Is Christ the only way

1
(No Transcript)
2
Is Christ the only way?
3
The only way to what?
Success?
Power?
Knowledge?
Supernatural?
Love?
Happiness?
4
The only way to what?
God!
5
Two Key Questions
1. "How can a loving God send innocent people to
hell?" Universalism
2. "Are there not other equally valid ways to
God?" Pluralism Aren't all religions really
different roads up the same mountain? Syncretism
6
The nice position
"I love the teachings of Jesus and other
spiritual masters, and I love the teachings of
God in nature. I especially love what unites us
all, the spiritual truths that weave through all
the world's religions."
The Rev. Kathleen Verigin, Abundant Life Center,
Vancouver, WA
7
The religious position
I'm offended that so many conservative Christians
believe that theirs is the only path to
salvation. I'm sick of being proselytized. We
Jews enjoy a more basic type of faith, a direct
relationship to God that requires no salvation,
no penitence, no supplication. We do not
proselytize. And we don't worry about the next
life we conduct mitzvahs--good deeds--that
enhance life for ourselves and others in the here
and now.
Pamela R. Winnick
8
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
YHWH, the God of holy, loving justice,
________ reveals Himself to all people, so He can
have _________ with them. He leads them to
_________ but also _____ them to reject (ignore)
His gracious revelation and choose to be apart
from Him for eternity.
9
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
YHWH, the God of holy, loving justice,
graciously reveals Himself to all people, so He
can have _________ with them. He leads them to
_________ but also _____ them to reject (ignore)
His gracious revelation and choose to be apart
from Him for eternity.
10
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
YHWH, the God of holy, loving justice,
graciously reveals Himself to all people, so He
can have relationship with them. He leads them to
_________ but also _____ them to reject (ignore)
His gracious revelation and choose to be apart
from Him for eternity.
11
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
YHWH, the God of holy, loving justice,
graciously reveals Himself to all people, so He
can have relationship with them. He leads them to
repentance, but also _____ them to reject
(ignore) His gracious revelation and choose to be
apart from Him for eternity.
12
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
YHWH, the God of holy, loving justice,
graciously reveals Himself to all people, so He
can have relationship with them. He leads them to
repentance, but also allows them to reject
(ignore) His gracious revelation and choose to be
apart from Him for eternity.
13
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
1. The biblical teaching as well as empirical
evidence shows humans worship and serve ____
____.
14
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
1. The biblical teaching as well as empirical
evidence shows humans worship and serve other
gods.
15
The only way to what?
God!
16
The only way to what?
Which god?
17
(No Transcript)
18
Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God the skies
proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day
they pour forth speech night after night they
display knowledge.
19
Psalm 19
There is no speech or language where their voice
is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the
earth, their words to the ends of the world.
20
Romans 118
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven
against all the godlessness and wickedness of
those who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
21
Romans 119-20
Since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--
have been clearly seen, being understood from
what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
22
Romans 119-20
Since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--
have been clearly seen, being understood from
what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
23
Romans 119-20
Since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--
have been clearly seen, being understood from
what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
24
Romans 119-20
Since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--
have been clearly seen, being understood from
what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
25
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
2. God, out of His grace and desire for
relationship, makes Himself known to __ people in
__ places
26
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
2. God, out of His grace and desire for
relationship, makes Himself known to all people
in __ places
27
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
2. God, out of His grace and desire for
relationship, makes Himself known to all people
in all places
28
Romans 119-20
Since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--
have been clearly seen, being understood from
what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
29
Romans 119-20
Since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--
have been clearly seen, being understood from
what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
30
Romans 119-20
Since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--
have been clearly seen, being understood from
what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
31
Romans 119-20
Since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities-- his eternal power and divine nature--
have been clearly seen, being understood from
what has been made, so that they are without
excuse.
32
Romans 121
For although they knew God, they neither
glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but
their thinking became futile and their foolish
hearts were darkened.
33
Romans 122-23
Although they claimed to be wise, they became
fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God
for images made to look like mortal man and birds
and animals and reptiles.
34
Romans 124
Therefore God gave them over . . .
35
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
3. People usually _____ to receive this
revelation, preferring to serve other gods. They
neither glorify Him as God nor are thankful to
Him. Even as His revelation is repudiated,
rejected, ignored or distorted, He ______ in
making Himself known. Because of this, there is
no possible excuse of ________
36
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
3. People usually refuse to receive this
revelation, preferring to serve other gods. They
neither glorify Him as God nor are thankful to
Him. Even as His revelation is repudiated,
rejected, ignored or distorted, He ______ in
making Himself known. Because of this, there is
no possible excuse of ________
37
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
3. People usually refuse to receive this
revelation, preferring to serve other gods. They
neither glorify Him as God nor are thankful to
Him. Even as His revelation is repudiated,
rejected, ignored or distorted, He persists in
making Himself known. Because of this, there is
no possible excuse of ________
38
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
3. People usually refuse to receive this
revelation, preferring to serve other gods. They
neither glorify Him as God nor are thankful to
Him. Even as His revelation is repudiated,
rejected, ignored or distorted, He persists in
making Himself known. Because of this, there is
no possible excuse of innocence
39
Romans 24
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his
kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing
that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
40
Romans 25
But because of your stubbornness and your
unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath
against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when
his righteous judgment will be revealed.
