Only One Way?

Several years ago my wife Kathy and I spent a memorable two weeks of ministry in India. While there we visited the Lotus Temple of the Baha’i Faith, known as the second most beautiful building in India (to the Taj Mahal). Of greater impact to me than the than the beauty of this building was the sign located at the entrance.

 

  “All religions welcome.  Except those narrow minded religions that believe they are the only way to heaven.”

One of the cardinal tenets of the Christian faith, and the concept often cited by skeptics and unbelievers as most objectionable or unreasonable from their perspective, is the idea that there is only one way to Heaven.  Yet Jesus asserted, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

Baha’i is but one of many religions that proclaim that there are many pathways to heaven. ” Put another way, the contention is that it doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere in your belief.

It seems to me that the core issue for those who hold this position is an unwillingness to accept absolutes. Of course to hold such a position would be considered absurd in many other disciplines or areas of life.

Let me point out a number of reasons why this objection to absolute truth, or “one way” is both un-scientific and unreasonable.

Physical Laws

We employ absolute or “one way” thinking in the realm of physical laws. No reasonable person wastes time objecting to or arguing against the law of gravity. When an object of mass is dropped from a height, there is always one law that prevails. The same would be true in aerodynamics (the bumblebee excepted). If I wish to “fly” from one location to another hundreds or thousands of miles away, I must submit to the principles or laws of aerodynamics—typically inside an aircraft!
Another illustration can be found in the toxic or healing properties of chemicals.  For example, hydrocodone can be used under appropriate supervision by a physician for pain relief. Used without proper medical supervision, it can lead to addiction and serious danger.

These are examples of immutable physical laws that impose limitations on us. Clearly they can be very narrow in both application and effect.

 

Judicial Laws

In a free society, the law of ownership implies certain rights.  As a homeowner, I have the right to insist that you refrain from smoking in my house. No reasonable person would argue that we do not have the right to set boundaries in our own home.

We often experience this “one way” principle when we attend a public event. Typically there is only one means of access – by invitation only, or by the purchase of a ticket or pass. I cannot insist that there should be “many ways” for me to enter an event if legal boundaries (like tickets or special passes) have been prescribed. The owner of the event has the right to enforce “narrow” requirements for participation.

We also accept laws regarding the judgment of temporal crimes – in fact we demand that they be applied. Steal, kill, or drive drunk, and you will face the consequences.

 

“One Way” to Heaven

In much the same way, given that God is in charge of heaven and the Kingdom to come, as the Creator/Owner He certainly has the right to set the ground rules for entrance to His property or event.

Why then the insistence that there are no absolute laws governing spiritual realities, or the afterlife?  I believe there are three reasons why many people are reluctant to accept the idea that there is only one way to heaven, or to experience the ultimate happiness of eternal life.

 

The Power of Ideas

First the concept of pluralism, which has been defined as the theory that there is more than one basic substance, principle or guiding belief, runs deep in the American or western psyche. We accept many ideas on a wide variety of issues. It is one of the strengths of a free society, and a unique part of American and European culture. Tolerance is regarded as one the supreme western values – even a virtue by many.

This concept has become deeply ingrained in our society and has been reinforced from many sources and directions. But we must acknowledge that not every good idea has universal application… For example, most people applaud freedom in selecting a husband or wife, but we have decided as a nation that polygamy is not in our best interest as a society. In fact, we impose limitations on our freedoms in this and other ways every day.

 

The Mysterious Nature of Death

 Second, the effects of laws such as gravity, aerodynamics, and disease can be witnessed and experienced daily. We know what happens when someone falls from a multi-story building. We understand the kind of damage a speeding bullet can do. We have seen the devastation of floods. But death, and what follows, still remain a mystery.

People have heard stories, read books, and heard sermons, but we cannot experience on a daily basis what it is like to be dead, or to come face to face with God. We cannot journey back and forth from the other side to tell with certainty what awaits us, like one might travel to New York City, then return, and report on the visit.  Death remains a mystery as far as our experience goes.

Thus we are compelled to form our opinions based on partial knowledge. As Christians, we refer to the knowledge we have on this subject as revelation. We believe that God has revealed these truths that are beyond our knowing from experience by His Word, the Bible.

 

Human Nature

 Finally, the Bible teaches that rebellion against God is deeply embedded in human nature.

We do not want to think that there could only be one way to Heaven because we want to control our lives. The prophet Isaiah expressed it this way: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6). In this one summary statement, written centuries before Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, the prophet clearly expressed the reason why we humans don’t want to respond to God’s one Way to heaven, while explaining how He provided for it.

As I stood beside the sign at the entrance to the Lotus Temple watching the thousands of pilgrims visiting from all over the world, my heart was gripped with a desire to see each individual recognize and respond to God’s provision of salvation through faith in the death and resurrection of his Son. As Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15:3 and 4, this is the good news that offers the only way into God’s heaven.

Here at Crossroads Bible Church, we are committed to Biblical revelation, not only because we desire to honor God’s Word, but because we deeply care about the eternal destiny of men and women.  Thus we believe that what the Bible teaches about this critically important issue is THE TRUTH, not one of many “truths.” We are further committed to supporting and participating in the spread of this life-giving message to people both here and around the world.

Mary Magdalene

Ever have your world totally collapse around you? The central focus of your life ripped away? That’s what happened to a first-century Christ-follower named Mary Magdalene. Consider three things about Mary that have relevance to us as we approach Easter 2016.

First, think about her background. Mark’s gospel (16:9) alludes to her mental instability and demonic influence prior to meeting Jesus. She grew up in the town of Magdala, on the southern plain of Genessaret, an area known for demonic activity (Gadara was not too far away). She was not the prostitute of Luke 7:17, as some have suggested—that context mentions both separately. Though not immoral, she was a sinner, and led a very troubled life.

Then she met Jesus, and two incredible things happened. He miraculously set her free from the diabolical bondage that had been her life to that point. Then He became the focus of her life, as she joined several other women who traveled with and supported Jesus and his disciples around the cities and villages of first-century Palestine. She must have developed a servant’s heart, as her devotion carried her throughout the balance of her Savior’s career. In fact, she was present as Jesus suffered the horror of death by crucifixion, and three of the gospels record her watching as His body was removed from the cross. Mark notes (15:47) that she and another Mary of the women who had followed Him watched as His body was sealed in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb. How hopeless she must have felt, as she went home with her companion and prepared spices to anoint Jesus body with spices following the Sabbath.

Which leads us to her Sunday morning trip to the tomb. John’s gospel places the spotlight directly on Mary Magdalene, while the other three evangelists mention the other women who accompanied her. A master of using words to set tone and mood, John observed that their trip to the tomb occurred “while it was still dark,” Mark noted the subject of their conversation—who would move the heavy stone that had been used to seal the tomb. Clearly this was a grim group, in no way expecting anything more than the unpleasant task of completing the first-century equivalent to embalming.

Like other Christ-followers, Mary had heard Jesus speak of being raised from the dead. But like the apostles and others who followed Him, and like many of our day, she didn’t put it together.

How shocked she and the others must have been to arrive to see that the “very large” stone had been “rolled up” out of the way! Mark noted the alarm they felt, and John records Mary’s response. Rushing back to Peter and John, she reported that Jesus’ body had been stolen. That, from her perspective, was the only possible explanation. And while we may, from our perspective knowing “the rest of the story”, be tempted to say, “Don’t you get it, Mary,” her response is totally understandable.

It is precisely at this point that she experienced her encounter with the Master. After John records his and Peter’s faith experience, he returns to Mary, standing in the garden wailing hopelessly. Now, tears are appropriate when we feel grief—after all, Jesus wept (John 11:35). Amazing—she has seen two angels—men in dazzling white robes (Luke 24:4). She has heard their message—He is risen!

But in her confusion and grief, she does not recognize the Individual who asks, “Why are you weeping?” Through her tears she explains her acute loss, and asks if he has taken Jesus’ body away.

Then, following His two gentle yet probing questions, He calls her by name.

“Mary”

With that, suddenly the light dawns! Her beloved Jesus has indeed risen from the dead! Her faith is confirmed. Furthermore, Jesus has a job for her—“Go and tell…” It’s the same job assigned to Christ-followers today.

So, in light of Mary Magdalene’s story, where are you today? Have you considered the evidence of over five hundred eyewitnesses who actually, physically saw Jesus alive after His death and burial? Have you trusted Him as your own Savior and Lord, as Mary did?

If so, as a Christ-follower, what is the level of your devotion to Him today? Easter is a great time to re-evaluate the outworking of our faith. Are we spending time in prayer? In His Word? Worshipping with a faith community?

Perhaps like Mary you feel overwhelmed with losses and grief. Your world has collapsed, and life seems in ruins. Easter is a great time to see what God is doing, and can do in your life.

Finally, just as with Mary, once you have recognized Him and reaffirmed your faith commitment, the instructions are clear. “Go and tell….”  Is there someone—family, friend, fellow-worker—He is prompting you to share the best news ever with?  You may be the very person who can best introduce them to the risen Savior.