Another way

by Dave Jackson

Christians say people can only approach God through Jesus. Is that really true?

Robert and his friends have been playing advanced Dungeons and Dragons for months when Alex digs up a dusty old book in the library. In it, he discovers an ancient myth about "seeing god". It involves drinking a special potion and being sealed in a tomb from midnight until 3:00 in the morning. The boys mix the potion; Alex drinks it and climbs into an old wooden trunk. When he comes out, he claims he has had a shining vision so incredible that he can't even talk about it. Robert and the other guys don't believe him, but Alex sticks to his story. After a few days, they realize he has changed.

What's Robert to think? Has Alex found a long-lost path to God?

Amy enjoys visiting Crystal's family more than any other. There is little fighting in the Webb household. Crystal's mom often drives the girls where they need to go. And in the recent hunger march, Amy overheard that the Webbs contributed $300. There couldn't be any better people. But Amy knows that they don't believe in Jesus. "If there's a God," said Crystal's mom one day, "then I'm sure He is just. If we do our best, He can't ask anything more."

But is that so?

One of the largest tourist attractions in West Virginia is Prabhupada's Palace of Gold--a huge monument to the founder of the Hare Krishna movement. Smothered in gold, marble, stained glass and Indian teakwood, this palace sits on a hill overlooking the homes of hundreds of Krishna followers. These people base their beliefs on the Hindu sacred writings. They worship before statues (and even a holy plant) and spend hours chanting, "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna."

Are these thousands of modern North Americans entirely wrong? And what about the 460 million Hindus and their thousands of years of history?

These are hard questions. But there are answers!

First, the Bible tells us that there are other spiritual beings--evil ones that would confuse us to draw us away from Jesus Christ. Jesus warned: "False messiahs and false prophets will come and work great miracles and signs" (Matthew 14:24, The Bible). So don't be overly impressed by dramatic claims.

Second, we shouldn't be satisfied with just a glimpse of truth. Almost all religions contain something that is true. That's why it's sometimes hard to tell what is right and what is not.

The Bible tells us that nature reveals enough of God's qualities (His displeasure with wickedness, His eternal power and His divine nature) that people have no excuse if they choose to live godless lives (Romans 1:18-20). Everyone catches at least a glimpse of God. The mistake comes when people get hung up on that glimpse of God and don't really seek Him. They often end up worshipping creation instead of the Creator.

Our objective is to find more than just a glimpse of truth. So we go to the Source. If Jesus were a mere prophet or just a good teacher, then others might be able to teach us as much about God as Jesus can. If He were just our example--the One we are to follow to get to Heaven--then we might rightly wonder if there were other ways. But Jesus is much more. He said, "I am one with the Father" (John 10:30, The Bible). Jesus is God.

What about other religions? None bring us to God as Jesus does.

What about mystical experiences in drugs and the occult? Is it God or the forces of evil one encounters there? Paul said, "Even Satan tries to make himself look like an angel of light" (II Corinthians 11:14, The Bible).

And what about those who think they can live good enough lives to face God? Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. Without Me no one can go to the Father" (John 14:6, The Bible).

There is no other way.

Dave Jackson and his wife Neta live in Evanston, Ill. and are the authors of many books.

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