BUT you must realize that we do NOT earn eternal life with our own actions.. eternal life is a GIFT that we receive for having FAITH in the blood of Jesus as our atonement.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

Romans 3:19-28

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 5:1,8-11

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus ChristBut God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Answer 14

You ask valid questions. Many choose to believe that Jesus was a good person, but refuse to honor Him as God or the only way to eternal life. C.S. Lewis makes a good argument in his book Mere Christianity that Jesus did not leave those options to us. He did not claim to be just a good teacher or prophet or just a good example by which to live. He claimed to be God - the only way to eternal life (See John 14:6 in the Bible) - it was because of this fantastic claim that the religious leaders of that time wanted to kill Jesus. To them his claim to be God was blasphemous. Now if Jesus was not God, He would not be a good teacher or prophet would He. The only choices we have left in light of this claim and many others (throughout the gospels, especially the gospel of John) is that Jesus is either a lunatic, worse than a liar but evil because he told people they could entrust their eternal well-being to Him, or He is indeed Lord. The evidence of His life and Words (even outside of the Bible, ie. the writings of Josephus) do not bear evidence of Him being a lunatic or evil. His works and miracles that were eye-witnessed by many (even those considered to be enemies of Jesus..and even demons themselves) validated his claim to be in fact Who He claimed to be. The greatest miracle validating His claim of deity was that His tomb was empty - His resurrection.

Answer 15

As a Christian, I follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Since Christian means to follow Christ, then what would you have us Christians do?  Go against his teachings?  The bible clearly lays it out for us and has been referenced clearly by history as being accurate, for the most part. I as a Christian do not feel superior to any other person.  I am, for the most part, a humble servant of Our Lord Jesus Christ. By reading your "Question" it is very clear that you haven't a clear picture as to what a Christian is.  Furthermore, I do not believe that you have a clear understanding of the Bible.  You sound like you are young and in a searching mode for what you truly believe.  Keep up the research, but remember it's not the brain that is saved it is your soul.  So choose wisely. I am very Glad that you have some very good morals and that will go along way towards further study.  Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth.    

Answer 16

We believe that the Bible is true. The Bible says that Jesus is the only way to heaven and that is why we need to choose Him over all the other beliefs if we are wanting to go to heaven.

We do not believe Muhammad was a prophet of God.

Christians believe in free will. Since we want to go to heaven, we choose Jesus and we have started a personal relationship with Him already here on earth

Answer 17

Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except by Me."  Either He is the only way or He is a lunatic.  You decide.  There can be no middle ground.  Either everything He said is the truth or everything He said is a lie.  Make your choice.

Answer 18

I think that there is only one God but that God is not easily defined or interpreted and we all share the same one - no matter what name we give Him/Her/It.

I don't have an issue with someone not getting the Jesus thing. I'm more interested in trying to live my life as He did (as best I can). For those that don't believe - that's fine for them. Whatever path makes them the happiest.

I've very inspired by the teachings of Buddha and think they are an excellent addition to the path of my spiritual growth. Moreover, I believe there is something to learn from all religions and from all people including those who are Atheists and Agnostic.

As for "Jesus said 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.'" I believe many people mis-interpret this. I believe that Jesus meant "by the way that I'm doing it" and the word "by" is more "similar to". Example - someone who lives a life of love and support of others with the best intentions for the good of all - even if they've never even heard of God - are getting there by the way that Jesus did. That's my understanding. It doesn't mean "you have to worship ME to get to God."

Thanks for your thoughtful question.  

Answer 19

I think some Christians are as proud of their snobbery as they are in their faith.  It's sad.