Religious Pluralism

Back when rhccucc.org had an on-line forum the following question was posted as part of a lenten study they were doing. Certain Scripture texts were given to interact with. It must have been about 6 years ago now that I posted the following reply, hoping to get a conversation going. I can recall no other responses. Let's see if it cannot generate a response here.

The Question:
How do Christians faithfully live with (or resolve) the tension between living respectfully in a world of many religions other than Christianity, and the Christian claim of particularity (Christ is the one and only, the savior of all people) and call to “go and make disciples”?

Christians cannot resolve the tension (in society) that exists due to Christian claims of particularity. The Bible makes exclusive claims, and if we are going to call ourselves Christians we must believe the Bible. Therefore we will experience conflict in this pluralistic society when we encounter those who have differing beliefs, including those who think that the claims of the Bible are untrue as well as those who adhere to different religions.

We must, however, live with people who have differing opinions and beliefs. Hebrew 12:14 tells us to "pursue peace with all men." The point of pursing peace is so that other my see Jesus. We must tolerates others and there views. This means that we must not persecute anyone for there beliefs, but we must still confront those in error with the truth that God has revealed.

The Bible does teach that Jesus Christ is the one and only way to heaven (John 14:6) and that Christians are to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). This creates tension, and we must live with it. We must also be faithful to the teachings of Scripture or we cannot claim to be Christian, for it is the Bible that reveals what it is to be Christian.

John 14:6 was a text we who respond are to consider. This is a clear Scriptural claim that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Acts 4:12 says that there is no other name by which men must be saved, referring to the name of Jesus. No one is saved by adhering to any religion. John 3:16 teaches that those who believe will enter eternal life. Unless a person can confess about Jesus what the Bible teaches there is no reason to believe that they are going to heaven. If someone thinks that adhering to a or any religion is going to get them into heaven they are wrong. If anyone thinks that someone else can get into heaven by adhering to a or any religion that person is not going to heaven themselves!

Matthew 25:31-46 teaches about the reality of both heaven and hell. We can also learn from this passage that both will be populated in eternity. This means that not everyone goes to heaven, and that no one ceases to exist. It teaches that you can know if someone is a Christian or not by their deeds. Christians' lives are marked by love shown to others. This supports the "living with the tension" notion. Matthew 7:15-21 also teaches this. These two passages also show that there are those who think that the will make it into heaven when they die but, they are wrong. Sincerity of faith does not get one into heaven if it is not placed in the Jesus of Scripture.

Matthew 28:18-20 addresses the issue of making disciples. This verse settles the issue, Christians are commanded to make disciples. We are to tell others about Jesus Christ. If we do not tell others, then we hate them. Romans 10:8-15 teaches that if people do not hear about Jesus then they will not believe and the will not be saved from hell. If you saw a blind woman in a crosswalk about to be hit by a bus would you not at least warn her of the danger if not push or pull her to safety? Why not, then, warn the spiritually blind, those would do not think that belief in Jesus is the only way to heaven, that the are in danger of going to hell. This includes those who adhere to other religions. In Ezekiel 3:18 the Lord says, "When I say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand."