A pastor visited a dying man who was religiously confused. On the man’s bedside table he found a New Testament, a Lutheran Prayer Book, a Muslim Koran, a Watchtower magazine, a biography of Karl Marx, a book of yoga exercises and a paperback entitled How to Stop Worrying.
It’s no wonder that people are confused. There are a multitude of religions in the world and all of them claim to be true. As one historian wrote, “To the populace, all religions were equally true; to the philosopher, all were equally false; to the politician, all were equally useful!”
It’s reported 84 per cent of the world’s population is considered to be “religious,” but a great many of those are puzzled as to which path to take. Where does someone wanting to know the truth about God start the search?
One approach is apathy, which purports that “No one can really know for sure … so we’ll just wait and see.”
Similar, but not identical, is indifference. These say, “It doesn’t matter what we believe, as long as we believe in someone or something.”
Another popular method is to empty our minds of everything and hope something good will fi ll the vacuum. Pardon my cynicism, but I’m afraid that empty minds are an all too common problem, not a solution.
As a Christian minister, I’m asked often how I can be so certain that following Christ is the right way. It’s a valid question. I answer openly and often without (to begin with) the Bible. (The use of the Bible to those unfamiliar with it seems quite preachy).
I do have some things to share that I believe provide evidence for the superiority of the Christian faith.
Jesus, of course, heads the list. Both biblical and historical records attest to His pristine character, principled teaching and powerful resurrection.
The directness and practicality of the Christian message, as it analyzes the real problems of mankind, and provides answers to these problems, is also very attractive.
What Christian doctrine does not address in particular you can be sure that it will present a truth or principle that will … no stone is left unturned.
Forgiveness as presented within the Christian message is amazing, as is God’s grace Who provides it. And the hope that is promised for the future based on this forgiveness is unmatched.
Another tenet of the Christian faith that I deeply appreciate is that it presents a challenge; Christ requires something of His followers.
Facing the challenge and following Him produces fervent, faithful and fruitful disciples.
The bottom line? “… to whom shall we go? You (Jesus) have the words of eternal life … we know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John, 6:68,69)
Pastor Ross Helgeton is senior pastor at Erskine Evangelical Free Church.
— FAITH & REFLECTION