Confronting Christianity (Chapter 3): How Can You Say There’s Only One True Faith?

The universal offense:

Are the various world religions making competing claims on reality, or are they simply different voicings of one truth?

Some people say, “All religions are just different paths to the same truth.”

Christianity claims that Jesus is the only way to God, which is very different from other religions.

**Discussion question:**

Have you ever been in a situation where you and someone else disagreed on what was the 'right' thing to do? How did you handle it?

The elephant in the room:

The Hindu parable of the blind men touching an elephant—one person touches the trunk and says it’s a snake, another touches the ear and says it’s a fan, another touches the leg and says it’s a tree trunk.

They all think they have the right answer, but they only see part of the truth.

This story suggests all religions describe the same truth, just from different perspectives.

But Christianity claims that Jesus is the only way, creating tension—if everyone is right, no one is really claiming the full truth.

**Discussion question:**

Can something be true for one person but not for another? Why or why not?

The problem of respect:

It's important to respect people, but respecting their beliefs doesn't mean you have to agree with them.

Sometimes, challenging someone’s beliefs can be a sign of respect because you're taking them seriously.

In today’s culture, many think that trying to change someone’s belief is disrespectful.

Christianity teaches that sharing the truth about Jesus is an act of love.

**Discussion question:**

Is it possible to disagree with someone’s beliefs and still respect them? How can we do that well?

The problem of truth:

We live in a time where people believe that truth is personal—like "what’s true for you might not be true for me."

Christianity teaches that some things are objectively true for everyone, no matter how they feel about it.

For example, Christianity claims that Jesus rose from the dead, which is a historical fact, not just a personal belief.

**Discussion question:**

How does Jesus’ claim to be the only way to God challenge the idea of multiple truths?

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The problem of history:

Christianity is based on historical events.

If Jesus didn’t really rise from the dead, Christianity would be false.

Christianity is unique because it’s based on something that either happened or didn’t.

**Discussion question:**

Why is it important that Christianity is based on historical events like the resurrection?

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The problem of conversion:

Praveen Sethupathy, a genetics professor at Cornell, grew up Hindu but didn’t know much about his faith.

He studied different beliefs and was deeply moved by the idea of Jesus on the cross.

Eventually, he became a Christian.

People sometimes change their beliefs when they encounter truth.

Jesus’ life and sacrifice have the power to draw people to Him, even from different religious backgrounds.

**Discussion question:**

Why do you think people change their beliefs? What role does truth play in conversion?

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The problem of ethics:

Different religions have different ideas of right and wrong.

Christianity teaches that Jesus is the ultimate standard for morality.

Other religions have their own ethical systems that might conflict with this.

If different religions disagree on what’s right and wrong, they can’t all be equally true.

**Discussion question:**

Can two different ethical systems both be right? Why or why not?

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The problem of monotheism:

Christianity, like other monotheistic religions, believes in only one God.

This can feel exclusive, especially when many people are used to thinking that there are many ways to find God or live a good life.

**Discussion question:**

Why do you think monotheism (belief in one God) feels exclusive or offensive to some people?

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The problem of Jesus:

Jesus doesn’t leave room for being just “one way” among many ways to God.

He claimed to be the only way, as stated in **John 14:6 (ESV)**: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

In **Mark 2:1–12 (ESV)**, Jesus demonstrates his authority to forgive sins, saying, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

- **John 11:25–26 (ESV)** highlights Jesus as the source of eternal life: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.’”

- **Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)** commands his followers to make disciples of all nations, showing his universal authority: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’”

These verses make it clear that Christianity cannot accept that all religions lead to the same truth.

**Discussion question:**

Why can’t Jesus just be 'one truth' among many?

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Conclusion:

Wrap up by summarizing the key message: Christianity makes a unique claim that Jesus is the only way to God.

This may seem offensive, but it’s also important to consider what’s actually true.

**Final discussion question:**

How should Christians approach conversations about faith with people who believe differently?