Originally posted by philosophizer
There are those here and elsewhere that believe and assert that there are many paths that lead to God. They claim that it is narrowminded to think that only Christians are saved and the rest burn in hell.
And Christians refuting this will read off John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.".
And this has been my approach too. Jesus said in no uncertain terms that He is the right path and the others are not. Sort of like: my way or the highway.
But I had a thought. And in pursuing this thought I entertained the idea all the other religions, paths and ways were actually leading to something.
What is the purpose of religion? I would say to seek a relationship with God. And so each different religion is a collection of different stories and suggestions that describe that relationship and explain how to better seek God so that we might eventually find Him.
So this is how all religions are supposed to be paths toward God. God is the goal at the end of the path and the journey is life (or lives with some religions). And these paths all intially reach the same result. They all reach for the same thing and all (including Christianity) initially find the same problem: God cannot be reached.
Every single religion's path leads, not to God, but to a gulf-- a separation from God. Every profound religious/theological/philosophical argument leads to this separation. We cannot really know God. He is above and we below. He is infinitely greater than we are. He is beyond comprehension. Unfathomable. Just read the book of Job to hear God himself saying this. We cannot approach him properly through any of these "paths." The gulf is insurmountable.
So every religion is a path to the same place, but not to God. Every religion leads to this canyon that separates us from God. But that is where Christianity differs. Yes all paths and religions do lead to this same place, but Christianity offers a way across. When Christ says that He is the way, truth, and life, he doesn't mean that other religions aren't trying to get to God. He means that He's the only way that works. Every religion tries to find God. All find themselves separated. But God came to earth as a man that we might know Him and by knowing Him, find a bridge across the canyon.
John 14:5-15 -- Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
Any thoughts?
philosophizer's post is great!