World Religions in Seven Sentences: A Small Introduction to a Vast Topic” by Douglas Groothus (IVP Academic)
Take an exceptional theologian and give him an assignment with very narrow parameters (The “in seven sentences” series from IVP Academic) and you’ll have an excellent tool to explain the core differences between the world’s religions. These are “windows into their worldviews and ways of life. Pluralism does not mean claiming all religions are equally good or true or that religions can somehow be fit into a larger viewpoint in which they are all deemed equally legitimate as roads to salvation. This is an unsupportable philosophical claim. While religions are many, truth is one, and all religions cannot be one, given their differing truth claims.” The author “addresses the central doctrines of each religion in relation to Christianity and attempts to ascertain how each religion testifies before the bar of truth.” Atheism—“God is dead”. Judaism—” I Am who I Am”.
Hinduism—“You are that”. Buddhism—“Life is suffering.”
Daoism—“The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao.”
Christianity—“Before Abraham was, I am.”
Islam—“There is one God, and Muhammed is his prophet.”
So what do these sentences mean? Some are self-explanatory, while others are obscure (even deliberately so). The case for Atheism is made through the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche, a brilliant and passionate writer whose “disposition was obvious and whose anti-God arguments were specious.” Judaism’s great gift to the world was the self-revelation of God in true and understandable words, which gave authority to the written word. Of Hinduism, the author concludes, “You and I are finite selves, and any aspiration beyond that is not enlightenment but self-deception.” “For Buddhists, earthly life is literally hopeless. “ There is no God, and life is nothing but suffering. (Why would anyone embrace that?) Daoism is one of three religions of China. It has no creeds or norms to violate, demands nothing, promises nothing, and dies not love or care for humanity.” (What’s the point?)
Christianity promises eternal life by acknowledging our sins and accepting the forgiveness offered by Jesus, the Son of God the Father and bearer of the Holy Spirit. Islam offers a God who does not love or care for creation but rules over it, and his favor is sought by works (the six tenets and five pillars.)
Only one worldview offers grace and Heaven based on the love of God. The others offer no hope, no relief from suffering except extinction, and no way to heaven except by earning it. Logic favors Christianity.
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