Pastor column: Aren’t there many ways to heaven?

The “pluralist” believes that no one has the right to exclusive belief. Many are adopting the logic of pluralism that says: There is no such thing as “one way” to God; there is no such thing as absolute truth; there is no such thing as a right way to live.

Jesus Christ tells us, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Let’s consider the answers that Jesus gives to the pluralist who says, “There are many ways to heaven.”

The pluralist begins with there’s no such thing as “one way” to God. Jesus said that He alone is “THE WAY.” Additionally, Jesus emphasized the fact that “no one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him” (John 3:36). Speaking of Himself, Jesus declared, “Whoever believes in him, is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:17). When He said, “I am the way,” He said what He meant and He meant what He said. He made it clear!

Exclusive claims made by Jesus are rejected in pluralistic society. But Muslims claim exclusivity and maintain that the Koran is the only word of God. Hinduism is exclusive regarding the authority of the Hindu scriptures the Vedas. Every major religion claims to be the exclusive truth.

The pluralist says there’s no such thing as absolute truth. Jesus declared, “I am … the truth” — not “A Truth” but “The Truth.” Islam is based on the teachings of Mohammed, Buddhism on the teachings Buddha, and Confucianism on the teachings of Confucius. But Christianity is based on who Jesus is and on what He accomplished.

The Bible predictions and the incontrovertible evidence of the historical fact of the cross of Jesus and His resurrection points to His being absolute truth and His teachings being absolute truth. His claim to be the only way to God is an absolute truth that cannot be ignored.

The pluralist contends that there is no such thing as a right way to live. The pluralist’s logic reveals that they are justified to live life their own way rather than God’s way. Jesus Christ is the only true way to God and life apart from Christ is no life at all. The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

All religions teach that man, through his efforts, must reach up to God. The message of Christianity and the claim of Jesus is unique (John 3:16). Jesus made it clear. The way to heaven, the way to absolute truth and the way to live life to the fullest is through knowing Him! Do you know Christ?

Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: The only way to heaven