John 10:1-21
1. Is Jesus really the only way to God? v. 1-2, 7-9
Religious pluralism refers to the belief in two or more religions as being equally valid or acceptable. More than mere tolerance, religious pluralism accepts multiple paths to God or gods as a possibility.
Three things religious pluralism says…
1) “If we live a good life then we get to the afterlife. Isn’t this what all religions teach?”
2) “Aren’t all religions the same and basically teach the same thing?”
3) “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.”
-Acts 17:30-31
“The commercialized mindset moves away from personal conviction toward pragmatic effectiveness. It feels that if the consumer is unhappy with the presentation, there must be something wrong with it. When this feeling becomes overriding, it circles around and redefines the “truth” being presented so that the presentation can be made enjoyable. If the claim that Jesus is the only way of salvation offends people, the commercialized mindset will either not talk about it or stop believing it.”
“The psychologized mindset defines love as whatever the other person feels is loving. The effect is the same as with the commercialized mindset. If a person or group finds your summons to believe on Jesus for salvation to be arrogant instead of humble and loving, then, if you have the psychologized mindset, you will feel guilty and apologetic. It must be your fault. If this mindset becomes overriding, it too will circle around and change not only the presentation, but, if necessary, the thing presented, so that the other person will not feel unloved.”
“In this way, the unhappy consumer and the offended listener take on a power that once belonged only to the Bible. There is an epidemic fear of man behind these two mindsets. In the name of marketing savvy or sensitive communication, cowardice capitulates to the world, and we surrender the offensive truth of Christ’s uniqueness and supremacy.”
-John Piper, Jesus, the Only Way to God: Must You Hear The Gospel to be Saved?
*** There are few things you can believe in this pluralistic world that can be more consequential than the Biblical truth that Jesus is the only way to God. And yet, this is exactly what Scripture teaches us to believe. Not as a statement of hate but as one of hope.