Christian particularism in a pluralistic society
The essence of political correctness is this: power reigns over truth. Where there is no commitment to truth, power gains the upper hand. No wonder so many people today believe the politically correct view that at all religions worship the same “god” in different ways. Nobody is really wrong (or right) – all roads lead to Rome.
Diametrically opposed to this is the idea of Christian particularism – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The New Testament is crystal clear on this issue. Christ’s atoning death alone provides salvation – Jesus is the only way.
This particularistic doctrine was just as repugnant and scandalous in the polytheistic world of the Roman Empire; as in contemporary Western culture. Materialism and consumerism pervades our culture and shapes how many think about everything, including worldviews. Consumers want choice. Christianity’s claim to be the only way to God and salvation seems narrow and cruel. Christians are therefore branded as narrow-minded and intolerant.
To be honest, much of what is said against Christianity in this regard is unimpressive and amounts to little more than ad hominem attacks on Christians. The fact that someone believes they have the truth does not automatically mean they are arrogant or intolerant. Everyone holds the view they do because they think they are right (at least we hope so). Conviction does not equate to intolerance. Furthermore, the truth of a proposition is quite independent of the moral qualities of those who believe it. Even if all Christians were arrogant and intolerant, this is no way proves their view is false.
Now, Christ was a particularist if ever there was one. “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews”, could hardly be considered as open-minded statement by popular culture. John Piper wrote, “If a worshiper of God does not see in Jesus Christ the person of his God, he does not worship God.” Why? Because Jesus makes known to man the image of the invisible God – “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Paul puts it this way, “For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness, "made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). Again, in Hebrews 1:3 we read, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…”
No religion leads to God. Only following Christ, totally dependent on God’s grace and Spirit, leads to God. That is not religion. That is relationship. The Christian teaching that Jesus is the only way to God is no less tolerant that any other view. Every belief system has certain non-negotiables, or else they will inevitably end up dying what philosophers informally call “the death of a thousand qualifications.”
By definition, truth is narrow and exclusive. 2 + 2 = 4, not 4 or 5 or 6. It is the same with Christ – “No one comes to the Father, but through me.” He meant what he said.
