“Basically, all roads lead to God.” Have you heard that statement before? It is certainly part of our culture of tolerance and the fear of offending anyone by ever insinuating, “You are mistaken if you think your beliefs will lead you to God.” But when you actually get down to it and begin comparing the underlying beliefs of various religions, their beliefs are miles apart and it is apparent that all roads do not lead to God.
Dr. Harold Netland, in his book Dissonant Voices, suggests three main lines of questions we should use when comparing religious traditions. The answers to these questions reveal the fundamental differences between those religions and Christianity.
Religious Ultimate
The first question is, “What is the nature of the religious ultimate?” In other words, what is their conception of God like? Do they believe in a god? Is their god personal or impersonal?
Muslims believe in Allah, the one eternal creator God. In Islam, any attempt to blur the distinction between the creator and creation is idolatrous. Unlike Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus are not monotheists. Theravada Buddhists do not believe in a personal god or supreme being at all. The closest thing to a religious ultimate for a Buddhist is nirvana, a release from an endless cycle of rebirths even though there is no enduring existence of your soul. Hindus can believe in everything from a personal god, to inanimate objects, to the entire cosmic process as their god.
Where do these roads lead? Do they lead to the same god, if there is one? Christians believe in a God who is eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, and personal. He is holy, just, mercy, loving, and full of grace. Our God exists in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – yet He is one God.
The second question is, “What is the nature of the human predicament?” In other words, what is wrong with humanity? Do we need to be rescued? If so, from what do we need to be rescued?
In Islam, sin is more a weakness, defect, or imperfection than rebellion against a holy God. Even though Muslims are tempted to disobey Allah, Islam teaches that it is within their power to resist disobedience and remain faithful to Allah. For both the Buddhist and Hindu, the root problem is not sin, but a profound ignorance, blindness, or confusion regarding the true nature of reality. Mankind is therefore trapped in an endless cycle of rebirths in accordance with your karma. When the cycle ends, if it does, you enter nirvana, which is neither a place nor a state of being.
The fundamental problem with Christians is our rebellion against a holy and perfectly righteous God. By nature we are radically depraved and in bondage to our sin and rebellion. In ourselves, we are unable to change our nature and walk in obedience to God.
Salvation
The third question is, “What is the nature of salvation?” Or, how do we escape from the human predicament that we find ourselves in? Is there a way of escape? If so, what must you do?
In Islam, a devout Muslim earns his salvation. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will judge all Muslims according to their deeds and give each person their just reward. A Muslim earns Allah’s favor by religiously keeping the five pillars: (1) chanting the basic creed; (2) prayer; (3) fasting; (4) almsgiving; and (5) pilgrimage to
A Hindu is released from his endless cycle of rebirths through a number of ways, depending on the particular sect. It can be by living a selfless and disinterested life, or by adherence to some moral or ritual prescription, or by the way of liberating insight into the true nature of reality (whatever that is), or the way of devotion to a personal lord.
A Buddhist attains his release from the endless cycle of rebirths by reaching nirvana; the complete elimination of desire. A Theravada Buddhist attains this through a process of rigorous self-discipline focused on the Noble Eightfold Path and encompassing numerous lives (rebirths).
A Christian’s salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. It has all been done for us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We must be born again by the power of God so that we can repent of our rebellion against God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and for His righteousness.
Conclusion
So CrossWay, what should you do when some says, “Basically, all roads lead to God”? You should gently, humbly, and graciously disagree that all roads do not lead to God. You should let them know that all beliefs do not even believe in a god, at least not one who is personal. You should let them know that all religions cannot even agree what we need salvation from. We can’t agree that we have a basic problem and that we need deliverance from it. Let them know that if they said that to most religious adherents, they would strongly disagree with that understanding. All roads do not lead to God.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on Him. –John 3:36 (ESV)
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