In no other realm of life would we apply such an argument. What teacher would be satisfied with pupils who said, “It doesn't matter what subjects we study, all are basically the same.” Is it really likely that all religions lead to God when they are so different, indeed, so contradictory?
I think there are a number of reasons why so many people are dedicated to such a shaky proposition at this particular time in history, but I will only mention two of them here. First, the world has become a global village and as a result, various faiths jostle one another just as various nationalities bump into one another in the streets. It is tacitly assumed that racial pluralism validates religious pluralism. Secondly, this approach allows people to avoid making a decision. If all religions are the same, we don't have to choose one above the other; we can even ‘pick ‘n mix' to suit our won individual desires.
The assumption that all religions are looking for God and will all find Him in the end is false both to what God is like and to human nature. If there is a God, then surely He is the source of ourselves and of our environment. He is Lord over all life. How can we, as mere human beings, comprehend Him or climb up to Him? Obviously we can't.
If the nature of God is one reason why the creature will never find his way to the Creator unaided, human nature is the other. We have to face up to the hard facts that we are essentially selfish, that we love darkness rather than light, and that there is a basic twist in human nature that makes us go wrong without our really trying.
If these two things are true, then we have no prospect of reaching God for no religion can span the gulf between an Almighty Holy God and sinful human beings. If there is to be any hope for us, it must therefore depend on God taking the initiative. Not only must God show us what He is like, He must also find a way to reconcile sinful humans to Himself. The Bible, and the Bible alone, claims that such a revelation has happened and that a way has been found whereby sinful humans can have fellowship with a holy God. This is the amazing truth that Charles Wesley celebrates in a line in his famous Christmas carol: “Hark! the herald angels sing...God and sinners reconciled.”
By Andrew Stewart
Four things you should know about hell (mp3)
Four things you should know about heaven (mp3)
What do you think of Westfields?
Details of 2008 houseparty:
23rd - 30th August 2008
Stanbridge Earls School,
Romsey, Hampshire
Mums and Tots
Friday morning 9.30am
At the church