One Minute Apologist "The Fi5th Gospel"Muestra

Is God A Religious Pluralist?

We live in an age marked by “religious pluralism,” which says no one religion (especially Christianity) holds the exclusive title to “absolute truth” (if there is such a thing). Religious pluralism says all religions ultimately lead to one nebulous God, the Creator and Savior of us all. Tolerance, acceptance, and “personal belief” have become the new path to contentment, peace, and world unity.

While it is important for Christians to effectively and lovingly relate to a plurality of people and to be tolerant of others in that we are patient, kindhearted, and gentle, we are not to be tolerant as in passive or pluralistic in that we fail to stand for the exclusive truth claims of Christ.

It sounds plain mean to exclude people doesn’t it? God wouldn’t exclude people. God is love. God loves everybody the same, right? And that’s usually the point in the conversation where things start getting really uncomfortable and awkward. Raised in a secular climate of uber-tolerance, many Christians struggle to explain why kind, sincere, and devout followers of other faiths will miss heaven by a long shot. For example, how would you respond to a friend who challenged you with the following statements:

“It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere.”

“As long as it works for you and makes you happy.”

“There is no such thing as ultimate (or absolute) truth.”

“I believe there are many ways to God.”

“It’s rude to say one person’s religion is better than another’s.”

“It takes everyone’s truth to equal the truth.”

“What makes you think your religion is right and everyone else is wrong?”

Sound familiar? It is now socially unacceptable to criticize another person’s religious beliefs (unless, of course, you’re slamming Christianity). But keep in mind that, historically, ours has always been a creedal faith, meaning our beliefs direct and influence our attitudes and actions. Since its inception, Christianity has made a bold claim concerning the identity of the one true God and His Son Jesus. And that belief has enjoyed a relatively trouble-free existence in countries and cultures governed or influenced by Judeo-Christian beliefs. But not so today, where this foundational truth has taken a beating in the marketplace of public opinion (not unlike what our first-century brothers and sisters experienced).

Reflection

Re-read the above statements and ask yourself where you could use a little sharpening in the apologetic arena. Perhaps take a little time today to ask God to help you be a humble representative for Him in today’s pluralistic culture.