|
|
 |
| NEWSLETTER ARTICLES |
Only One Way To Heaven?
by Wayne Stiles
Everywhere today — from the media, to Oprah, even to some churches — the belief in Jesus as the only way to God has been rejected in favor of the idea that there are many ways to God. How can Christianity make the exclusionary claim that Jesus is the only way to heaven?
A great place to begin addressing this question is with the fact that Christianity can’t be just one of many ways when it contradicts all other religions and worldviews. If Christianity teaches that people are saved by grace but all other religions teach salvation by works, then either one view is wrong . . .or all are wrong but one. Every person, left to his or her own devices, from the heathen in Africa to the heathen in America, suppresses the revelation he or she has received — be it from the natural creation, the conscience, or the Bible. There is none, not even one, who is righteous.
The real question isn’t, “Is there only one way to God?” but rather, “How can a sinner stand before a holy God?” No amount of good works can make up for or cover over our sin. Only grace provides a way for forgiveness of sins — and only Christ offers forgiveness by grace through faith in Him.
Consider these facts, both reasonable and biblical:
The logical law of non-contradiction demands that Christianity can’t be just one of many truths because its claims about the incarnation of Jesus, the resurrection, and salvation only through Christ contradict all other views.
The real issue is God’s holiness in the face of humankind’s sinfulness; only Christianity deals with the sin problem. Other religions seek to save humans not by the grace of God but by works.
Other religions may be sincere in their beliefs, but sincerity is not the basis of truth; a person can be sincerely wrong.
Jesus Himself claimed to be the only way to God ( John 14:6).
God has given everyone sufficient revelation to point to Him (even people who have never heard), be it in the natural creation, the conscience, or the Bible. If that revelation is responded to positively, Scripture shows that God will send more — and ultimately, the gospel (Acts 8:26 – 35; 10:19 – 22; Romans 1:18 – 23; 2:12).
God will condemn no one for being ignorant of Christ, but He will condemn everyone who has sinned (Romans 2:11–16; 3:23).
If someone could be saved apart from faith in Jesus, then the Great Commission would be needless — and Jesus has died in vain (Matthew 28:18 – 20; Galatians 2:21).
“How can Jesus be the only way to heaven?” is one of a number of key questions Christians hear from those who seek to know more about the Christian faith. Insight for Living remains committed to providing resources to help you answer these tough questions.
Adapted from Insight for Living, Answers for the World’s Tough Questions Passport (Plano, Tex.: IFL Publishing House, 2008).
____________________________________________________________________________
Wayne Stiles is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a doctor of ministry degree. Wayne currently serves as executive vice president and chief content officer at Insight for Living where he leads alongside a creative team of writers, editors, pastors, and designers. Wayne has also contributed as a writer for our popular Insight’s Handbooks, LifeMaps, and Passport series
|
|
|
|
|
|
