Jesus Among Secular GodsSample

Pluralism

Pluralism is a way of seeing the world that says: “All views are equally valid.” It claims that although our opinions about the deep questions of life may seem different on the surface, they are actually fundamentally the same or at least of equal merit. This might seem like an affirming, generous position to hold, but there are problems with it.

It is for us to find flaws in mistaken worldviews, it is often even more important to find points of agreement that can act as starting points for conversation and relationship. Despite its logical problems, many people are attracted to pluralism. 

John 14:6 lays out at least two clear problems with this worldview. 

1. Jesus asserted that He is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Notice that Jesus did not just claim to be someone who speaks or teaches the truth; He claimed to be truth itself—truth incarnated in human form (see Phil. 2:5-11). Therefore, everything Jesus said and did is true and authoritative.
2. Jesus followed up this statement with another: “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The early church was not ambiguous on this point (see John 17:3; Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:12; 1 Tim. 2:5).

Therefore, despite all the options in the marketplace of religions, not all paths lead to God (or claim to). Eternal life and salvation—intimate, loving relationship with God—are found in Christ alone and no one else (see Rev. 3:20).

Admittedly, the exclusivity of such a claim rubs many people the wrong way. However, truth by its very definition is exclusive, because asserting that something is true involves an implicit assertion that its negation is false. In other words, what is true must logically exclude its opposite. If the statements of Jesus, Peter, Paul, and John are all true, then as a matter of reality, no other person, including Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, or oneself, can provide eternal life or salvation other than Jesus Christ.