There are three
major perspectives among religious people in assessing the salvific efficacy of
world religions. Pluralism is the
view that all (or most) religions are equally valid, all roads lead to heaven,
and what matters is religious commitment and (usually) basic morality. So Jews,
Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians will all be saved because no one
religion has all the truth or the only truth. Inclusivism is the view that one religion does express absolute
truth but that adherents of other faiths will be saved, not by their devotion
to their faith, but by the salvation offered by the true faith as ministered
through their devotion to another religion. According to “Christian”
inclusivism, Jesus is the only Savior, but His blood will cover and save those
who sincerely follow other faiths. Exclusivism
is the view there is only one true religion and one way of salvation. Anyone
outside of that path, sincere or not, will be lost.
The Bible makes
plain that true religion as revealed by the Creator is exclusivist in its
orientation and affect. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The Lord demands
exclusive allegiance from His people (Exod. 20:1-6). Other religions are
regarded as vain and damnable (Psa. 115:1-8; Isa. 44:9-20). The gods of the
nations cannot save (Isa. 46:6-7; Acts 14:11-18). Saul of Tarsus was not saved
in his devotion to Judaism nor Cornelius by his piety (Acts 9-10). Both had to
hear the gospel and believe to be saved. God calls all men in every nation to
repent and turn from their false ways and false religions because He will one
day judge the world by His Son (Acts 17:30-31).
Some people
believe it is narrow-minded and unkind to say people can only be saved by
believing in Jesus. But is it narrow-minded or unkind to tell a person he has
cancer or to warn her to flee from a burning house? How shall they believe
unless they hear the message of salvation (Rom. 10:13-17)? We should not preach
the gospel in an unkind way (Eph. 4:15), but it is hateful and harmful not to
warn people that Christ is the only Savior and faith in Him is the only way to
salvation. Unless they repent, they will perish (Luke 13:3). Love them enough
to point them to the only Savior, Jesus Christ. -JME
