Question: Why do Christians believe Jesus is the only way to heaven?
Answer: As an instructor and lecturer in Christian schools I regularly face the questions of curious students. Your question (and versions of it) heads the list of the most common questions asked. You are correct, the Christian faith makes this claim of exclusivity. We are open to the accusation of being extremely narrow-minded. Furthermore, we are unapologetic in that assertion.
We have several factors that support this claim. First, this is not a claim that any Christian invented. Jesus is claiming this uniqueness for Himself. He stated emphatically; “I Am The Way, and The Truth, and The Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
He taught; “For unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). The apostle Paul concurred in I Timothy 1:5: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ.” Peter echoed it in the very first Christian sermon (see Acts 4:12).
Secondly, this claim of exclusivity is ipso facto true if Jesus is God. As God He can make any rule, establish any matter He chooses. He tells us that He alone is the only source of salvation.
The entirety of the Bible traces a simple truth: Man is not in a good position with God. We were the creation of God, created perfect, glorious. The original pair of humans decided to rebel. With the forbidden fruit still between their teeth, they were cursed to death, emptiness and spiritual alienation.
God, however, promised to set the broken relationship in order, make the world aright. He promised a Savior who would come and reestablish our former glory, relationship and life. Jesus Christ fulfilled those promises. He became a human (John 1:14, 29). He died in our place, took the curse on Himself, so we could enjoy God (II Corinthians 5:19, 21).
The incontrovertible argument for Jesus’ uniqueness is – He is alive. If you desire salvation, are you going to ask Mohammed, Confucius, the Buddha, Joseph Smith, Paul Twitchell or L. Ron Hubbard for it? They share one insurmountable problem; they are all moldering in their graves and tombs.
Go ahead and ask them for eternal life, let’s see what happens. As for me, I’ll take the free salvation of the Living Lord Jesus, exclusivity and all.
Rev. Charlie Harrah
Christ Church, Lower Township
