“And you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” -Jesus of Nazareth
What follows are my thoughts. You can say that I am ruminating on paper, trying to make sense of something that may not be for me to ever understand completely. It deals with paradigm shifts, and different ways of understanding what “we know”. It is not for those that believe one plus one always equals two, rather, it is for those that understand that one plus one sometimes equals eleven. I speak from a Christian perspective, because that is the tradition I was raised in, and it is my point of reference. However, I believe my thoughts can be extrapolated to every religion of the world. If you go to a million different churches, synagogues, or mosques, you will get a million different interpretations of the same sacred texts, pertaining to the same infinite being, all of them sincerely believing that their path is the only true way. It has also been my experience that people within religious institutions often get bent out of shape when presented with thinking that runs contrary to their own, and so I offer my apologies in advance. I further understand that this does not apply to ALL of the faithful.
Let’s begin.
I consider myself a Christian…of sorts. The truth is, I consider myself a traditional Christian in much the same way that Jesus is considered a traditional Jew. Jesus questioned and assaulted the power structure of His day, a power structure that had been in place for thousands of years. He did not accept that things were “right” just because it had been done a certain way for “as long as everyone could remember”. He was militant and radical, incurring the wrath of religious leaders of the time, eventually culminating in His execution on a Roman cross.
I reference Jesus to establish how “truth” can change or be misappropriated. As Jesus taught, just because people believe something to be true, just because people preach and indoctrinate from a pew, doesn’t make them right. I have always been a thinker, and I have confounded many Christians by professing how I became a “good Christian” by quietly observing a Buddhist man whom I used to work with many years ago. I would watch as he quietly and unassumingly gave his last dollar, his last article of clothing, his last meal, to those he knew needed it most, while the Christians in the office (myself included) would twist themselves in knots trying to come up with reasons why they could not lend a helping hand.
Over time, I grew even more disillusioned by the Christian religious institution, not because of the religion itself, but because of those professed Christians who swore that they had a monopoly on God, and could predict without compunction who would and who would not get into heaven. Needless to say, I incurred the wrath of the religious faithful once I began to question the things that I had once blindly accepted as truth, without thinking critically for myself. The arrogance displayed by many Christians regarding “truth” was often nauseating, not once considering that maybe, just maybe, they could be wrong. Not once considering that there could be other paths to God, outside of the one that was fed to them every week at Church.
The irony is, if you read the Bible from cover to cover, it is hard to reach the conclusion that Christians are the only ones who will make it into heaven. In fact, the parables of Jesus often centered on actions speaking louder than words, regardless of a person’s religious station. But please, don’t believe me. Pick up a bible, and read for yourself. There are many examples to choose from, but begin with the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), work your way through to the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46), and then finish with the Parable of The Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32). In some form, he would inquire of his followers after the message had been delivered: “Who was REALLY justified in the eyes of God?”
So where do Christians get this idea that they are the only ones worthy of God’s gift of forgiveness? It stems from a frequently quoted standalone scripture, often omitting other scriptures that would provide contextual background. If you are “saved” according to Christian doctrine, you will no doubt recognize the saving passage of Romans 10, verses 9-10:
9That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Personally, I believe this to be true, and I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who paid the price for my sins. I also believe (as a Christian) that saying (and believing) the scripture/prayer above is a sure-fire way to make it through the pearly gates. However, I do not think that this scripture simultaneously precludes those from different faiths from making it into heaven. In fact, the bible makes provision for those “others”, via a passage that rarely (if ever) gets quoted by the religious elders of our day. I will provide the scripture in a little while, but before you read it, think critically and objectively while you consider this: Assuming you are born and raised a Christian, how would you feel if a Hindu came to you, and told you to convert to Hinduism or suffer eternal damnation?
Even if Hinduism WAS the one true religion, you more than likely would not convert, because Christianity is all you (and your family) have ever known. Well, this is exactly the pressure we place on members of other religions to convert to Christianity, urging them to turn their backs on their religious heritage, which may date back hundreds or thousands of years. I believe that an all knowing and wise God will agree that such a harsh litmus test is both unfair and unrealistic.