41
Romans 27
To those who by persistence in doing good seek
glory, honor and immortality, he will give
eternal life.
42
Romans 28-9
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject
the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath
and anger. There will be trouble and distress for
every human being who does evil first for the
Jew, then for the Gentile
43
Romans 210
but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does
good first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
44
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
4. Out of the riches of his kindness, tolerance
and patience, He ____ people toward repentance.
Those who ________ Him will receive His righteous
judgment. To those who _______ to His grace,
seeking glory, honor and immortality, He will
give eternal life. This is true for Jew and
Gentile alike
45
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
4. Out of the riches of his kindness, tolerance
and patience, He leads people toward repentance.
Those who ________ Him will receive His righteous
judgment. To those who _______ to His grace,
seeking glory, honor and immortality, He will
give eternal life. This is true for Jew and
Gentile alike
46
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
4. Out of the riches of his kindness, tolerance
and patience, He leads people toward repentance.
Those who contempt Him will receive His righteous
judgment. To those who _______ to His grace,
seeking glory, honor and immortality, He will
give eternal life. This is true for Jew and
Gentile alike
47
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
4. Out of the riches of his kindness, tolerance
and patience, He leads people toward repentance.
Those who contempt Him will receive His righteous
judgment. To those who respond to His grace,
seeking glory, honor and immortality, He will
give eternal life. This is true for Jew and
Gentile alike
48
Romans 214-15
Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law,
do by nature things required by the law, they are
a law for themselves, even though they do not
have the law, since they show that the
requirements of the law are written on their
hearts, their consciences also bearing witness,
and their thoughts now accusing, now even
defending them.
49
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
5. The biblical teaching as well as empirical
evidence shows humans are aware they fail to meet
an internal standard of righteousness put there
by God Himself
50
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
6. People who have not heard of Christ are
__ condemned for not knowing Christ, but for
_______ relationship with ___ through the
revelation God has made clear to them
51
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
6. People who have not heard of Christ are
not condemned for not knowing Christ, but for
_______ relationship with ___ through the
revelation God has made clear to them
52
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
6. People who have not heard of Christ are
not condemned for not knowing Christ, but for
rejecting relationship with ___ through the
revelation God has made clear to them
53
How can a loving God send innocent people to hell?
6. People who have not heard of Christ are
not condemned for not knowing Christ, but for
rejecting relationship with God through the
revelation God has made clear to them
54
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
Arent all religions really different roads up
the same mountain?
55
Mt. Deus
56
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
The different religions worship _______ gods.
Only Christianity is a religion of _____ with a
personal God who moves to save humans justly from
their sins, where salvation (acceptance by God)
is not dependent upon our __________. Jesus
Christ is unique among humans as the incarnate
Word. While most other religions have some
truth, only Christianity IS ___ ____.
57
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
The different religions worship different gods.
Only Christianity is a religion of _____ with a
personal God who moves to save humans justly from
their sins, where salvation (acceptance by God)
is not dependent upon our __________. Jesus
Christ is unique among humans as the incarnate
Word. While most other religions have some
truth, only Christianity IS ___ ____.
58
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
The different religions worship different gods.
Only Christianity is a religion of grace with a
personal God who moves to save humans justly from
their sins, where salvation (acceptance by God)
is not dependent upon our __________. Jesus
Christ is unique among humans as the incarnate
Word. While most other religions have some
truth, only Christianity IS ___ ____.
59
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
The different religions worship different gods.
Only Christianity is a religion of grace with a
personal God who moves to save humans justly from
their sins, where salvation (acceptance by God)
is not dependent upon our achievement. Jesus
Christ is unique among humans as the incarnate
Word. While most other religions have some
truth, only Christianity IS ___ ____.
60
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
The different religions worship different gods.
Only Christianity is a religion of grace with a
personal God who moves to save humans justly from
their sins, where salvation (acceptance by God)
is not dependent upon our achievement. Jesus
Christ is unique among humans as the incarnate
Word. While most other religions have some
truth, only Christianity IS true truth.
61
Romans 323
There is no difference, for all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God,
62
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
1. Humans are sinful and in need of redemption
63
John 11
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. He was with God
in the beginning. Through him all things were
made without him nothing was made that has been
made.
64
John 114
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among
us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One
and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace
and truth.
65
Mark 2
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of
the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above
Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the
mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus
saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son,
your sins are forgiven."
66
Mark 2
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there,
thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow
talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive
sins but God alone?"
67
Mark 2
Jesus said to them, "Why are you thinking these
things? Which is easier to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up,
take your mat and walk'?
68
Mark 2
But that you may know that the Son of Man has
authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said
to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your
mat and go home."
69
Matthew 26
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under
oath by the living God Tell us if you are the
Christ, the Son of God."
70
Matthew 26
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I
say to all of you In the future you will see the
Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the
Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
71
Matthew 26
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said,
"He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more
witnesses? Look, now you have heard the
blasphemy. What do you think?" "He is worthy of
death," they answered. Then they spit in his face
and struck him with their fists.
72
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
2. Jesus is ______

