Summary:
The simple answer is “No.” People really want to believe that there are many ways to God. As a matter of fact, that is what many people believe today. But you don’t want that to be true…
A little more:
Here are some clear reasons why that is not true and also why you don’t want that to be true.
1) A small reason: The various religions today are not just different, they actually contradict each other in their core beliefs. For example:
- The Bible claims there is only one God. Buddhism and most eastern religions believe there are many gods. Some even claim that you can become a god while the Bible is clear there is only one eternal God.
- Buddha, Abraham and Mohammad 1) are dead, and 2) only claimed to be messengers of God. Jesus 1) rose from the dead, and 2) claimed to actually be God. The Bible says that Jesus is the only way and that others are false. Other religions would obviously deny that.
2) The big reason: You really only want the Bible to be right and here is why. The message of the Bible is based on unconditional love, not you being ‘good enough’. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and all other major “religions” are based on you earning your status in Heaven or whatever is their next step. Think about it this way: Would you tell your child that your love for them is based purely on your love for them as their parent or would you tell them that your love for them is based on if they act good enough. The former of course. They need to understand that their actions can lead to rewards or consequences, but even those are based on an unconditional love for them. A love that wants them to grow and mature. A love that continues even when they mess up.
You want a God that loves you even when you mess up. A God that is interested in a personal relationship. A God that loves you personally and wants to walk through life’s issues with you. That difference tells the whole story. He created us to be parents with children to help us understand what He is doing. That is the only picture of God that makes sense. That is the story only found in the God of the Bible.
If you don’t really compare the details, it is easy to say there are many ways to God. But the facts simply and clearly contradict that. Something to think about. What two things do conservatives, liberals, evolutionists, creationists, Christians, Atheists, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims all have in common? (Try to answer before reading the following two bullets.)
- They all spend most of their time talking with people with the same high level thought framework and so their beliefs are not fundamentally challenged.
- They emphasize data that supports their thought framework and deemphasize or ignore data that challenges their thought framework.
This time on earth is about us maturing, not proving ourselves worthy of being loved. With Christ, love is guaranteed. The Bible tells a story of “relationship with a loving and wise God”, not “religion to earn your way to God”.
As with most of the pages on this site, remember to review the verses on the bottom of the page. Never rely on just what people say – see what God says.
Read FAQ “Heaven – Greatly Misunderstood” (way better than here)
Read FAQ “Can I know that I’m going to Heaven?” (understand unconditional love)
Back to FAQs
Bible references:
- John 17:3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
- John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
- Mark 12:32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.
- Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
- Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.