Arun is a recent convert from Hinduism. He tried other gods and religions prior to his conversion. When confronted with the questions of life, all these religions and their gods failed him. In desperation, he contemplated suicide, but before he had opportunity to carry out his plans, he met a witness for Christ on a college campus in Minnesota. After carefully examining the evidences for Christianity, Arun gave his heart to the Lord Jesus. In Christ he has found all the answers to his questions, and now has “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
One of the main attacks against Christianity in society today is that it is too “exclusive.” Some of the questions asked are: Is Jesus Christ the only way? How can the Bible be true? And how can we take a leap of faith in this scientific age?
The main aim of this article is to briefly mention the main philosophies and world views which seem to be uprooting the human mind, and to point out the distinction between true Christianity and other suggested ways to God.
Throughout the ages, men have always had some knowledge of God. They have worshipped some God or gods with images and other symbolic representations of deity. In the East, there are thousands of gods to choose from, and numerous philosophies, but the question to be answered is: are they credible?
In analyzing the Hindu scriptures, I have found a peculiar similarity between it and New Age philosophy, Buddhism, Taoism, and Pantheism. Each caters to the human mind because godhead is in everything. Men have always wanted to be on par with God (see Gen. 3:5). The underlying theme of “self-conciousness”–an awareness of one’s “spirit being”–fosters man’s arrogance and selfishness. The Bible is very observant in this respect, stating that “no one seeks after God” (Rom. 3:11), meaning the one true God.
If man’s own reasoning is the only way to the truth, or personal exploration of metaphysics is the only way to truth, or if your personal perspective is the only truth: then is that not exclusive? Stating, “No one can know” is certainly exclusive, denying the sincerity or the sensibility of those who say they do know.
It is true that the Bible is very exclusive in condemning wrong (sin) by an absolute standard, but does it not also provide immense joy through forgiveness of all sin? And is that forgiveness not offered to everyone who will come God’s way? The main problem in society today is the rejection of ethical and moral absolutes. This argues against our very existence. If what we do does not matter, then we do not matter, either.
When men commit unspeakable things against humanity and against God, then God has every right to say: “What do you think you are doing?” and call you to account before your Creator. Eastern thinking, with its denial of moral absolutes, leaves one without moorings. You can justify anything and everything with the application of Hindu philosophy. Anything, that is, but your sin before a holy God.
God has always been associated with love, goodness, purity, and holiness. If He is not these things, then the notion of God is senseless. So is He wrong in punishing wrongdoers? No, wrongdoers must be punished. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Otherwise there is no justice in life.
The three monotheistic belief systems–Christianity, Islam, and Judaism–are the only religions which claim exclusivity. Hinduism, Buddhism, and other similar philosophies, because they are predominantly pantheistic, cannot take evil seriously.
After all, if you are a little bit of God, how can you be evil?
Reason and Islam are worlds apart, because of the unconditional submission Islam requires from its believers. This was evident to me because the Muslims to whom I spoke did not even know what their religion taught, but still considered themselves to be good Muslims! And if God is love, then the writings in the Quran are inconsistent with the nature of God. The law of non-contradiction is inapplicable to Islamic thought. I personally was repulsed by the ignorance and brutality associated with that religion. I could not find an answer in Islam for the longings of my heart.
Judaism, also legalistic, is impossible for sinners to follow. The greatest commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deut. 6:5), because of our sinful human nature, is impossible to obey. The New Testament tells us that God intended only that the law would show us our need of Christ (Gal. 3:24). “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no [one] be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 3:20).
In this age of pragmatic thinking, biblical Christianity alone analyzes the inner problems of humanity and offers salvation from the problem of the deserved judgment of God, then rebuilds our relationship with God, in whom not only morality is at perfection, but love and grace and wisdom and power. If this is not pragmatism, by what other name would you call it?
“For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). “Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). Is this being exclusive? Jesus Christ says that He alone is the Way, yet He is willing to accept anyone who is ready to come to Him. Is this as difficult to understand as Atomic Physics or Plato’s Republic? No, this is very simple. Soren Kierkegaard said: “It is hard to believe, not because it is hard to understand, but because it is hard to obey.” We are too proud to acknowledge our spiritual depravity, and our inability to save ourselves.
Society is battling with the issue of pain, and bondage. If pain exists, can a compassionate God exist? If bondage exists, can a good God exist? The world is undergoing much pain: rampant disease, poverty, violence, spousal and child abuse–the list is endless. Although such suffering is the result of man’s rebellion against God, why does He allow it to continue? Why doesn’t He do something to stop it? For one thing, pain has the power to wake people up. C.S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasure, but shouts to us in our pain.” God shouted at the cross, when His only begotten Son was crucified, and the message was love, imparted to people who agree with God about their sin and believe in Christ by faith.
Some philosophies argue against pain (as with Buddhism, Positive thinking, and so-called “Christian Science”); others question the very existence of pain (Hinduism, Relativism, Cosmic consciousness, etc.); still others advise us to mask pain with techniques or medication. Biblical Christianity alone offers a remedy: Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).
Biblical Christianity acknowledges the presence of social evils, but it also sees them in perspective. It states them to be symptoms, not the root cause. It offers a solution for the issue of sin and the certain hope that God will ultimately deal with the symptoms, setting right the whole universe. Hence, biblical Christianity is more constructive and more pragmatic than any other religion or philosophy.
This truth can be seen in the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born into this world as a human being, lived and understood the sorrow of human living, yet was without sin. “For we have not an high priest, who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
Believing in the Bible and in the Lord Jesus Christ is in no way contradictory to the intellect. The Bible is not mere speculation about life’s questions, but God’s direct approach to man, motivated by His love. Following the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible is certainly a rational and intelligent decision. Examine the Bible. If what God says is not true, then don’t believe it. But everyone who has believed the message has discovered that what God says is true.
God is shouting out His message of love and forgiveness to you. Are you willing to accept it? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).