of all the religions in the world and all the good that mankind has done in the name of these...

8/14/2019 Of All the Religions in the World and All the Good That Mankind Has Done in the Name of These Religions

1/9

Of all the religions in the world and all the good that mankind has done in the name of

these religions, there is only one person who stands out among the others. There havebeen more sermons spoken and books written on Jesus of Nazareth than any other

individual in history. He alone stands out among any other religious teacher.

Now before I go into proving this, we can honestly say that each religions founder to the

adherents of that religion believe their founder stands out. That is the very reason theyfollow the religion's of their particular founder. It is attractive to them because they see

some unique redeeming quality in it, that they do not see somewhere else.

But being different and being a beacon to a certain culture at a certain time does not makethe religion or its teacher possess the truth.

Today there are many faiths but the bible teaches there is only one faith, the one

delivered to the saints once and for all. A recent poll taken found that 67% of Americansbelieve there is no such thing as absolute truth. For many people, choosing which

religious system to join does not involve considering whether it is true. They choose whatappeals to them, what works for them (pragmatism). In Omni magazine a number of

years ago it stated it doesnt matter what you believe as long as it works for you. This hasbeen embraced as the norm to know what is right and good. Unfortunately what works is

no test for truth as something can work and not be based on truth at all. Something is notmade true because we believe it. Most people today choose a religious system that

appeals to their good nature, what they are comfortable with. If it works for them they are

satisfied. If there is some self-improvement they can work into their lives that will makethem happy thats is enough to justify it is right and from God.

Different religions may work for different people in some ways. When exercising our

personal freedom of choice it cannot solve the issues of life, death, or God withoutconsidering the real truth! There are major differences to be considered. Our choice will

not be satisfied by similar substitutes that change ones present behavior and not theirinner corrupt nature and their destination in the afterlife. Gods truth is from His nature

and it is eternal it will affect us in an eternal way. One can be satisfied with what theyhave arrived at not knowing that they would have struck gold if they would have kept on

digging.

With the option of various faiths one can pick their religion or spirituality that isconducive to their lifestyle they want to live by. They can choose to believe in many

Gods and become a Hindu. If monotheism and strict rituals appeals to them they canbecome Muslim. If they want to have an ethical way to live and do good without having

God in their life they can become a Buddhist or another religion that has ethics withoutGod. In this world there are many philosophies and religions all competing for our hearts.

When one searches for the truth they need to be aware of many things that we are often


2/9

not attentive of. There has been TV shows and articles about people of all faiths prayingfor the sick and all seeing some results. Some did not know that others were praying for

them. This seems to imply that spirituality is all multi faceted and that it does not matterwhat one believes or prays to. Our culture is very pragmatic in its approach accepting the

premise if it has worked for someone it should be accepted as valid and true. One persons

ceiling becomes another persons floor.

This is what I call the leaky bucket syndrome. As one pours water into a gallon bucket

with a hole in it, the water slowly leaks out. Then they go and find another bucket andpour the water into this bucket which they find has a hole in it and they go find a third

bucket to pour the water into. But no matter how many buckets you use to replace thefirst one the water still leaks out. The moral of the story is, if you start with the wrong

premise, with an untruth, it will always lose its attraction later on. It will always makeless sense as one goes under the surface and finds the belief system they have held is

filled with holes. The bible teaches us there is only one foundation we can build on, thatis Jesus Christ.

Mankind has a great imagination and a pursuit of knowing so developments of spiritual

beliefs have surfaced. We are essentially spiritual beings because we have a spirit in abody that yearns to contact God our maker. In this world we have a smorgasbord of

spirituality where one can eat freely to satisfy there hunger without knowing what theyare eating. Before one fills themselves up on this spiritual food they need to see if the

food they are ingesting is as healthy as they first thought. Certainly any newcomer tospiritual matters can be overwhelmed with all the claims and choices.

