Quick Shot: “It’s narrow-minded to think Jesus is the only way to God”

Our “Quick Shot” series offers brief answers to common objections to the Christian worldview. Each response is limited to one paragraph. These responses are designed to (1) answer the objection as concisely as possible, (2) challenge the objector to think more deeply about his or her claim, and (3) facilitate a “gospel” conversation. In this article, we’re offering “Quick Shot” responses to the objection, Quick Shot: “It’s narrow-minded to think Jesus is the only way to God.”

Response #1:
“Christians don’t claim Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus claimed He was the only way to God. He said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6). That’s a bold claim, I agree. But what if it’s true? Doctors claim Isoniazid is the only cure for Tuberculosis. That’s also a bold claim. Are they being narrow-minded? What if their claim is simply true? Isn’t it more important to investigate the claim than dismiss it out of hand because you think it’s narrow-minded?” Christians don’t claim Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus claimed He was the only way to God. Click To Tweet

OR

Response #2:
“What’s the alternative? That every world religion leads to God equally? How can that be, given that the world religions contradict one another? Some forms of Buddhism and Confucianism deny that God exists at all. The monotheistic religions (like Christianity, Judaism and Islam) disagree dramatically about the nature of God. Hindus believe in many diverse gods. Every religious system claims the competing views of God are incorrect. Given all the contradictions between religious systems, they’re either all wrong, or one of them could be right. Just one. You might call this reality ‘narrow-minded,’ but it’s just the inevitable consequence of contradictory claims. Wouldn’t it be wiser to investigate the religions to see if one of them is true, rather than complain about the obvious?” Every religious system claims the competing views of God are incorrect. Given all the contradictions between religious systems, they’re either all wrong, or one of them could be right. Just one. Click To Tweet

OR

Response #3:
“It sounds like you’re saying it’s narrow-minded for me to think my belief is true and that other people (who disagree with me) are incorrect. But isn’t that what you’re doing too? You think your belief (that there are many ways to God) is true and that I’m wrong. Isn’t it equally ‘narrow-minded’ to think there must be more than one way to God? Everyone thinks their belief is true, or they wouldn’t believe it! But when two beliefs are contradictory, wouldn’t it be wiser to investigate the beliefs rather than argue no one should hold them as though they are true? Have you fully investigated Jesus enough to know if He truly is the only way to God?”

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Our “Quick Shot” series was written specifically for the Cold-Case Christianity App (you can download it on Apple and Android platforms – be sure to register once you download the App). When confronted with an objection in casual conversation, App users can quickly find an answer without having to scroll beyond the first screen in the category. Use the App “Quick Shots” along with the “Rapid Responses” and Case Making “Cheat Sheets” to become a better Christian Case Maker.

For more information about the reliability of the New Testament gospels and the case for Christianity, please read Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. This book teaches readers ten principles of cold-case investigations and applies these strategies to investigate the claims of the gospel authors. The book is accompanied by an eight-session Cold-Case Christianity DVD Set (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.

J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, and creator of the Case Makers Academy for kids.

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