Is Christianity the “Right” Religion?
Devotions for Growing Christians
Is Christianity the “Right” Religion?
With all the religions in the world, how do I know if Christianity is the “right” one to follow?
Most, if not all, Christians have pondered this question one time or another. If Christianity is the only true religion, how could so many other people in the world be convinced that their own religion/belief system is correct?
Of course, we believe that Christianity is unique from other religions, and that belief supports our stance that Christianity is the only true religion. But is this a valid and/or trustworthy position?
The word “unique” means "the only one of its kind" or "without equal." For the most part, everything is unique. No two people are exactly alike. No two places are exactly alike. Not even two photocopies are exactly alike. So, if all things (including all religions) are unique in some way, can we even use “uniqueness” as proof that the Christian faith is valid?
Yes! Why? Because Christianity is unnaturally unique! All religions have their differences, but Christianity is unnaturally distinct. It can’t be a man-made religion. There are too many aspects of Christianity that have a supernatural stamp. It’s too unnatural to have been devised by humans in a religious quest. In the words of Romans 11:33, God’s great riches and wisdom and knowledge are evident in Christianity. When examining the Christian faith in detail, we must acknowledge that it’s “impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!”
The unfathomable ways of God can be seen in His sovereign plans for mankind since the beginning of time. His creation, His covenants, and His Redeemer for mankind are all part of the incomprehensible depth of God’s plans. It was designed from start to finish by God. No aspect is man-made.
Discussing the uniqueness of Christianity could take many pages, so we’ll just look at a brief summary. Before we begin, it’s important to note that when we refer to “Christianity,” we’re referring to “biblical Christianity.” There are many religious entities that profess to be Christian, but they don’t follow biblical Christianity. In fact, one of the best ways to detect unbiblical brands of Christianity is to note how far they move away from the Bible, and more towards the natural characteristics and natural teachings of man-made religions. So, with that said, let’s look at some of the unnaturally unique aspects of biblical Christianity.
The Founder
When compared to the founders of the other religions of the world, Jesus is unnaturally unique.
- His birth was predicted hundreds of years before He appeared.
- His public life was characterized by incomparable miracle-working power.
- He claimed that He Himself was the only way to God because He is God.
- He conquered death and came back to life.
Critics of Christianity will question these facts, but the well-substantiated record of Jesus in history is impossible to logically dispute.
Origin of the Bible
The Bible provides great evidence of Christianity’s supernatural character. It’s the only book that claims to be the sole revelation from God. The religious writings of other world religions generally claim a divine origin, but they concede the existence of other divine written works. Only the Bible makes the unnatural and "exclusive" claim of divine inspiration.
Accuracy of the Bible
The perfect accuracy of the Bible is amazing. Other religious writings contain mistakes, because they’re not inspired by God. The book of Mormon, for example, has many historical errors. Meanwhile, the Bible contains more historical data than any other religious book. It’s been estimated that there’s more historical details in Genesis 10, alone, than in the entire Koran. Everything the Bible teaches--both directly and indirectly--is unnaturally accurate.
The fulfilled prophecies in Scripture are unique. While other religious writings contain limited prophecies, the biblical prophecies are more detailed, longer in range, and all are100% accurate.
Unity of the Bible
The Bible is made up of 66 different books, written over a span of at least 1,500 years, by more than 40 different authors from every walk of life (kings, fishermen, statesmen, shepherds, scholars and ordinary people). It was written in 3 different languages, and on 3 different continents. Some books were written from prison, some from a palace, some in times of peace, and some in times of war. Almost every type of literary genre is used - poetry, letters, historical narrative, proverbs, visions and more. The Bible has something to say on virtually every subject. Despite this, the Bible’s theme is uniquely unified: the glory of God and the redemption of man.
The fact that the Bible is unified in spite of such amazing diversity is unnaturally unique. No other religious writing in the world comes close. The existence of such a unique Book apart from divine guidance is inconceivable.
Salvation
Attaining "salvation" in other religions is humanly possible through strict discipline and hard work. Christianity, however, teaches that salvation is humanly impossible because God requires absolute perfection (see Romans 3:19-26). Would natural man ever propose such a religion?
The Bible teaches that while salvation is not humanly possible, it can be obtained as a free gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Talk about unnaturally unique! A prime characteristic of every man-made religion is that you must do some kind of “works” to earn your right to “Nirvana,” “Valhalla,” “paradise,” or whatever term is used for Heaven in a particular religion. In contrast, salvation for the Christian is accomplished through God’s work. God is both the architect and achiever of humanity’s salvation. Man is recipient of God’s efforts in salvation, and the beneficiary of God’s doing. Not only is man unable to save himself, he is also unwilling. There’s not even a "spark of good" or "spark of the divine" within anyone (see Romans 3:9-20).
Salvation is also not attained when a Christian dies. It’s a present possession! Christianity promises the gift of salvation, possession of eternal life, and a living relationship with God Himself. In other religions, salvation is a goal, and a hope that somehow you’ll "make it" after death.
One of the most unusual features of Christianity is that salvation can be obtained in one way only. Many other religions suggest there are many pathways to God. But the Bible declares that all roads to God do NOT lead up the same mountain. There’s only one road to God, and it’s very narrow (Matthew 7:13-14).
When Jesus was crucified, an historic transaction took place in the moral universe of God. The penalty of sin was taken by Jesus. Because of this unnaturally unique transaction, belief in Jesus as personal Savior is the only way of salvation (see John 14:6 and Acts 4:12). Rejection of this way of salvation means eternal separation from God. Would the works-oriented mind of man devise such a narrow mode of salvation and such harsh consequences? If Christianity is untrue, how would such an unnatural and unbelievable religion ever get started?
Historical Basis
All other religions, in one way or another, are ultimately based on the teachings of humans. They don't depend on actual figures and/or events in history for their authenticity. Christianity, in contrast, is based on historical events. Christianity stands or falls on whether the resurrection of Jesus took place in history. When all is said and done, if Jesus is not alive today, it really doesn't matter what He taught. There would be no authority behind the Sermon on the Mount, for example, if the Teacher never rose from the dead as He said He would.
Any religious leader can say, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Some may even dare to claim, "I am the light of the world." But when someone plainly states that He will "die and rise again," it’s a whole different story (see Mark 8:31-32)! The authority for Jesus’ words rests on the historical events He predicted. His teachings are intricately woven together with the events in His life. You can’t separate the ethical teachings of Jesus from deeds that were historical events. The basis and foundation of this most unique religion is the objective, factual events that took place in history.
Biblical Christianity alone is unique. Unnaturally unique!
“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!” (Romans 11:33)
- Dave Reid
(Updated 2022, Ron Reid)