So who is right? Are they all right as some claim, only a few or is there only one that isright? Ask people of ten religions and you will probably get 10 answers. So what makes

Jesus and Christianity different? Jesus is unique. He came down from heaven to reachman. While all religions are trying to reach up to God by the work of their own hands to

please him. Instead God took the initiative and reached down to us. Why? Because we donot have the ability to please Him on our own. He said to them, You are from below, I

am from above you are of this world, I am not of this world (John 8:23).

So why is Jesus different? Some say if you ignore the doctrine one can find the samepromotion of practices in all religions. Yes there may be a few commonalities. This

mostly comes from our living in a day of increased communication, and by these means

our world has shrunk. This has led to more familiarity with the religious beliefs of otherpeople and with it has come more tolerance finding what we have in common andignoring the differences. We can as Christians respect peoples culture and choice but we

do not have to agree with their religious system. Instead they need to hear the gospel andwe are commanded to give it to them. After all, the gospel is Gods message of love to

the people of the earth.


3/9

This is what separates Jesus and His offer of a relationship to God which we now callChristianity from all the otherteachers of religions. If we take Buddha out of Buddhism it

goes on. One can practice Buddhism divorced from its founder. If Krishna is removedfrom Hinduism the teachings and the techniques continue. One can practice Islam

without Mohammed being alive. But if we take Jesus out of Christianity it crumbles.

Because this religion (if I may be allowed to use the term), is based upon a person andHis work done on the cross, not our work. Salvation rests on the person of Christ whomust be alive or it cannot be carried out. He alone has come back to life. There is no

other religious teacher who started their religion that has died, and is alive today. None. 2Tim. 1:9-10 Calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and

grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealedby the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and

immortality to light through the gospel. It was Jesus who died for everyones sins noother religious leader claims this.

If we look carefully there has never been another man or woman like Jesus. He never lied

He only told the truth even when it offended people. He lied to no one even when itmeant saving His life. He lived a life completely free from bad influences having total

integrity. If he ran for a political office all the regular people who wanted an honest manwould have voted for him. There was no one who could accuse him of any wrongdoing

so they had to make up lies. They lied about what He said throughout his ministry andthey even lied about his being raised from the dead. People continue to lie about him and

the Bibles record even to the point of the ridiculous. One of the allegations is that theBible was written a hundred years later after His death involving no eyewitnesses. The

records show that the writers claimed to be eyewitnesses.

He loved people more than anything in the world as He came to die so even his enemiescan be forgiven. His life was an open book to all who wanted to know Him. He did

nothing in secret. He was approachable by all willing to listen and to give perfect wisdomin every situation. Jesus did not borrow His teachings from anyone. His source was

from God, My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wants to do Hiswill, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it was from God or whether I speak

of My own authority (John 7:16,17).

His compassion was evident to all. He ate with the outcasts and undesirables of society.

And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him saying, Lord, if You are willing, You canmake me clean. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched Him saying, I am willing be

cleansed. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed (Matthew 8:2,3). While theReligious leaders of the day scorned certain groups of people especially those who were

not Pharisees, He instead sat and talked and ate with them. He let them know they wereloved and not rejected by God. He had compassion on those rejected by the religious

society and was for the underdog. He lifted up those who were in despair and humbledthose who elevated themselves. As Peter His disciple later writes Therefore humble

yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting allyour care upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6,7).


4/9

He gave us the highest standard of human morality and showed power to the helplessbeyond any normal human ability. His abilities were supernatural as He was able to see

into peoples hearts and know what they were thinking. He was able to heal with a word,not needing to be present. There has never been another like him before or afterwards. He

affected our history in such a manner that we count our dating from the time he was born.

There is hardly a religion that does not recognize Him today.

