Christianity is not just one religion in a pantheon of competing traditions. It is the one true revelation of the living God, who made Himself known through creation, Scripture and, the person of Jesus Christ. This conviction is not rooted in mythology or cultural preferences, but in God’s own self-revelation.
The Bible tell us that there is only one true God, Creator of heaven and earth. And because of that, there is only one true way of knowing him and, worshipping Him the way he describes.
Many religions contain moral insights, arising from mankind’s attempts to find God according to human wisdom, rather than according to God’s revealed truth. Scripture describes fallen humanity as exchanging the worship of the Creator for the creation itself.
After humanity fell into sin through Adam’s disobedience, God did not abandon creation. He established a covenant that promised redemption. All through the Old Testament, God revealed this covenant through Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David and Jesus Christ, who fulfilled all the promises of God. Christ is the mediator of the new covenant, accomplishing salvation through His perfect obedience, his atoning death and resurrection and ultimately ushering in a new heaven and a new earth yet to come.
Jesus himself made exclusive claims regarding salvation. He declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” The apostles said, “There is salvation in no one else”. This doesn’t leave much room for religious pluralism, a false religion can be sincerely held but still be sincerely wrong.
Salvation is by God’s unmerited favour. Other religions will present salvation as something to be achieved through personal merit. The message of the Bible, is that sinners are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone. The Bible exalts God’s sovereignty and at the same time, humbles human pride.
The God of the Bible doesn’t change according to the whims of the surrounding culture.
When all else is shifting sand, God’s Word is the sure foundation we can depend on. The Bible’s the final standard for faith and life. Rather than ever changing human philosophies or mystical experiences, Christian faith rests upon God’s trustworthy revelation of himself. The unity, fulfilled prophecy, historical reliability and its transforming power to change lives (overwhelmingly for the better) all testify to its divine foundation. We declare that in Him alone is found forgiveness, eternal life, and everlasting hope. Now that truly is good news!
Rev Allan D Welch, Clarence Town Presbyterian Church
