How can Christianity claim to be the only way to God?

This a thorny one. There is no politically correct way to answer this question. It is true, Jesus claimed to be the only way to God (John 14:6) and later Peter the new appointed leader of the Church echoed the idea (Acts 4:12). Yet people struggle with the claim. Many think it is arrogant, divisive and cruel.

As I think through these concerns I find it interesting that people accuse Jesus of being arrogant, usually people speak positively about Him. As I said, it is not us Christians that came up with the principle of exclusivity, but Jesus did. He made the claim and we Christians actually do the opposite thing from arrogance when we humbly submit to the One who taught and did all those amazing things. We just realize that we cannot claim to see how things really are in the spiritual realm on our own. But the Guy who raises Himself from the grave and proves Himself to be God, well that's a different story. When He speaks, we humbly listen. So really, the detractors need to take the complaint of arrogance up with Him. Good luck!

The claim that Jesus was being divisive is absolutely true. Jesus told us He would divide (Luke 12:51-53). So, it is not now surprising to find that He actually does. But let me also point out that truth divides, truth is exclusive truth. For example if we say two plus two equals four. We have now excluded all other possible answers and they are infinite. We are saying the answer is not five or three and so on. Many claims are exclusive... "We are eating at Moes." Moes excludes all other restaurantes and those who do not want to go to Moes (It is hard to believe but they are out there!). This means everyone is exclusive to a degree. Those who claim that all roads lead to heaven actually exclude Bible believing Christians who cannot embrace the concept. So we could make the same counter claim, that they are divisive, they will not let us, who believe the Bible, join their club. The great thing about Jesus though is all are welcome. The actual division is not of His choosing but ours. He has invited everyone to come and find forgiveness in Him. What is interesting is when people choose not to come to Him, they then turn around and act like it was not their choice to begin with, and accuse Him of being exclusive.

The claim of cruelty is truly a perspective issue. If Jesus is not the only way, then it is cruel to act like He is, and tell everyone else that they are doomed. If, however, Jesus is the only way, then it is not cruel to proclaim it and do so passionately because everyone's eternity is at stake. In the same way, if I had the cure for cancer the cruelty would be in holding it back rather than giving it away. When we look at it this way, proclaiming Jesus is anything but cruel, it is actually the loving thing to do.

But let me also point out that when people claim Jesus is not the only way they are unwittingly disparaging God, the cross and Jesus. Remember, Jesus begged God to take the cross away, if there was any other possible way of getting the job done (Matthew 26:42). So, if there really are other ways, and God still made Jesus go through with the cross, then He is not a good God and father. And likewise, the cross becomes unnecessary. We cannot even claim that it was a demonstration of love, because what kind of person throws oneself in front of bus right there in front of their loved ones to demonstrate love? "Hey kids watch this, see how much Daddy loves you!" SMACK! The only way this kind of act could ever be construed as loving would be if the loved one's lives were at stake. Which, in fact, mine was.

Share your thoughts,

Mike




If you want to learn more about this topic check out this podcast.