In 1970 years He has changed millions of lives for the better and still answers those who

call upon him. No one can ever find a bad thing about him. They might find fault with theChurch but they couldnt with Jesus when He was alive, and cannot still today. Yet

people ignore him and find others to esteem above him or just dont believe a word Hesaid that is recorded in the NT. So why do many people refuse His ability to have

compassion and love them? Why do they hate him? Why do they oppose him? When Hesaid He is the only way, truth and life for all people? With people always appealing to

tolerance, why are they not tolerant to Jesus? The reason is because His statements ofexclusiveness are disturbing.

Because He gives an absolute standard of truth. In a world where people are led by there

feelings people become offended. He taught that we are not good in ourselves. So theylook at His teachings as negative, as He addresses fallen mankind as sinners. He who

believes in the Son has everlasting life and he who does not believe in the Son shall notsee life, but the wrath of God abides on him (John 3:36). For all have sinned and fall

short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But until one can comes to the realization thatthis is their state without Christ He cant set them free.

If all the other religions are equally valid ways to God, then the Christian claim ofChrists sacrifice on the cross as the one and only way would be impossible. It would be

not just one of the many ways but the only wrong way. If we could work out our ownsalvation by our good deeds, religious rituals, and practices as each religion requires, God

did not have to bring the solution for our sins by crucifixion. It would have been the onlyabsolutely wrong thing to do!

If Jesus did not rise from the dead as He claimed then His claims and His followers are

audacious, preposterous and they would be the greatest group of deceivers of all time. Hewould not be a good teacher to be listened to but should be rejected, despite all the other

wonderful things that was said and done to better mankind. It either is truth and should beheld onto like our being in a life raft alone in the middle of the sea or not a word should

go into our ears. John Warwick Montgomery a respected theologian writes that:Christianitys truth claim consists merely of a finger pointing back through time to an

historical figure who divided world history into two partsto Jesus of Nazarethto Hisstatements concerning Himself and true religion, and to the life He led attesting to the

statements He made. An honest, historically accurate, scientific investigation of thesedata (involving chiefly a study of the documents collected in the New Testament) will

show that Jesus claimed to be God Incarnate, that He described the only true (but not theonly possible) religion consisting of fellowship with Himself, and that He attested His

claims by a sinless life which profoundly affected everyone who crossed His path, and by


5/9

a resurrection which left no doubt in the minds of eyewitnesses that He was in fact thetrue God (John W. Montgomery, The Shape of The Past: An Introduction to

Philosophical Historiography, vol. 1, p. 328 1962).

No other religious teacher laid down their life for their followers like this and they

certainly did not for those who opposed them and were enemies. For when we werewithout strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteousman will one die yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God

demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died forus (Romans 5:6-8).

To disbelieve in the historical recoded documents that we have today one must disregard

our entire knowledge of Greco Roman history. Because our knowledge of these culturesand the past depends upon documentation that is far less adequate and evidential than the

evidence we have for Jesus and the Bible.

Bible Scholar F. F. Bruce stated, The historical once-for-all-ness of Christianity whichdistinguishes it from those religious and philosophical systems, which are not speciallyrelated to any particular time, makes the reliability of the writings which purport to

record this revelation a question of first-rate importance (The New TestamentDocuments: Are They Reliable? p. 8).

Jesus made it clear that we must choose when we hear. We are either for him or against

him. There is no neutral ground, for to make no choice is a choice in itself. Christianity iseither true reality or a figment of peoples imagination. If not the truth it is then no more

or less then the other religions, it is one option to choose among the others.

It is one thing to say God gave me a message. It is a whole other thing to say I am Godand here is the message. Those who walked with Jesus were very careful to write down

what they heard as eyewitnesses. Why believe and follow something that is not true.Peter writes For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to

you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of Hismajesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came

to Him from the Excellent Glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy

mountain. (2 Pet .1:16-18) Peter is referring to the transfiguration as they were able tosee Jesus for who he really is. As He hid himself from the peoples eyes but revealed it to

his three closest followers on the mountaintop. Peter later died for believing in Christ.