That notwithstanding, many Christians are swift to send those “unfortunate others” to hell, and attribute their selfish and misguided assessments of “just damnation” to a God who they say is merciful, loving, forgiving, and kind. They quickly gloss over the part where He will sentence His children to an eternity of fiery torture for not getting His name right. As Christians, we are called to spread the “Good News”, but does that sound like good news to you? It shouldn’t, because it is a non-sequitur; an inconsistent leap in spiritual and human logic that does not follow, and is a cruel attempt by humans to project their insecurities and frailties onto the Divine. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
So, what exactly does the bible say about the salvation of those who are not part of the Christian tradition? There are many passages that bear witness to God’s benevolence, but given the constraints of space and time, I will highlight a brief passage that the Apostle Paul uses to address the issue. It again can be found in the Book of Romans, Chapter 2, verses 11-16:
11For there is no partiality with God. 12For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law will be justified. 14For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although they do not have the law, are a law to themselves, 15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves, their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
This scripture is surprising obscure in Christian teaching, but when presented to the flock, it is amazing how many will argue tooth and nail that it does not mean what it says. Instead of basking in its simplicity, these followers will devise untold numbers of ways to discount the text, while piously professing that others outside of their belief sphere are heading to an eternal hell that they have neither created nor seen.
In case you missed the point, Paul is saying that both believers and nonbelievers are accountable to God for judgment. They differ from each other in that believers possess the Law (bible), while nonbelievers do not, even though by nature they do some of the things that are stipulated in the Law. God has given all people moral instinct by creation, although repeated sin or cultural acceptance may distort their understanding. The point is that people will be judged according to the revelation they have. The standard of judgment for believers will be the written Law, and the standard for nonbelievers will be the unwritten law of conscience and nature. So in Christianity, there is indeed room for Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and any other religious sect, including atheists.
That is truly “Good News”.
In closing, remember that “The language of the Bible is meant always to point us to a truth beyond the text, a meaning that transcends the particular and imperfectly understood context of the original writers, and our own prejudices and parochialisms that we bring to the text.”[1] Everyone must take this journey of faith for themselves, however they conceive God to be. Ultimately, there is only one true God, and His ways remain mysterious, but I am sure of one thing: if you seek, you will eventually find.
Article by Frank Igwe
C. Frank Igwe, PhD: Professor. Consultant. Advocate.
Frank has written 9 article(s) for us.
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Frank,
Though I see your point, it is derived from a blatant isolation of this particular text apart from those that precede it as well as those that follow it. With that said, even looking at it in the isolated manner by which you present it, it still does not say what you are attempting to make it say. Sorry to be so direct, but the “truth,” which is absolute and not to be placed on the sliding scale of post-modernity, is that you have misappropriated scripture to make your point thus making it say what you wish.
To the point–this scripture is delineating between Jews and Gentiles, not “non-believers and believers” this is not only a biblical interpretation of the text, but a historical one as well.
This is, as was often the case in many of Paul’s arguments, an argument for the salvation of the Gentiles [Romans, Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Ethiopians etc.] over and against any adherence to the law, which the Jewish Christians were at the time trying to force on them. Issues such as but not limited to: dietary restrictions, circumcision, celebrating the Jewish feasts, etc.
Paul’s argument was clear…they have the law on their hearts, and a conscience given them by God, by which they will be judged. In that way, you were correct, but in that way only. You see the point Paul is making is that they don’t need to adhere to the law [of God given by Moses] to be saved in Jesus, why? Because their conscience, and the law God has “written on their hearts,” have compelled them to Jesus, so following [as explained above] the law is immaterial to their salvation.
The lynch pin in this text? “By Jesus Christ” that’s how God is going to judge. Don’t quote this verse for your purposes and forget to dissect that little phrase, for without it you lose everything, and without Jesus you lose everything. This leaves no room, no way, but One. And rationalizing around it brings us no closer to understanding the truth or who God is.
Regarding your closing, “Everyone must take this journey of faith for themselves, however they conceive God to be.” We must conceive God in the manner in which He has revealed Himself or we will as Romans 1:25, which precedes the verse you manipulated, “exchange the truth about God for a lie.”
I write this in love, but with truth, as a brother, and I hope you receive it as such.
