The Bible and Religious Pluralism
The ancient Christian teaching that trust in Jesus is anyone’s only hope for salvation clashes head on with the modern idea that all religions are equally legitimate paths to God. Sadly, this “religious pluralism” is a notion many Christians have embraced, too.
Is Jesus the only way? Is salvation dependent on faith in Christ? That’s what Jesus taught with crystal clarity:
Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. (Matt. 7:13-14)
Not only is Jesus the only source of salvation (since forgiveness is not possible without the payment Jesus provides), but trust in Him is the only means of salvation (since He’s the only one who solved our problem—sin).
The following verses identify nine distinct lines of argument that biblically prove Jesus taught this truth and entrusted it to every one He trained to take His message after Him—the Apostles.
Neither Jesus nor His disciples were religious pluralists. When a hundred passages argue the same point from a variety of different angles it cannot be mistaken, only ignored.
The Clearest Statements
Jn. 14:6 Jesus said to Him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through me.”
Acts 4:11-12, Acts 16:30-31, 1 Tim. 2:5, 1 Jn. 2:23, 1 Jn. 5:11-12, Lk. 10:16, Lk. 12:8-9, Jn. 3:18, Jn. 3:36, Jn. 8:24, Jn. 10:7-8b
The Only Source of Salvation
Greg Koukl
Jesus Is the Only Source of Salvation for the World
Man, guilty of rebellion, wanders as an outcast, but God does not abandon Him. The Messiah would be the true door, the bread of life, the only way to the Father, bringing eternal life to those who trust in Him.
Acts 4:11-12 “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Mk. 14:61-62, Jn. 3:14-16, Jn. 6:51, Jn. 6:53-54, Jn. 6:68-69, Jn. 10:9a, Jn. 15:1a, Jn. 16:8-9, Jn. 17:3, Acts 16:30-31, Rom. 10:9, 1 Tim. 2:5, Titus 1:4, Titus 2:13, Titus 3:6, Heb. 12:2, 1 Jn. 5:20
The Father's Choice
Greg Koukl
Jesus Is the Father’s Choice
The Father’s rescue operation was carefully planned from the beginning. He chose one man, Jesus, His Son. God exalts Him alone and puts all things into His hand. We’re to listen to Him, believe in Him, trust in Him.
1 Jn. 3:23a And this is [God’s] commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus the Messiah . . . just as He commanded us.
Matt. 17:5, Mk. 9:7, Lk. 9:35, Jn. 3:33-34, Jn. 6:28-29, Jn. 6:40, Jn. 6:45b, Jn. 16:15a, Phil. 2:9-11, Heb. 1:1-3, 1 Jn. 4:14, Lk. 10:22, Jn. 3:35