Another one of the witnesses was John who later wrote in his first epistle, That which

was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, whichwe have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--the life

was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal lifewhich was with the Father and was manifested to us--that which we have seen and heard

we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship iswith the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your


6/9

joy may be full (I Jn.1:1-4). Christianity gives people the truth which in turn gives theman unfading happiness through life. Not a happiness that is dependent on circumstanced

but a inner joy that can be constant.

The apostle Paul who was an adamant enemy of Christianity was on his way to his next

extermination of Christians when he was convinced by an experience with Jesus. I tellthe truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the HolySpirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I

myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, to whom pertain the adoption, theglory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises of

whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came who is over all,the eternally blessed God. Amen (Romans 9:1-5).

People often ask the question Can you prove Christianity is true? Have you seen

God? In answering these questions- no I have not seen God physically but I haveseen his touch on my life and numerous others to know it is real. After one comes into

a relationship with Him they know the difference of before and after. There is atransforming power that is given to the recipient by faith. Christianity can be proven

to be true because it rests on the claims of Christ. But the question that needs to beasked back is will the person accept it if there is sufficient evidence. Some do and

some dont despite the evidence that is presented.

In Heb.11:3 the word of God states that what we see is made by things we do not see,

invisible things. In 1896 Roshen who began atomic physics discovered the X- ray and in1923 began to discover through the electronic microscope that atoms were made of tiny

particles of energy and out of these sub atomic particles are what all things were made of.Now what holds these atoms together? The nucleus of an atom are so changed that they

should repel each other. There is some invisible force that holds it together. We cannotsee this but reality and our experience tells us this is true. In Heb.1:3 it tells us Christ the

architect of the universe holds all things together by the word of His power. Col.1:17 tellsus in Christ all things consist and are held together. How is this possible that thousands

of years before science discovered the laws and the mechanics to prove the things thatcould not be seen by the eye, the bible specifically describes. Science when it is truly

scientific verifies the bible. So we are without excuse and have more knowledge thennecessary to believe in our day and age.

Its not that we dont know God exists for we do. For the prophet Isaiah writes Isa.64:4

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, norhas the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him. Over

700 years later the apostle Paul in the New Testament writes. Rom.1:20 For since thecreation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, (not hidden) being

understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that theyare without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God,

nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts weredarkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the

incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-- and birds and four-footed


7/9

animals and creeping things. This where the other religions were birthed from refusingthe correct knowledge of God that was once universally known. We now have the God of

Eastern thought as impersonal, God is everything and everything is God. This is now thenew age concept of God as life force within all of creation. The Bible presents God as

independent from His creation, the God of the Bible is personal and relational.

Christianity believes and teaches that the Bible alone is the revealed Word of God. Eventhough it was written by men, the source of the authorship is God. This claim was notinvented by the Church, but is the claim the Bible makes for itself. Men of Gods own

choosing recorded the words that were heard from Him.

Christianity claims a moral certainty, to anyone who is willing to take the evidence andevaluate it in light of its historicity, prophecy and manuscripts. Christianity claims an

external verification through evidence, as well as an internal witness through God. Tothose looking in from outside the Christian faith, they can be shown a great amount of

evidence for its truth claims. But when a person becomes a Christian, the assurance oftruth becomes reality. But this takes a step of faith to reach this point. This is not a blind

faith but an evidential faith. We need to understand that there is no 100% evidenceprovided for the seeker. Despite less than 100% evidence it will not stop someone from

coming to an accurate and appropriate conclusion. Faith is necessary to know Godbecause God is invisible and He is infinite. We as creatures have been given a certain

amount of proof to know He exists and what we need to know Him. This faith is muchlike a small child in the home of loving parents. When the child is hungry he or she

knows (trusts) the parents provision for them, that they will not go hungry. The parentsare watching out for the child because of a relationship of love. So although the child

does not have the evidence that everyday the parents will feed him or her, the child truststhe parents. So 100% evidence is not necessary for one to come to God. Needless to say

