What About Other Religions?

            In a survey conducted last fall, the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that the United States continues to be a predominantly Christian society, with 73% of Americans identifying with some form of Christianity.  However, the survey also found that 6% of respondents identified with some other religion, which was an increase of 50% for other religions over five years ago, when the same survey was conducted.[1] We live in a society that is increasingly pluralistic, with neighbors and work colleagues who may be Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and many other faiths. 

             For many Christians, other religions can raise doubts about their own faith.  For instance, we may wonder, if Christianity is the true religion, then why are there other religious perspectives at all?  Why would God, who loves human persons so much, allow us to be distracted or misled by other, false religions?  Or, we may ask, can followers of other religions be saved?  And, if so, what does that imply about Christianity?

             As with the other questions and doubts that we have explored in this series, there are no easy answers here.  In his book, When Christians Get It Wrong[2], Adam Hamilton helpfully points out that the responses to many doubts concerning other religions can be divided into three categories:

 

1.      Christian Exclusivism, which holds that only Christians who place their faith completely in Christ will be saved and welcomed into life eternal with God.  Persons of other faiths will be condemned because they failed to put their faith in Jesus, no matter how many good deeds they do in life.

2.      Christian Universalism, which takes the opposite perspective, holding that all persons—including Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and all persons of other faiths—will ultimately be reconciled with God and be welcomed into life eternal with God.

3.      Christian Inclusivism, which takes something of a middle position between Christian Exclusivism and Christian Universalism.  From this perspective, Jesus Christ offers salvation to the world.  However, it recognizes that salvation is a gift from God, which God as God can offer to whomever God chooses, based upon God’s criteria.  This perspective affirms the core Christian belief that God loves all human persons and it leaves open the possibility that non-Christians may be reconciled with God and welcomed into life eternal, based upon God’s choice.

 I will use this framework proposed by Adam Hamilton in my sermon this Sunday, February 3rd, to explore doubts concerning other religions.  I will try to analyze each of these positions, suggesting strengths and weaknesses that I see with each one.

             My sermon will be based upon John 14: 6-7 and other scripture.  John 14: 6-7 reads:  “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you know me, you will know my Father also.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

 

This sermon is the fifth in a series, called:  “Confronting Our Doubts.”  For a complete listing of the series, see my first post below.  Through confronting issues that raise doubts, I believe that we can gain deeper understanding and a stronger faith. 

In exploring these topics, I am not trying to convince everyone that they must resolve their doubts by agreeing with my position.  I think it is important for each person to develop their own answer to these doubts.  At the same time, I believe that as the pastor I should share where I am on this issue  Whereas at first glance, John 14: 6-7 may appear to give strong scriptural warrant for the first position of “Christian Exclusivism,” I will suggest in my sermon that a careful interpretation gives equal warrant for the second and third positions.  In the end, my personal perspective resonates most strongly with the third position of “Christian Inclusivism.”  Whether you agree or disagree with me, I hope that this sermon will stimulate deeper reflection and understanding of God and Christian discipleship.

Feel free to post your comments on this blog.  If you live in the Meriden-area and do not have a regular church home, please consider attending Meriden United Methodist Church this Sunday.  Meriden UMC is located at the corner of Dawson and Main.  Our worship service starts on Sundays at 10 am.  Everyone is welcome and accepted because God loves us all.

 

 

 

 

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[1] The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, “‘Nones’ on the Rise,” accessed online at http://www.pewforum.org/Unaffiliated/nones-on-the-rise.aspx. 

[2] Adam Hamilton, When Christians Get It Wrong (Nashville:  Abingdon Press, 2010, 2013), see chapter 3, pp. 32-43.