• He alone claims to be incarnate _______

• He is not a good ______ (only)

• Liar - lunatic - Lord

73
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
2. Jesus is unique

• He alone claims to be incarnate _______

• He is not a good ______ (only)

• Liar - lunatic - Lord

74
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
2. Jesus is unique

• He alone claims to be incarnate God-man

• He is not a good ______ (only)

• Liar - lunatic - Lord

75
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
2. Jesus is unique

• He alone claims to be incarnate God-man

• He is not a good teacher (only)

• Liar - lunatic - Lord

76
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
3. Christianity claims to be ______
77
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
3. Christianity claims to be unique
78
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
4. Most other religions also claim ________
79
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
4. Most other religions also claim exclusivity
80
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
5. Everyone _____ some religions
81
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
5. Everyone rejects some religions

• Temple prostitutes

• Suicide cults

• Satanism

• Human sacrifice

82
(No Transcript)
83
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
6. Christianity is truly _____
84
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
6. Christianity is truly unique
A. ____
85
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
6. Christianity is truly unique
A. Jesus
B. Tri-Personal, loving, holy God
C. Sin as universal, redeemable rebellion against
God
86
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
6. Christianity is truly unique
D. Salvation by grace based on God's provision
E. Heaven as being with ____ joining Him in the
cool things He likes to do
87
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
6. Christianity is truly unique
D. Salvation by grace based on God's provision
E. Heaven as being with Jesus joining Him in the
cool things He likes to do
88
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
7. The other religions really are _______
89
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
7. The other religions really are different
90
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
8. Uniqueness does not make God guilty of ______
______ _________
91
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
8. Uniqueness does not make God guilty of narrow
minded intolerance
A. God is not narrow. He has revealed Himself
universally, provided a universally valid way of
salvation, and given specially equipped and
empowered people the mission to proclaim it
92
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
8. Uniqueness does not make God guilty of narrow
minded intolerance
B. Exclusivity is not inherently wrong and
toleration is not necessarily a virtue
93
Mt. Horeb
94
Mt. Deus
95
Mt. Horeb
96
(No Transcript)
97
Are there not other equally valid ways to God?
8. Uniqueness does not make God guilty of narrow
minded intolerance
A. All roads may lead up mountains, but they are
different mountains.
98
Romans 2
Do you realize that God's kindness leads you
toward repentance? To those who seek Him among
the gods, he will give eternal life.
99
John 3
For God so loved the world that he gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life.
100
Exodus 346-7
"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and
gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love
and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands,
and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet
he does not leave the guilty unpunished."
101
(No Transcript)