Back in 1978 when I started college and was not yet a Christian, I saw a poster that looked a lot like this: https://www.redbubble.com/i/poster/JESUS-ONE-WAY-by-CalliopeSt/33625995.E40HW?ref_list_id=srp_results&ref_list_index=4 You’ll notice the “One Way” sign pointing up, along with the first six words of John 14:6. I thought of this recently because of a conversation between my wife and a friend. More on that in a bit.
The full verse (John 14:6) reads like this: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” Over the years, I have heard (and read) many people question this; nowadays, some say things like, “That’s so exclusive!” Yes, it is, and it is particularly offensive to some in our era of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). I’ve also heard something like this more than once: “But that’s so narrow-minded!” Here’s what Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” There is a sense in which Christians are “narrow-minded” because yes, we believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven. We also understand that this way, or road, is not an easy one, particularly in the face of a culture that is increasingly hostile to Christianity.
While I would expect atheists, agnostics, and adherents of other religions not to accept what the Bible says, I find it very disturbing that 57% of American evangelicals responded “Yes” to the following question: “Are there many religions that lead to eternal life?” This was back in 2008, so my guess is that the percentage is now even higher. You can read more about this research here: https://keithpetersenblog.com/2020/05/07/how-many-christians-are-there-in-the-united-states/
At the outset, I referred to a recent conversation between my wife and a friend of hers. This friend, while not a regular churchgoer, had said and done things over the years that caused those who knew her to assume that she was a Christian. However, she recently posted something to the effect that we can please God on our own, without Jesus to save us. When my wife tried to engage her in conversation about it, she asked my wife not to comment on her “philosophical” posts, saying that my wife already knows what she believes and feels.
One thing that struck me about this exchange was my wife’s friend’s use of the word “philosophical,” rather than “religious,” for example. Another thing that struck me was her also asking my wife not to comment on her public posts of that nature; I would say that if you don’t want someone (anyone?) to comment on your thoughts, then don’t make them public! My wife, of course, will no longer do so. On a deeper level, after talking about this with her, my guess is that her friend’s belief has a lot to do with the grief that she has experienced over the years. I can easily understand that when a loved one who is not a Christian dies, there is a strong sense of hopelessness regarding that person. I can also understand how that could lead to wondering if there is another way to heaven, independently of Jesus. Regardless of exactly what is going on in her heart and mind, for the moment, all that my wife and I (and some other believers) can do is pray for her; right now, she is on a much broader but very dangerous road.
Christmas is less than a month away. I am very much looking forward to my family being together soon and everything that goes with it, including wonderful meals, laughter, game-playing, time out in the Lord’s creation, Christmas lights, presents, and much more! I suppose some may find it a bit strange that I am writing a post like this now. If so, I would remind all of us (certainly including myself) that in spite of what our culture may try to tell us, Christmas is all about Jesus Christ. He is truly the One Way, the Only Way, to heaven. If you are not yet a believer, my prayer is that this will be the season you come to know Him as your Savior and Lord.
To the Remnant 
As a Chinese-American Christian, I found from conversations with my fellow brother and sisters and with non-Christians, that many in the Chinese community (even more than Americans) believe that all religions are basically similar. Chinese civilization has historically combined elements of different beliefs, so it might be difficult to share the message that believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved.
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My wife and I are part of a growing Chinese church, and there are plenty of people there who know how to effectively share the Gospel. In China, we had students who asked us questions about religion; they didn’t have as much religious “baggage” as Chinese people in some other countries, and over the years, some of them came to faith in Jesus. However, I know what you mean.
I would also add that unfortunately, there are a growing number of churchgoing Caucasians and other ethnicities in the U.S. who also believe that other religions offer additional ways to heaven. This seems to be because of lack of understanding of the Bible, sometimes coupled with a desire not to be “offensive.”
Thank you, Tony, for your thoughtful comment!
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The Bible is God’s Word. It is truth. We don’t get to have an opinion about it. People need
to love truth more than what they want to be true or their own opinion. Blessings, Keith!
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People have differing interpretations of Scripture, but you’re right that we don’t get to have an “opinion” about something so fundamental as the only way to heaven, which the Bible makes abundantly clear is Jesus. As you said, we have to love truth more than our own opinion or “feeling.” My wife’s friend is clearly not focused on truth right now.
Blessings to you as well, Cindy!
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