Is Jesus the only way to God?

Have you ever been advised to avoid discussing religion or politics at the dinner table? Conversations about these topics can quickly become tense, awkward - or even confrontational - especially when someone insists their viewpoint is the only correct one. 

In today’s world, tolerance, inclusivity and acceptance are highly valued. We often hear phrases such as: “Let’s agree to disagree”, or: “You do you!” However, a subtle message underlies this push for religious tolerance. It suggests that sharing your faith in order to encourage others to change their beliefs somehow excludes tolerance itself. 

This brings us to a central question about Christianity: is it too narrow? The Christian faith centres on Jesus Christ as essential to understanding God - and the only path to a relationship with him. Christians believe Jesus is the only way to connect with God.  

Is this view narrow, intolerant and arrogant? 

The globalisation of pluralism 

While diverse religions have existed for millennia, the internet and global media have shrunk the world, leading to increased cultural diversity in cities, workplaces and neighbourhoods. As we get to know and love people from different religions, the exclusivity of Christianity can become uncomfortable. Can’t all religions be right? 

Christianity asserts that salvation is a free gift from God through Jesus 

One response to this question is religious pluralism. This perspective employs the metaphor of a mountain. God is at its summit, and many paths can lead to the top, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and so on. Each religion is viewed as a distinct yet equally legitimate path to the same God. While individual journeys may differ, the destination is ultimately the same. 

Pluralism acknowledges similarities between religions. Most recognise a divine being or essence and agree that something - such as sin or ignorance - creates a barrier between humans and the divine. Most also emphasise living a moral life to pursue the divine.  

On the surface, this “different paths, same destination” idea appears reasonable. 

The good news according to Christianity 

In contrast, religious exclusivism asserts that only one religion is true. Many religions - including Christianity - make exclusive claims about their beliefs, practices and the nature of God.  

To understand Christianity’s claim, we must examine its core message, the gospel. ‘Gospel’ comes from the Greek word euangelion, meaning “good news.” This message begins with acknowledging the bad news that sin has fractured our relationship with God and corrupted the world. Christians believe that we cannot fix this problem ourselves. The gap between humanity and the divine is too vast. 

The good news is that God stepped in to repair this relationship through Jesus - who lived a sinless life, experienced the fullness of human existence and yet resisted human temptation. He taught about God’s love and the importance of righteous living. Ultimately, he was arrested, tortured, and crucified to bear the punishment for our sins.  

Christians believe that Jesus’s resurrection opened a pathway for each of us to have a personal relationship with God by offering us forgiveness and eternal life, which are received by faith. 

This teaching contrasts with many other religions that emphasise earning salvation through specific actions and behaviours. Christianity asserts that salvation is a free gift from God through Jesus. This is why Christians often speak of Jesus as the way to God. He didn’t just teach the way, he is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) 

Here’s what makes all this even more remarkable: While Christianity claims to be the only way to God, this doesn’t mean it’s limited to certain groups. Jesus came to earth for everyone. No one is excluded. The message of Jesus’s death, resurrection and love for humankind transcends all human boundaries and distinctions. This is one reason that Christianity is thriving globally, making it one of the most culturally diverse religions. 

Many ways to the Mountaintop? 

Circle back to that metaphor of God sitting on top of a mountain, with many paths by which to reach him. Despite the picturesque image, there are a few fundamental flaws to this theory.  

If two philosophies have completely different claims about the same topic, can both be right? Take the cornerstone of religion - the concept of the divine. In other words: What’s at the top of the mountain? For Hindus, there are many gods; for some Buddhists, there is no god at all. For Muslims, there is only one God. For Christians, there is one God in triune form: Father, Son, and Spirit. These four views say something significantly different. To claim otherwise insults each unique religion and its views.  

The most basic laws of logic teach that two contradictory statements cannot both be true. Employing this logic, the different claims made by these religions could all be false, but only one could be true.  

While Christianity claims to be the only way to God, this doesn’t mean it’s limited to certain groups 

It’s important here to distinguish between preferences and truth. For instance, I like mint chocolate chip ice cream. You might prefer strawberry. There’s no conflict there. Ultimately, we’re both eating ice cream. But to say we’re eating broccoli would be false.  

Truth is always intolerant of error. One plus one always equals two. You could call that intolerant or narrow, but it’s the nature of truth. We like our doctors and our pilots to operate within a narrow truth; we want them to do surgery on the correct knee and land the plane on the runway. In many contexts, we rightly view intolerance, exclusivity and narrowness as desirable qualities. 

So, is Christianity too narrow? It depends on your perspective. Its exclusive claims about truth and salvation can be challenging. Yet, it’s a message of love, forgiveness, and redemption inclusively offered to everyone. Understanding this claim requires looking beyond stereotypes to engage with the core message of the gospel.  

Ultimately, the choice is ours. God, out of love and respect for our freedom, allows us to choose our path. 

Want to know more about how to follow Jesus? Find out more here

Bruce Miller’s latest book, The 7 Big Questions: Searching for God, truth, and purpose (Global Outreach Media) is available now