Leonce,
Thanks for commenting. We’ve known each other for about 20 years, and for 20 years we have disagreed on biblical interpretation, often face to face.
Read my first paragraph: “If you go to a million different churches, synagogues, or mosques, you will get a million different interpretations of the same sacred texts, pertaining to the same infinite being, all of them sincerely believing that their path is the only true way.”
You’re proving my point.
I didn’t say Jesus was the final judge…I did say that Jesus would use people’s consciences to as an instrument of this judgment, and I stand by that.
The ease with which you have historically sent people to hell is cruel and unfortunate, and as I have told you in person, “if this is your belief, then you and I serve two different Gods.”
I didn’t say that Jesus **wasn’t** the final judge
I didn’t say Jesus **wasn’t** the final judge
I love the post. Just to be straight up with you from the start. I agree with the whole post… yet, I have a difference of opinion on one of your last comments.
It is striking, and has always been, to see churches where members are content with receiving just a small portion of the Bible’s scripture teaching. It’s a fact that most American Christians barely even pick up their Bible to read it at all, even in church. So, how can a person fully know God’s heart, when they barely understand, for example, what all happened in Genesis
, or the purpose of the book of Leviticus? I’ve learned that you gotta cut some slack on ignorant people.
And a lot of Christians, never really chose God. What I’m saying is that, they’ve never felt that strong conviction to apply Biblical teachings to their lives. You know, they don’t pray when they get sick, they feel, “Why should I when I can take a Tylenol?” A lot of the Bible is irrational to them, and they aren’t willing to put the energy into really studying the scripture. A lot of Christians either grew up in church, or just feel compelled that it is just something good for people to do. It is rare to find believers who actively pursue a full knowledge of scriptures, to better understand God’s heart. And, stating these scriptures as well, because God will give a revelation of life to some, but not to others, and who are we to question God’s decisions..
1 Corinthians 2:6-8 NASB — “Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;
And, not to say I’m some Biblical theologian… I can’t even quote all the books in the Bible, and not that is necessary to receive salvation or be a Christian. Knowing all the books in the Bible is just like, knowing all the teams in the NBA, it doesn’t make you a better fan, but it shows your devotion. And, everyone knows the scripture, “my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6 NASB)
One of your last statements, you wrote, “So in Christianity, there is indeed room for Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and any other religious sect, including atheists.” I believe that, in Christianity, there has to be order, so there is not any room for those who follow teachings outside of the Bible. Though I feel that God’s unlimitless mercy, may grant some people that don’t have knowledge of who Jesus is, or who know all the Beatitudes
, the blessing of receiving salvation. But, who am I to judge who is saved and who is not, I’m a sinner. I’m content with having my faith in God, and knowing I’m going to heaven. I hope everyone goes to heaven, but it’s not my call. Nevertheless the Bible says that not all who think they’re going to heaven are actually going.
Matthew 7:13 NASB — “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.”
Jason, great response brotha!! I agree with you wholeheartedly. We don’t know it all, and I don’t pretend to know it all, but I do believe that many Western Christians follow scriptures and theology that they haven’t taken time to fully understand. God TRULY is loving, forgiving, and kind. You’ll never know it by talking with Christians.
You’re right. They’re so many Christians who will boldly preach misleading ideas and words to others, without seeking God’s wisdom. I remember hearing it being said, “There are GOOD ideas, and there are GOD ideas.” Some people aren’t led by God’s spirit when doing things that are godly. And you know God is in something where there is truth, transparency, love, kindness, etc. I just have had to learn to stop expecting other people to believe in the things I believe, regardless if they’re Christians or not. And, it’s a chance that we both could be wrong, because only God is right all the time.
My personal focus spiritually, lies not so much on scriptural interpretation, but more on where my heart leads me. Sometimes I ask myself, “How much faith do I have? Do I have faith that God can heal me when I pray? What am I doing to minister to others?” That’s what’s important to me.
I personally think it’s hilarious when people try to apply logic to validate 2000-year-old myths, and then proceed to debate about who could be allowed into this mythical illogical heaven.
It’s entertaining. Please do continue.
This week’s Time Magazine cover story, supporting my position, almost to a T. There is a new movement afoot:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2065080-1,00.html