Seven of Today’s Favorite Heresies—#7: Pluralism
Jesus isn’t the only way to God
Contributed by Rev. Jason Wakefield
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. —Acts 4:12
Over the years I have made several trips to a country in South Asia that has a large Hindu and Buddhist population. A person visiting a Hindu or Buddhist home in South Asia will see a mantle or shelf with several idols, deities which the homeowners worship or revere. If a Christian shares about Jesus to the inhabitants, they might be surprisingly receptive. From their perspective, they can just add Jesus to the deities they already worship. They can just add Jesus to the mantle. That is pluralism in a nutshell. Jesus is just one of several options for salvation.
Whether or not we are aware, we can easily do the same thing. We may not have a mantle or shelf with idols, but we do have other things we worship and believe will save us. It was John Calvin who famously wrote in his Institutes: “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” I think there is a tendency for us to want to find other things to worship or believe in that help us to connect with God. Pluralism is very common in our day and age and widely accepted—”Jesus can’t be the only way to God, it simply a misguided narrow-minded approach.”
On one of my flights home from South Asia I struck up a conversation with a young woman who was looking to connect with God. She confessed that her life was very hollow, materialist, and she wanted to connect with God on a deeper level. So she spent several weeks, traveling to shrines, visited monasteries in South Asia in a hope to connect with God. I asked her if she was successful, and her answer was telling. “I think it was beneficial, but I really don’t know.” She looked disappointed as she traveled back to her luxurious but empty life.
Philip and Thomas were like the young woman I mentioned. They struggled to know God and wanted assurance. John 14:5-6, 8-9 records, “Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’”
In speaking to the rulers of the day, Peter spoke of the certainty he had in Jesus. In Acts 4:11-12 it is written: Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When we read these words from Scripture, they offer assurance that we can know God through Jesus our Lord. Pluralism does not give such an assurance. Pluralism gives only options and possibilities. Salvation, a relationship with God, was made possible by God coming to us in the person of Jesus. As followers of Christ, we must not look to anything else for salvation, meaning or purpose. Knowing God is found in Jesus alone. The Bible gives us confidence that we can indeed know God and be saved.
Consider –
╬ The world tells us that there are many places to look for meaning, fulfillment, and purpose. Salvation is only found in Jesus, He is the way, the truth and the life. If we see Jesus we see the Father. When have you looked to other things, people, or activities to “lead you to god/God”? What were those—name them. Ask God to show you how they proved less than what you hoped or expected.
╬ John 14 and Acts 4 offer hope and assurance. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The believer does not live in a state of uncertainty. Do you doubt this “narrow path” to God or do you have even a mustard seed sized faith? Ask for prayer from those around you to help you believe your faith and doubt your doubts.
╬ Our Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus to provide assurance and salvation in a world that is often looking for spiritual meaning. May we share with love and patience the hope and confidence that we have in Jesus with those who believe there are many ways to know God and be saved. In Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.