World Religions: an introduction to our new series.
One thing that has made America a special place is that it
is a melting pot of nationalities, ethnic groups and religions. Our country was
founded on the principal that we the people should be free to worship our
religion without the government forcing us to choose a specific religion.
In the early days of our country, it was primarily Christian
denominations, mainly Protestant denominations that wanted freedom to worship
God without fear of persecution. Today, however, there are hundreds, if not
thousands, of religions within our country. It is not uncommon to make a trip
to the grocery store and see foods that have been set aside for different
religious groups, to go to the coffee shop and hear conversations about
different religions, or go to school with friends that believe something
different, if they believe anything at all.
Although I titled this series “World Religions,” and we will
be hearing teachings from those who have seen religion in China and Mali, in
reality the World has come to us. In our community here in Akron, there are
Buddhists, Muslims, Atheists, Hindus, Jews, and so many more. We don’t have go
around the world to encounter world religions. The question is, what do you
believe and why do you believe it? Can you share your faith with someone who
doesn’t believe the same as you?
With so many religions around us, it can be a confusing
reality. Why are there so many religions? What makes them different? I grew up
in a Christian home, but how do I know Christianity is the right religion? Does
there even have to be a “right” religion? Can’t we all affirm each other’s
truth, as long as we don’t hurt each other?
These are great questions and some that we will be tackling
over the coming weeks.
Let’s start with “Why
so many religions?” Everyone has a religion on some level, whether they
acknowledge it or not, they can’t help it. Even an Atheist, has a religion of
sorts. As Christians, we believe the reason why is that God created us to be in
a relationship with Him (Genesis 1:27; John 17:3). Not only did He create us to
be in relationship with Him, he created our hearts to long for that
relationship.
“Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find
out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
(ESV)
I believe this is talking about, as St Augustine said, “we
have a god-shaped hole inside of us.”
But since the Fall, when our first parents, Adam and Eve,
ate the forbidden fruit and sin enter the world, confusion quickly followed.
The descendants of Adam and Eve throughout history have rebelled against God
(see Romans 1) and pursued their own thing. Regardless of how far from God they
ran, people still felt this deep spiritual need to explain who they are, where
they came from, why they exist and what is in their future.
Many of today’s religions have been passed down throughout
generations in one variation or another. Before we get too far into this, let’s
ask another question:
“What is religion?”
Though most definitions of religion will say something like,
“a belief in a God, gods or superhuman controlling power.” I would like to talk
a little more broadly and existentially. Religion is a worldview, it’s a starting point
that builds a foundation of how you view where we came from, what we are here for,
and what is next for us. It lays the foundation for what you think about
yourself, how you value others, what you pursue in your life, how you relate to
others, and so much more. Religions are developed by people to answer their deep
spiritual need to explain who they are, where they came from, why they exist
and what is in their future.
What makes
Christianity different than other religions?
If you Google “how many religions are there?” you will find
the answer to be roughly 4,200 religions. There are Major religions and small
religious groups. In our postmodern, or post-postmodern, world today, we have
grown up with the teaching that absolute truth doesn’t exist. Our culture wants
to teach a “new tolerance” that teaches everyone’s truth claims are equally
valid and must be affirmed.
Unfortunately, this “feeling” and thought process has worked
its way into our hearts and minds, more than we want to admit. Especially in
the younger generations who have grown up in a more religiously diverse culture.
(i.e., “How can my really nice friend of __________ religion be bad?”) However,
validating every truth claim doesn’t jive with reality. Basic rules of logic
demand otherwise. If Christianity is true, that Truth demands that the other
4,199 truth claims are wrong.
That’s a huge statement, and therefore we must be certain on
what we believe and why we believe it. If you don’t really believe what Jesus
said, or what Jesus did for us, it would make sense that you don’t understand
why it’s a big deal for other people to believe something different. But if you
truly believe that Jesus meant, “I am the
way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me”
(John 14:6), then you will see that no other religious view is adequate for
eternal life.
Yet almost all religions claim to be the only way. There are
a few that try to stay so broad that the can include other religions into them.
However, at some point they will reach a point where they have to draw a line.
Every religion attempts to answer this deep spiritual need
to explain who they are, where they came from, why they exist and what is in
their future, they develop a view of morality, ritual and the afterlife. Many
of the religions of the world aspire to good morals, dedicated lives, and some
view of heaven/after-life. Some will look and sound very similar to Christianity,
some will be very different.
There are so many doctrines we could talk about, yet one
over-arching truth separates Christianity from other world religions: in
Christianity, Salvation is a free gift that comes by grace through faith in
Christ alone.
There’s a lot in that one line there, but by comparison, all
other religions are based on the premise that you have to improve your life, to
be good enough in order to earn salvation. You have to work your way to God, to
heaven, to Nirvana, by doing more good than bad. Their hope is in their
actions.
In Christianity, God says you are too bad to deserve heaven,
to sinful to pay for your own sins, so God sent Jesus into the world to pay your
sin debt and offer salvation through faith. By believing in Jesus, you are redeemed,
justified, adopted and reconciled to God through the finished work of Jesus.
There is no earning salvation. Our hope is in Jesus.
There Can Be Only One
Valid Truth Claim
So, there you have it, Christianity claims to be the only
way to God, to Salvation, to Heaven. To follow Christ means abandoning all
other truth claims, recognizing that you cannot earn your way to God’s favor or
prove you are worthy enough. Instead, it’s a humble acknowledgement that God
has provided all you need in Jesus alone.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in
glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
Now believing this means we need to take the Gospel, or Good
News, to the world. There are sincere people in all the 4,199 other faiths that
need to hear the truth, that want to hear the truth, but are caught in a cycle
of trying to earn their way. They need to hear that Jesus paid their way. Will
you tell them?
You may struggle with the truth that there can only be one
valid truth claim, because you have friends or family that follow different
religions. Our culture also paints a picture that to disagree or disapprove of
someone is to be a hater. That is not true either. You can absolutely disagree
with someone and still love them. As a matter of fact, sometimes disagreeing
with someone is the most loving thing you can do.
So, as we open this series, understand that everyone at the
core wants to answer the basic questions of who they are, where they came from,
why they exist and what is in their future. God has spoken the answers in the
Scriptures. Let’s boldly take these answers to the world.
