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The Way
by Kevin Pauley
Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 11:1 HCSB
We are told, ad infinitum ad nauseam, that we must accept many points of view – that there may be one Truth but many paths that lead to it. Somehow, we have come to the twisted idea that to be truly Christian we should tell people that Judaism and Islam are equally valid paths. This is not only heresy, but also a serious marketing error.
First of all, when we accept into our fellowship non-Christian cults and religions, we are telling our people that these have a degree of legitimacy. We are telling them that after having studied the Bible diligently, we have found that these are “alternate paths to heaven.” This would be like going to Wal-Mart and finding signs in the aisles promoting K-Mart or Target. You expect a certain degree of product loyalty from the sellers of that product.
We are secondly telling our people that Jesus and Paul lie. Jesus was very clear when He said, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life, nobody comes to the Father except through Me.”[1] Paul echoed his Master saying, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”[2] Were they lying? By telling our people explicitly or by showing them implicitly in our associations who are we declaring false?
On the south-east wall of the Dome of the Rock, the Muslims have inscribed “…believe only in Allah and of his messenger, but do not say "Three" (Trinity) and it will be better for you. Allah is only one God. Far be it from His glory that he should have a son.” Which is correct? Is Jesus God and Savior as He claimed or is he a lying usurper as the Muslim imams say?
Thirdly, we are telling our people that Jesus’ death on the cross was useless. If rabbinical Judaism is an equally valid path to heaven, then why did Jesus find it necessary to come to earth, rebuke them repeatedly and then die for it? Why didn’t Jesus simply point people in that direction? Jesus felt sufficiently passionate about these other religions’ falsity to die for it. Was that death a futile tragedy? Was Jesus wrong?
Fourthly, we are telling our people that religion is about convenience. We can choose our religious flavor like we choose the color of our ties. Not happy with the Christ? Why not try Mohammed? Tired of him? Have a sample of Buddha. It’s all basically the same – just different styles. Is that what we want to tell our people?
More importantly, is that what we want to tell Jesus? When you come face to face with the Lord of lords and from your kneeling position see the nail scars in his hands and feet, are you willing to explain to Him, “But…but…Jesus! I was politically correct!”?
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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