we find that people dont apply the standard of 100% certainty to anything else for if theydid- nothing would happen. No one makes decisions on 100% certainties for anything. To

do so one would have to wait great lengths of time to make any move. When we buysomething we are trusting that manufacturer that it will work like they say. When we

drive on the road we are trusting the other drivers to obey the laws. There is no one thatpossesses 100% certainty for anything because we do not have perfect knowledge. God

knows this and this is why He asks for us to exercise faith. Faith is trust and in this wecan become certain, and have the assurance what He said is true. Only a portion of

evidence is necessary to believe in the truth. Its like being in a house with the lights outand the shades closed in the middle of a sunny day. Someone can come over and tell us to

go outside to experience a beautiful day. We can stay in the dark and say I dont believeits light or we can trust that persons report and just walk outside. Or we can ask for some

evidence by looking out the window. Looking out the window we have enough evidencethat it is sunny like they say, but we are not experiencing it. If we go outside we can find

the report true, it is a beautiful day. We can feel the sun on us and the breeze blowing.Faith without any action is not faith. After faith is exercised the complete evidence of it

will be there. We then know what we believe.

Moses 1500 years before Christ came into the world incorporated the first five books of

the bible. Then there are the words of the prophets that spoke throughout the nation


8/9

Israels history. Because they turned their back on the Lord He sent them men callingthem to repent and believe. They also spoke of a future redeemer through Israel that

would bring reconciliation to the whole world. Heb.1 tells us that God does not useprophets any longer to deliver His scripture to his people but it is by the ultimate message

bearer, Jesus the Son of God. So the eyewitnesses of Jesus wrote down His words as the

final revelation to man. It was climatic and final because it was God who became a manthis time. He didnt send ANOTHER PROPHETBUT CAME HIMSELF. He said He wassent directly from heaven. So when someone refuses the New Testament record they are

rejecting God almost face to face. But Isaiah is very bold and says: I was found bythose who did not seek Me I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me (Rom.

10:20). No seeks God on their own but it is He who is seeking us. Have you been sought?Has He come to you in ways only you would personally know?

Its not often a matter of evidence needed to believe but resistance to the truth of God

keeps us in unbelief. It is something we all have in our own fallen nature, as the Scripturesays the natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God. As Jesus spoke to

Nicodemus He said in John 3:16-21: For God so loved the world that He gave His onlybegotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the worldthrough Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned but he who

does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of theonly begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the

world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Foreveryone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds

should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may beclearly seen, that they have been done in God. Its about dealing with our sin nature of

which no other religious system has an answer for.

The light spoken of here is synonymous with God and His word, as both are called light.God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. The gospel is so simple that it disturbs those

who consider themselves intelligent and important people of the world.

Are you looking for reasons to believe? Are you an honest seeker of the truth? Are you

looking for reasons to disbelieve? Prov.8:17: I love those who love me, and those whoseek me diligently will find me. You may not have enough information to satisfy you

about Jesus, but are you open enough, willing to hear and to gain understanding. Has Hedrawn you so that you now want to know Him?

The problem is not a matter of I cant believe because the facts have not been presented

but it is more like No matter what proof you present, I wont accept it. If anyone istruly interested in evaluating the evidence for proof of Christianitys truth understand that

God , the God has something wonderful for your life For I know the thoughts that Ithink toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future

and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer.

29:11-13) Gods will is for a person to believe and repent. As it is written God is not


9/9

willing for any to perish but that all will come to repentance. We have the ability to do sobut it becomes a matter of choice. God has done all to prove His love for us by sending

His Son to earth to be rejected by those He loved and cared for. To die an excruciatingdeath, humiliated before the people He came to forgive yet He did not retaliate. He

continues to hold out open arms to anyone who will come to him and will close them

around those who come to the cross for forgiveness of their sins.

www.letusreason.org